Organized fire fighting in Chazy, New York had its beginning with the formation of the Chazy Fire District on June 30, 1934. The district covers an area roughly one mile in radius from the fire station, and is governed by a Board of Fire Commissioners. The Chazy Volunteer Fire Department is an organization of men and women who operate the equipment of the Fire District. The first meeting of the Chazy Volunteer Fire Department was held on October 18, 1934 with eighteen men present. In November 1934, the district's first piece of fire apparatus, a 1934 Buffalo pumper with a 600 GPM pump and a 150 gallon booster tank, was received. By January 1935, the original fire station was finished and put in operation. In August 1941 the department purchased a 1929 LaSalle and set about converting it into a squad car. This piece of apparatus, quite appropriately named “Blitz Buggy”, was finished in early 1943.

A third fire district in the town of Chazy, the first was the West Chazy Fire District, was proposed in the 1942 and became a reality in 1943. This third district, known as the Chazy Fire Protection District, contracts for coverage to the Chazy and West Chazy Fire Districts, because of the additional area covered and the distances from adequate water supplies, additional equipment was needed. A second hand 800 gallon fuel truck was purchased and converted into a tanker with a self-contained booster pump. It is believed that this was the first such piece of apparatus in Clinton County. In 1946 the first uniforms were purchased for the department.
Due to the efforts of the Chief, Levi Todriff, the department began to propose a mutual aid system for the Clinton County as early as 1946. Chief Todriff went on to be one of the organizers of the Clinton County Firemen’s Association and developed the mutual aid plan adopted by the Clinton County Fire Advisory Board. The Chazy department joined the newly formed Clinton County Firemen’s Association in May of 1948 and along with the other county departments, became a part of the Mutual Aid System in 1950.

Progressiveness led to the purchase in 1950 of a resuscitator inhalator, aspirator and two self contained breathing apparatus, more first for the county. In 1955, the Miner Foundation donated to the department a 55’ Bangor ladder for use at the then multi-storied Chazy Central School and the Gray Gables Apartment house. A 2000 watt generator was added to the roster in 1951.
In July 1953, Chazy would host to the 6th Annual Clinton County Firemen’s Association Convention. In 1954 it became necessary to begin replacing equipment, and at that time a 1954 Ford with a 500 GPM pump and a 1000 gallon tank was ordered to replace the converted oil truck. This apparatus was delivered in early 1955. In February 1957, the district was contracted for coverage of that part of the Town of Beekmantown east of the D & H right of way. This coverage was continued until equipment was received by the Beekmantown Fire Department.
1958 was a year of apparatus additions. A 1958 Chevrolet van was purchased and outfitted as a squad truck to replace the aging “Blitz”. The Miner Foundation donated a 1948 Cadillac ambulance from the Physicians Hospital and with this the department began to offer ambulance service. In 1962, a 1961 Cadillac ambulance was purchased to replace the 1948 vehicle.

1970 was another busy year. In early summer a Pierre Thibault pumper on the 1970 International chassis was delivered. It had a 750 gallon tank and was equipped with 4” supply hose, another first for the county. An auction was held that year and the profits were used to begin construction of a meeting room addition to the fire station. This was the third addition to the original building.
In 1973, Chazy hosted the 26th Annual Clinton County Firemen’s Association Convention. A 1974 GMC van was purchased and outfitted by the members to replace the 1958 Chevrolet squad truck. In 1974, the members of the department purchased a base radio station and home receivers. This new equipment provided an automated emergency and daily test alarm as well as a voice alert for all emergencies. The fire department operator is able to sound the alarm, activate the base radio station and broadcast a voice description over the same telephone that he/she receives the emergency call on. This alarm system consisted of five strategically placed telephones which all ring on the same emergency number. The department purchased jackets for all members in 1976.

Since acquiring its first ambulance in 1958, the department has continued to improve its emergency medical equipment and training. In 1976 an ambulance fund drive with a goal of $20,000 was initiated to be used for the purchase of a new ambulance. The emergency medical service, though not the primary function of the department, accounts for nearly two-thirds of all emergency calls.
1976 was a year of equipment acquisitions and changes. The venerable Buffalo was withdrawn from the Mutual Aid System but was still active as a reserve pumper. It played a large part in quickly stopping a major fire at Gerald Blows Garage on April 3, 1977. The district purchased a 1500 gallon, 750 GPM Saulsbury pumper-tanker on a 1976 International chassis to replace the aging 1965 Ford. Also, in 1976 the department hosted the 29th annual Clinton County Firemen’s Association Convention to help raise funds for the purchase of a new ambulance. The event was such a success that, along with monies already in the ambulance fund, the department was able to purchase a new 1977 ambulance.

From 1979 until 1982 the department purchased a number of pieces of small equipment. This includes audio/visual training programs, rescue annies, 500’of 4” hose and a 40’ bangor ladder to replace the one donated by the Miner Farm in 1955. The department also purchased full dress uniforms for all members. These purchases were made possible through funds raised in the annual calendar drive.
In 1982 a committee was formed to investigate the possibility of a new fire station. Luckily the town, about the same time had decided to build a new highway department garage. Through agreement between the Board of Fire Commissioners and the Town Board the old highway department garage was purchased in 1983. The task of renovating the building for use as a fire station was undertaken as a joint effort between the Board of Fire Commissioners and the members of the fire department. The first work crew from Altona Correctional Facility worked for five and one half months helping with the renovations. The members of the department installed all new plumbing, heating and electrical equipment.
A dedication and open house was held at the new station in October 1984, on the 50th anniversary of the department. In 1990 the Fire District purchased a new ambulance to replace the worn out 1977 ambulance. The members of the department also purchased Holmatro jaws of life tools.