History of the Montgomery Volunteer Fire Company

Established on December 9, 1892

On December 5, 1892 a group of citizens gathered for the purpose of organizing a fire company in Montgomery Pa.  The first meeting was called for organization immediately after adjournment of the citizens meeting.  Chester Wagner was nominated  and elected as both President and Fire Chief.  S.J. Bardo was elected as Vice-President, J.L. Miller was elected as Secretary, William Decker was elected as Treasurer, J.A. Bruner and H.M. Weller were elected as Assistant Chiefs.  David F. Love, T.P. Fowler, and William Decker were elected as Foremen.  Three members were appointed to draft By-laws and a Constitution, those appointed were N.E. Sterner, D.F. Love, and J.F. Derr.  It was moved by N.E. Sterner that we name this organization, The Montgomery Volunteer Fire Department with our motto: Willing Hands to Save.  This meeting was adjourned until December 9,1892.

The very first organized meeting was held at Zeller's Hall on December 9, 1892.  The meeting was called to order by Chief Chester Wagner.  Roll call was held with absentees noted.  The Committee on the By-laws reported that they have copies on hand from other companies.  S.J. Barto moved that the committee have the by-laws written up in manuscript form and presented at the next meeting night for action, this was so ordered.  On a motion by Alex Watts that the initiation fee be 25 cents and dues will be 10 cents per month, on a motion of N.E. Sterner that all who would pay 25 cents to join the organization should stand up, no second.  Considerable debate was had in reference to the number of foremen and assistant foremen.  A motion on there being a committee of two to find a place to meet, so ordered the President appointed S.J. Barto and J.A. Brunner.  On a motion the Stephen Becker be appointed to take up a collection for the benefit of S.L. Zellers for hall rent, motion was defeated but a collection was taken up nevertheless.  The meeting was adjourned until next Thursday, December 15, 1892.

                                                                     Signed, David F. Love, Secretary

TIMELINE

Jan 23, 1893 - Constitution and By-Laws adopted.

Jan 30, 1893 - Borough Council bought the first fire engine and 900 feet of hose from the Silsby Fire Engine Company.

March 1894 - The members started raising money for the present Fire Bell.

Apr 6, 1894 - The bell was purchased for $25.00 and placed on the town hall steeple on May 18, 1894.

May 17, 1895 - The black ball system for membership was adopted.

1896 - Members were fined 10 cents for missed meetings.

Sept. 6, 1897 - A parade was held in town.

Apr 29, 1898 - The Firemen's Relief Association was formed.

March 21, 1902 - 10 "Gum Coats" were purchased for fighting fires at $4.00 per coat.

June 3, 1910 - A fire whistle was purchased.

Aug 19, 1910 - New by-laws were read and accepted.

Feb 7, 1913 - First set of cups and dishes for holding banquets in the social hall were purchased.

Aug 22, 1913 - First Parade uniforms were purchased.

1914 - Montgomery Borough gave the Fire Co. $50.00 toward expenses for the year.

Jan 1, 1915 - Members who lived outside of the Boro were taken off of the roles, this was reflected in the by-laws on Feb 15, 1915.

May 6, 1921 - First Carnival Committee was formed.

May 22, 1921 - Muncy Railroad Bridge burned down and our company was sent.

June 19, 1922 - First Carnival was held through June 24.

Aug 16, 1924 - The borough was approached to purchase a Chemical and Hose Truck.

Nov 10, 1924 - Borough council purchased the first fire siren.

May 29, 1925 - The borough purchased a new chemical and hose fire engine, the Deluge.

Aug 7, 1925 - 10 New rubber jackets for fighting fires was purchased.

Feb 3, 1928 - Borough purchased 500 ft of hose and a 50 ft. ladder.  They also will have one of our hose carts made into a ladder truck.

July 6, 1928 - The Borough Council started to pay the Fire Co. for fighting fires in the boro.

Mar 7, 1930 - Purchased a Chevrolet chassis from Hulsizers for the new Fire Truck.

Aug 1, 1930 - Purchased ground next to Farley's Garage for the # 2 Station.

Dec 5, 1930 - Meeting was held with member's wives in reference to the Ladies Auxiliary.

Mar 4, 1932 - Borough bought a fire siren and placed in the Heilman-Penn St area.

June 10, 1932 - Purchased a Chevrolet from Hulsizer's after borrowing $500.00 from the relief association.

June 17, 1932 - Joined the West Branch Fireman's Association.

July 1934 - White pants and red shirts were purchased for parade outfits.

May 1, 1936 - An agreement between Clinton Township and the Fire Co. for fighting fires in Clinton Twp. was approved.

Jan 21, 1938 - R.R. Berry proposed that a first aid team should be started.

May 9, 1938 - The first First Aid class was held.

1941 - Purchased the Pirsch Fire Pumper.

Sept 1, 1944 - Start to charter the organization.

Jan 5, 1945 - Charter was signed making the new name: "Montgomery Volunteer Fire Company Inc."

Dec 6, 1946 - Meeting nights changed from Friday to 1st & 3rd Thursday nights.

Mar 20, 1947 - Membership limited to 75 members and that they be white, 21 years of age and a citizen of

Montgomery Borough.

June 20, 1947 - New equipment truck was completed for $3000.00.

1949 - Purchased an Ambulance for $400.00 from C.M. Zellers.

Aug 3, 1950 - Elizabeth Decker began taking our fire calls.

Nov 8, 1951 - Purchased the Cooper Building on South Main St.

Aug 7, 1952 - A 1942 Buick Ambulance was purchased.  Ran 40 calls for the year.

Apr 2, 1953 - Joined the Central District Fireman's Association.

1953 - First portable radios were purchased for the pumper and ambulance.

Nov 17, 1955 - A new cadillac ambulance was purchased for $4500.00.

Jan 16, 1958 - Took delivery of a 1958 Ward Lafrance Fire Truck.  The Deluge Truck was taken out of service.

Sept 22, 1959 - A 1956 ambulance was purchased from the Wolfington Body Co.

1962 - Purchased a 1958 ambulance from the Wolfington Body Co.

Nov 21, 1963 - Muncy Area Mutual Aid Association was formed.

Dec 17, 1964 - Moved from Houston Ave to present building.

Oct 5, 1967 - Purchased a new remote radio for Elizabeth Decker.

Aug 15, 1968 - Demo ambulance from Spitler's was purchased for 4950.00.

Oct 14, 1968 - Purchased blue monitors for members.

Mar 6, 1969 - Second ambulance was purchased.

Sept 4, 1969 - Accepted Hahn bid of $30,000.00.

Oct 1, 1970 - A 1967 Cadillac ambulance was purchased.

June 17, 1972 - Hurricane Agnes hit Montgomery area.

Oct 4, 1974 - A new ambulance was purchased from Gruman Allied.

June 1, 1978 - A new Chevrolet C-30 Rescue truck was purchased from Emergency Vehicles of Florida.

June 5, 1980 - Received first VASC Certification.

Sept 17, 1981 - Lucas Rescue tool was purchased.

1983 - Awarded a bid to Darley Fire Truck Co.

1983 - Gave donation to MAMA for training grounds.

1984 - Montgomery Boro began collecting a 2 mill fire tax.

Feb 2, 1984 - Junior Fireman program was started.

1987 - Purchased a new ambulance from Sentinel Co.

April 1989 - Requested a Paramedic unit be placed in Montgomery area.

Feb 7, 1991 - Junior Firemen purchased a complete set of airbags.

July 1992 - Rescue truck received from L.D.I.

1992 - The Montgomery Vol. Fire Co. celebrated their 100th Anniversary.