The City of Hudson is celebrating 225 years serving their community. The mayor honored and presented a proclamation to current firefighters in a special ceremony Wednesday.

The department has a storied history, dating back to April 17, 1794 — when leaders created an organization dedicated to better extinguishing fires in Hudson; which was approved by the New York State Legislature. The order created the JW Edmonds Hose Company Number 1, along with the HW Rogers Hose Company Number 2.

The two hose companies would later merge with a local hook and ladder company to form the city's all volunteer fire department.

"In New York State 75 percent of firefighters are volunteers, so it's wonderful that Hudson still has a volunteer fire department going strong. They want to give back, they want to help one another, and in order to be a volunteer firefighter, that is what you have to want to do. You run every day into a burning building and you're not compensated for it," said FASNY Museum Chief Educator Ashley Stever.

Hudson's fire department is the oldest active volunteer fire company in the state.