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History
of the
FRIENDSHIP
HOSE COMPANY NO.1, INC.
Newville,
Pennsylvania
From
the time when two or three cabins or houses were built, men have
always been alert to the danger of fire and to the need of
protection against this. This became a greater need as a village
or a community grew, so some type of fire fighting must evolve
In Newville this would mean the evolution of the fire service
would start around 1732 when the Laughlin Brothers settled here.
There are no records available as to when a fire company was
organized here in Newville, but from letters and the reminiscing
of folks, it seems that the Friendship Fire Company is mentioned
and remembered before 1840.
The first known fire engine in Newville was “JUNO”. It had
handles on each side by which it was pumped. An engine house was
built on the southwest corner of the Old Newville School grounds.
This housed JUNO and the second fire engine, “The Resolution”.
In 1856 the engine house with little JUNO burned.
The Resolution was brought from York, PA, pulled by a team of
horses driven by Moses McCoy in 1848. He was paid $9.00 for the
trip. This engine was used in firefighting until its last fire on
August 6, 1896. The resolution is still active today as an
historic relic and kept by our fire company.
This engine, along with the third engine, was housed in a
two-story engine house on East Main Street. This fire house is now
home of the Helen Wagner Beauty Shop, 16 E. Main St. The
Resolution was moved into its new home on April 1857.
The third engine was the “PET”, later called “Independent
Pet”. It was bought in Philadelphia in 1859 by Squire James
McCandlish and Captain George W. North. It came by train from
Baltimore on August 27, 1859. The Pet was certainly welcomed to
Newville by “The Resolution Fire Company”, as this fire
company was called after its notable engine.
But before the town Water Company was organized, much happened to
the Resolution Fire Company. A hose carriage was purchased in New
Kingston, PA and brought here on May 10, 1870. This old hand
pumped engine was used until the installation of the town water
system on August 6, 1896.
After the town water was installed, a hose reel with a long tongue
through the end of which ropes were attached was bought. AT the
cry of fire or the ringing of the fire bell, the men would run to
the little engine house, pull the hose reel to the water plug
nearest the fire, couple the hose and throw water, under pressure,
from the pump house which had been the Old Laughlin Mill.
Some citizens began to complain that some properties could have
been saved if there had not been so much confusion among the
fireman. In 1873 we read that Mr. George Bricker was going about
town sounding out the people by telling them a new company was
needed because, no one can boss the machines and this results in
confusion and loss of property, there should be a recognized head.
At the same time another person was concerned about the fire
matters, but he didn’t do much more than talk until November 28,
1873 when the Hays Pottery operated by H.H. Miller burned. The
sparks went in every direction and caused Captain Joshua W. Sharp
to stay home to watch his stable.
On January 10th is was decided that the name of the
company should be changed from the Resolution Fire Company to the
Newville Fire Company, but on April 22, 1874 it was changed to the
Friendship Fire Company.
Mr. Bricker did not join with Captain Sharp in the Newville Fire
Company, but went over town getting signers. So on Friday April 3,
1874 these signers for a new fire company met in the Newville
Public School. The new fire company adopted Constitution and
By-laws, and were given the Pet engine. They also adopted the name
of the Independent Fire Company. Soon the engine was called the
“Independent Pet”.
With two fire companies in Newville, competition was keen. Both
tried to do their best, and get to a fire first. On a Saturday
afternoon the Pet engine was being exercised, and in a hurry to
get around the corner, upset. This was greatly enjoyed by the
Friendship boys who kept the laughs to themselves.
Later, on a Friday morning at 1 o’clock the cry of fire was
heard. It was at the stable belonging to the Pottery Works. The
Friendship boys with the Resolution arrived first, but shortly the
Independents with Pet came howling down North High Street. Both
companies worked zealously to put out the fire. A little jealousy
existed between the two, but they worked greatly together.
From these records of 1874 to about 1895 no information is
available. Somehow all the competition turned to cooperation. By
1895, we find the two companies are one company with one purpose,
and that is to protect the citizen’s and their property from
destruction and damage by fire. The firemen reorganized under the
name, Friendship Hose Company No.1, Inc. Newville, Pennsylvania.
They filed for a certificate of incorporation on August 2, 1895
and the petition was filed in the Cumberland County Courthouse on
August 5, 1895. At 10:00 o’clock AM court on September 6, 1898
the company was chartered.
Perhaps one of the reasons the two companies joined, while much of
the town became divided, was the question of public water works
for Newville.
The water works were begun May 18, 1896, and completed in one day
less than two months off actual work. The pipes were 4, 6, and 8
inches round and their length totaled three miles. Twenty five
fire plugs were installed. The first plug was placed at the corner
of Big Spring Avenue and Fairfield Street. The pumping began July
21 and the pipes were filled in 2 ½ hours. The capacity of the
reservoir was 400,000 gallons of water.
In 1911 two chemical tanks mounted on wheels were purchased. The
town council made a generous contribution, some citizens gave
gifts, and the Newville Civic Club gave $300.00 towards the
$630.00 cost. With this additional equipment, space was very
scarce at the engine house. So they went to town council for help.
