Pa. Fire Company Recognized for Century of Service

One hundred years ago today, a group of motivated New Kingstown residents gathered in the local social hall of the International Order of Odd Fellows.

They were survivors of a devastating fire that, on July 15, 1911, destroyed St. Stephen's Lutheran Church along with five homes and seven stables in the village.

At first, the disaster left them feeling utterly helpless knowing a bucket brigade and reliance on outside fire companies was not enough to save their community from an estimated $50,000 in property loss -- or $1.1 million in today's money.

But from the ashes, a public meeting was called on Dec. 22, 1911, prompting the town to organize and charter the New Kingstown Fire Company, according to the official online history.

Starting on Feb. 1, 1912, a 10-day fair was held in the social hall to raise money for the fledgling organization.

That March, fair proceeds were used to purchase the company's first apparatus -- an engine that could be pulled by hand or by horses on which were mounted two 35-gallon tanks, two small extinguishers and 200 feet of hose.

Three months later, on June 20, 1912, the first New Kingstown firehouse was dedicated at 54 W. Main St. It was used by the company until 1957, when the operation moved to its current location on North Locust Point Road.

"It's remarkable," said Jim Hall, a former chief and current president. "It is an honor to be part of a fire company that has 100 years of operation."

Yesterday and today

Last Saturday, the fire company held its annual awards banquet, during which members recognized the milestone. The ceremony included the presentation of special resolutions by state Sen. Pat Vance, R-31, and by state representatives Glen Grell, R-87, and Stephen Bloom, R-199.

The official charter date was Jan. 19, 1912.

For Hall, his fondest memory growing up was hanging around the firehouse and listening to old-timers recall war stories about fighting fires.

"My dad Raymond was a member, so when I became of age I joined," Hall said. "Back then, you can make application when you are 18 years or older."

Today, the New Kingstown Fire Company can accept junior volunteers at age 14, but they are not allowed to run calls.

In his five decades with the company, Hall has seen its membership rolls increase, its firehouse expand and its apparatus become larger and more sophisticated.

Back when he started, the company had five sets of turn-out gear consisting of a helmet, rubber gloves, three-quarter length boots, an air pack and a canvas coat.

"When while fighting a fire you get tired and need to rehab, you took your gear off and give it to someone else," Hall said. "Today, everybody is assigned their own gear and their own air packs."

Fifty years ago, the firehouse on North Locust Point Road had three vehicle bays for an engine and a tanker. Last year, the company finished construction on a brand-new station that has eight bays, a lounge, a bunk room, office space, a new social hall and an expanded kitchen.

While in 1912, the fire company got by with a horse-drawn chemical engine, today it has two engines, a tanker truck, a brush truck, a traffic unit, a squad vehicle and a utility vehicle.

What started as a replacement for a bucket brigade has evolved into an organization that protects not just the village, but all of Silver Spring Township, along with parts of the townships of Middlesex and Monroe.

Mutual aide agreements exists with other nearby communities.

Effie's discovery

In September, New Kingstown Fire Company will host the annual convention of the Cumberland County Volunteer Firefighters Association, during which its milestone anniversary will be recognized, Hall said.

"It's quite an accomplishment when you have a fire company able to provide continuous, uninterrupted service for 100 years," said Ed Beam, fire chief and emergency management coordinator for Middlesex Township. "It must make the founding fathers pretty proud."

Resolution

The Middlesex Township board of supervisors adopted a resolution Wednesday recognizing the fire company for its century of service.

New Kingstown along with North Middleton and Shermans Dale provide fire protection to Middlesex, which does not have its own fire company.

Supervisor Chairman Donald Geistwhite Jr. also mentioned how Beam was honored recently by state legislators for his 50 years of service to the public as a volunteer firefighter.

For 45 of those years, Beam has been a mentor and leader to numerous volunteers who have gone on to become fire chiefs, captains and other leaders in their fire companies, Geistwhite said.

"It is very admirable. Our community could not survive without the volunteer firemen," he said.

In July 1911, the Carlisle Evening Sentinel reported that the devastating fire was first discovered by Miss Effie Frownfelter as she was feeding chickens near the stable of George Reed, the town butcher.

An alarm was given by voice and by the bell of the Lutheran Church and soon the street was filled with excited people, the Daily Journal of Mechanicsburg reported at the time.

A bucket brigade was formed, but it made no progress against the flames that spread rapidly through the seven stables. Air currents shifted and the fire spread across to the north side of West Main Street.

Buildings thought to be safe were suddenly in danger. Flying embers set the shingle roof of the church on fire.

What followed was utter chaos as firefighters from Carlisle rushed to the scene to help.

"The scene was quite distressing when the fire was at its greatest and bade fair to wipe out the town," the Journal reported. "...to see men, women and children and children running through the streets of the town wringing their hands and uttering their cries of despair."

Copyright 2012 - The Sentinel, Carlisle, Pa.

McClatchy-Tribune News Service