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HISTORY of the CITIZENS VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY The Citizens Volunteer Fire Company of Fawn Grove, Pa, was formed on November 15, 1915 by persons who resided in the local area. These people were interested in organizing a fire company for the purpose of protecting lives and property in the Fawn Grove area. Elections of the administrative and fire line officers were held, with the first elected as follows: President: Lane Whitaker The fire company purchased its first piece of fire apparatus, a hand drawn chemical engine from the American La France Company, at a cost of $375.00. Half of the money was paid in cash and the remainder paid for on a six-month interest free note. This engine had a 45-gallon chemical tank and a Rapid Hoist Ladder. The first engine was housed in the cellar of the Will Duncan house located on North Market Street. During this time, the Fire Company found it necessary to purchase a wheelbarrow, so that Mr. Duncan could keep his stove ashes in front of the cellar door. The first fire alarms were given by ringing the church bells at the Methodist Church located just south of the main intersection in Fawn Grove. The first fire response recorded using the new chemical engine was to a chimney fire at the Charles Wilson home located on Morris Ave, half mile south of the "square" (main Intersection). The engine was pulled by hand at that time over the roads so rough that the fireman pulling the engine suffered from bruised ribs. It is very apparent that the firemen were in very good physical condition because after they arrived at the scene they still had enough energy left to fight the fire. Despite the valiant efforts the Wilson home could not be saved and the family was forced to stay at the store building owned by Gus Grancel. In order to grow and have their own fire house, a fund drive promptly began, scheduling debates at the Webb Hall (local undertaker) located next to the present day bank, which was rented for three dollars a night. Admission was 5 and 10 cents for adults and the children admitted free. Later events for fund raising were basketball games which were played at Morris Park (N. Market St.) among local teams and teams from nearby towns. In 1924, the old bank building was purchased and served as a second firehouse. The fire engine was located at the site, which was located next to the present day Fawn Grove Bank. At this time a used Reo Speed Wagon was purchased from the Delta Fire Company for $1250.00. The used engine was paid for in full by selling subscriptions. This truck had two 35-gallon chemical tanks and was the fire companies first "motorized" engine. It was also during this year that B F Morris was authorized to purchase a steel wheel tire from the Stewartstown Railroad and install it at the telephone exchange to serve as a fire alarm. The telephone operator upon receiving a call for a fire would sound the alarm. In 1925, the County Court granted a charter for the Fire Company. The Directors appointed were: T E Kilgore, W L Duncan, W H Webb, L P Colgan, W E Manifold, A H Morris, and L E Devilbiss. The directors sent out letters inviting all males 16 years and over to become members. The dues were set at $1.00 a year. In 1926, the first Ladies Auxiliary of the Fawn Grove Fire Company was organized. Its first officers were: President Mrs. Wallace Trout Lookout Committee: Lucille Brooks, Mrs. Barclay Brown, Mrs. Eldon Webb, Mrs. Ben Almoney, Leila Hostler, Mrs. Preston Baker, and Mrs. George Jones. The ladies met at the "First" real firehouse, (next to today's Fawn Grove Bank) in the room above the Engine Room, as the engine was housed in the basement level of the building. This was the second building where the engine was housed. Dues were set at five cents per month. One of the first actions the ladies took was to authorize the expenditure of $1.50 to purchase a book to record the minutes and maintain records. The good ladies, as well as others who joined later, were kept busy raising funds to support the fire company by serving suppers, bake sales, and organizing and presenting plays and other entertainment. The Ladies Auxiliary still remains today as a vital part of the Fire Company and its fund raising activities and support. In the early 1930's a new Studebaker Engine, affectionately known as "No. 3" replaced the Reo that was purchased from Delta in 1924. The Reo was later sold to the Airville Fire Company. In 1936, a siren was placed on the bank building for the purpose of alerting the firemen of an alarm. The telephone operator tested the siren daily at noon to make sure it worked when it was critically needed in time of an