Pomeroy Fire Company No. 1 Department History
This is what we started with in 1921! As we look back over the past 88 years, the members of the Pomeroy Volunteer Fire Company, No. 1 have put together the following history. Thank you for taking the time to visit our website in the event you or someone you know has more information on our history we would love to hear from you.
From the 50th anniversary program book: “Since every organization has a beginning, Pomeroy Volunteer Fire Company’s was August 1, 1921. At this time a number of the town’s citizens assembled in the public schoolhouse, and pledged them to organize a fire company. The charter was granted on September 13, 1921. They purchased an old horse drawn fire cart and apparatus in Lancaster and a Cadillac touring car from William Kenworthy in Parkesburg. The members dismantled the horse drawn affair and attached the apparatus to the Cadillac. This was the company’s first fire engine. Lots were purchase from William Tregay, and the first fire hall was built to house the engine. On January 10, 1922, the first meeting was held in this building.
The first alarm was sounded on March 28, 1922. The alarm system at that time was a gong. It was replaced by a locomotive wheel tire with a piece cut out and suspended from two poles. A sledge hammer was used to sound the alarms. This contraption was used until the company bought an electric alarm system, which was an old automobile horn attached to a phonograph. An all-purpose engine from the Hahn Motor Company was bought in 1926. The first rain coats and boots were purchased in 1927.
In 1932 it was decided to build larger quarters. The company had purchased the old office building, from the Bethlehem Steel Company for $100.00. This they carefully tore down, piece by piece. With this much as a nucleus, with material salvaged from the old fire hall, plus some new lumber and other supplies, the beginning of the present building was erected. This two story building was well planned with the engine room and entertainment room on the first floor, a dining room, kitchen and store room in the basement and the meeting room and an apartment on the second floor. The first regular monthly meeting was held in this fire hall on January 10, 1933, and it is here that all the fire company meetings are now held.
In 1937 and Auto car triple combination pumper was purchased fully-equipped. The company was also in possession of a fully-equipped at that time.
Some years later, during the early part of 1948 an opportunity to purchase a later model ambulance to better serve the community presented itself, and the company agreed to make the purchase.
The following year, May of 1949, the first life members were recognized as paying dues for twenty consecutive years.
In the early part of 1953 a drive to purchase a different ambulance was a project the auxiliary undertook. A used, but in excellent condition, Cadillac ambulance was purchased with the proceeds.
Another big move for the company was in 1956 when the two way radio communication was installed. During the years it has constantly been improving, that today it would be impossible to do without it.
During the mid-50’s the fire company and the auxiliary joined together in having a bandstand with music by a juke box. These dances were very successful, and the proceeds were used to put a new floor in the dance hall. It was about this time that the members began talking about an expansion to the original building in order to gain more engine room space and a kitchen for the auxiliary. The building committee, after several meetings and many plans agreed that the best move would be a new building attached to the north side of the building that was there at that time. This building to be an engine room, rest rooms, office and radio room. The building committee held several meetings and discussions as to size and structure of the addition needed. In January 1958, the new building plans had been approved in Harrisburg. By March 1958, all necessary arrangements were made for construction of the addition to the building. So on April 1, 1958 ground was broken, and the new structure got underway. In a few short months, on July 19, 1958 the new addition to the building was dedicated.
Now that there is additional space in the new building, some thought was given to a new fire apparatus. Everyone immediately set about, making plans for any kind of fundraising event. The junior firemen, eager to do their share, asked for permission and supervision to hold a card party. This request was granted. A joint fair with Sadsburyville Fire Company was planned. The Saturday night dances were a real asset to the finances of the company.
The apparatus committee, having been very busy getting all necessary information and prices were nearing a decision so they could make a report to the company. In May 1959 the company purchased a $20, 000.00 F. W. D., 1, 000 gallon tanker with a 750 gallon per minute pump, and all other necessary equipment for a fully-equipped truck ready to roll in answer to an alarm. The new fire apparatus was to arrive in the early part of 1960. On July 9, 1960, following a parade through town, the Parkesburg and Sadsburyville Fire Companies did the housing honors for the F. W. D.
Also in the early part of 1960 additional recognition was given to the twenty year or life members. It was decided to have their pictures taken and hung in an appropriate spot in the fire house.
The April 1960 meeting of the company was one to be remembered when there 40 applications for membership. In May, there were twenty more received.
The next big move by the company was the purchase of another ambulance in December 1961. The ladies of the auxiliary, as one of their fundraising projects, held a fried chicken dinner with proceeds going toward the ambulance fund. The regular bingo games that have been held for many years are a real benefit to the auxiliary and the company.
In early 1962 realizing that the F.W.D. and the Autocar, being unable to respond to grass and wood fires, made the company aware a smaller piece of equipment would be necessary. A Jeep Pickup truck was purchased. A portable pump was to be mounted on it, and material obtained to build a 300 gallon water tank. This piece of equipment, being built by the members, was completed later in 1962.
