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WFD2.NET |
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- WFD HISTORY
History Of The Mechanics Steam Fire Engine And Hose Company # 1 In 1859, Borough Council purchased a second engine for $700.00 from the New Market Fire Company in Maryland. This Galway engine, considered one of the best engines prior to the introduction of steam engines and capable of a 228 foot stream, was used for 13 years until it was sold in 1872. On September 2, 1879, the Washington Engine Company was reorganized into the Mechanics Fire Company, and later, the Always There Hook And Ladder Company was added. Only three members of the original Washington Engine Company, Daniel Johnson, Harry Funk, and John B. Wallace, transferred to the reorganized company. Soon after the fire company reorganization, Frank Landis, of the Geiser Manufacturing Company, presented the Mechanics with their first steam engine. Following this addition, a horse drawn Silsby Steamer was also added to the ranks. This significantly helped to improve the time in getting ready for action. In March 1894, the Mechanics took just 24 ˝ seconds to hitch the horses , start the fire and signal all hands ready once an alarm was sounded. With the addition of the horse drawn steam engine, the Mechanics Fire Company became known as the Mechanics Steam Fire Company. A more modern steam engine was purchased in 1904 from the Nott Fire Engine Company in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This engine, known as the Nott Steamer, was rated as a Second capacity with a flow capable of 800/850 gpm. Later, a Combination Chemical Wagon was purchased and placed into service. The Mechanics Steam Fire Company operated a street sprinkler, or water tank wagon, during the summer months to water the streets of Waynesboro and reduce dust. For this service, there were paid $45.00 monthly by the Waynesboro Borough Council; the funds went to help defray their expenses. A model was made original water tank wagon and sold as a fund raiser to restore the 1950 Mack. Until 1915, The Mechanics Steam Fire Engine Company was operated entirely as a volunteer effort. All equipment was paid for by funds derived from fairs, public donations, membership dues, and the monthly payment for watering the streets. In 1915, the Town of Waynesboro took over all financial responsibility for the Fire Department, establishing a paid driver system, and placed both fire companies under the supervision of a Fire Marshal. One year later, Council purchased a Seagrave Combination Hose and Chemical unit for the Mechanics. The Nott Steamer was then motorizing using a 1916 Brockway four wheel tractor, making the fire department a completely motorized unit. 1917 ushered in the last year in which horses were used for specific firefighting operations in the Waynesboro Fire Department. The following year, all of the engines with the exception of the Nott Steamer and the Seagrave Combination Chemical Truck were disposed of. In 1926, a community pumper was added to replace aging equipment. Mack pumpers then followed in 1941, 1948, 1950 and a 1955 Mack ladder truck. The year 1954 marked a move for the Mechanics to their present location on Virginia Avenue. This station was presented as an outright gift from Mr. Howard M. Weaver in memory of his dear wife, Mrs. Sudie Clayton Weaver. In appreciation and as an everlasting memorial to her, I t was named The Sudie Clayton Memorial Fire Hall.
"Our Duty to Protect"
The History of the Always There Hook and Ladder Company Number 0ne The Always There Hook & Ladder Co. No. 1, Waynesboro, Pa., was organized in October of the year 1879, with about thirty members, and the following officers, Jacob F. Reininger, President; Wm. I. Bikle, Vice President; Cyrus Foltz, Secretary; B.F. Foreman, Treasurer. Jacob O. Thompson was the first Captain of the Company and also Drill Captain. The first meeting of the company was held in Center Square at the old town pump, when the name of the company was suggested by Cyrus Foltz, and adopted. Of the above officers only one member held an office in the company until death, which was Jacob F. Reininger, who died May 1924, at the age of 96 years, and was chairman of the trustees of the company. The first firefighting equipment of this company was a hand drawn truck which was equipped with several ladders, buckets, and lanterns, which was stored in a barn which stood in alley No. 1 north of Main Street. Company meetings were held in Squire Seibitt’s office then on South Church Street. On October 11th, 1882, this company was incorporated. Application for the Charter was made by W.J.C. Jacobs, Jesse R. Oller, A.F. Gringman, J.F. Reininger and J.O. Thompson. W.T. Omwake, attorney at law, was the solicitor; Judge D. Watson Rowe was Presiding Judge of the Franklin County Court. The Charter was received by the following Trustees: Fred Frick, Frank Grove, Howard Fisher and Clark Grumbine. The company formed a Band in the same year known as the “Hook & Ladder Band.” It was organized with about twenty-two members. W.E. Dock was the first director. Dr. J.C. Criswell was the first bass player. This band was in existence until the year 1889when it consolidated with the “Old Waynesboro Cornet Band” and formed what is now known as the Wayne Band. In the year 1882 the company took up quarters in the East Side of the Academy of Music which was built in the year 1881. They used this building as their home until the year 1899 when they moved to their present home in the South Side of the Firemen’s Hall which was built by the town, and given over to the city Firemen for their use, by a resolution which was received by the company August 2nd, 1900 which was as follows: Resolved: That the Burgess be instructed to tender the Mechanics Steam Fire Engine and Jose Co. and the Always There Hook & Ladder Co. the use of the new Firemen’s Hall on South Potomac St., so long as they shall respectively maintain an effective organization for the purpose for which they were created and that to this end of the burgess is instructed to turn over to them the keys to said building. Signed – Sam C. Plank, Secretary to Council The company’s equipment at this time consisted of a small horse drawn Hook & Ladder Truck which was replaced in the year 1906 with a Seagraves 65 ft Aerial horse drawn truck, which was kept in service until December 23rd, 1916, when the company was motorized with an American LaFrance City Service Truck which was equipped with eight ladders varying in length from ten to fifty feet, and carries one thousand feet of hose, besides other modern firefighting equipment. The company was the first to be motorized in the city, which was made possible by Chief Daniel J. Stine. The summer of 1967 the fire equipment was moved to a building on Gay Street while the station at 29 South Potomac was partially torn down to remodel the station. On Sunday October 5th, 1967 there was a dedication of the cornerstone. On Saturday August 24th, 1968 the rebuilt fire station was dedicated. December 1992 a volunteer firefighter’s bunk room was built for male and female. January 16th, 1993 the rooms were dedicated through a very generous gift of Robert N. “Bob” Boerner.
"We Strive to Save"
PAST FIRE CHIEFS Edward Greewalth Dan Johnston Harry C. Funk David Thompson J.C.F. Flaut Jack Holly Howard Cramer Howard Poper Dan J. Stine Charles Shoemaker L. William Mussey Zal Smith Roy Robinson C.O. Robinson Orlow E. Helm Kenneth Lemmon Merle K. Biser Terry Reiber Janvier Gilliand Donald M. Ringer Dale Fishack Ronald Flegel David Martin This page is still under construction!
Coming soon! The consolidation of the two companies into THE WAYNESBORO VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT INC.
Since March 20th, 2011 |
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ty To
Protect”