Historical
Ledger
The following
outline contains the historical ledger of the South Newton Township Volunteer Fire Company.
Simply CLICK a year to view the important events in the life of the
firehouse.
-or-
Download History as Acrobat Reader Document
-or-
Download History as Microsoft Word Document
- 1976
- February 16
A letter of intent to dissolve as annex of Company 52 was submitted
to the Vigilant Hose Company, Shippensburg, PA
- February 18
The first meeting was held with John Brannan presiding for the
purpose of fo rming a fire company in South Newton Township. Irvin Bowers
Jr., Samuel Martin and Robert Frehn Sr. were elected as interim Trustees
to conduct the affairs of the company during the transition period. The
name of the new company to be the South Newton Township Volunteer Fire
Company #49.
- March 15
The South Newton Township Volunteer Fire Company #49 was chartered
by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
- March 17
The first election of officers for the South Newton Township
Volunteer Fire Company was held. The officers elected are listed below.
President: Irvin Bowers Jr.
Vice President: John Holtry
Secretary: Larry Davidson
Asst. Secretary: Darrell Goodhart
Treasurer: Kenneth McBeth
Chaplain: Clarence Holtry
Trustee: Samuel Martin
Trustee: Glenn Keefer
Trustee: Robert Frehn Sr.
Fire Chief: Albert Grove
1st Asst. Chief: Harold Wilson
2nd Asst. Chief: Larry Davidson
Engineer: David Coon
Asst. Engineer: David Evelhoch
Chief Director: Robert Davidson
Director: David McBeth
Director: David Durff
- April 1
An agreement was signed with the Rehobeth Community Center for a
five-year period (04-01-1976 to 03-31-1981) at $300.00 per year for
rental of part of the building utilized as a firehouse.
- April
The first two pieces of fire equipment were purchased. A 1958 Ford
Tanker (Tanker 149) was purchased from the Franklin Fire Company,
Station 4 of Chambersburg, PA for a cost of $6,500.00 and a 1954 Ford
Tanker (Tanker 249) was purchased from the Vigilant Hose Company #52 of
Shippensburg, PA for a cost of $2,800.00. A loan was borrowed from
People’s National Bank in Shippensburg for payment of the trucks and
equipment. The terms were $13,500.00 at 7% interest.
- April 29
A ladies auxiliary of the South Newton Township Volunteer Fire
Company was formed.
- May 22
The organization officially dissolved from the Vigilant Hose Company
#52 and at 12 o’clock noon, it was officially announced over the
Cumberland County Fire Network that the South Newton Township Volunteer
Fire Company #49 was in service.
Back To Top
/\
- 1977
- March
The company purchased two acres of land from John Pattison adjacent
to the Rehobeth Community Center for a cost of $6,000.00. An additional
$4,500.00 was financed with the People’s National Bank for a total
financed of $18,000.00
- May
A building committee was appointed by President Bowers consisting of
Robert Frehn Sr. (chairman), Glenn Keefer, Fred Wagner, Kenneth McBeth,
Samuel Martin, John Holtry and David McBeth. The committee was assigned
to start planning for the construction of a new firehouse.
- November 15
The original construction plans for a three-bay firehouse were drawn
and approved by the company. The company submitted an application to FHA
for a $40,000.00 loan.
Back
To Top /\
- 1978
- February
The FHA loan was disapproved.
- March
New construction plans were drawn and approved for a two-bay
firehouse and a loan was secured by the Farmer’s National Bank in
Newville, PA. The terms of the loan were $15,000.00 at 7% interest.
- March
The final payment on the $18,000.00 loan from the People’s
National Bank in Shippensburg, PA was made. The loan was paid in less
than two years.
- April 8
A groundbreaking ceremony was held for the new firehouse. Among the
guests who were present were: State Representative Fred Noye, Mervin
Morrison – President of Farmer’s National Bank and Maynard Naugle
& John Lautsbaugh Jr. – South Newton Township Supervisors.
- April 15
Construction of the new firehouse started. The building consisted of
two truck bays, a bathroom, office, kitchen, storage room and a
meeting/social room.
