Fire Protection Service · Fire Station · Government Organization
S.W. Johnson Engine Company No. 2
A volunteer fire department that is dedicated to safeguarding lives and property in Wappingers Falls, NY.
Firehouse & Emergencies
Additional Information
Dial 911 to report an emergency. We regularly respond to alarms of all types and fire protection. If you see, hear, or smell something - say something. Your action could save someone's life; or your own. The SW Johnson Fire Department is the villages first fire department, protecting life and property since our inception in 1872. We have served at every major fire in the village of Wappingers Falls for over 150 years, and are comprised 100% by volunteers. We are your friends, neighbors and business owners at the fire station . Fellow citizens giving back to our community. No alarm too big, no call to small. We continually procure new apparatus, equipment and fire engines to stay ahead of the technology curve, and tirelessly train our members. Our members are a family, and we treat every alarm like it's our neighbors, because you are.
Fire Engine in Wappingers Falls, NY
Savings by the S.W. Johnson Engine Company No. 2
Taxpayer Savings & Economic Value
As a volunteer organization, S.W. Johnson provides a massive financial benefit to the Village of Wappingers Falls:
- Avoided Labor Costs: By utilizing volunteers instead of a paid, full-time career staff, the community avoids the high costs of salaries, health insurance, and pension contributions.
- Property Tax Stability: Statewide data suggests that switching to a fully paid fire service could increase local property taxes by approximately 28.4%.
- Operating Efficiency: Volunteer-led fundraising reduces the direct tax burden required for purchasing specialized firefighting equipment and maintaining the station.
Insurance Benefits
Beyond direct tax savings, the presence of S.W. Johnson Engine Company No. 2 actively reduces the cost of homeowner’s insurance for village residents:
- Public Protection Classification (PPC): Insurance providers utilize ISO ratings to determine premiums. The proximity of this station and the village's robust hydrant network place the area in a highly favorable classification compared to rural or unprotected districts.
- Proximity Credit: Most insurers offer a "Protected" status to homes within five road miles of a recognized station. Because S.W. Johnson is centrally located, nearly every home in the village qualifies for maximum proximity discounts.
- •Fire Suppression Capability: The department’s specialized equipment and rigorous training standards ensure that fire incidents are contained quickly, which lowers the "Loss Cost" data insurers use to set local rates.