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History of the Fisherville Volunteer Fire Company #1 The Fisherville Volunteer Fire Company #1 was born after a terrible fire destroyed half the town in the early 20th Century. On September 5th, 1927, a fire started in a barn owned by Mr. Fred J. Meckley. When it was all said and done, an area about a city block long had been burned, taking out most of the business district of the town. After the smoke cleared, a movement was made to start a fire company in the town of Fisherville. Mr. Fred J. Bixler gave a 1923 Overland to be used as a fire truck. A hand water pump was mounted on the Overland and thus the first fire engine of the Fisherville Volunteer Fire Company #1 was born. This engine was housed in a blacksmith shop in Fisherville, which had a homemade siren on top of it, used to alert the members. It was equipped with 3 gallon water cans. Later two 50 gallon drums were added to increase the water supply of the engine. One of the very first projects of the fire company was the construction of a dam along the Fisherville and Enders Road. The date on the dam is May 26th, 1931. The first meeting of the Fisherville Volunteer Fire Company #1 was called by acting President Charles Bowman in his kitchen of the General Store. The following were the first officers of the fire company; President - Ben Phillips, Vice President - William Keefer, Secretary - Fred Bixler, and Fire Chief - Galen Westbrook. In 1934 a firehouse was built to house the 1923 Overland engine. This station presently still stands, adjacent from the current fire station. On July 1st, 1936, a special meeting was called by acting President Roy Phillips, to order and secure a charter for the company. Through the special efforts of Fire Chief Millard M. Tawney of the Harrisburg Fire Department and Attorney James Snyder, a charter was secured for the company. In 1937 the fire company sponsored a baseball them that was managed by Albert Noblet. On July 6th, 1937, a special meeting was held to purchase a used 1935 American LaFrance engine, for $300.00 and the trade in of the 1923 Overland engine. On September 8th, 1947, a new Federal Cab and Chassis with a Boyer 500 GPM pump and a 400 gallon booster tank was purchased for $5,800.00 from Hal Murray of Harrisburg. The 1935 American LaFrance engine was sold to the New Buffalo Fire Company No. 1 of Perry County for $700.00. The 1950's saw the purchase of the old shirt factory, which was closed in the late 1940's, at a tax sale in the Dauphin County Court House by Fred Meckley. It was later turned into the fire company social hall. Also in the 1950's a Model M 5hp 1 phase siren and pull lever box was purchased for $501.74. In 1964, the company bought the old disbanded K of P Hall for $45.70 at a tax sale in the Court House and turned it into a parking lot. This lot was later traded with Elsie Phillips for the acquisition of 2 lots along Armstrong Valley Road. On November 24th, 1964, papers were signed for the purcahse of a 1965 Ford/Seagrave pumper with a 750GPM pump, for $15,795.75. In 1966, an addition of a kitchen was added to the social hall. The new fire station was completed and ready to be occupied by 1980. The 1980's saw many, many improvements to the company. A new house siren was purchased and is still in service alerting members to any calls that come in. Harold Lesher donated a used 1973 International milk tank truck, and it was refurbished in house by members and placed in service as Tanker 216 and was sold in 1989. In 1986 the local Lodge of the Woodmen of the World, presented a U.S. Flag and pole to the fire company, which wad placed in front of the fire station. In 1988, a 1970 CF-Model Mack pumper was purchased for $6,000.00 from the Hopelawn Volunteer Fire Company of New Jersey. This engine was refurbished in house by the memebers and placed in service as Engine 216-1. This engine went on to win a trophy at the Dauphin County Convention. In 1993 the company purchased a 1975 GMC, 750GPM, 2,200 gallon tanker from the Silver Spring Fire Company. It was again refurbished in house by the members and placed in service as Tanker 216. In June 1994, the company co-hosted the 76th Annual Dauphin County Volunteer Firemen's Association Convention with the Halifax and Community Fire Company, Powell's Valley Fire Company, Carsonville Volunteer Fire Company and the Halifax Area Ambulance and Rescue Association Inc. On November 16th, 1996, a housing ceremony was held to house the new 1996 Freightliner/Swab engine, which still currently servse us. Sometime in the late 1990's a R-Model Mack septic truck was purchased and once again refurbished in house by the members and placed in service as Tanker 216. This was later sold in January 2005. A 1984 Chevrolet 4x4 pick-up was dontaed by DCNR and was refurbished in house by the members. A $8,500.00 grant was used to purchase a cap and equipment for the Utility. Utility 216 was placed in service in March 2004. On July 23rd, 2005 another housing ceremony was held to house a new 2005 Kenworth/Swab Tanker. This truck was purchased for $309,916.00. A federal grant of $205,200.00, $15,000.00 from our truck fund and the sale of the R-Model Mack Tanker, helped pay for the new tanker. The Fisherville Volunteer Fire Company #1 is proud of the three pieces that we currently run. We currently have 38 active members that help with fundraisers and responded on fire calls. The future of the Fisherville Volunteer Fire Company #1 looks very bright. There are currently talks of building a new social hall and fire station. Only one member of the fire company has held the President's position of the Dauphin County Volunteer Firemen's Assocition, that being Donald E. Shutt, Jr. from June 1994 to June 1995. Past Fire Chiefs of the Fisherville Volunteer Fire Company #1 ![]() Early Parade Group
![]() Old Station 216
![]() Ladies Auxilary Group in a local parade
![]() Delivery of Old Engine 216 (1965 Ford/Seagrave) |
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