ABOUT US
The Cos Cob Fire Police Patrol (the Patrol) is an all-volunteer company which operates under the structure of the Greenwich Fire Department in the Town of Greenwich, Connecticut. The Patrol provides a broad spectrum of services to residents and first responders including firefighting, salvage operations, traffic operations and scene and lighting control at emergency calls. Their protect
ion of property and people has an extensive history dating back nine decades in Greenwich. The original concept of the Fire Patrol dates back to the New York Board of Fire Underwriters of the early 1800’s. The New York Board of Fire Underwriters was an organization that insured personal and business property. This group issued a two percent fire tax on commercial structures in the City, which was used to run the Fire Patrols. Their job was to patrol the streets of New York City in search of fires. If a fire was discovered, they sounded off ratchets, a high screech, to warn people in the building or homes to evacuate to safety. Another Fire Patrolman would then run and get the Patrol wagon which contained fire salvage equipment. Once on scene, the Fire Patrol assisted in saving valuables in the buildings. As a result, the Patrol received its name from the Fire Insurance Industry. Since then, it has been tradition for Fire Patrol Members to wear red fire helmets to distinguish themselves at the fire scene. As a nonprofit organization, The Cos Cob Fire Police Patrol has been
dedicated to protecting residents of the Town of Greenwich since 1927. The Patrol was established in November 1927 after members of the Cos Cob Volunteer Fire Company addressed the need for a separate fire salvage and scene control company. On May 1, 1928 The Cos Cob Fire Police Patrol was officially organized and held its first meeting with the election of James Tomney as Captain, Chief Officer. Since 1927, the all-volunteer Patrol has never taken a break. November of 2022 marks its 95th anniversary. In 2020 alone, the group responded to over 1,000 emergency calls; including fires, water rescues, traffic accidents, flooding, and downed wires and trees, and doing whatever necessary to keep the citizens of the Town of Greenwich safe. The Patrol’s dedicated members are all volunteers who train and donate their time solely out of love for what they do. Each of the approximately 30 service members of the Patrol must train for over 100 hours to secure their part in the organization. Members of the Patrol are a diverse group of men and women from many professions. In addition to service members - associate, honorary and veteran members, volunteered over 5,000 hours to the Town and its citizens through community outreach, support, meetings and training in 2016 alone. They don’t stop. Whether it is learning or giving of themselves to the community, members of the Patrol are dedicated to serving the needs of the citizens of the Town of Greenwich. One of the few nationwide organizations which specialize in the art of salvage work, the Patrol specially trains its members to protect valuable personal property inside a home or business that could otherwise be destroyed due to fire, water or smoke damage. In addition to fire salvage, the Patrol plays an integral role in the day-to-day operations of the Greenwich Fire Department and the Greenwich Police Department. The Cos Cob Fire Police Patrol over the last 90 +years. We recognize the incredible commitment of the men and women who have bravely and proudly served this great community without fail for almost a century. We salute the countless hours of training, emergency response, and community service offered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, and we are thankful for the support we receive in exchange. For more information, or to donate, please visit: www.ccfpp.org.
