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.

All through the latter half of the twenties, these dedicated pioneers gave unselfishly of themselves in both time and money to provide an effective fire protection system to some 175 homes that were in Fire District No. 1.  Today there are more than 7,000 homes served in the district.

In 1930, the company continued its forward thrust purchasing a new "Model A" Ford chassis from John Newton, local Ford dealer in Crescent.  From here on and all through the 1930s, the company was truly equipped and capable of fighting fires.  The community showed its appreciation for its fire company by supporting its many fundraisers.

Prior to the establishment of the fire district, which now covers 26 square miles, within the Towns of Halfmoon and Waterford, the community decided to drop the C.S. Hawley Chemical Company name in favor of the Halfmoon Fire Company, Inc.

In 1948, a fire truck was purchased and the company financed it as it had all other equipment until the establishment of the fire district.  Named as the first Fire Commissioners were William Connerty Sr., Orvil Dunham, and Perry Pelkey.

In 1955, the land on which our present firehouse is located was purchased from Charles Kilmer.  Great progressive strides were made until 1960 when the Fire Company gained the approval of a bond issue for a new firehouse and pumper.  Delivery of a new modern Ford truck was accepted in 1961, and a move to our new firehouse took place in the fall of the same year.

In 1965, a 1500 gallon Ford tanker was purchased.  This equipment was backed up by a 1952 Ford Tanker.

In 1974, a new firehouse was built on Route 32 at the lower part of the fire district to help serve the needs of a fast growing community.