BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Buffalo Fire Department's Edward M. Cotter is not only the oldest working fireboat in the world, it is about to mark a major anniversary, 125 years of service to the Queen City.
In 1900, Buffalo was a major power. It was the gateway to the west, the 8th largest city in the country, largely because of our position at the union of the Erie Canal and the Great Lakes.
Industry started to spring up, electricity began to flow, and it all needed to be protected.
Retired Buffalo Firefighter Kyle Zappia says being on the boat is like standing on a piece of history.
The William S. Gratton, as it was originally named, was built in New Jersey and made its way to Buffalo with great fanfare. 10,000 people waited on the shore as the boat arrived.
It was also a welcome arrival for area industry, because firefighting became a top priority as the waterfront grew.
Newly appointed skipper, Captain Michael Kick says "when the grain elevators were first built, they were all made of wood and they ere being operated with steam engines. So you had friction, then a spark, then you had an explosion. it was the grain, it was the wood, it was everything. this vessel has been to major, major conflagrations and explosions up and down the Buffalo River."
In 1954, the boat was rededicated and named after long-time Buffalo firefighter and union leader Edward Cotter. But while this boat is on the National Registry of Historic Places, it is not a museum, it is an active piece of emergency equipment.
Kick recalls "1961, the boat went to Port Colborne, Ontario for a fire in the Maple Leaf Belt. It's one of the largest grain elevator operations in North America. they were fighting the fire for about 4 days." They were ultimately able to put out the flames due to the large capacity the boat can pump. "We can flow over 15-thousand gallons a minute, so it's about 11 fire trucks worth of water that we can throw, all at one time."
But while it still has the ability to throw tons of water, Kyle Zappia says it's main job these days is preventing problems by moving tons of frozen water. "The biggest thing with this boat is the ice breaking, this is our major function these days, is breaking ice. We clear the water channels all the way to South Wales."
While the fireboat is still active, it's maintenance is paid for by the Edward M. Cotter Fireboat Conservancy, so they are always fundraising.
There is a series of events planned for 2025, capped off by a big party in September at Riverfest Park. Organizers are calling 2025 the year of the Cotter.