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Good Will Fire Department history
Good Will Fire Department company history timeline
1833, January 9 – Initial meeting to form a “New Fire Company”
1833, April 30 - The “Neptune” Company’s first fire
1837 – The Neptune Company changed their name to Good Will Fire Company upon the purchase of an Engine from the Good Will Fire Company of Philadelphia
1838-the company was incorporated under the title of “Friendship Fire Company.”
On December 14, 1839, a group of residents from the village of Freystown, in Spring Garden Township, met in the school house for the purpose of organizing more adequate fire protection for their village.
During 1839, the engine house now occupied by the Court House Plaza was built.
In 1852, the company met and decided to change their name to the Good Will Fire Company No.
In 1858 an engine house was erected at 669 East Market Street and the company relocated.
1864-The Burning of Chambersburg.
– Organized, January 6, 1871 (three days after the Philadelphia Steam Fire Engine Company #1 of Pottstown)
At the time of the purchase of a steam fire engine, November 29, 1871, it became known as the “Friendship Steam Engine and Hose Company No.
– In 1871, first company in the Borough to own a steam engine, formerly the property of the City of Philadelphia Fire Department.
Originally called the “Friendship Juniors.” Recognized by Borough Council and organized June 13, 1872.
August 10, 1876 - The Hook and Ladder Company formed and adopted the name of Vigilant Hook and Ladder Company No.
The committee proposed the name of “Third Ward Hose Company”. August 1, 1877 first meeting was held and officers elected.
On Saturday evening, March 2, 1882, at 8:00 pm under the dim rays of a flickering gas oil lamp, the secretary began slowly writing: “At a meeting of the (Northeast 7th ward, Jalappa) citizens of Pottsville held at the house of Frederick Leffler, the following officers were elected protempore.
The cornerstone mentioned only the date of the company’s organization o May 1, 1882. (It can still be seen there today.) The company hardly settled into its’ new quarters with a growing membership, when plans were being presented before council for the present fire house at Coal and Nichols Streets.
Little time was lost in 1883 procuring the company’s first “crab”, a 4-wheel hand-drawn wagon with reel, in basic white which seemed to become the companies’ original color.
Meetings were held until the first complete fire house on Prospect Street became available in 1884.
The company bought its first steamer from the Humane Fire Co. in 1885; and the horse power came from the famous Ulmer Packing Co, other businesses, and some citizens.
In 1890, following a vote of its residents, the village of Freystown left Spring Garden Township and was annexed into the City of York.
November 1891 - a fair was held to raise funds to purchase a first-class steam fire engine.
– In 1891, the Good Will Fire Company, in an effort to better serve it’s community, installed an ambulance service to transport sick and injured residences to their doctors office.
The steam fire engine was an American LaFrance and arrived on February 7, 1893 at a cost of $3,200.00 and placed in the Good Will Fire House.
As the result of cramped quarters at their two-story brick and wood engine house, the Goodwill purchased a property in the 800 block of East Market Street from the Freystown Building and Loan Association for $3,200.00 on November 30, 1894.
The existing structures were remodeled and the “new” engine house was occupied on March 29, 1895.
August 2, 1898 – Action on having the company incorporated was taken.
On June 25, 1900, the membership of the Goodwill accepted a petition to join the York City Fire Department, as a result of an ordinance passed by the York City Council on June 1, 1900.
On July 15, 1901, a special meeting was held to discuss the construction of a new engine house and the purchase of a chemical engine.
1901-Friendship Engine and Hose Co.
By October of 1902, the problems had been resolved and demolition of the engine house had begun.
On September 26, 1903 a gala dedication was held for the new Goodwill engine house, which is the building currently in use by the company.
1903 Council purchased a chemical engine, the same drawn by that never-to-be-forgotten pair of black horses, Doc and Derby.
In October of 1915, the Goodwill entered the motorized era with the delivery of a Martin combination chemical and hose apparatus, which was built in York.
1 of Bechtelsville was organized and adopted its name on April 10, 1916.
The third era in firefighting (first being hand-drawn crab, second being horse-drawn steamer, third being mechanized) began when the company purchased its first motorized unit, a white car chemical truck from Pottsville manufacturer John Yaissle for $4,625.00 on 11/14/1916.