emergency. The telephone operator also served as the information source for the local fires on the "Crank" type telephone in use at that time. It was during this year that tragedy struck when the old bank building, firehouse #2, caught fire and was destroyed. The old railroad station in Fawn Grove located on North Market Street was converted and selected to serve as firehouse #3. This building housed the fire equipment from 1936 until 1953. In the early 1940's, a 1940 Model D35 International purchased from the Howe Apparatus Company for $3,700.00 replaced the "No. 3" Studebaker fire engine. The engine had a "Closed Cab" for the members' protection. It also boosted a Piston type pump and a D-40 Motor. As there was only room for one engine in the firehouse the "No. 3" was moved out to allow for the new engine to move in. During World War II, membership in the Fire Company declined due to the gas rationing and many of the areas young men being drafted into the armed services. With the wars end membership once again began to increase and finances were raised that enabled the purchase of firefighters coats and boots in 1946. Training activities, as well as the purchase of fire training films, began to increase the members' firefighting efficiency. In 1950, Mr. Joseph Herbert was installed as fire chief, a position he held and ably served for 27 consecutive years. He still continues as a life member today. It was during this time that a "Fire Hotline" was installed. One phone line was connected to the homes of the Fire Chief, Joe Herbert, Pete Richardson, Weaver Ruff, and Eugene Devilbiss's Store (present day Rutters). As the phone operator, Ordelle Hess, made this connection each of the four homes were notified simultaneously. The first person to reach the firehouse would ring the general alarm. In 1953, the new firehouse #4 on East Main Street was occupied. With a lot of volunteer help and labor, it was built at a cost of $3000.00. The Fire Company purchased a FWD High Pressure Fire Engine. This engine could haul 500 gallons of water and had the pump capacity to pump 500 gpm. It was a Four Wheel Drive unit and cost $14,500.00. The company also obtained a surplus army tank truck for $601.00. The surplus truck was converted into a brush unit by the members for use in fighting field and woods fires. It was later sold to a local farmer, Garfield Hayes, at about half its original cost. In addition to the two trucks mentioned above, a used Chevrolet Panel Truck was obtained and used as a Service Vehicle. It was sold to Dale Shanberger in 1968. In 1957, Fawn Grove firemen, Chief Joseph Herbert, Richard Warfield, Secretary WM McElwain, and Director President John Hope Anderson, made an appearance on the then popular TV game show "Strike It Rich". Through their combined efforts they won $500.00 which was placed in a fund to purchase a new fire truck. During this year the letters involved in "Citizens Volunteer Fire Company, Fawn Grove Pennsylvania" were made by students of the Kennard-Dale High School under the direction of the Industrial Arts teacher and local fireman, Joseph Devilbiss. The letters were placed on the front of the new firehouse at a cost of $55.00, compared to a $400.00 commercial cost. In the late 1950's Central Alarm Headquarters was established in York, Pa. As well as in Bel Air, Md. During this time period the dial phones replaced the local operators who manually placed the telephone calls. It was at this time that the dispatching of fire calls was done by two-way radios. In 1963, a new Ford with a John Bean High-pressure Pumper Tanker replaced the 1940 International Engine at a cost of approximately $16,000.00. This engine had a tank capacity of 750 gallons of water and could pump 750 gpm. This engine was sold to TJ Phillips in 1992 for a water truck, and he sold it to a person in New York. In 1968 a Dodge truck was purchased and equipped to serve as a light rescue and brush truck. It was sold in 1987 to Tom Welsh. In 1970, another engine bay was added to the rear of the new firehouse to provide additional space for the engines and equipment. The firemen and local volunteers completed the addition themselves thus saving the company many hard-earned dollars. In Harford County the Citizens Vol. Fire Company of Fawn Grove became Company 10 while in York County it was named Station 56. It was at this time that 911 was initiated in Harford County. In 1972, the first Yellow engine came into service in the area. This was a result of the Federal Safety Recommendations, replacing the traditional “red” fire engine. It was a 1972 Ford Pumper that carried 1200 gallons of water and had a 750-gpm pump. The engine was purchase from the Hahn Apparatus Company at a cost