Add an Article Add an Event Edit

Fairless Hills Fire Department

425 Hood Boulevard
215-949-0443

In response to the approximately 200 homes being developed to support the new U.S. Steel Corporation residents of the Fairless Hills community met to discuss the creation of a Fire Company. After two preliminary gatherings the charter members met on December 10, 1951, to approve the adoption of its new Constitution and to elect temporary officers. John F O'Hear was elected President and W.B. Trimble Fire Chief.

The Company was incorporated in March of 1952. Danherst Corporation then donated a 1923 Seagrave Pumper, which was rated at 1,400 gpm. The Danherst Corporation also included use of the original Fire House building, 950 feet of 2½" hose and various nozzles and fittings. Constant maintenance was required to keep the Seagrave pumper in operation. Due to the age of the pumper it would not pass the underwriter's test, so it was imperative that a more satisfactory fire engine be purchased if the community was to enjoy the benefits of a lower fire insurance rates. Early in 1952 the original unit 310 Ward LaFrance 750 gpm pumper was delivered to Fairless Hills.

During 1953 the Fire House was enlarged and a steam heating system, was installed by the members. In the fall of the same year the Seagrave pumper earned her place in the Hall of Fame by pumping continuously at Curtiss Lake for 72 hours to supply Fairless Hills with water when the original pumping equipment broke down.

The station went through many upgrades and renovations over the years. In 1985, an addition was put on the rear of the building, which included a Chief's Office, President's Office, work bay, and engineer's room on the first floor, with a meeting/classroom on the second floor above the offices. In 1988, the old Engineer's Room was converted to a "Bunk Room" for the new created "Bunk In" program. This was a young group of firefighters who gave up the comforts of home to sleep at the fire station, reducing our response time at night significantly. In 1992, in anticipation of a New Rescue Truck which was much longer and taller than the previous one, the fire company had to move the game room from the rear of the newest bay, over to the rear of the middle bay. This new game room/lounge proved to be too small, so the company decided to put a second floor above the apparatus service bay and relocate the Bunk Room upstairs, allowing the new lounge to be expanded into what used to be the bunk room.

In 1992 the company took delivery of the new Spartan/Salisbury Rescue truck. However, also in 1994 the Fire Company, facing dwindling membership decided to reduce their fleet by 1 pumper.

In 1997 the company decided to sell the marine unit due to a lack of calls requiring this piece of equipment. In September of 2001, the company took delivery of a new Pierce ladder. In September of 2005, the company took delivery of its newest apparatus a Seagrave Pumper. The 2005 Seagrave Pumper has a 2000 GPM pump, 750 Gal. water tank, 50 gal. foam tank, and a 6 man cab. The Fire Company currently maintains 2 Pumpers, a 105' Aerial/Pumper combination, a Heavy Fire-Rescue, a Utility, and 2 Chief's vehicles.


Photos