History of the Abbottstown Fire Company - Formerly Adams County Company # 12
The Abbottstown Fire Company was organized June 1924 by 35 members. The first piece of fire fighting equipment was a hand drawn 45 gallon Champion LaFrance chemical engine, purchased by the borough in 1915. In 1929 the fire company purchased a 1929 Model A Ford with a Hale pump. These two pieces of equipment were the only fire fighting equipment to serve the Abbottstown area until 1953. At this time a second pumper, 1949 Federal, was purchased using a C.D. fund sharing program. In 1958 a Chevrolet tanker was purchased. The Model A Ford is still in running order and attends many parades and functions. It is on display at our fire station.
In 1930 a Ladies Auxiliary was formed and was the first organized auxiliary in the county. In 1949 the present property and building were purchased. Through the years the building has been renovated and expanded several times. Currently there is a truck room, built in 1974 to hold 4 apparatus. In 1984 the remainder of the building was remodeled which consists of; a social hall, kitchen, and a room to display our 1929 Ford and many fire company artifacts. In 1986 a Junior Fire Company was formed to try to help with ever lasting problem of not having enough manpower, and to give them a chance to gain experience. In early 1987 our fire company purchased 1000 feet of 5 inch hose and adapters, largely with donations from the ladies auxiliary. In December 1989 the company placed into service a 1989 Spartan/Emergency One Engine with a fully enclosed cab capable of seating five. This was a major safety step with the company as it has now eliminated the need for our personnel to ride on the tailboard of any apparatus. This truck was the first truck in Adams County with a fully enclosed cab capable of hauling more than 3 people. At the same time 500' of additional 5" hose was placed in service, bringing the total to 1500' on Engine 12.
In May of 1996 a committee was formed to evaluate future purchases of equipment. This committee recommended replacing our aging tanker in the near future. In September of 1997 a Freightliner/E-One Tanker was placed in service. This tanker has a 1500 gallon tank and a 1250 GPM pump, with rear and side electric dump valves.
In July of 2001 we placed into service a 2001 Ford F-550 Brush truck with 300 gallons of water and a 200 GPM pump.
Because half our service area is located in York Co., all apparatus are equipped with both Adams and York county radios. Our station can also be dispatched through York County Control.
As we enter a new millennium we are faced with the ever increasing problem of getting and keeping new volunteers. Our demands are high and the rewards few, which makes a solution to this problem even tougher.
At the time of the merger with NOFC, our current equipment consisted of :
In 1930 a Ladies Auxiliary was formed and was the first organized auxiliary in the county. In 1949 the present property and building were purchased. Through the years the building has been renovated and expanded several times. Currently there is a truck room, built in 1974 to hold 4 apparatus. In 1984 the remainder of the building was remodeled which consists of; a social hall, kitchen, and a room to display our 1929 Ford and many fire company artifacts. In 1986 a Junior Fire Company was formed to try to help with ever lasting problem of not having enough manpower, and to give them a chance to gain experience. In early 1987 our fire company purchased 1000 feet of 5 inch hose and adapters, largely with donations from the ladies auxiliary. In December 1989 the company placed into service a 1989 Spartan/Emergency One Engine with a fully enclosed cab capable of seating five. This was a major safety step with the company as it has now eliminated the need for our personnel to ride on the tailboard of any apparatus. This truck was the first truck in Adams County with a fully enclosed cab capable of hauling more than 3 people. At the same time 500' of additional 5" hose was placed in service, bringing the total to 1500' on Engine 12.
In May of 1996 a committee was formed to evaluate future purchases of equipment. This committee recommended replacing our aging tanker in the near future. In September of 1997 a Freightliner/E-One Tanker was placed in service. This tanker has a 1500 gallon tank and a 1250 GPM pump, with rear and side electric dump valves.
In July of 2001 we placed into service a 2001 Ford F-550 Brush truck with 300 gallons of water and a 200 GPM pump.
Because half our service area is located in York Co., all apparatus are equipped with both Adams and York county radios. Our station can also be dispatched through York County Control.
As we enter a new millennium we are faced with the ever increasing problem of getting and keeping new volunteers. Our demands are high and the rewards few, which makes a solution to this problem even tougher.
At the time of the merger with NOFC, our current equipment consisted of :
- Engine 12: 1989 Spartan/Emergency One that has a 1250 pump; carries 1000 gal. of water; is equipped with a 6KW diesel generator; a 20 gallon foam tank; 1500 ft. of five inch and 500 ft. of three inch supply hose. Also carried are six air packs; six extra cylinders; positive pressure fan; Cutters Edge Ventilation saw; electric sawsall; portable deluge gun; two 1500 watt telescoping and two 500 watt tripod mounted quartz lights and a 200 ft. cord reel.
- Tanker 12: 1997 Freightliner/E-One that hauls 1500 gallon of water with a 1250 gpm pump. This truck carries preconnected handlines; 1000 ft of 5" inch supply line; 2100 gallon portable tank; a portable pump; and is equipped with side & rear mounted electric dump valve that is operated from the cab.
- Brush 12: 2001 Ford F-550 4 wheel drive Brush truck with a 300 gallon tank, 200 GPM Pump, 600’ of 1” hose, 200’ of 1 ¾” hose, 300’ booster hose, front bumper sprayers, rakes and Indian tanks for fighting field and brush fires.