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1873 Freehold
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The Freeland Fire
Department will be celebrating its 125th
anniversary in 2008. To celebrate and commemorate the fine work
of the fire department, Cal Herring is compiling a narrative of its
history. Parts of that history are being posted here as I
receive them from him. Please feel free to contact Cal Herring with comments
and
corrections.
Thank you to John Fuzzy Zubach for the image of the ticket to the 7th
annual ball of the Freeland Citizens' Hose Company, 1891.
Apparatus
operated by the Freeland Fire Department
1883-1922
During these early years, many fires were fought with bucket brigades.
First hand drawn pumpers and hose carts appeared in 1885 and 1888 and
by the nineteen twenties, several of these and a hand drawn ladder cart
were in service. These carts were all purchased and maintained by the
borough. There is no record of a steam powered pumper ever being in
service in these early years, although horses were used to a limited
degree.
1922
In late 1922, the first piece of motorized fire apparatus appeared in
Freeland. The first engine was a 1922 REO and was equipped with a 1922
Hale Fire Pump. This engine was purchased by the borough and remained
in service until 1954. The phase out of hose carts began as the
motorized era had arrived for the Freeland Fire Department.
1924
Mechanization continued as in February 1924, the Citizens Hose Co.
purchased their first piece of fire apparatus. Seeing the need to
replace the hand drawn ladder cart still in service, the company
purchased a 1924 REO chassis to be retrofitted to haul ladders. The
chassis modification to haul ladders and equipment were made by the
Freeland’s own Broskoskie and McFadden Iron Works. Along with ladders,
a chemical tank and hose reel were installed on the new REO. This piece
of apparatus started the Department’s commitment to ladder (truck)
companies operations.
1939
The borough purchased a 1939 Dodge chassis to receive the back end of
the Citizens Hose Co.’s 1924 REO, which was in poor condition. The rear
of the REO was transferred intact to the rear of the Dodge. Some
modifications to this chassis were later made to enable it to carry
more ladders, as well as the removal of the chemical tank and reel.
1945
The borough purchased a 1945 Seagrave 750 GPM engine and placed it in
service. The new engine had a 250 gallon water tank thus doubling the
125 gallons capacity carried on the 1922 REO.
1966
The borough purchased a 1966 FWD/Seagrave 750 GPM engine (Engine 52)
and placed it in service. The engine had four wheel drive and a 500
gallon water tank. Also it was the first piece of borough front line
apparatus that provided a roof for responding firefighters.
1968
The borough purchased its first aerial ladder truck, a used 1943
Seagrave 65’ aerial from Saint Louis, Missouri, Fire Department. The
addition of a hydraulic aerial ladder was a great benefit to the fire
department and replaced the 1939 Dodge ladder truck that was equipped
strictly with ground ladders. The need for the aerial was becoming more
obvious as serious fires in 1963 at the Marchetti Furniture Store in
the Freeland business district and the 1964 blazes at the MMI
Preparatory School (Foster Twp.) and Davis Feed Mill required the
assistance of aerial equipment form the Diamond Fire Co. #2 of Hazleton
City. The aerial quickly proved its worth at several serious dwelling
fires in the borough as well as several mutual aid fires, one being the
Methodist Church in White Haven in 1970. This was the first piece of
aerial equipment in the area, aside from the two ladders trucks of
Hazleton’s Pioneer and Diamond fire companies. The aerial remained in
service and played a major role in containing Freeland’s worst fire,
the disastrous A & P Store fire at
Front & Washington Sts. in 1974. Exposed to intense heat, the
aerial was severely damaged mechanically at this fire and soon after
was replaced.
1970
Sharp’s Bakery donated free of charge a 1964 Ford Boyertown van for use
as an equipment truck. After an intensive effort by the department
volunteers, it soon was placed in service with rescue and support
equipment.
1974
The borough replaced the 1945 Seagrave with a FWD/Seagrave 1000 GPM
engine (Engine 53). The engine carried 750 gallons of water, had a
diesel engine, and an automatic transmission, all firsts for department
apparatus. This engine is still in service as the structural attack
engine for all structural box alarms in Freeland and Jeddo Borough. It
has a phenomenal history in not only Freeland but in the entire region
as it has been utilized at some of the largest fires in the area. Fires
at the former Freeland Dress Co. (Falon Building), Main St. White
Haven, Jeddo Shops, Genetti Dinner Theatre, Jeddo #7 Breaker,
Fritzingertown Nursing Home, and 600 block of Centre St. are some but
not all of the major blazes where this engine pumped.
1974
The year brought another piece of apparatus that being a replacement
aerial ladder. A1955 Maxim 85’ aerial ladder was purchased by the
borough to replace the 1943 Seagrave. This was the only piece of front
line fire apparatus from 1945 to this date in service with the
department that was not emblazoned with the Seagrave named plate. This
truck originally served in Stamford, CT. It also fought the noteworthy
fires at Jeddo #7 Breaker, Trails End Bar, and the Freeland Dress Co.