- September 3
A dedication ceremony for the new firehouse was held. Among the
guests who were present were: State Representative Fred Noye, Nelson
Punt, Jacob Myers and Raymond Sawyer – Cumberland County
Commissioners, and Maynard Naugle & John Lautsbaugh Jr. – South
Newton Township Supervisors. The total cost of the project was
$33,500.00. Of that, $27,500.00 was paid for the building and $6,000.00
for the land.
- October
A 1954 Dodge 4 x 4 truck was acquired from the State Bureau of
Forestry for use as a brush truck.
Back
To Top /\
- 1979
- February
The brush truck was finished and placed into service as Brush 49.
- July 19
The first engine (pumper), a 1966 Ward LaFrance was purchased from
the Forsetville Fire Company in Tyson’s Corner, Maryland for a cost of
$14,000.00
- August 17
A loan for the new engine, modifications and equipment was secured
from Farmer’s National Bank in Newville, PA. The terms of the loan
were $21,500.00 at 8% interest.
- October 20
The company sold Tanker 249 for $2,500.00 to Robert Jones in
Florida. At that time, Tanker 149 became Tanker 49. Note that Robert
Jones, now deceased, was in instrumental figure in the West End Fire
& Rescue Company in Shippensburg, PA and a former Fire Services
Coordinator for Cumberland County.
- December 1
The newly purchased engine was finished and placed into service as
Engine 49.
- December 12
The final payment on the firehouse construction loan was paid off to
Farmer’s National Bank.
Back
To Top /\
- 1981
- February 24
The new addition to the firehouse was completed.
- February
The company purchased its first certificate of deposit.
- March
The company approved the plan to build an addition to the present
firehouse to consist of a dining room, kitchen, two bathrooms and a
storage room. A building committee was appointed and consisted of Glenn
Keefer (chairman), Larry Davidson, David McBeth, Darrell Goodhart, John
Holtry, Robert Davidson, Kenneth McBeth and Robert Frehn Sr.
- July 20
Construction of the new addition to the firehouse started.
- September
A loan was borrowed from David Evelhoch, a member, for the addition.
The terms were $15,000.00 at 6% interest.
- October
The first Life Membership was awarded to Kenneth McBeth at an awards
banquet.
- November
An automatic fire alarm system was installed at the firehouse. It is
believed to be the first automatic fire alarm system in South Newton
Township.
- December
A loan was borrowed from Farmer’s National bank for the addition.
The terms were $7,500.00 at 12% interest. In addition, the company
applied for a low-interest 2% loan from the state. The ladies auxiliary
donated $6,000.00 of a total $11,200.00 to the company towards the cost
of the new addition.
Back
To Top /\
- 1982
- April 3
The new addition was dedicated to the ladies auxiliary and a plaque
was mounted on the wall honoring such at a covered-dish supper. An
additional $2,500.00 was borrowed from Farmer’s National Bank for the
building addition for a total of $10,000.00.
- May
The low-interest 2% loan of $16,420.00 was received from the state,
and the balance of the loans to Farmer’s National Bank was paid off.
- August
Construction of a pole barn and barbecue pit was started.
- November
Construction of the pole barn and barbecue pit was completed.
Back
To Top /\
- 1983
- April 29
The Company ordered a new 1983 GMC tanker from 4 GUYS Inc. in
Meyersdale, PA at a cost of $60,500.00. This was the first brand new
truck purchased by the company and was constructed of stainless steel.
- May
The company applied for a low-interest 2% loan from the state for
the new tanker.
- May
The ladies auxiliary donated $5,000.00 towards the cost of the new
tanker. Their total contribution to date was $18,700.00
- June 21
The new tanker was placed in service as Tanker 49.
- September 8
The company sold Tanker 149 to Robert Jones of Florida for
$3,500.00. In addition, the low interest 2% loan of $30,300.00 was
received.
Back
To Top /\
- 1985
- January 5
The company’s second Life Membership was awarded to Robert Frehn
Sr.
- 1986
- June 28
The company’s first fireworks display was held during the annual
fireman’s fair at the firehouse. The fireworks display has become an
annual tradition anticipated by the community.
- 1987
- April 29
The company purchased a 1987 Young engine from Bailey’s Cross
Roads in Virginia for a cost of $114,000.00. A low-interest 2% loan was
secured from the state for $50,000.00.
Back
To Top /\
- 1988
- January
The third Life Membership of the company was awarded to Irvin Bowers
Jr.
