New Hackensack's history stretches back to 1948. Prior to the birth of the Fire District and Fire Company, there was no fire protection in this part of the Town of Wappinger. Homes and barns would just burn to the ground in what came to be known as "No Man's Land". It was during this time however, that a fatal fire claimed the life of an elderly women who lived on New Hackensack Road. The incident became a reminder to the public that fire protection was a necessity. The patrons of the Mount Hope Grange, and members from the New Hackensack Dutch Reformed Church decided to take some action. A petition by local residents prompted the Wappinger Town Board to approve a new fire district. On March 3rd,1949, the New Hackensack Fire District, Fire Company, and Ladies Auxiliary were formed. This website is dedicated to all of the men and women who devoted their time and effort to make New Hackensack what it is today.

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Back in those days, there was no Emergency 911 Center to take emergency calls and dispatch the Fire Department. There were five local residents that had red fire phones in their homes that would ring when someone called to report an emergency, and a button that set off the siren on top of the fire house. After taking the call, that person would then wait on the phone for one of the firemen to arrive at the fire house and relay the information to him. That member would then write the information on a chalk board on the front of the fire house. Most times, the person that answered the fire phone were members of the Ladies Auxiliary. As a young boy growing up on All Angels Hill Road, I remember calls coming into our house, and either my Grandmother or Mother answering that red phone, and setting off the siren.

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I was exposed to the Fire Service at an early age. My Grandfather, Vincent Bisulk was a Charter Member, Past President, and Life Member of the Fire Company. My Grandmother, Florence Bisulk was a Charter Member, Past President, and Life member of the Ladies Auxiliary. My Mother, Kay Valentino was a Charter Member and Life Member of the Ladies Auxiliary also.

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I joined New Hackensack Fire Company in 1972, have served as Vice-President, President, Safety Officer, and am a Life Member. My brother Mike Valentino is also a Life Member, a Past Chief, and Past Fire District Commissioner. His son, Mike Jr. is also a member of New Hackensack, and is presently a Captain.

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Being a Volunteer Firefighter is not only a rewarding experience, as I have made many friends over the years, but it provides a necessary and valuable service to our community. Please read the following two stories, both written for the 50th Anniversary of the Fire Company in 1999. The first one is written by Charter and Life Member, Past Commissioner and Chairman of the Board, William T. "Bill" Parsons, and Charter and Life Member of the Ladies Auxiliary Katheryn M. Valentino, and learn more about the history of the New Hackensack Fire Company.

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