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The North Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Company has a long and proud history of service to the community. On May 19,1952 the first meeting of the North Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Company was held. Earl Hessler was elected as the first president of the company. The city of Washington was notified on June 5, 1952 of the termination of their contract. A.J. Fox of Baltimore Ave. donated a frame building, which was dismantled by the volunteers on June 16. The North Franklin School Board permitted the erection of this structure at the site of the Gabby Heights School at 620 Franklin Farms Rd.
The ladies auxiliary was formed on November 17, with Mrs. Alice Raipe as their first President.
Thomas Crosbie was elected as the first chief on December 15. A 1952 Chevrolet Howe 500 gallon per minute pumper, was delivered the same month allowing the new volunteers to train on their first apparatus. This pumper was designated Engine 43-1 is still in service. The new firefighters had also attended fire schools at California State College and South Park in Allegheny County in anticipation of the task ahead.
On January 1, 1953 the North Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Company began providing fire service. The first fire call was answered on Bellvue Avenue.
In February 1953 William Tarr was chief of the Fire Police. A 1000 gallon tanker was fashioned out of a used 1948 Dodge truck. Also in 1953 began the Fireman’s Fair at the firehouse in Franklin Farms. A donated Packard hearse was converted into a squad car.
The property on which the Firehouse rested was purchased on May 17, 1954 for $608.13. On September 20, 1954 the policing the Trinity High School football games was instituted.
Gaylord Riggle served as chief beginning in 1956 through 1958. In October 1956 the company joined the Washington County Firemen’s Association.
A new Dodge truck was ordered from Guy Woodward Motors on March 6, 1957. In May Irvin Thompson leased the company a barn on Cleveland Road, which converted into a second station. September saw the sale of the Packard squad car. August 1957 was the beginning of the policing the Washington High School football games.
The Dodge tanker was replaced by an International ordered in November 1958. Carl Riggle became chief in 1959 (serving until 1961) and the Lincoln Hill property was purchased.
In 1961 the growing company purchased the site of the present Fire station and Social hall. Arthur G. VanBriggle became chief and served for twenty years. The keys for the new building were presented to the president on October 21, 1963. The first company banquet was held in February 1964. The former firehouse on Franklin Farms Road was sold to the township and was the forerunner of the present day Township Building.
A motion was made on October 18, 1965 to purchase a 750-gallon per minute Ford Howe. Tuesday night drills were begun on March 28, 1967.
Home alert radio monitors were purchased in 1970. The fire station at Lincoln Hill was demolished and a concrete block building was constructed in its place.
The fire company started bingo games in 1974 as a way to raise money. A service point system was adopted in March 1975. The entrance hall and bingo business office were added to the social hall in June 1975. The mortgage on the building was paid off in 1975.
The membership of the fire company in the Fire Rescue and Mutual Aid Association of Washington County, Inc. was authorized on October 20, 1975. On February 21, 1977 a contract was awarded to Hamerly Custom Productions for a new 1500 gallon per minute pumper, which was to become Engine 43-3
September 19, 1977 saw the purchase of land on Greenhill Drive for a future third station.
John Gorrell succeeded Arthur VanBriggle as chief in 1981 and a new 1600-gallon tanker was ordered from 4 Guys fire apparatus manufacturers in May 1982. In addition, a new custom brush truck was ordered in May 1983. The current look of the social hall began with a remodeling project in January 1984.
In March 1984 a contract was awarded for a new custom 1500 gallon per minute Pierce Dash pumper that became Engine 43-4.
The new engine was delivered in October and put in service in January 1985. Kenneth Patress became chief in 1985 and is still serving as such.
In April 1986 preliminary work leading to the construction of the fire station on Greenhill Drive was completed. With the construction of this building North Franklin acquired a three station Fire Company.
The Fire Company proudly hosted the Fiftieth Annual Convention of the Washington County Firemen’s Association in July 1989. The convention culminated in a parade down Chestnut St. to the fire station on Sylvan Drive followed by a daylong festival on the grounds.
The addition of a two-story storage area at the rear of the Gabby truck house was contracted in October 1990. In February 1991 the company entered into a contract for the addition to the social hall, which increased our capacity to 500 persons. This also included a modern bar facilities and handicap accessible restrooms in addition to a separate entrance.
In January 1992, the Township donated a used police car for fire company use.
To start off 1993, in January, the company looked into purchasing a new pumper. In June 1993 the company bought the Air Association truck for $2500.00, which contained a breathing air compressor. This equipment was used as a cascade. 1993 also saw the upgrade of the kitchen in the social hall to the modern stainless steel look you see today.
In February 1994 the company saw 20th anniversary of Bingo. In August we took delivery of the new Pierce Dash pumper, Engine 43-2. At a cost of $235,943.00
In the beginning of 1995 the company purchased a Carbon Monoxide Detector, to indicate the levels of CO found in the air of a residence. It became necessary in March 1995 for members to receive hepatitis B shots to protect them from blood born pathogens.
Also in June of this year PASS alarms were purchased.
To enhance our bingo we added a new computerized machine and TV monitors in March 1996.
In 1997 the policy committee felt it was necessary to create the position of Safety Officer, and Glenn Vogel was appointed at this time. Engine 43-3 was being refurbished.
In 1999 as the new millennium approached the Fire Company moved into the future with the purchase of state of the art Thermal Imaging Camera, to enhance our firefighting rescue abilities. In essence giving us eyes in the dark. We continued stepping forwarded with the acquisition of new MSA MMR Ultra light breathing apparatus, with integrated PASS alarms.
June 2000 saw the fire company purchasing a second Thermal Imaging Camera. To better accommodate our social hall activities it necessary to expand the parking lot, adding an additional 80 more parking spaces. In October of the same year we entered into an association with the City of Washington, South Strabane, and Canton Townships, buying our own updated Fire Safety House.
In the year leading up to our 50th Anniversary, the Air Truck was sold and replaced with an in station CompAir Breathing air center. It was necessary to replace the lights in the Truck house at the Gabby station, and added ceiling fans for better air circulation.
On September 11, 2001 our world as we know it changed for forever, with the loss of life and especially of our brother fireman. We had to do something to help their families. So the company organized an old-fashioned boot drive. It was successful, over $30,000.00 was collected.
We have progressed from six sets of boots, coats & helmets used on a first come first serve basis to a complete set of turn out gear for each firefighter. From one station with no heat, to three stations and social hall. From one pumper and one tanker to four engines, one tanker, one brush truck and two squad cars. We have come along way in fifty years, but we still have along way to go!
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