On June 13, 1917, the company voted to purchase the three-story frame building at Main and Race Streets from Irvin B. Kehs for $4,000.
In the same year, the Friendship Hook and Ladder Company of Boyertown donated their 1917 Seagrave fire truck to the Volunteer Barto Fire Company.
An engine house was added to the Race Street side of the building in 1917.
– Although company records are incomplete, Borough records show that at leased two of the station houses had paid fire personnel starting around 1918.
In the late 1920’s there was a disastrous fire on the site of which is now the Maugansville Planning Mill.
The raising of the building began in 1924.
The Volunteer Barto Fire Company was first organized in 1924.
– In 1926, the company acquired a new Ahrens-Fox.
As the fire company was being formed, a 1928 Model AA Ford truck with roughly a 250 GPM front mount pump was ordered.
The Seagrave pumper was purchased in 1929 at a cost of $12,500.
On July 4, 1930 fire destroyed several sheds and a corncrib in the Treichler coal yards at Barto.
1930’s model American LaFrance City Service Truck.
The 1937 Tanker was the first fire tanker in service in Orange County and only the third to be placed in service in New York State.
Eight years later, on the night of July 11, 1938, a barn fire blamed on lightning, at the Harry Nagle farm along Hoffmansville Road took the life of a devoted volunteer firefighter from Bechtelsville.
The first new fire truck, a 1939 Ford pumper was purchased and is owned by the company.
In 1946, a 1946 Ford with a front mount pump was purchased.
On February 25, 1947, a meeting was held at the Barto Hotel, and the Volunteer Barto Fire Company was officially organized.
On October 31st, 1947, the first meeting was held and the fire department was organized.
Shortly after the purchase of the second fire engine on March 4th, 1948, the Good-Will Fire Department Women’s Auxiliary was formed and Mary Valdina became their first President.
Barto Fire Company took its charter May 7, 1948.
On Friday, May 13th, 1949, the first annual minstrel show was held at Newburgh Free Academy and an ad book was published, supported by many local businesses and boosters.
In 1949, construction of the Barto Fire Company began, with much of the building being done by the members themselves.
The 1950’s saw the beginnings of the growth in the fire department and the changes in the fire district.
In 1951, the first meeting was held in the new Firehouse.
On Saturday May 3, 1952, the company vacated the three-story frame building at Main and Race Streets and formally opened the new $85,000 two-story brick firehouse , which is still occupied by the fire company today.
It is to be delivered in the beginning of 1952.
In 1956, the company then purchased a Mack pumper at a cost of $18,177.
– In 1956 Good Will acquired the former Henry J. Snyder home located at 700 High Street.
A 1959 Ford truck equipped with a a 1,000-gallon tank, formerly used by Showalter Implements, was also added.
The 1960’s saw the beginnings of the new age of retail store in Good-Will’s district, the shopping center.
The Mid-Valley Mall, with 50 stores, also opened in the 1960’s at the opposite end of the district from Lloyds.
Fire Chief John H. Kehl, First Assistant Chief Ronald Kehl, Second Assistant Chief LeRoy H. Herb and Roger S. Yoder, a driver, traveled to Lansing, Michigan where they accepted delivery of the pumper and drove it home to Bechtelsville, arriving on Wednesday, September 25, 1963.
In the spring of 1964 the construction of an entirely new engine room, including a bay for the community ambulance, was completed.
1964 saw the purchase of a new FWD Pumper/tanker to meet the expanding needs of the district and Good-Will was hosting its first OCVFA Convention and parade.
In 1965, a Ladies' Auxiliary was formed by a group of interested wives and friends.
Construction began on a volunteer basis, working very feverishly nights and weekends, it was completed the latter part of 1968.
The first was a 1968 Hahn, 1000 gpm, pumper.
– In 1968, the company acquired two new apparatus.
In 1970, an addition to the Firehouse was started.
– 1970, ambulance purchased their first Cadillac to transport the sick and injured.
1970 – First Apprentice firemen were accepted into the Company
– In 1971, Good Will and Philadelphia S.F.E. Co #1 jointly celebrate 100 years of serving Pottstown, with a Fire Fighter Parade.
– In 1972, the company purchased their first “Jaws of Life”, a 32A Hurst Spreader.
– 1974, ambulance personnel became certified as Emergency Medical Technicians and joined the emergency medical system.
