Girard Hose Company #1

GIRARD HOSE CO #1

"The desire to serve. The courage to act. The ability to perform."

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Those words on the emblem of Girard Hose Company # 1 of Girardville, can be considered the mission of the fire company since its founding in 1882, and 130 years and three firehouses later, the fire company and its dedicated volunteer firefighters and support members are keeping it going strong.

 

According to the fire company's history, the first thought of an organized system of protection of property against fire occurred in 1882, which resulted in organizing Girard Hose. An appeal to the Schuylkill County Court of Common Pleas for a charter was made by E.C. Wagner, Thomas Lafferty, William Ajoe, C.G. Hower, George H. Becker, William Short, John Wardloss and John Haley. The charter was received in January 1882, with the firehouse located near the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad station at Line and Railroad streets. However, it was tough times for the fire company from its founding to 1906, when it was disbanded. However, that same year Jesse H. Bobb took charge of the company as president and placed it on a good basis. Bobb served until 1915.

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On Aug. 4, 1913, it was suggested that a committee be formed to inquire into purchasing the Phillip Portner property on East Main Street for a new firehouse. A committee consisting of Charles H. Heine, John H. Rogers Sr. and Raymond Nulluns was appointed to buy the building for the new hose company site. The purchase price was $3,000.

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On Feb. 8, 1915, a committee was appointed to raise money to construct the new firehouse. Rogers, chairman, and Clinton Tiley, secretary, were empowered to procure plans and specifications and secure a loan. On March 8, 1915, the company examined and approved the plans and a contract was awarded to A.H. Ramberger, Girardville, on May 4, 1915. The building was completed later that year and the first dance was held in the new hall on Oct. 12, 1915. The building had two stories and had a single bay.

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In 1921, an American La France 750 gallons per minute pumper was purchased for $12,500, and served the community until 1942, when a Hahn 750 GPM pumper was purchased.

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Jan. 22, 1947, with temperatures minus 12 degrees, fire destroyed the fire station and the entire block.

In 1948 construction was completed on our current building, a three bay facility, which at the time housed our engine and two ambulances.

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1968 was a busy year for the company, with the purchase of a new American LaFrance engine for $28,000 and hosting the Schuylkill County Firefighters Convention. The 1968 American LaFrance served Girardville and surrounding communities until it was replaced May 11, 1995 with a Central States 1,500 GPM pumper, which cost $155,050. In preparing for the new pumper, the building received a major renovation, to its current status, due in part by the weight and size of the apparatus. The bay doors were too low, and the floor would not be able to support the weight of the engine. So, after all was said and done, The Hall which was located in the basement, was moved upstairs, the new engine was placed in the basement, and the Ambulance Association moved to its current location on Main St.

 

The fire company's current truck - 1993 Spartan-Quality 1,500 GPM pumper - was purchased in 2013 from the Good Will Fire Company No. 4 of Pottsville, which is also celebrating its 130th anniversary in 2012. It served the City of Pottsville for 20 years.

Original article credit: Republican Herald.  Click here to view the article in it's entirety.