The Aurelius Volunteer Fire Department was started by a group of concerned citizens after a fire in the Hamlet of Half Acre. The group met on several occasions at Hoskins Farm, the Town Hall and held its first meeting at Foster’s Midway Garage September 20th 1945. The Department has a great deal of pride in its history and in its goals for the future.

     In 1947 the Aurelius Fire Department had the first Tank truck in Cayuga County. It was a used 1938 “Diamond T” truck with a used 1000 gallon gas tank, converted at Foster’s Midway Garage by our members for under $400.00.

      In the Fifties the Fire Department was the first rural department to purchases two way radios to communicate with fire dispatch.

      In the Sixties we started changing the color of the fire trucks from red to yellow for better visibility.

      In the Seventies we started responding to EMS alarms and as the town grew we drew up plans for our new Fire Station on Half Acre Road.

      In the Eighties, the Fire Department bought its first rescue truck to meet the demand of Emergency Medical Service calls and save wear and tear on the Fire Engines. We then went on to become the first Advanced Life Support Rescue in Cayuga County.

      In the Nineties we were the first Fire Department in the Cayuga County to use high-band radios for better fire ground communications. The members of the Fire Department built our first Squad Truck and dedicated it to Past Chief Bruce Chappell.

     In the next decade the Fire Department purchased its first Thermal Imaging Camera and formed a Rapid Intervention Team. The Fire Department also purchased a used Quint at no cost to the taxpayers in order to meet the increasing demand of commercial structures in our district.

     We should also acknowledge the Aurelius Fire District Board of Fire Commissioners who plays a large part in our activities by providing support and wisely distributing tax dollars for equipment and training.