Volunteer Fire Company #1

Allegheny County Station 166

About Harmar Township Volunteer Fire Company

Our Proud History

"Prior to the forming of a fire company in Harmar Township, we depended on surrounding communities
for fire protection. These were primarily Cheswick, Springdale, and Oakmont Boroughs. Before March 25, 1938, there had been some effort by leading citizens in the Harmarville area to form a fire company. The group purchased a used fire truck and housed it in the West Penn Street Car Barn in Harmarville. However, this was short lived; the group disbanded and sold the equipment.

On March 25, 1938, there was a general meeting of the Harmar Twp. citizens called by the Twp. supervisors for the purpose of discussing the organization of a fire company. The meeting was held at the township building in Acmetonia. At the March 25th meeting, Mr. J. L. Kruth of Harmarville was elected temporary chairman, and Leonard B. Sharpsburg and Mr. William Wanamaker Sr. were called upon to offer suggestions and help to organize a fire company. A committee of five men (Arthur Wagle, Kenneth Peterson, David Stitt, Lawrence Hilliard, and Frank Graham) was appointed to draft a set of bylaws and constitution. A meeting was set for Monday, March 28, 1938, 8:30PM. The township supervisors (Frank Graham, James Anderson, and Charles Hodel, Sr.) had already purchased a new fire truck, so they set up a temporary group of 14 men to handle the equipment until the fire company could be organized. As a result of the previous meetings, March 30, 1938, the first organized meeting was held and the first nominations of officers of Harmar Twp. Vol. Fire Co. No. 1 were put to ballot. The nominations are a matter of record. A copy of the bylaws and constitution was read at this time. On April 12, 1938, the first officers of the fire company were elected and sworn into office.

On May 21, 1938, the first set of bylaws and constitution were read again and on July 5, 1938 were adopted. A fire whistle was put to use by the new firemen on the tipple of the Consumers Mining Company at Harmarville on August 5, 1938. The fire truck, a 1938 Mack, was housed in the township building at the foot of Acme Hill on Pearl Street. This new piece of equipment was the cause of much pride and honor among the members because of the many prizes it won in competitive firemen’s parades. An application for a Charter was made immediately, but because of bad health, the original attorney was unable to complete the original application. We were finally granted a Charter in June 1939 after a second try by another attorney.

In 1941, the fire company rented the building presently used by the Cooper Tire Co. for all the company social functions. In 1943 our present property was deeded to us by the Harmar Twp. School Board. Our building was erected in 1949 and was used as a social center for the township, especially all the civic groups, Boy and Girl Scouts, and many sports associations. In 1954, the fire company purchased the combination Ford Squad and Pumper Truck, of which we were very proud. A new addition to the engine room was built in 1958. A new American LaFrance Pumper Fire Truck was purchased in March, 1964. Our next addition to our fire-fighting equipment was a Diesel Engine Mack Pumper, purchased in July, 1971, by the township supervisors.

Our current fleet consist of a 1987 Mack/Pierce engine, 1993 Pierce engine, 1996 Ford Explorer, 1999 Ford pickup truck, 2003 Rescue Truck, 24’ Pontoon fireboat, 14’ rescue boat and a technical rescue trailer. These current additions were purchased by the Fire Company using smart and careful financial planning. Throughout the years, the Harmar Fire Co. has purchased and learned to use many fire and rescue equipment. The members have regular sessions every month to keep alert to all latest methods to be better able to render assistance wherever and whenever needed. A fireman is not only a firefighter. He is also a helper in many community needs. We are proud and will continue to be proud to be a part of Harmar Township. We will continue to render our services when needed."