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How it got started A disastrous fire which destroyed the Trinity Evangelical Church in Garden View set into motion the formation of the Old Lycoming Township Volunteer Fire Company. The first meeting to form a volunteer fire company was held in the Franklin School Building on January 30, 1939 with 125 interested persons attending. The company was legally incorporated in March 1940. |
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The first piece of apparatus was a pumper purchased from the Glenwood Hook and Ladder Company of Long Island, New York. The purchase was made possible through public subscription and help from other area fire departments. On February 2, 1943, the company held its first meeting in a new fire hall located at the corner of Green Avenue and Mill Lane. Prior to that, the meeting were held in the Franklin School Building and the pumper was housed in a building owned by Z. H. Confair. |
First Fire Engine |
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1950 A new modern building for housing the apparatus and social activities were completed at the cost of $30,000. Earlier that year a new 750 gallon per minute pumper was ordered with delivery expected in the fall. In 1953 Service was improved by the addition of an ambulance for 24hrs emergency and routine service. |
Building Committee 1950 |
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1958 An additional truck was purchased to carry men and equipment. For the next six years payments were made on a debt of $22,000 for the engine room construction. A used ambulance was purchased in June of 1961 for $8,000. |
International Pumper 1950 |
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1963 A motion was passed to buy complete turnout gear for every fireman at a cost of $4,000. The fire police were also outfitted with new uniforms. Then in 1965 an order was placed with American-La France to purchase a 1250 gallon per minute pumper with a 750 gallon tank at a cost of $30,500. In 1971 home radio alerting systems began to replace the telephone and sirens for dispatching fire departments. Fifty electron units were placed in service in each fireman's home. The fire sirens at the top of Mill Lane and in the 2100 block of Green Avenue were deactivated shortly thereafter. The radio dispatch system helped provide faster response and protection the the community. |
Displaying new uniforms 1963 |
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1973 A revolution in the quality of emergency medical car began in our community as our first three emergency medical technicians (EMT's) were trained. This was just the beginning of our community.Over the next several years several dozen fireman would receive training and state certification as EMTs. At this time the EMT was the highest level of training in the emergency care field which was offered in this area. Thousands of hours were dedicated by our personnel to obtain this specialized training. In addition to training, our department improved and updated its equipment by purchasing in 1977 its first modular ambulance, which increased the patient care space. In 1974 The original engine bay of the fire station were converted into an office and radio room. The base station provided much better communications in the outlying areas of our community. |
First EMT Class |
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1977 On January 27, tragedy struck again with the Sweeley Ave, gas explosion. This explosion killed two people, destroyed two homes, damaged numerous homes, and injured dozens of people including 23 of our fireman, four of whom required hospitalization and several of whom suffered long term disability injuries. The gas explosion was a tremendously tragic event in our community's history. However it would play a most significant role in the advancement and improvement of our fire department. Late in the fall of 1977 the fire department took delivery of a new 1800 gallon tanker to replace the one destroyed in the Sweeley Ave. explosion. |
Gas Explosion Sweely Ave |
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1979 The fire department made a commitment to improve the rescue service it provided. Among other improvements, a Hurst Rescue System (Jaws of Life) was purchased at a cost of $6,500. A joint fire investigative team with the Old Lycoming Township Police Department was formed. The first Paramedic Unit began operating in Lycoming County. Our personnel played a significant role in the early development and planning of this service. The paramedics provided an advanced level of emergency care which is an extension of the care provided in an emergency room. |
Jaws of Life |
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1980 A new American LaFrance pumper was purchased at a cost of $1000,000. The five inch water supply line and other equipment cost an additional $25,000. The pumper could pump of up to 1,750 gallons of water per minute and had a 750 gallon water tank. This modern vehicle provided advanced technology to protect our community. |
1980 American LaFrance |
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