Centennial

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In May, 1909 the citizens of Homeville decided it was time to have a fire company of their own. After many meetings in Mr. Crawford's law office, the Homeville Volunteer Fire Company # 1 was formed. A charter and by-laws were legalized in Harrisburgh, Pennsylvania on November 16, 1909.

To be a volunteer firefighter you have to give your free time to the fire company, have an understanding family and be ready to answer a call in the middle of the night in all weather.

Many Fire Cheifs, from the first; David Stevens to the present Chief; David Martin, have given of their timeand knowldge to lead the many firefighters who have passed through the truck room doors to answer the call.

Many presidents, from the first; George Wilson to the present President; William Mattis, have guided and watched over the operations and growth of the fire company.

As the years passed things changed. To be a firefighter today you must have firefighting training, retrain and retrain again to keep up with the technology of firefighting and fire safety so you can answer the next call.

The first fire fighting vehicle was not a truck, but a horse drawn pumper. It took years of fundraising and donations to buy their first open cab fire truck. Nothing like the heated, air conditioned, automatic transmission, aerial ladder with power steering like the truck the fire company now owns.

One Hundred years covers many fires; from grass, barns, sheds, garages, homes, trees, cars and even loss of life. Even Kennywood Park had need of Homeville Firefightes. Some of us do remember the Ghost Ship and Bandstand fires. Severe storms also called on the firefighters to get things back in order and pump out flooded basements.

After the Homeville Volunteer Fire Comapny grew, many events and organizations were supported or sponsored by the fire comopany including: baseball, basketball. and football teams, a Boy Scout troop, teen dances in the 50's, fair with games and rides for young and old, fish fries, dinner dances, bingo, parades that everyone enjoyed and even place of worship for Resurrection Church until their first church was built.

A special thanks to the wives of the first firefighters. They were the first ones to hitch the team of horsers to the pumper and answer the first call of Homeville Volunteer Fire Company #1. These men were at work in the Homestead Mill and the building was saved.

We cannot forget the Ladies Auxiliary for their support and help at the fairs and dinners. The Ladies Auxiliary retired in 2008.

May the next 100 years offer as much history and memories as the first 100 years.