The young community of Blasdell had existed as a village only a short time when the need was felt for organized protection against fire. Two events may have hastened the decision of Blasdell's citizens to take action.

In 1903, a wildly uncontrolled fire raged through the block from Lake to Miriam Avenues on the road now called South Park Avenue.  A short time after this disaster, the Village water system was put into operation with water piped from the reservoir near Hamburg.

It was a natural consequence, then, that in January 1905, just seven years after incorporation, the "Village Fathers" took steps to form a Volunteer Fire Department. A meeting was called on the evening of January 28, 1905, probably in Old Fraternal Hall.  By the suggestion of the Village Board, Mr. Louis Deyer was named acting Chief engineer until the meeting in April.  The meeting accepted the names of 29 men to be submitted to the Village Board for approval as members of Hose Company No. 1.  Then, 32 names were submitted to the Village Board for approval as members of Hook and Ladder No. 1.

The first fire was reported on the evening of March 14, 1905, in the central office of Frontier Telephone Company.  A hand extinguisher was used and the loss was only about $50.

Also, in March of that year, Hose Company No. 2 was organized.

Work on a fire alarm system was in progress in 1906, at an estimated installation cost of $250 for 12 boxes and eight miles of wire, with a bell in every fireman's house.  At the close of 1907, the old Village Hall was completed and the fire department housed its equipment there.

Throughout the next hundred years, many other milestones helped define, advance and shape Blasdell Volunteer Fire Department into what it is today.  Some of those include:

• September 1911 - the department was enlarged by organizing the Hose Co. No. 3, with 34 members.
• 1926 - a petition signed by the taxpayers of the Village was presented to the Village Board requesting the purchase of a fire truck; Hose Co. No. 3 was disbanded and reorganized as Engine Co. No. 1. 
• 1930 - a complete reorganization took place when the separate companies were united as one department.
• 1946 - the Fire Department started a fund drive to purchase an ambulance. With donations from residents, they were able to purchase a 1942 Cadillac Ambulance for $3,000. 
• 1951 - after five years of strenuous service they decided to replace the ambulance, and again, went door-to-door asking for donations. They purchased another Cadillac ambulance for $7,000.
• 1952 - the Village Board bought the Fire Department a 750 G.P.M. Pumper.
• 1954 - the Fire Department acquired a a radio for use in the Mutual Aid Fire Services in the Town of Hamburg
• 1956 - construction began on the present truck room. It was completed in 1957.
• September 8, 1963 - the baseball park on Lake Avenue was dedicated as "Blasdell Fireman's Memorial Park."
• 1973 - a new American LaFrance Pumper was purchased and is still being utilized by the Department as Engine No. 3.
• July 1974 - Michele Fehmer, the first female volunteer firefighter in Erie County, joined the Department. Michele is still an active member.
• 1975 - Blasdell's firebox alarms were tied in with the Town of Hamburg. The Blasdell Volunteer Fire Department became a member of the Town of Hamburg Mutual Aid Fire Association. The Board of Trustees approved the incorporation of the Blasdell Volunteer and Exempt Firemen's Benevolent Association.
• 1986 - fire pull boxes were removed from around the Village and the firefighters were issued pagers.
• 1993 - an American LaFrance Patriot was purchased ans is currently our Engine No. 1.
• 1996 - Maureen Kryszak became the first woman Assistant Chief in our Department.
• 2000 - our current Ford Rescue Ambulance (No. 8) was purchased.
• 2001 - Firefighter Brian Gill represented Blasdell in NYC for the search and rescue efforts after the 9-11 tragedy. Brian received an award for "Firefighter of the Year" for his assistance.
• 2004 - the Board of Trustees purchased a Ferrara 1500 G.P.M. Pumper for use as our primary pumper Engine No. 2.

From humble beginnings in 1905, the Blasdell Volunteer Fire Department has faced many crises and always answered the call to duty. From fires, great and small, to ice storms, train derailments, rescue operations and a multitude of other emergency situations, they have always been proud to continue the honored tradition of serving their community.

We are sincerely grateful to those who came before us and those who continue to serve our community, so this fire department might prosper for years to come.