The activities around the fire hall for the next few years, more or less settled down to normal. The annual banquets being held, Christmas parties for the children of the community, the firemen attending first aid classes, and joint meetings of the company and auxiliary were held to plan events for the future.
January 1964, a new year and a new idea to replace to the 27 year old Autocar pumper. In February the apparatus committee reported they favored a $17, 000.00 International, Four Wheel Drive Chassis, and body work done by the Hahn Motor Company of Hamburg, PA. It would be equipped with a 500 gallon booster tank, 750 gallon per minute pump, 6 ton winch and full set of gear. During the building of the apparatus, numerous visits were made by the committee and interested firemen to the Hahn Motor Company. In early August, 1964 it was to be completed. On October 24, 1964 the International Pumper and Jeep Field truck were housed by the Westwood, Parkesburg and the Sadsburyville Fire Companies. Shortly after the arrival of the new International in November 1964, the firemen were plagued with a three day and three night woods fire located on Timacula Road.
Another project in 1964 was the purchase of a fire hydrant which was placed in front of the fire house. It has proved to be very handy in refilling the equipment when returning from fires.
In early July 1966, another Cadillac ambulance was purchased. With the old one showing wear and tear, it was time for a change.
March 18, 1968 the Penguin Industries of Pomeroy became ablaze and put the firemen and equipment in service again.
In July 1968 a small type Jeep was purchased from Wasson Motors of West Chester, PA. It would be equipped with special wheels and floatation tires making it easier to get close to the numerous grass and woods fires it would be called upon to extinguish. Both Jeeps have proven to be a man saver not only in this company, but also in answering mutual aide calls of the neighboring companies. After the purchase of this last piece of apparatus the company has all four wheel drive equipment for firefighting.
Due to an unfortunate accident in March of 169 it became necessary to purchase another ambulance. Until the company could decide what to do for a replacement, the Wolfington Body Company of Philadelphia loaned them one to use. In late 1969 after several committee meetings and discussions as to the type of ambulance to best answer the many calls for its services, it was finally decided on a new Cadillac bought from the Wolfington Body Company.
February 1971, plans were started for the company’s 50th anniversary. Numerous fund raising events have been and still are in progress to the present date.
Another improvement came about in June 1971, when the fire company hall had air conditioners installed. This brings the company to September 1971, fifty years later with many fires, ambulance calls, fundraising events and activities behind it. It now looks forward to the next 50 years of serving the Pomeroy area.”
For Many years the Pomeroy Fire Company houses two engines, one field piece/brush truck and three (3) ambulances. The Pomeroy Fire Company looks back at its history and to tomorrow for the future. We have come a long way since the original purchase of the horse drawn apparatus. Today, the Pomeroy Fire Company serves the community of Pomeroy, Sadsbury, West Sadsbury, portions of West Caln, East Fallowfield and in our first due district. Although the locomotive wheel is no longer used for alerting members of an emergency in the area, a house siren remains active for the same purpose along with paging devices. As times have changed so has the Pomeroy Fire Company. Today you will see another addition to the original building which now houses two fully-equipped up to date ambulances, one with four wheel drive as well as the brush/field piece. The newer building houses both engines needed to properly serve the community. The hall remains in the old building and is used today for monthly meetings, committee meetings, hall rental and fundraising events.
The Pomeroy Fire Company in 2011 went from two ambulances to three. Along with upgrading our ambulances we also upgraded staffing from volunteer to career staffing with coverage seven days a week with career Firefighter/EMT's 0600 hours to 1800 hours each day. This was due to the decline in volunteers during the daytime hours which made the need for staffing of a ambulance and/or fire engine. In August 2011 the Pomeroy Fire Company in conjunction with Parkesburg Fire Company created a partnership which shares the Career EMS Staffing and EMS Services.
Throughout the course of this partnership we have come together with Parkesburg and Atglen Fire Companies to create the need for consolidation amongst the three companies as a new Department serving the municipalities in which we cover. The three companies have worked many hours day and night to bring the three (3) companies together to make the soon to be new department which will be comprised of career and volunteer personnel. The consolidation started with having all three companies and each municipality come together to discuss the need for better Life and Property safety.
It created the Western Chester County Steering Committee which consisted with over two years of meetings and hard working hours to create a fire department in Western Chester County. Now our future will become of a new name, new people and a better serving capacity of three companies as one department. Stay tuned as we unfold the future of the service in which we serve you the public.
On March 19th, 2013 the Keystone Valley Fire Department was created. The information and story of that unfolds before your eyes.
On March 19th, 2013 the Pomeroy-Parkesburg-Atglen Fire Companies took a vote and offically became the Keystone Valley Fire Department of Chester County Pennsylvania.
This date was the Offical start date of our consolidated Fire Department. The consolidation was a detailed and thought out process in our indivdual companies history involving of a combination of meetings from 2009-2013.
With technical assistance from state government, the Atglen, Parkesburg, and Pomeroy fire companies in Chester County will consolidate operations by early 2013 to improve services and reduce costs to taxpayers. It will be known as the Keystone Valley Fire Department.
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Sep 15, 2025
