Only sixteen years after the arrival of its very first settler, the Village of Albion began its fire protection program.  One of its first actions in 1828 was the appointment of three citizens as fire wardens.  It was the duty of these men; Philetus Bumpus, Benjamin Hensen, and John Henderson to inspect houses and buildings for unsafe fireplaces and chimneys and to have these conditions corrected. 

    In 1831, the Village Board of Trustees purchased two axes, two pike poles, a pull-down hook and chain, and four ladders.  Following this they decided to appoint about 35 men as the first fire company, called the Champion Engine Company. 

    It wasn’t until 1842 that a second fire company, the Rescue Hook and Ladder Company, was appointed and that more equipment and a truck to carry it were purchased by the Trustees.

Several other companies were formed but many disbanded or were reorganized until 1882, when two new companies were appointed. The C.D. Knapp Hose Co. No. 2, who in 1896 changed their name to the Active Hose Co. No. 2; and The Hart Protective Hose Co. No. 3.  In 1884 the Dye Hose Co. No. 5  was organized and it is these four companies that comprise the Fire Department today, which consolidated in 1976. 

    The first fire house was erected in 1839.  It was a brick structure and stood on Beaver Alley, about halfway between Main and Liberty Streets.  This engine house was used until 1871 when it was sold.  A second fire house was located on Main Street in 1858, where the Olde Coach Inn is presently located.  When the original fire house was sold, a lot was purchased on the north west corner of East Bank Street and Platt Street.  It was voted by the Village Board to build a Village building on this site.  The brick structure, with Medina Sandstone arches and trim, was finished and in use by 1875.  A hose drying tower was built in 1880 and remained in use until 1959 when it was demolished. 

    When the Village Building was completed in 1875, a large fire bell was installed in its tower.  Until this time a striker, placed on the bell of the town clock that hung in the tower of the old concert hall, was used.  Anyone could sound a fire alarm by pulling on the rope which dropped to the street from the striker.  Another fire bell, purchased for $70.00, hung at the engine house on Beaver Alley.  In 1905, a large electric gong was installed on the front of the Village Building and was operated from the Bell Telephone switchboard by the operators.  Today’s alarm system is the outgrowth of a system installed in 1919.  The electric bell striker, originally installed in this system, was replaced by a compressed air horn in 1923. 

    The Albion Fire Department is one of the largest volunteer organizations in Western New York.  It was the first in this part of the state to acquire motor equipment.  Even Rochester and Buffalo had yet to purchase their first piece of motorized equipment when Albion had a truck in regular service. 

At present there are three engines, one 103 ft. aerial platform truck, a tanker, one emergency squad vehicle, one rescue with cascade system, two chief’s vehicles  and one fully equipped boat and motor available for service.

A hose drying tower was built in 1880 and remained in use until 1959 when it was demolished.