With the start of World War II, an auxiliary force of civilian firefighters was trained by the Fire Department in firefighting procedures in case of an enemy attack. The auxiliary firemen numbered about five hundred. These men were assigned to firehouses near their homes. They were disbanded when the war ended. During the war, several companies were removed from active service. Station/Engine Co. 5 at 53 Shonnard Place was put out of commission on February 1, 1942. Station 9 on Swain Street closed and Engine 9 moved to 53 Shonnard Place and was renamed Station 9. Also, Rescue Co. 1 and Truck Co. 5 were removed from service on February 1, 1942. Both were returned to service on April 19, 1943, but Truck Co. 5 was placed out of service again until February 17, 1946. In August 1946, the Yonkers Fire Department was 50 years old and consisted of 17 paid fire companies. Also in the 1940s two-way radios were put in place in the assistant chief's cars and Rescue Co. 1.
