150+ Years of Service

2022 marked the 150^th year the West Sand Lake Volunteer Fire Department has served the town of Sand Lake.  The West Sand Lake Volunteer Fire Company #1 was the 3^rd rural volunteer fire company to be organized in Rensselaer County and the 1^st in the Town of Sand Lake.

Mill owner, John McLaren, spearheaded the organization of the fire company as a way to protect the local mills.  In the 1870’s the members protected the mills and homes in the village with “bucket brigades” until they raised enough funds to purchase their first apparatus, “Old Joe”, in April of 1876.  “Old Joe” is currently displayed in the museum portion of our fire hall.

The West Sand Lake Fire Department currently protects over 10 square miles of rural and suburban Rensselaer County including over 5000 residents. We have approximately 40 active firefighters, and respond to over 350 calls for service each year.

2023 Fire Department Statistics:

January 1, 2023 – December 31, 2023 
Total Calls:  417
Total Person Hours: 7,195.3