The company was founded by firefighting pioneer Harry Howard who was one of the last Volunteer Fire Chief's of the Fire Department of New York. He was the first to create the bunk in system for volunteers to sleep in the fire house and respond to calls quicker. Eventually he relocated north to Westchester County and realized that Port Chester did not have a Ladder Company within their Department so he decided to establish Harry Howard Hook & Ladder Co.#1 within the Village of Port Chester in 1858. 

Harry Howard was such an influential person in the fire service that they have named the FASNY Firemen's Home in Hudson, New York after him. 

Harry Howard Hook & Ladder Company is one of seven volunteer fire companies within the Village of Port Chester. The company is responsible for manning two pieces of fire apparatus. Our response area is a combined 7 square miles between the Village of Port Chester and the Village of Rye Brook. On average we respond to over 1,200 fire emergencies per year.