Fire Headquarters History
The original Westhampton Beach Firehouse was constructed in 1953 and served as the municipal building for the Village of Westhampton Beach. It was home to the Fire Department, Police Department, and Village Offices, making it the central hub for public safety and village operations. For decades, this building played a vital role in daily life for both first responders and local government officials.
As the needs of the community evolved, the building saw several additions and renovations to accommodate new equipment, growing personnel, and changing standards. Despite these updates, the structure remained a symbol of service, tradition, and community commitment.
On May 30, 1970, the firehouse was formally dedicated as the George D. Raynor Memorial Building in honor of George Raynor—a respected Village Trustee, firefighter, and devoted public servant who died in the line of duty while battling a fire in the village. His name and sacrifice are forever etched into the history of the department and the community he so selflessly served.
Building a Safer, Modern Headquarters
By the early 2010s, the original firehouse could no longer support the operational needs and safety standards of a modern fire department. On June 4, 2013, a public referendum was held to approve the construction of a new firehouse. Voters overwhelmingly supported the initiative, allowing the fire district to move forward with a practical, modern, and safer facility—eliminating a long list of deficiencies associated with the old building.
In September 2014, the original firehouse was razed, and the site was cleared to make way for the new headquarters.
During the construction period, fire operations were temporarily relocated to the Fire District’s storage and maintenance building at 31 Seabreeze Avenue in Westhampton. To accommodate equipment and personnel, a three-bay storage tent was also constructed to house additional apparatus and gear.
Our New Headquarters
The new firehouse officially opened in 2016, representing a major milestone in the department’s history. The state-of-the-art facility includes:
- Five drive-through apparatus bays (one front-facing, non-drive-through bay)
- Increased space between vehicles for improved member safety
- A vehicle exhaust removal system to eliminate harmful emissions
- A dedicated turnout gear room for safe and efficient firefighter preparation
- Wider bay doors to better accommodate modern apparatus
The new Fire Headquarters stands as a symbol of the community’s investment in safety, readiness, and the future of emergency response in Westhampton Beach.
