Brockport in Monroe County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Fire Fighting in Brockport - The Protectives Inc. No.1
Clarence "Deke" Boyst, the spirit of our company
Photographed by Bradley Owen, July 7, 2026
1. Fire Fighting in Brockport - The Protectives Inc. No.1 Marker
1. Clarence "Deke" Boyst was the first member of this company to go on to become Fire Chief of the Brockport Fire Department (1941-1943).
2. 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.D. Decker George Boyd G.D. O'Lear C.C. Randolph J.O. Johnson Frank Board V.E. Losee Kase Smith B. Hallett Henry Madden W. Camplull W. Root J.N. Drake Thomas Patterson
3. 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
this page online
(Captions):
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.
"The Mouse"
The Protectives' mascot since the early 1970s.
(Center Chart):
Protectives Inc. members who served as Department Chief
A. Clarence "Deke" Boyst; 1941-1943
B. Harold Wheeler; 1950-1952
C. George Marks Sr.; 1958-1960, 1966-1968
D. Fremont Clow; 1971-1973
E. Arthur Zimmer; 1976-1977, 1980-1981
F. Daniel Zimmer; 1985-1986
G. Willard Bird Jr.; 1995-1997
H. John Alexander; 1998-2000
I. Scott Smith; 2009-
Trucks
The Protectives purchased and used, except as indicated (VP = Village purchase; FDP = Fire Department purchase).
J. 1877 A.G. & S.C. Stewart bucket & canvas carriage
1910 Everready Co. chemical tank (VP)
K. 1912 Cadillac chemical & hose truck
1929 Chevrolet 250 GPM pumper
L. Early 1930s Packard emergency truck
M. 1937 Federal-Sanford 500 GPM pumper
1950 GMC emergency truck
1956 John Bean 600 GMP pumper
1963 Ford emergency truck
1968 Bruco Heavy Rescue (FDP)
1975 Hahn 1,250 GPM pumper
1976 Ford emergency-rescue truck
(FDP)
1993 Marion Heavy Rescue on International Chassis (FDP)
1993 Pierce Saber 1250 GPM 1000 gallon tank (FDP)
Location
N. Monroe Avenue (~1882-1885)
O. Market Street (1885-1967)
P/Q. West Avenue (1967-
Events
Village of Brockport Incorporated in 1829
Village requires water buckets at each home May 1, 1832
A modernized Fire Department formed, following the major Market Street fire of January 12, 1877
"...the Protectives were recieved into the Fire Department of the Village of Brockport."
[Village minutes, February 5, 1877]
The Protectives converted from a Salvage Company to a Hose Company in 1910
The Protectives moved to the north side of the canal to better cover that area when lift bridges were up
Brockport's five fire companies consolidated in 2006 to form the Brockport Fire Department
Erected 2009
Photographed by Bradley Owen, July 7, 2026
2. Fire Fighting in Brockport - The Protectives Inc. No.1 Marker
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1877.
Location. 43° 13.196′ N, 77° 56.782′ W. Marker is in Brockport, New York, in Monroe County. It is at the intersection of West Avenue and Carolin Drive, on the left when traveling west on West Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 191 West Avenue, Brockport NY 14420, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Upstate New York, specifically in Western New York, in the Finger Lakes, and in the Rochester Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in North America, on the Great Lakes, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, New Netherland, and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: 1855 - 1944 (approx. 0.4 miles away); Trolley Depot (approx. half a mile away); The Monika W. Andrews Children's Park (approx. half a mile away); Brockport and the Canal (approx. half a mile away); Canal Commerce in Brockport (approx. half a mile away); Main Street Brockport Enterprises in the Early 1900s (approx. half a mile away); American Revolutionary War Memorial (approx. half a mile away); Main Street District (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brockport.
Regarding Fire Fighting in Brockport - The Protectives Inc. No.1. Marker includes a map of Brockport and the locations of its fire departments.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 31, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 30, 2026, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. This page has been viewed 17 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 31, 2026, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.