On West Street the town had a “lock-up”, a stone house. It was
planned to erect a new building on this ground at the corner of
West Street and Church Alley. The proposed building would be of
brick and two stories high. The lower floor would be used for
apparatus of the fire company, a mayor’s office and a lock-up in
the rear with iron cells. The second floor would be the meeting
room for the fire company.
This building was completed in 1916, all ready for the American
LaFrance Rotary Pumper.
This building, called the municipal building, had been the home of
the fire company from 1916 to 1979. It has gone through a few
changes such as; two rooms upstairs with sliding doors,
electricity, cupboard space and downstairs the lock-up with its
cells had been moved to the basement. Later, the Chief of Police
has an office and two cells added to the south side.
In 1937, a 1936 pumper was purchased for rural service as well as
town service.
In 1938, the fist ambulance was purchased and placed into service,
a 1935 Ford.
In 1946 a Ford pumper was purchased from the W. S. Darley Company
for about $6000.00.
On March 14, 1950 the Friendship Hose Company started answering
calls on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, and still does today.
In 1961, a Ford pumper was bought from Brumbaugh Body Company with
a 500 gallon per minute pump and 750 gallon water tank for
$15,500.00.
In mid 1961 a 1955 Ford tank truck with a 200 GPM pump and 1200
gallon water tank was built by volunteer firemen for a cost about
$2500.00.
In November 1961 it was decided to take the 1936 Pumper to
Plainfield and start a fire company. Today that company is known
as the West Pennsboro Twp. Fire Company. On September 11, 1962 the
1936 Pumper was replaced with the 1946 Ford Pumper.
The Newville Ambulance Club started on June 9, 1964, has been
organized whereby individuals or families can obtain memberships
which provide free ambulance service to them for one year. This
service is still offered to the citizens of Newville and
surrounding areas.
On October 7, 1971 it was decided to purchase a 1967 Cadillac
Ambulance which has an electronic sire, PA system, high headroom,
new tires and lots more for $7490.00.
During the early months of 1974 members started talking about the
need for a rescue truck. The truck was to carry rescue equipment
that they didn’t have room for on the other equipment. On
November 26, 1974 a motion was made to purchase a 1974 Chevrolet
from Rufe Chevrolet, and member Harold Heckendorn would build the
rescue style body.
On September 9, 1975 it was decided that a second ambulance was
needed. A 1975 Dodge National was purchased at a cost of
$21,462.00.
February 10, 1976 a motion was made and passed to purchase the
former Newville High School for a future fire station.
Weekly Bingo games began on October 1, 1977 and still run today.
This is the main source if income for the fire company. Bingo
every Saturday night 7 PM.
March 28, 1978 bids were awarded and construction soon began on
the new fire station.
January 1, 1979 the fire company first accepted Junior Membership
to anyone between 16-17 years of age. January 12, 1982 the age was
lowered to 14 years old.
May 1979, the former Newville High School officially became home
to the Friendship Hose Company.
June 9, 1981 the first hydraulic Rescue Tool was purchased and
placed into service.
June 22, 1981 a dedication ceremony was held for the 1981 Mack MC
Engine, and was dedicated to members who had given 40 or more
years of service to the company. Dean Baker (53), Bill Johnson
(52), Sam Heberlig (47), Glenn Boldosser (47), Wilbur Getter (44),
Freemont Graham (44) and Richard N Gilbert (43).
November 21, 1985 the former Squad 40 (1970 American LaFrance) was
purchased and rehabbed to our needs. This unit was known was Squad
47.
In 1992, a new Rescue/Squad vehicle was delivered. A 1992 E-ONE
Cyclone, capable of carrying up to eight personnel and offering
the equipment needed to support fire ground operations as well as
vehicle extrication.
In 1995 there was much talk about selling the 1980 Mack Engine,
and replacing it with an Engine/Tanker type vehicle. But to buy a
vehicle like that would require an additional bay to be built. A
new bay was constructed on the east end of the building along
Corporation Street. Early 1996 the new Engine/Tanker, a 1996
Ferrara/Spartan 1500 GPM / 2000 Gallon Water Tank was placed into
service.
1998, a Chevrolet Utility Truck was purchased to handle the
miscellaneous service calls, as well as the day to day needs of
the company.
1999, 1ST Floor remodeled to include a ramp, handicap
access, and a elevator
September 9-11, 1999 Hosted the 72nd Annual Cumberland
County Volunteer Firefighters Association Convention, Celebrating
our 125TH Year Anniversary.
2002, received a FEMA Grant for $67,500.00 towards the purchase of
a Wild land Interface Vehicle.
2003, took delivery of a 2003 F550/Seagrave Mini-Pumper with funds
from 2002 FEMA Grant.
2003, received 2ND FEMA Grant for $63,000.00 towards
the purchase of the new 800 radio system.
May 2006, New 2006 KME Rear Mount Engine/Rescue Pumper placed in
service, replacing the 1981 Mack.
October 2007, waiting for final drawing for a full service kitchen
to be added to the East end of the building. Hoping to get started
in early 2008………………
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