A 1974 “R” model Mack Tanker was purchased with a 2,700-gal
April 1976—On the 6th of April, the final regular monthly meeting of the Friendship Engine and Hose Company No.
May 1976—The first regular meeting of the company in the new building is called to order by the President, Warren “Mike” Britton, on the 4th of May at 8:00 p.m.
In 1976 Good-Will purchased a new type of emergency truck from Super-Vac.
-1977, ambulance purchases their first paramedic unit, allowing the paramedics to perform life-saving techniques prior to arriving at PMMC.
The Good Will was among the first Pottsville fire companies to welcome women to join the ranks of volunteer firefighters as far back as 1980 when Kathy Honage and Lisa Bickleman joined the organization.
After two years of planning, the company approved the purchase of a new Rescue Squad to replace the aging 1980 GMC Step Van.
Sep 10 - Good Will celebrated our 150th Anniversary and housed our new 1982 Sutphen Custom Pumper and our 1982 Reading/Ford Air Unit.
Aug - The company purchased a used 1984 Horton Ambulance from Walker Emergency Vehicles in Coatesville to convert to a Squad vehicle.
In 1984-85 much of the older apparatus was starting to breakdown frequently due to its age.
Plans were drawn for a 1986 Seagrave that would have a 1500 GPM pump, carry 1,000 gallons of water, and seat six seat belted firefighters in a fully enclosed cab.
– In 1989, the company agrees to place Engine 9, the “68” Hahn, as second alarm apparatus, and respond Borough wide on first alarm assignments as a “Rescue Company”. Also in 1989, the company placed in service a Mack/Swab, 20 foot box, heavy rescue vehicle.
– In 1990, Good Will sponsored a housing and parade celebrating 100 years of ambulance service to the Borough of Pottstown and surrounding communities.
Mar 26 – At 3:00 pm Tanker 53 (Fame) became Tanker 52 (Good Will). The 3,000 gallon tanker has been in the WCFD Fleet since 1990 and was assigned to the Fame Fire Co #3 in 1990.
Apr - The company approved the purchase of a used 1991 Chevy Blazer from Good Fellowship Ambulance to be used as a Squad.
-1992, ambulance begins to provide the community with their newest service, that being wheelchair transports.
4 continues to actively serve the people of the Greater Pottsville Area proudly with their 1993 Quality/Spartan 1500 GPM pumper equipped to safely carry 10 firefighters to wherever duty calls.
– In 1996, the station purchased a 4 door Freightliner truck chassis and approved the design and purchase of a Rescue 1, rescue/pumper.
In 1998 the suburban was turned over to the assistant chief and a Jeep Cherokee was put in service as Car 1.
Also, in 1998 new Pierce Pumper was purchased to replace the older Sutphen.
September 11, 2001 - Our country began the "fight against terrorism" with many of our fellow firefighters losing their lives in the terrorist's attacks in New York and Washington, DC. Good Will Firefighter and trustee Brian Ackerman was called to active duty on October 9th.
Car 13 went into service in January of 2003 acting as a Duty Officer Vehicle.
In late 2003, the company approved the purchase of a Rescue 1/Spartan heavy rescue.
– In March 2004, the company took delivery of a new Rescue 1/Spartan Heavy Rescue (“Da Heavy”). The rescue is 39 feet long with twin axles.
A 2005 Ford F350 was purchased and it still used daily for many activities including transporting Firefighters to classes and training.
In 2005, the department found themselves in need of a utility vehicle, capable of hauling personnel, running EMS calls, pulling trailers, and plowing snow.
Once again, in 2008, there was a purchase of a new engine.
2010, February 4 - The Good Will was awarded the 100% certification level from the PA State Fire Commissioner’s Office
2010, March 26 – The Good Will receives a 3,000 gallon tanker from Fame
In summer of 2011, a new light attack truck was purchased to replace the previous two brush trucks.
After many years of service, Car 13 was taken out of service in 2014 and replaced with our most recent addition, a 2014 Chevy Tahoe Duty Officer/Command vehicle.
©2015 Chambersburg Fire Department.
© 2022 Pottsville Fire Department.
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Good Will Fire Department may also be known as or be related to GOOD WILL FIRE COMPANY NO 2, Good Will Fire Department and West Chester Fire Department.