The Village of Copenhagen was incorporated in 1868 with the first mention of fire protection dated February 23, 1883.  The Village Board presented a resolution to the voters that:

"The sum of Five Hundred dollars be raised by tax upon the taxable property in the Village of Copenhagen to be expended by the Trustees to procure ropes, ladders, buckets and apparatus for protection against fire and for a suitable place to store such apparatus."

This resolution was voted upon March 16, 1883, and was defeated by a 45 to 29 count.  However previously, in May of 1873, two hoses, chains, rope, fifty buckets and two ladders were purchased by the Village.

Nothing else was found regarding fire protection until the December 1, 1888, Village Board meeting when another resolution was presented to the voters.  This resolution stated:

"That the Board of Trustees of the Village of Copenhagen be empowered to purchase two Chemical Fire Engines for the use of said Village and to be the property of said Village, the expense of the same shall not exceed the sum of Twelve Hundred Dollars."

This resolution was passed by a 40 to 20 vote at a Special Election held on December 11, 1888.

On March 16, 1889, the Village Clerk was instructed to write to Mr. T. S. Bones of Carthage requesting he return the contract for the purchase of the Chemical Engines.  These engines resembled a large soda acid fire extinguisher, consisting of a 200-250 gallon water tank mounted on a two-wheel cart.  Inside the tank was a bottle of acid, which when released and mixed with the water would create a gas that would expel the water through one hundred foot of one-inch rubber hose.  These two engines were manufactured by the S. F. Hayward & Co. of New York City and arrived around June 3, 1889.  The Village Board then ordered that a building be purchased to burn and test the Engines.  On June 17th, the Engines were tested on a house purchased from George Dryden, which was apparently located on Cataract Street.  With the test considered successful, the two Engines were purchased from the S.F. Hayward & co. for $1,100.00.
 
 
In 1889, the Fire Department was officially formed in the Village of Copenhagen.  On June 22, 1889, George Keiser was appointed Chief Engineer of the Department, with Joseph Boyd and John D. Wheeler appointed as First and Second Assistants, respectively.  The Chief Engineer performed the same duties as the Chief does today.  The Village Board then met on June 25th and the following agreement was drawn up by the Clerk and signed by the people listed below. 

"We the undersigned residents of the Village of Copenhagen, appreciating the benefits and mutual protection to the derived from a thoroughly organized and efficient Fire Department, and inconsideration of the exemptions from jury duty and Highway poll tax to which all active members of such organization are entitled, do hereby enroll ourselves as members of the Copenhagen Fire Department and do hereby promise and agree to promptly respond to all fire alarms at any and all times when within hearing of the same and when on duty to cheerfully obey the orders of our officers whether it be regular or detailed duty for a period of five years from and after the date hereby.

Dated June 25, 1889