- 1991
- November
A 1990 Dodge 4 x 4 truck was purchased and constructed into a
brush/medical assist truck for a cost of $14,250.00. The total cost of
the project was $25,723.00. The truck was placed in service as Special
Unit 49.
- 1992
- May
The entire debt owed on the building projects was paid off.
- November
Construction on a second addition to the firehouse was approved. The
total cost of the second addition was $31,336.97. It should be noted
that the members of the company did the labor of each and every building
project.
Back
To Top /\
- 1994
- January
The company purchased a new 1993 Freightliner from 4 GUYS Inc. in
Meyersdale, PA, which replaced the 1983 GMC tanker. The old tanker was
severely damaged in a collision on Hogshead Road while returning from a
mountain fire.
- 2000
- April
The company responded to a mountain fire on Hogshead Road. After
extinguishing the fire, Deputy Chief Larry Davidson discovered a burnt
human body during the mop-up stage. The death was ruled a homicide. The
victim, Sydney Bull was shot and then set afire by three individuals who
were all convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. Deputy
Chief Davidson testified at each defendant’s trial.
- August
The 1987 Young engine was sold to Frazer Township Volunteer Fire
Company in Tarentum, PA for $59,500.00 in anticipation of ordering a new
engine. A 1968 Mack engine from West End Fire & Rescue in
Shippensburg, PA was leased to be used during the completion of the new
engine.
- September
The company ordered a new 2001 Dash engine, constructed of aluminum,
made by Pierce Fire Equipment in Appleton, Wisconsin. The cost of the
new engine was $300,000.00 and was delivered through Glick Fire
Equipment in Bird-In-Hand, Pennsylvania.
Back
To Top /\
- 2001
- March
The new Pierce engine was delivered, and new equipment, obtained
through a one-time PEMA state grant, was mounted by Glick Fire
Equipment.
- May 19
The new 2001 Pierce engine was dedicated at a housing ceremony and
25th anniversary celebration and placed in service as Engine
49. Among the guests present were Edward Mann – PA State Fire
Commissioner, William Gabig – PA State Representative 199th
Legislative District, Rick Rovegno – Cumberland County Commissioner,
George Bauserman – Southampton Township Supervisor and Charles &
Vivian Myers – President PA State Volunteer Fireman’s Association
and Vice President of PA State Volunteer Fireman’s Ladies Auxiliary
Association respectively. Approximately 200 firefighters, guests,
members and community citizens attended the event. Life Memberships were
awarded to Lawrence Davidson, Robert Davidson, David McBeth, David
Durff, Darrell Goodhart, Daniel Crusey, Daniel Burkett, Timothy Goshorn,
Albert Grove, Harold Wilson, John Robinson III, Ricky Hosfelt and Glenn
Keefer.
- August
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation paved the dining room
parking lot in conjunction with their Agility Program. The program
provides for their services of paving in return for the company
providing various services to Pen-Dot. Those services include painting
bridge underpasses, washing bridge decks, removing storm debris from
roadways and providing meals and rental facilities for various meetings
for Pen-Dot employees to equal the costs. The company was granted five
years to return the value of services. The effort saved the company an
estimated $17,000.00.
- September
The company was awarded a $25,200.00 grant from the Federal
Emergency Management Agency to purchase turnout gear for the active
firefighters. This was the first time fitted turnout gear was issued to
company members. The bid for the equipment was awarded to Allsafe Fire
Equipment to supply Janesville Apparel. Moul Enterprises was awarded a
bid for SCBA face pieces to be issued to interior firefighters.
- November
The company’s first hydraulic rescue tool was purchased from Penn
Township Volunteer Fire Company for $1,000.00. The purchase included a
used Hurst spreader unit, cutter unit and power supply. It is rumored
that this specific tool was the first of its kind placed in service in
Cumberland County in the early 1980’s. The company also purchased a
1985 GMC Suburban from Penn Township Volunteer Fire Company to use as a
utility truck to haul manpower and supplies for fundraisers and other
events.
Back
To Top /\
- 2002
- February
The first Automated External Defibrillator (AED) was purchased for a
cost of $3,800.00. The Emergency Health Services Federation awarded an
EMSOF grant for $2,100.00, and the Masonic Lodge committed to fund the
balance of the costs.
Back To
Top /\