C Firefighting in Brockport – The Protectives Inc. No. 1

Clarence “Deke” Boyst, the spirit of our company

Clarence “Deke” Boyst was the first member of t his company to go on to become Fire Chief of the Brockport Fire Department (1941-1943).

Early in 1877 the Protectives were received into the Fire Department “…for the purpose of making themselves useful at fires and for the particular purpose of saving property liable to be destroyed, lost or stolen at fires.” First located on the northwest corner of Main Street and Monroe Avenue, by 1885 they moved to the then newly built Municipal Building and Fire Hall on the south side of Market Street. Because of the canal lift bridges, it was decided that a station needed to be located on the north side of the canal. During 1967, the Protectives acquired a gas station on the southeast corner of West Avenue and Carolin Drive, moved there, and remodeled it extensively over the years.

Interpretive Panel Text

Firefighting in Brockport – The Protective Inc. No. 1

Clarence “Deke” Boyst – the spirit of our company

Clarence “Deke” Boyst was the first member of this company to go on to become Fire Chief of the Brockport Fire Department (1941-1943).

“The Mouse” The Protectives mascot since the early 1970s.

Protectives Charter Members: John D. Burns, President, Sam Madden, Secretary, William Winslow, Vice President, A. Harmon, Treasurer, James Brennan, Foreman, W.J. Hill, Assistant Foreman, G.O. Decker, George Boyd, G.O. O’Lear, C.C. Randolph, J.C. Johnson, Frank Board, V.E. Losee, Kase Smith, B. Hallett, Henry Madden, W. Campluff, W. Root, J.N. Drake, Thomas Patterson
Early in 1877 the Protectives were received into the Fire Department “…for the purpose of making themselves useful at fires and for the particular purpose of saving property liable to be destroyed, lost, or stolen at fires.” First located on the northwest corner of Main Street and Monroe Avenue (N), by 1885 they moved to the then newly built Municipal Building and Fire Hall on the south side of Market Street (O).

Because of the canal lift bridges, it was decided that a station needed to be located on the north side of the canal. During 1967, the Protectives acquired a gas station on the southeast corner of West Avenue and Carolin Drivee (P), moved there, and remodeled it extensively over the years (Q).

1877 A.G. & S.C. Stewart salvage carriage for carrying buckets, canvas, extinguishers and other salvage equipment to fires (photo: 1977)
1912 Cadillac chemical & hose truck. The Protectives first motorized fire equipment was purchased in 1916. It was a revamped touring car which also carried men.
An early 1930s Packard emergency truck rebuilt from a motor car.
This 1935 Federal Sanford 350 GPM pumper cost approximately $4,000, and replaced the Protectives 1929 Chevrolet pumper.

Brockport Community Museum, A Museum Without Walls

This sign was developed by The Brockport Community Museum Exterior Sign Committee with support from The Protectives, Inc. #1, and dedicated in 2009.