My F.D. had it's Centennial back in 1997. Since then I've been to several Centennial celebrations for surrounding F.D's. I was surprised to find out that some area F.D's are only 50 years old or so, some are even younger! Just curious how old everyone else's F.D's are. I'm sure there's some Departments on the east coast that are getting close to their Bi-centennial.
My department The Kearsarge Fire Dept. in erie, Pa is almost 70 years young. It was actually started in the early 1900's with hand pulled equipment but officially the departments in service date was April 20, 1939. We are not the oldest company, but far from the youngest around here
Permalink Reply by Pete on February 14, 2009 at 12:11am
Charlton Vol. Fire Dept. in Charlton, NY of Saratoga County was formed in 1922. In 1926 they bought their first motorized Fire Engine. A 1926 Engine built by The Graham Bros. We now have the piece and it still runs - we use it mostly for parades etc.
Our department (Hilton Head Island, SC) is 16 years old. It is made up from a merger of the old Hilton Head Fire Department, Sea Pines Forest Beach Fire Department, and Hilton Head Island Rescue Squad, which took place in 1993. Those three departments were established in the 1960's.
The company i belong to was first established around 1897 and was a completely paid department. In 1969 it become a Paid/volunteer system and eventually turned completely volunteer around 1983. We remained in it's original building until about three yr's ago.
Permalink Reply by Doug on February 14, 2009 at 3:52pm
A MASSIVE parade, carnival, fireworks. Oh, and don't forget firefighter games like bucket brigades, stuff you see in the Scott Firefighter Challenge, but not as intense, barrel tug of war, etc., etc.