The new Pierce Aerialscope is at Birdsboro Fire Company where it is in service. Driver and operator training will be completed in the next week. All bugs have been worked out, making this aerial one of the most functional, maneuverable, and affordable aerial trucks in Berks County. The Friendship Fire Company purchased this aerial in 1990 from FDNY (Fire Department New York) and had the hydraulic system upgraded at the time. The truck had a new body installed, and cab rust removed. This became the trucks "second life." After serving the Friendship Fire Company for over 15 years, the truck has now been refurbished onto a tandem axle Pierce Dash 2000 chassis, equipped with a new Cummins motor, Allison Transmission, completely new hydraulic controls, pumps, and hoses. The primary lift/extension cylinders have been fully rebuilt, painted, and re-installed. New style setup controls have been installed on the rear of the apparatus, making this the first Aerialscope ever to set up from the rear of the apparats.

Birdsboro Fire Department is a progressive department dedicated to the protection of one square mile and over 5,000 people. The department provides fire suppression, fire prevention, emergency medical and other emergency services. The fleet of 5 trucks and a Chief's car is manned by a crew of around 30 volunteers. All firefighters, ranging from 14 to 66 years old, have met ever-progressing training requirements.

Company History

The Friendship Fire Company No.1 of Birdsboro was initiated January 6, 1883 at the Birdsboro Town Hall.Our parent company, the Friendship Fire Co. of Reading, Pennsylvania presented us with our first piece of apparatus: a hose and chemical wagon. There was a condition, the company must be called “Friendship.” This was agreed to by the members and the official name became The Friendship Fire Co. No. 1 of Birdsboro, Pennsylvania.

In 1885, after many months of fund raising, we were able to erect a new fire house on the corner of First and Cinder Streets. By 1916, we had purchased our first motorized fire truck built by Martin Fire Carriage of York, Pennsylvania.As the years went by, we were able to purchase additional equipment and apparatus though plenty of hard work and the generosity of the townspeople. In 1926, a new Hahn Fire Truck was purchased and three years later in 1929, a new Mack Truck was added to our expanding company. later in 1939, a new Diamond T Fire Truck was purchased.

A GMC Civil Defense Truck was purchased in 1957 to further expand our services to the community. Also in 1957, we built our first tank truck with a donated chassis and tank. This was the year that our oldest active firefighter joined the company...1959 was a big year for us. We moved into our present day facility with a debt of 129,000 dollars and a lot of worn out equipment. We set to work immediately to pay off the debt and replace the old equipment.

In 1962 we began purchasing new equipment with a Hahn pumper complete with hose and equipment. In 1964 we bought a Hahn Crash Truck.1967 marked the payoff of the loan and the following purchase of a of a tanker/pumper which was delivered in 1968.

By 1973, we had decided to add a 27,000 dollar addition to the building to expand our social quarters. We also purchased a new Rescue Truck to replace the Civil Defense Truck. On the new Rescue truck was a piece of equipment called the "Jaws of Life," a Hurst Power Tool, used to remove victims of Automobile wreckage. This Rescue truck ran Auto accidents on the Pennsylvania turnpike, route 176, 724, and 422.

In 1980, we purchased a Ford 1000 GMC pumper with a 55 foot snorkel. This was our department’s first aerial device. This truck was in service until 1990, when we sold it to a fire department in Washington state to make way for two newer additions. In 1990 a Peter Pirsch pumper and a Mack/Baker Aerialscope were placed into service, and remain in service to this day as Engine 7-1 and Tower 7.The year 1991 brought us a 1977 Sutphen 1250 GPM pumper that was also refurbished in 91. To make room for this, our 68 pumper/tanker was sold. This 1977 Sutphen was sold to Treasure Lake Fire District in 1999 to make way for the 2000 HME/New Lexington we now call Engine 7.

2002 brought us a 1980/90 Mack/Kenco Rescue from the Ogontz Fire Company in Cheltanham Township, not only equipped with the "Jaws of Life" like the last rescue, but a complete lineup of Hurst rescue tools.2004 was an interesting year. When persuing costs of a new Aerialscope, firefighters discovered the concept of refurbishing the aerial boom and re-mounting it on a new chassis. By December, a contract was signed with Pierce Manufacturing, and by mid-2006 the "new" apparatus was completed.We (the volunteers) will continue to dedicate our time and effort in maintaining fire and rescue services to our community and our surrounding areas.

In the event of emergency please dial 911.