The formation of the Rhinecliff Volunteer Fire Company was considered during the meeting of the Rhinecliff improvement committee in May 1914 to reduce homeowners fire insurance rates. The following men were appointed to work with the improvement committee on the formation of the Fire Company: Jas McCarthy, Pierre Champlin, William O’Niel, Myron Heermance, and Fred Holsapple. An effort is also underway to secure funds for the purchase of a hose cart, hose, and other equipment and uniforms for the Company.

Early June 1914 the Rhinecliff village improvement committee and the fireman’s committee met on a Monday night and contracted with the Eureka hose company to purchase 500 Ft of hose, a hose cart, fire extinguishers, ladders and other equipment at a cost of $600.

On Monday evening June 25, 1914, a meeting of the men of Rhinecliff was held at the Morton Library to organize a fire company and write by-laws. The following men were selected to secure members: William Stahl, Bertner Kipp, and Albert Hunter. Robert Dedrick was elected as temporary Treasurer until the regular elections are held. There was a large attendance at this first meeting and most of the men present put down their names as members.

July 2, 1914, A meeting of the Fire Company was held at the Morton Library and various committees were heard. 21 men put down their names as members. The Fire Company was holding weekly meetings at the Morton Library.

Tuesday evening July 16, 1914, the first officers were elected as follows: Chief-Myron Hermance, Foreman-Bertner E Kipp, 1st asst Foreman-George Dimler, 2nd asst Foreman- William Stahl, Secretary-R.L. Dedrick, Treasurer-A.G. Hunter, Trustees-William Tewkesbury, Tracy Hester, and W.J. Scott.

August 1914 The new hose cart has been received and is ready to use. It will be kept in the garage across from the Morton Library. The garage will soon be overhauled and lights put in. This Garage is still there as of 2026. 20 new member applications were also received and voted in. Oscar Allen and George Holsapple were a committee to purchase a fire bell.

September 4,1914, Vice president of the USA Levi P Morton was made an honorary member of the Rhinecliff FD.

October 1914 Mrs. Levi Morton leased the Garage across from the Morton library to the fire company. Plans are underway to remodel the garage.

October 1914 an alarm of fire was rung from the M. E. church in response to a telephone call from Ellerslie.

November 1914 Mrs. Levi Morton presented the fire company with a 6-cylinder Stevens-Duryea car. The vehicle was equipped with firefighting equipment.

December 3, 1914, a vote was held by the Rhinecliff fire company to have a Fire district established. The following men were appointed to get the needed signatures: William Tewkesbury, W.J. Scott, Bertner E Kipp.

February 11, 1915, was the first meeting of the Rhinecliff Fire District.

July 8, 1915, was the first annual meeting of the Fire Dept. The Dept was organized a year ago with 20 members. During the year another 31 active members and 6 honorary members were taken in. 21 meetings were held with an average attendance of 24 members. The Fire Dept. was also incorporated in 1915. The Fire Dept arranged with the Town of Rhinebeck to use the Fire house as a voting place and to hold court when needed. The FD also became a member of the Hudson Valley Volunteer Firemen’s Association.

February 1923 a vote passed by the taxpayers of Rhinecliff to spend $18,000 to build a new firehouse, which is the current fire house in use today. There have been more recent additions onto the original building over the years.

1948, The women of Rhinecliff met in September and formed the Ladies Auxiliary and elected their first officers. Those officers are President-Marie VanEtten, Vice President-Dorothy VanEtten, Secretary-Marilyn Loeber, Treasurer-Alice Allen. Needed committees were also created.

1951 the Rhinecliff ambulance squad was started. In 1952 a used 1948 ambulance was purchased from the Copake community emergency squad for $2,250.

April 1959, the first women were voted in as members of the Fire Company. They had the duties of Fire dispatchers. Their names are, Marion Conklin, Minnie VanWagner, Mary VanWagner, Mrs. Alvie VanEtten, Mrs. Lester Butler, Evelyn Butler and Astrid Stahl (1960). Calls for alarms were called into their home phones or the phone at the store the “Sugar Bowl”.

May/June 1959, the following women were also joining the Fire dept. as members of the Rhinecliff Rescue squad. Helen Bathrick, Margaret Goodrich, Charlotte Jones, and Anna Mulvey Jordan.

Sept. 7,1972, the fire department put a 17 ft. boat with a 75 hp engine in service. It carried a fire extinguisher, first aid equipment, a stretcher and other equipment.