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.
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• 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
    1^st Asst. Chief: Harold Wilson
    2^nd 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.
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• 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.
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• 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.
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• 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.
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• 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.
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• 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.
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• 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.
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• 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.
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• 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.
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• 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.
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• 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 25^th 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 199^th 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.
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• 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.
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