One day in the early 1920′s, Dr. A.R. Warner and Fire Chief Henry R. Yates, while enroute to a Kiwanis meeting, observed a crippled child dragging himself along the street. This motivated them to establish a hospital for crippled children in Schenectady.

On December 6, 1926, a lease was signed on a house at 124 Rosa Road. But, on December 12, 1926 only four days before the first patients were to move in, the house burned.

The SPFA immediately began a community fund drive which, in less than two months, successfully collected $50,000 for a new hospital. One year later, the cornerstone was set by Dr. Warner. Deputy Fire Marshall Sanford Alberts assisted him. The Sunnyview children were also the focal point of another Association community activity – The Annual Christmas party. Each Christmas the children were brought to the lobby to watch the arrival of Santa Claus on a big red fire truck. Santa Claus distributed presents that were donated by the fire fighters. These parties continued until the early 1960′s when a cure was found for polio, thereby lessening the number of children patients at the hospital.

Although Sunnyview has since been designated as a regional rehabilitation center the Schenectady firefighters continue their affiliation with the hospital. The SPFA Annual Bass Fishing Tournament, that is held every June along the Mohawk River, has become a major fundraising event for our members. Another organization that the SPFA is very involved with is the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). Firefighters raise money for the MDA throughout the year by conducting our annual Boot Day drive in September, hosting a MDA Lock up in February and selling raffle tickets at our Family Picnic Day. The firefighters also participate in the United Way’s annual fund drive. The Schenectady Permanent Firemen’s Association is committed to serve our members and our community in the finest tradition of the fire service.

This Web Site is dedicated to all career Schenectady Firefighters – past and present. The common thread that binds us together, from the horse era to the present time, is our steadfast devotion to protect the lives and property of the citizens of Schenectady.

The memorial came into being following the line of duty death of Schenectady Firefighter Donald Collins in 1996. A contingent of members traveled to the I.A.F.F. Fallen Fighter Memorial Inc. in Colorado Springs, CO. to witness his name being etched into the memorial. This took place on the Tenth Annual Memorial Observance on September 21, 1996.

The United States, Canadian, Colorado and New York State flags were flown at the traditional half mast honoring position for a period of one week following the notification of Firefighters Collin’s death. The United States flag was folded placed in a walnut presentation case engraved with his name, local number, and rank achieved. The flag was then presented to the contingency.

In 2003 the Schenectady Fallen Firefighters Memorial became a reality. The memorial is located next to Station 1, on Veeder Ave. The memorial stands as a tranquil reminder to the Schenectady Firefighters that have fallen both in the line of duty, and who have passed while in active service. The names of active and retired Schenectady Firefighters are inscribed on bricks that line the memorial with their ranks and dates of service. At the rear of the memorial stands a brick wall containing the names of our lost members.

Since the memorial’s inception, members of the Schenectady Permanent Firefighter’s Association have worked endlessly to maintain the grounds.  Throughout the years, the memorial has undergone several upgrades and improvements.  The members have taken great pride and offer their time, resources and ideas in making the memorial the gem that it is.   Most recently, Schenectady Firefighter Dan Farstad and his landscape curbing company –http://capitalcurbscapes.com/ laid new concrete curbing around the memorial offering an aesthetically pleasing parameter to the grounds.  Pictures of the new curbing at the memorial are visible on his web site.

Please feel free to stop by Station 1 to spend a few minutes in the memorial and pay honor to those that gave the ultimate sacrifice for the citizens of Schenectady.