Early in the spring of 1927, a committee was appointed by the Harmony Dramatic Club to study the idea of furnishing some sort of fire protection for their community.  Their original concept was to purchase a discarded piece of fire apparatus from the City of Rochester and maintain it with contributions and donations from local residents.

After investigation, the committee concluded that fire protection was imperative, but because of the heavy cost of such service, they recommended a separate organization be formed to develop their fire protection concept on a larger scale, including the formation of a fire district, erection of a suitable firehouse and purchase of fire apparatus.

The Harmony Club concurred with the findings of their committee and to show they were back of a fire protection proposition, they donated a liberal sum of money for the organization of a volunteer fire company.

The original fire committee proceeded to form a nucleus of a fire fighting organization in a legal manner and on April 15, 1927 incorporation papers were approved by the Secretary of State under the name of the Barnard Fire Department, Inc., with 32 charter members.

Various meetings were held, preliminary business transacted and on June 6, 1927, the first annual meeting and election of officers took place.  At a meeting held on September 6, 1927, an expert was engaged to circulate a petition for the purpose of forming a fire district.  This petition bearing about 800 signatures was presented to the Board of Supervisors of Monroe County by Greece Supervisor William F. Schmitt.  Following a public hearing on February 1, 1928 at the Greece Memorial Hall, a vote was taken which was unanimously in favor of the proposition.  The following day, by action of the Board of Supervisors, the Barnard Fire District was legally established.

In the meantime, the Barnard Fire Department had appointed a committee to investigate and purchase some sort of apparatus which would be used until equipment was purchased by the district at large.  The outcome of this action was the purchase of a used, combination hose and chemical truck with considerable equipment from the City of Rochester.  The truck was paid for out of the small existing treasury of the fire company.

Saturday, February 4, 1928, the Barnard firefighters responded to their first alarm in their recently acquired vehicle.  Shortly after 3:30 a.m., a fire was discovered at the residence of W. M. McDonald, 36 Wendhurst Dr. As there were no hydrants on the street, chemical lines were quickly laid and after a fierce battle with the assistance of garden hose lines loaned by the neighbors, the fire was finally under control and shortly after 5 a.m., the fire was pronounced out.

The tireless efforts of the Harmony Club members laid a very solid foundation for a department that would continue to grow throughout the years.  In 1928, the first firehouse was built at 3084 Dewey Avenue on land donated by George H. Clark.  The first new pumper, a 1928 American LaFrance, was purchased after a year's study and development of specifications for their first vehicle.