HISTORY
A group of civic-minded citizens' of Mount Union met in the old grade school building July 28,1903, with the purpose in mind of furnishing this growing industrial center with a well-organized system of fire protection.
An election was held and the following men were placed in office: R. J. Faust, Sr., President; Benj. Cohen, Vice President; w. T. Bell, Treasurer, E. dark Fields, Secretary.
A constitution was drawn up by D. F. Harrison and was adopted by the company and the following fire officers were elected: D. F. Harrison, Foreman; Amos Abort, 1st Assistant; Charles Wenzel, 2nd Assistant; Frank Longacre, 2nd Assistant.
President Faust appointed W. K. Harrison and H. Bennett as fire police and set the meeting date to be the first Tuesday of each month. Foreman D. F. Harrison then made the following appointments as to the duties of the men in the fire service: Nozzle men-George Myers, H. L. Lukens, J. G. Bell and Frank Brown; Assistants-C. B. Davis, M. E. Brown, J. Donald Appleby and B. Cohen; Hose Directors-E. dark Fields and Harry Rosensteel; Plug Men- Charles Inguers and D. S. Stroyer; Assistants-R. Bruce Coons and Bruce Yocum; Lamp Men- Arthur Johnson and James Hanawalt; and Ax-man Samuel S. Mosser.
October 6,1903, marked the date as to the purchase of the first fire equipment which was a pair of brass nozzles. The money was raised for this equipment by assessing each member 50 cents per year and 5 cents per meeting.
By 1904 the company was firmly situated in its own building on the borough lot near the present site of the fire hall.
Town council really started the ball rolling when it presented 150 feet of hose to the Company. Thus the members started seeking ways and means of acquiring a hose cart and the erection of anew building 32 feet long.
The first hose cart was obtained from Green's Tannery of this town, and in 1906 a hook and ladder truck with two extinguishers was purchased from the American LaFrance Fire Engine Company for $ 375.00.
The Borough Council again came to the aid of the Company and gave them $50.00 yearly to maintain the building. George Myers was elected as Janitor of the building.
From this moment to present time the records will not only show the enviable fire service of this company, but also the terrific and constant struggle by these public servants to raise enough money to keep this company in operation. The citizens and merchants of Mount Union have always given most generously to the Fire Company and thus have enabled it to attain its present status.
In 1906 the Fire Company for this town planned the first July 4th celebration. The merchants pledged $215.00, two ball games were scheduled (Juniata, team of Altoona vs. Mount Union in a double header) and there was $125.00 assembly of fireworks, parade, festival, amusements and bands from McVeytown and Mount Union.
This was a huge success. This celebration and succeeding fund raising events to initiate the steady growth of this company raised enough money.
In
1908 there is evidence given of the eagerness of this company to acquire
the newest and most efficient fire equipment, which holds true so boldly
today. Four rubber coats and three fire service respirators were
purchased, electric lights put in the fire hall and plans made for the
purchase of a chemical engine which was acquired
in 1910. The fire company then decided to dress for parades and agreed
that the uniform should consist of red shirts and black trousers.
July 4th, 1910 saw the company in need of funds and the automobile enters into the picture quite vividly. Local townspeople hauled many folks who had little opportunity to own one of these monsters. The money charged by the auto owners was forfeited to the company thus aiding the cause greatly.
The
management of the Star Theater decided to give the company half of the
proceeds of one night each month, thus the financial crisis of this period
was hurdled.
The
company then took another step forward by joining the State Firemen's
Relief Association on June 7,1911. Mention
was made of a telephone being placed in the fire hall, rubber gloves,
helmets and gum boots being purchased, and the Chemical Engine was
converted to a horse drawn vehicle. Borough Council granted the company
$3.00 per fire and in 1913 further aided the company by assessing 1/2 mill
tax for fire service purposes. The $3.00 per fire was discontinued upon
passage of this measure. The Silica Brick Plant (General Refractory
Company) granted the blowing of its whistle on meeting nights. The meeting
nights were changed from the first Tuesday night of each month, to the
First and Third Tuesday nights of each month.
1914
saw rapid expansion of the company when two hose carts, one acid siphon, a
rubber play pipe and a gated Siamese were acquired from the American
LaFrance Company. The fire alarm system at this time was the Harbison-walker
Refractories Company steam whistle. In March of 1915 the First Annual
Firemen's Banquet was held at the Methodist Church.
ARRIVAL
OF THE MOTOR AGE
The company now decided that the motor truck, was the coming thing in fire equipment. The Borough Council donated $100.00, Mount Union Refractories bought one of the company's hose carts for Kistler for $100.00, the old fire hall was sold, and the Mount Union school teachers and children offered their support. Thus on December 1916, a Reo motor truck with nickel trim and solid tires was ordered from C. S. Price of this town. Ard Woltett was appointed as caretaker for the truck. The old chemical truck was sold and a Field Day was planned
for
Labor Day 1919.
