Kent Fire District #1 was established in 1958 by the adoption of a resolution from the Kent Town Board, and with the approval of the State Comptroller. In 1969, residents from the western portion of the town of Kent, began the process of creating a fire department in the newly established district. On March 26, 1971 charter was received from the state of New York to establish the “Kent Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.”

Originally, fire protection service to the District was covered by a contract with the town of Carmel which continued until 1973 as the District was gathering start-up fire equipment for the newly-established Kent Fire Department, Inc. Original equipment was generously donated by neighboring departments; Lake Carmel donated a 1950 International Pumper, Putnam Valley donated a 1943 Chevrolet Pumper, and Mahopac donated a 1937 Mack Pumper. Additionally, a 1,000-gallon oil truck was donated by a local oil company and converted into a water tanker.

By 1975, it was determined that the Fire Department needed an ambulance service. The District purchased a 1959 Pontiac ambulance from the Elmsford Fire Department which was placed into service in July of 1976.