of $31,000.00. In June 1974, the first female member was admitted into the Fire Company. Roxanne Goodwin successfully completed the basic Firefighters Course and served as part of the fire fighting crew. The first African-American person to join the company was Mr. William Giles. In 1975, the first Ambulance Club was formed, with Francis “Red” Volz as the first Captain. A used Cadillac was purchased from the Darlington Vol. Fire Company for $2,500.00. It made its first run on November 18, 1975. "Red" Volz taught First Aid and other medical procedures. Prior to the Ambulance Service, a local funeral director’s, Howard Webb, hearse served as an emergency vehicle to transport to the hospitals. In 1977, a Ford Box Type Van ambulance was brought into service, replacing the Cadillac. Matching funds from the Commonwealth of Pa. made it possible to purchase the new ambulance at a cost of $31,000. George Shanberger was elected as the Fire Chief (succeeding Joe Herbert) and served in this position for the next 10 years. Under the direction and sponsorship of the University of Maryland Fire and Rescue Training Program, several members were given the opportunity for additional Fire Suppression and Rescue Training, which greatly enhanced the readiness of the Fire Company in times of need. In 1978, the Cadillac ambulance was placed for sale. A military Mode M38A1 jeep was purchased and modified to serve as a Brush Unit. This unit was placed “out of service” in 1990. In 1982, a firehouse, “House 2”, was purchased. It is located at 2134 Harkins Road, in Harford County. This was the fifth firehouse in the Citizens Vol. Fire Company’s history. The station was “Officially” opened on July 4, 1982. The building was used and purchased from Mr. Woody DeVoe and was originally a Gas Station. This station became known as Company 10 Harford County and serves the Norrisville and Pylesville area as well as Baltimore and York Counties. In 1984, another ambulance was purchased, replacing the 1977 Ford Van Ambulance. The unit cost $35,000 plus the trade in value of the van unit. In 1987, a new yellow Rescue Fire Truck #1051 arrived. This unit served as a Rescue Unit as well as a Water supply source and operated out of the Harkins road station “House #2”. This unit cost approximately $130,000. It was also in 1987 that the Ladies Auxiliary and the 1056 came under the wing of the Fire Company. The earliest records available show that the Boosters first met on May 9,1978 at the Fawn Grove FireHouse #1 and later moved their activities into the Harkins road station “House #2” in late 1982. In 1988, James Gibney was elected Fire Chief, a career Baltimore County Fire Department Captain, a position he held until 1989. Additional land was purchased next to House #2. In 1989, Randy Lowe was elected as Fire Chief, succeeding Chief Gibney. Two additional Fire Engines #1012 and #1014 were purchased from the Pierce Fire Apparatus Company located in Wisconsin. A Chevrolet Brush Unit #1042 was also placed in service and it operates out of House #2 along with Engine #1012. In 1990, Tragedy struck the Fire Company. On December 16,1990 Rescue Squad #1051 operating out of House #2 was responding to a Medical assist call, located on Archer Road in Harford County. While enroute, the unit was involved in an accident at the intersection of Routes 136 and 24. The unit overturned and pinned EMS Lieutenant (Elect) Thomas Hicks under the unit. Lieutenant Hicks and Lieutenant (Elect) Erwin W. Cook were flown by the Maryland State Police “Trooper 1” helicopter to the University of Md. Shock Trauma Hospital in Baltimore, where Lieutenant Hicks passed as a result of his extensive injuries. Lieutenant Cook remained hospitalized for 30 days, suffering from leg and rib fractures as well as internal injuries. Firefighter Cletus Heaps, Paramedic Beverly Leftwich, and EMS Captain (Elect) Richard Brooks were treated at the Fallston and Saint Joseph Hospitals for numerous injuries and later released. A used Chevrolet Suburban 4 door unit was purchased and placed into service at House #2 as Utility 1061-Quick Response Unit 56. This unit was later sold to Maple Lawn Farms. Rescue Squad 1051 was returned to the Pierce Fire Apparatus Company for complete rebuild at an n estimated cost of $80,000. In 1991, George Shanberger was elected Fire Chief, succeeding Randy Lowe. In July 1991, the Citizens Vol. Fire Company celebrated its 75th Anniversary. To support and honor this most important date the Fire Company held an “OLDE TYME DAYS FESTIVAL” and parade. This affair has become an important fund raising event for the Fire Company and was originated and directed by Mr. Robert Street.
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