1921
was a year of growth for the company.
The first electric building siren was installed, the first gas
masks were purchased by the company. Mapleton
bought one of the old hose carts, and the company decided that all
applications must pass a rigid physical examination which was to be given
by the company surgeon, Samuel Gregory.
1922,
the company launched the idea of no dues to be paid by firemen, and the
active membership of this company was restricted to 35 men.
The aforementioned is true today except that the membership
restriction was raised to 50 men at the close of World War II.
Town
Council in 1923 decided to install telephones on the corners of Walnut and
Jefferson Streets, Pennsylvania Avenue and Division Street, Garber and
Jefferson Streets and Halley and Division Streets to aid citizens when
calling for aid. At this time Council also started a new drive in Mount
Union when they voted to donate half the purchase price of a new truck to
the company.
Thus the firemen once again canvassed the town and the citizens responded well. On September 23,1923, a Stutz triple combination 500 gallon pumper with the new daring pneumatic tires was ordered. The old Reo was repainted, a new fire service gas mask was purchased, and the firemen spent extra hours beautifying the landscape by putting a flowerbed in front of the fire hall.
The fires at the Green Tannery and Mount Union Planing Mill in 1925 marked a year when the Huntingdon Fire Department cooperation was greatly appreciated by both the Fire Company and the citizens. During this year the company acquired two pompier ladders, life belts, new masks and goggles.
The
company again gave evidence of its desire to keep abreast with the times
when it purchased the new foam type extinguishers, which they today still
consider valuable aids. In 1927 the company began cooperating with Borough
officials for the widely known annual Halloween celebration held every
year in this town. We round out the middle age era of the Fire Company
with the establishment of an annual memorial service, which was held in
the
MODERN ERA-1928 TO PRESENT
On April 16, 1928, the company voted to buy an 1 ½ ton GMC chassis upon which they mounted a 350 gallon Hale Rotary pump and enough equipment to make it a triple combination pumper. They then disposed of the old Reo truck. Town Council at this time gave the company an inhalator to help with its rescue work.
It should be stated here that the Mount Union Fire Company has had sizable contributions from the following communities and recognizes them as being most valuable to the progress of the company: Mapleton, Kistler, Allenport, Shirleysburg, as have the local industries, clubs, civic organizations and citizens.
Many people in this area will remember the fire at the Hess Mill in Shade Gap, which highlighted 1931 for the company. As the fire area grew greater, the electric siren switch was placed at the Bell Telephone Exchange in 1932.
Salvage covers and new canister type masks were the latest purchases. In 1934 the company started action to enlarge the fire hall. Aluminum ladders, which were then a new item to the service, were approved and purchased by the company.
The St. Patrick's Day flood of 1936 gave the firemen a real opportunity for community service, and the citizens of this town will testify to their fine work. Red light-siren combinations were found necessary by the firemen and were installed.
The summer months of 1937 marked the purchase of the company's blue, gray and gold marching uniforms.
1940 was a banner year for the company. A 1940 Stutz triple combination 600 gallon pumper was purchased.
March
17,1941, will long be remembered by the firemen and citizens alike of
DURING WAR YEARS
During
World War II the company served the area well and purchased such supplies
as was possible and really planned ahead.
In
1942 the company suffered a great loss by the death of S. S. Mosser,
beloved chief of this company for well over 20 years.
Town
council worked with the Fire Company in 1944 with the planning and
erection of an addition. The recreation room of this building, with its
lovely furnishings, is complete even to the ultra modem kitchen.
On
October 2,1945, the Mount Union Fire Company purchased a new type 85 Mack
Triple Combination 1,000 gallon pumper. With the resumption of automobile
production about to become a reality, a Cadillac type 75 ambulance with an
A. J. Miller body was ordered by the Company.
In
the fall of 1946, the new Mach truck and Cadillac Ambulance were
delivered. Kistler purchased
the GMC pumper, and the company installed a 2000 watt light plant on the
Mack. The Mack is completely
equipped for the use of fog, foam or solid stream at the fire scene.
The
high cost of living and housing shortages created by the war and defense
conditions brought to light the facts that greater gains could be made in
the profession by dusting off the old proverb, “an ounce of prevention
is worth a pound of cure”, and applying it to fire services.
Thus in 1946 a committee was appointed to organize a Fire
Prevention Program, which publishes facts and figures pertaining to the
dangers of fire and the gains secured through the practice of safety.
In
keeping with the spirit and nature of the firemen's code, "protection
of lives and properties, and the betterment of our fellowship and
community," the company organized and chartered the Mount Union
Firemen's Home Association, March 1949. This move was born from the
realization of the new social rooms and the fact that those citizens, who
for one reason or other were unable to share in the membership of the
company in any other manner than through an associate or social status.
