.....Rotterdam Fire District #2 was created in September 1922. The newly created fire district encompassed the northern portion of our present fire district and did not have a fire station or any firefighting equipment, rather it was created so that residents could establish a fire company with sufficient personnel and suitable fire fighting equipment.
.....Two devastating house fires occurred in 1932, 1 on Greenpoint Ave and the other on Altamont Ave. These fires motivated the residents of the fire district to establish 2 fire companies. The fire district was officially reorganized on March 14, 1934 and recognized the Beverly Hose Company as the fire districts 1st company. The fire district officially recognized Edgewood Hose Company on May 15, 1934 as its 2nd fire company.

Beverly Hose Company -

.....Began when a group of neighbors met at each others residences and stores to organize a means of establishing a fire company. The outcome was an International Truck donated by Mrs. T Oathout and garage bay donated by F. Johnson on Beverly St. The neighbors rebuilt and equipped this truck into an efficient fire fighting apparatus. During the 1930's the fire company began to grow and a Brockway Pumper was purchased. As the company grew, larger quarters were needed and the company moved into Bowers Garage on Curry Rd at the corner of Floral Ave. In 1942 the Brockway was replaced with a new Dodge Pumper and plans began for a new fire station.

Edgewood Hose Company -

.....Began with a group of neighbors who had been trying for years to establish a company. They received a "Checker" taxi from NYC and a bay from the Vogel Brothers Garage (now uptown beverage). The neighbors reconstructed the taxi into a chemical firefighting truck. The company continued to grow and equipped itself with firefighting equipment and in 1939 moved into Von Stettina's Garage on Amsterdam Ave. In March 1941 the company received a new Dodge Pumper to replace the Checker and after WWII the company received an OCD Pumper to compliment its 1941 Pumper. Again plans were made for a new fire station.

Companies Merge -

.....It wasn't until 1950 that both companies moved into and shared a new station, our current station. After many meetings and discussions it was decided a merger of the 2 companies was needed and on January 1st, 1955 it was completed. Great discussion continued for a name and it was concluded that both hose companies were Rotterdam Volunteer Fire Companies of Rotterdam Fire District #2; therefore it was decided that our name shall be Rotterdam Volunteer Fire Company of Rotterdam District #2.

Palma Lumber Fire -

.....1950's were marked by the disasters of the Town Tavern Fire and the Palma Lumber Company Fire. Shoporama shopping Plaza was completed on Altamont Ave showing evidence of a growing district. The fire district purchased a 1956 Mack with a 750gpm pump, 300 gal tank to replace the 1935 Chevy Pumper. Another Mack was purchased in 1957 to replace the OCD with a 750gpm Pump and 300gal Tank.
..... 1960's saw the completion of the Curry Rd Shopping Center displaying continued growth in the fire district and with that a new Gerstenslager Rescue Truck was purchased in 1966 to replace the 1941 Dodge Pumper.

Station -

.....1970's started with the completion of a new edition to the Firehouse adding 2 bays with large overhead doors and the fire district purchased a new 1972 Mack Fire Engine with a 1250gpm Pump, 250gal Tank, jump seats with airpacks and 4" hose to replace the 1942 Dodge Pumper. The district continued to grow with the opening of Royce Shopping Center on Altamont Ave. The members of the company built a brush truck from a military 2 1/2 ton, 10 wheel drive truck in 1977. By the end of the 1970's FD2 had started training extensively on heavy rescue and vehicle extrication.

Bowling Team 1971 -

Fund Drive 1978 -

.....1980 began with our Rescue Squad merging with the South Schenectady Ambulance Corp creating Rotterdam Ambulance Corp. An automatic mutual aid response was devised with Carman, South Schenectady, and Pine Grove Fire Departments to assure availability of fire fighting equipment and personnel. Our 1957 Mack was replaced with a new 1982 Ward having a 1250gpm pump and 500gal Tank.

Memorial Day Parade 1984 -

.....1990's was no exception with continued growth. 1992 saw the arrival of 2 new apparatus, a 1992 Pierce Lance pumper with a 1500gpm pump, 750gal tank, and an all enclosed 6 man cab. Also purchased was a 1992 Pierce lance 12 man cab Heavy Rescue Truck. With the arrival of these apparatus and following safety regulations FD2 stopped firefighters from riding on the rear steps of trucks. Purchased in 1994 was the 1st Chiefs Vehicle a 1994 Jeep Cherokee. Another Pierce Engine was purchased in 1997. This truck also has a 1500gpm pump, 750gal tank and an all enclosed 6 man cab.
.....As we look at our current history we see technology making its mark. A Thermal Imaging camera has been purchased. A 2nd Chiefs car has been purchased, a 2001 Ford F-150 extended cab, and now a 5th engine has been put in service a 2001 Ford F-550 Extended Cab Truck. Talk has started for replacing the only outdated engine left in service the 1971 mack (E-121). Plans are made for hosting a firemans convention in 2003 and a possible renovation to the rec room, offices, and ambulance bay in the near future.