1977
A 1976 Chevrolet C50 chassis with a Car Mar body was purchased by the
borough to replace the overloaded 1964 Ford truck which was
mechanically worn out. A breathing air cascade system along with
support equipment were installed which provided for support to fire
ground activities.
1982
The Fourth Ward Fire Co. retrofitted a former Chevrolet utility van
into a fire police van. This vehicle was equipped with emergency
lighting, traffic directional devices, and barriers. It was donated to
the Fourth Ward by Callelo’s Used Cars.
1988
The Citizens Hose Co. and Fourth Ward Fire Co. determined that the
delivery of truck company functions to the community needed to be
improved. The 1955 Maxim failed ladder inspection and certification
which left the department with no aerial truck. A Seagrave 100’ rear
mount ladder (Ladder 57) was obtained from the Fairmont Fire Co. of
Lansdale, PA. Through a massive fund raising effort and a loan both
companies obtained the necessary funds to make this purchase a reality.
The department emphasized further developing the ladder (truck) company
operations and trained its personnel in this function. This truck
became the signature piece of apparatus for the department and was
recognized for its appearance and capabilities. Many noteworthy fires
were fought by this truck including the 600 block of Center St., 400
block of Centre St., Main St. White Haven, and the Genetti Dinner
Theatre.
1989
The Citizens Hose Co. and Fourth Ward Fire Co. consolidated to from the
Freeland Fire Department.
1992
Through a joint financial agreement with the borough and the department
a 1992 Seagrave 2000 GPM engine carrying 750 gallons of water was
purchased. This engine replaced the 1966 FWD/Seagrave which was
incurring many mechanical problems. This piece of apparatus designated
as Engine 54 is in service as the hydrant (supply) engine in the
borough as well as the motor vehicle accident/fire response unit. It is
also designated to respond to all mutual aid incidents.
1994
The 1974 FWD/Seagrave 1000 GPM engine received a major rehabilitation
by Interstate Truck Equipment of Hagerstown, MD. A new water tank was
installed, pump plumbing was upgraded and modified, body repairs
performed, and mechanical systems analyzed and repaired. Also the
engine received a new application of paint. In 1997 this engine
received a new pump. These investments have provided the community with
an effective piece of fire apparatus well beyond the normal useful life
of a vehicle of this type. Engine 53 still proudly serves the residents
of this community every time a response is dispatched.
1994
The department obtained a 1974 Ford/FMC mini pumper through a lease
with the Drifton Scotch Hill Vol. Fire Co. (Hazle Twp.). The pump and
tank were removed and the vehicle was completely rehabilitated into a
support unit. The Chevrolet fire police van was retired when this unit
became operational. The department obtained title of the vehicle when
the Drifton Scotch Vol. Hill Fire Co. was merged into Hazle Twp. Fire
& Rescue which graciously donated the vehicle to the department.
1998
Again the department was faced with a failed aerial device as the 1968
Seagrave 100’ rear mount was no longer able to be certified. In order
to continue to provide ladder (truck) company operations a search for
an adequate replacement was pursued and a 1980 Seagrave 100’ rear mount
aerial was located in Vernon, IL, by Northeast Fire Apparatus. Again a
joint financial agreement was arranged between the borough and the
department and this piece of apparatus was purchased. It received a
body rehabilitation and was placed in service. This aerial device has
continued to uphold the strong tradition of ladder (truck) company
provided by the department and has operated at numerous residential and
commercial structure fires both in Freeland and the surrounding area.
One of its most noteworthy incidents was the shoe factory fire in West
Hazleton in 2007.
2005
The department studied both its current and future apparatus needs and
decided that the upgrading of the 1980 Seagrave 100’ rear mount ladder
(Ladder 57) was the priority. A review was performed of all the options
available and the decision was made to contract with Seagrave Fire
Apparatus to perform this extensive project. The most important part of
this project was the complete rebuilding of the main aerial ladder and
analysis and repair of all mechanical and electrical systems. A cab
enclosure, compartment modification, body repairs, a new paint
application, and the installation of numerous safety systems was also
included.
2007
The borough purchased a Ford F550/4-Guys utility vehicle to replace the
1974 Ford/FMC. This unit provides seating for five firefighters and is
utilized to support the other department apparatus. It is equipped with
a breathing air cascade system, Hurst Rescue Tool, dewatering
equipment, emergency scene lighting, brush fire gear, emergency medical
equipment, and various saws.
Disposal of equipment
1945 Seagrave Engine – Mountaintop Hose Co.
1955 Maxim Ladder Truck – Private collector in Maryland
1966 FWD/Seagrave Engine – Fire Island, LI, NY
1974 Chervolet Rescue – Apparatus Broker in Ohio
1968 Seagrave Ladder Truck – Private collector in Maryland
1974 Ford/FMC – Used equipment vendor in Ebervale, PA
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