September
of 1950 reveals another Nova in the crown of the company for services
rendered the Community other than firemen's duties. The closing of the
school season in June of this year also marked the finish of the Community
Teen-Age Club. In order that the children of school age could have their
deserved chance to better learn the duties of good citizenship through
directed assemblage, the company organized the Mount Union Firemen's
Teen-Age Club. A self governed organization under the direction and
sponsorship of the Board of Directors of the Fire Company and a Senior
Sponsor who is elected by the Club from among the members mothers. Mrs.
Robert 0. Shapiro has faithfully performed this duty since organization
was completed.
In
May 1951, a complete disaster unit was added to the company equipment.
Every vital life saving need and most every piece of auxiliary fire
fighting device is aboard the Brumbaugh built Ford F-6 chassis.
The latest acquisition by the company was that of the 1951 Chevrolet ambulance, completely equipped.
In 1954 the company started a fire school to help train it's members. In 1957 and 1965 the company purchased Mack fire engines-750 GPM pumpers carrying 500 gallons of water.
In
1969 the department experienced both an achievement and a disappointment.
The fire station was moved to its present location on
1974 marked the beginning of the Firefighter of the Year Award. William D. Williams was the first recipient.
In 1976 another Mack 1250 GPM holding 500 gallons of water was purchased. Also in 1976 a new modular type ambulance was purchased.
In 1980 a Swab/Chevrolet Rescue truck was purchased. 1980 was also the year that we purchased the Jaws of Life. A new Ford modular type ambulance was purchased in 1981.
In 1982 1300 feet of 5 inch LDH was purchased. After several months of discussion, a junior firefighter program was started allowing 16 and 17 year olds to join the company.
In 1986 a Swab built ambulance was purchased. Bunker pants were purchased to provide great protection to firefighters. They replaced the pull-up boots. Swab refurbished the 1976 Mack this year also.
In 1988 a new award of recognition was created. The Chiefs award was started. It is given to the individual
making the most fire calls for the year. This award is still given each year. The first recipient of the Chiefs
Award was Stanley Holesa.
Two diesel ambulances were purchased from Southern Ambulance Builders, LaGrange, Georgia in 1989. One of the old ambulances was traded with the Mount Union Borough for a 3/4 ton pickup truck. The members made a fiberglass tank and “Uncle Buck" was born. This is now Brush 7 and is still in-service today. After determining that the walls on the social side of the fire hall were shifting and that there was a settling problem, the company rebuilt the entire social side adding a large kitchen.
In 1995 a Pierce Saber Rescue/Pumper was purchased from West Potomac Fire and Rescue Equipment, Williamsport, Maryland. This engine has a 1250 GPM pump and holds 1,000 gallons of water. The 1980 Rescue was sold to Harpers Ferry, West Virginia fire department. Also, a Ford 350 Pfund Superior Ambulance. Susquehanna Fire Equipment from Dewart, Pennsylvania installed a new cascade system on the Swab ambulance. This was the Special Unit 7, capable of filling high and low pressure cylinders. The Special Unit has now been replaced by putting cascade unit on the new 2003 Pierce Enforcer. New non-red turnout gear was also purchased in 1995.
In
1999, a 1979 Pierce brush unit was purchased from West Potomac Fire and
Rescue Equipment. In 2001
after determining loss of water to be a leaking tank in the ‘76 Mack. it
was sent to
steel tank was replaced with a 1,000 gallon poly tank. After much discussion the company voted to purchase a
thermal imaging camera for its many applications.
In 2002 a Ford 450 Pfund Superior ambulance was purchased. Also this year the company purchased the
In 2003 the Mount Union Fire Company No. 1 celebrated its century of service to the Mount Union
community
by hosting the 57th Annual Huntingdon County Firemen's Association
Convention. Again, another
purchase was made from
In August of 2005, the Mount Union Fire Company No. 1 was award a $ 158,000 Federal Fire Assistance Grant from the Department of Homeland Security. The grant, along with a $ 8,000 match, was used to purchase a new air compressor for the station and 24 new MSA SCBA’s.
The membership turned into a construction crew in late 2005 and with the help of a few contractors they built a new 40’x60’ building at airport. This building was used for the cooking area. The 3 propane cookers and 2 charcoal pits were placed in the building.
In
February of 2006, after much discussion, the company voted to tryout
aerial operations at MUFD and purchase a used Quint.
A 1986 Pierce/Smeal 55’ Quint was purchased from the Largo Fire
Department in
The
ambulance committee also purchase a new 2006 Lifeline ambulance from Pfund
Superior. The unit was the
first “large” chassis, a Chevrolet 4500, ambulance for
We are so proud of all our brother firefighters who have paved the way for the last 100+ years and made it possible to remain a volunteer fire company still today. We are sincerely grateful that we are able to share our history with each of you.
