Aroused by the helplessness, residents of the community set the wheels in motion to organize a fire department in order to protect themselves and their property.

On April 13, 1925, 19 public-spirited residents met at the Halfmoon District No. 1 schoolhouse to formally organize the Halfmoon Volunteer Fire Company.

The 19 men spearheading the formation of this unit were Jared Clark, Charles Clute, Edward Faulkner, Stephen Faulkner, Milton Frigheit, Warren Green, Earl Groat, Randall Lasher, Raymond Lasher, Tom Dwyer, Burton Rice, Arthur Sabourin, Cornell Sickler, Harold Smith, Lloyd Taylor, Wellington Vickery, Lowell Vickery, Abraham Walker, and Peter Woodin.

Following preliminary discussion, the group named a chairman and took up a collection totaling $100.00 for use as operating funds.  They then elected the following men to serve as the first officers: President Milton Freight; Vice President, Peter Woodin; Captain, Earl Groat; Assistant Captain, Arthur Sabourin; Secretary, Lloyd Taylor; Treasurer, Harold Smith.

The next order of business was adopting a suitable name and functioning as a duly organized company; holding regular meetings, contacting residents for financial assistance, and putting on fundraising suppers, etc.  Initiation of these efforts resulted in the involvement of a great deal of time, planning and shear hard work; ultimately leading to the successful organization of the first fire department for the community.

Cornell S. Hawley, a prominent Albany businessman and a native of Halfmoon, who once served as Secretary to United States President Grover Cleveland, presented the fledgling firefighting unit with a donation of $250.00 to help it overcome its financial burdens.  As a tribute to his generosity, the company was renamed C.S. Hawley Chemical Company.

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