Follow @WvilleFire
| Web Counters | ||||||
|
|
100% Volunteer for over 130 Years
OUR MISSION
The mission of the Wrightsville Steam Fire Engine & Hose Company No. 1 is to protect the lives and property of residents and visitors of Wrightsville Borough and Hellam Township by providing the highest quality of fire, rescue, and emergency medical services. Chartered as the Wrightsville Steam Fire Engine and Hose Company No. 1, we are an all-volunteer nonprofit fire department organization located in Wrightsville Borough, York County, Pennsylvania. We are dispatched by York County 911 and are designated as Fire Station 41. We proudly protect approximately 11,000 citizens within about 29 square miles of eastern York County providing fire, rescue, and non-transport BLS medical care. We run dual dispatch with Hellam Fire Company for any incidents within Wrightsville Borough, Hellam Township, Hallam Borough and cover U.S. Route 30 and the famed "Lincoln Highway". We also provide mutual aid to departments throughout York and Lancaster Counties. The Wrightsville Fire Department has an all-volunteer staffing of about 30 active firefighters, as well as multiple support staff and a junior fire department (ages 14-17).
The Wrightsville Fire Department has been recognized by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania after meeting or exceeding the requirements set forth in the Voluntary Rescue Service Recognition Program. The Wrightsville Fire Department is also a participating department with the state's professional certification system in which over 95% of its members are trained to the ProBoard Firefighter I/II and Hazardous Materials Operations levels. The department maintains an average response time of less than two minutes, and a crew of about 12 personnel per fire/rescue call. This is considered above standard in today's volunteer fire service. The department typically responds to a total of 700+ calls for service per year - a number which has generally been increasing over the years. The fire station is located at 125 South 2nd Street in Wrightsville Borough. A firehouse has been in the same location since the organization's existence. The current facility was completed in 1979, and currently houses four pieces of fire apparatus; a 1996 Seagrave Rescue/Pumper, a 2005 Seagrave Pumper, a 2005 Ford F-550/Semo Rescue, and a 2018 INMAR Inflatable Rescue Boat/40 HP Evinrude Motor. The department utilizes the most updated technology available to firefighters in today's fire service. Other services provided to the community include: yearly public relations events including events with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Boy Scouts of America, Adopt-A-Highway, and many more. We also provide fire prevention activities and training, as well as a quick response services (EMS). Wrightsville Steam Fire Engine & Hose Company No. 1
Officially Organized in 1887, Chartered in 1893
In 1839, the first engine house was built in Wrightsville, York County, PA for the purpose of storing firefighting equipment used to protect the town. It was a small wooden shack that sat at the borough lot near the intersection of South 3rd Street and Garden Avenue. Inside the engine house was a “Sun” hand pumper, leather fire buckets, hooks, and ladders used for the purpose of fire protection. Over the years the engine house acquired the nickname of “The Hog House” as it was often used to also hold runaway hogs until their owners could be found. There was not an official fire department organization until nearly 50 years later.
Confederate troops led by General John Brown Gordon invaded Wrightsville in late June of 1863. In an attempt to prevent General Gordon and his men from crossing the Susquehanna River and move eastward, Union troops led by Colonel Jacob G. Frick set fire to the mile-long wooden covered bridge. The Union troops were successful as the Confederates were unable to cross. In an attempt to extinguish the fire in order to cross the damaged bridge or prevent the spread of fire to town, General Gordon and his men went to the townspeople for help, but no firefighting equipment could be found. The inferno quickly spread from the bridge to other property and buildings in Wrightsville and posed great danger to many more including the home of the town burgess. As the fire grew larger, buckets and other equipment began to appear. The Confederates and residents formed bucket brigades and were able to eventually douse the flames and save the majority of the town from loss. The daughter of the town burgess, Mary Jane Rewalt, had invited General Gordon over for breakfast in an expression of thanks for saving her family's property and suppressing the fire. Although fire equipment was initially unavailable as the bridge burned, ironically the Hog House would have been located behind Rewalt’s home and would have likely still housed the hand pumper and other equipment. Upon leaving Mary Jane Rewalt’s home, General John Brown Gordon and the Confederate troops headed west for what would be the beginning of the Battle of Gettysburg.
After the war and when a new bridge was built, fire protection for the Borough of Wrightsville was often provided by Columbia, PA fire companies. It was not until the 1880’s that the residents of Wrightsville saw the growing need for their own fire protection service due to an extended response time from the Columbia companies. The Pennsylvania Railroad, who had a line that ran across Susquehanna River bridge, also had great interest in an organized fire company. On August 22, 1887, the Wrightsville Steam Fire Engine and Hose Company No. 1 was officially organized for the purpose. It was not until October 16, 1893 that the department was officially chartered with the York County Court of Common Pleas. The first piece of firefighting apparatus acquired by the organization was a secondhand horse-drawn Amoskeag steamer. The apparatus had previously served in Columbia, PA and was sold to Wrightsville at the cost of $300. The Pennsylvania Railroad provided land at near the intersection of South 2nd Street and Garden Avenue for the purpose of erecting an engine house which was completed in 1890. This is also the location of the current fire station.
One of the highlights of the 3-story brick engine house was the bell located in a tower above the building. It was manufactured in 1892 by the McShane Bell Foundry in Baltimore, MD and was transported to Wrightsville via railcar. In 2015, the department transported the McShane Bell back to its manufacturer for refurbishment and was paid for with grants obtained by our organization. The bell currently is on display as part of a sign in front of the fire station. The bell was the primary method for alerting firemen until the 1940’s when a surplus WWII mechanical siren replaced it.
Throughout the history of the organization, members often traveled by train to attend parades and other events throughout Pennsylvania. This allowed the Wrightsville Fire Department to proudly display apparatus, network with other departments, and provide entertainment with the department’s marching unit. It was rare for members to return without receiving awards. In 1908, the Wrightsville Fire Department purchased a horse-drawn chemical engine to serve the community. Horses were often rented from Shultz Livery stable to show apparatus in parades, but it is unknown what the agreement was if a fire broke out and horses were needed.
During the horse-drawn era, the department also utilized hand drawn hose carts. Two of these carts are still in the possession of the department and have been restored by members. The first motorized piece of apparatus was a Ford-Howe pumper, year unknown. The department’s second piece of motorized apparatus was a 1930 Seagrave pumper dubbed “The Bootlegger Express”. It is rumored that the Seagrave got its name due to it being purchased with funds raised from moonshine during prohibition. The Bootlegger Express remained in service until the purchase of a 1947 American LaFrance 700 Series pumper.
On November 14, 1961, the Wrightsville Fire Department suffered the tragic loss of fireman James E. Yohe in the line of duty. Fireman Yohe was severely burned while fighting a fire at the Strickler Service Station in Wrightsville and later succumbed to his injuries. Fireman Yohe left behind a wife, 9 year old son, and a son that was born 2 weeks after his death. Fireman Yohe was 31 years of age.
In 1967, the Wrightsville Fire Department purchased a Mack C series pumper at the cost of $25,760. In the 1970’s the department obtained a step van that was utilized for rescue equipment. In the same decade, department members initiated a campaign to fund a new fire station and to add another engine to the fleet. The 1890 engine house was razed and the new station was completed in 1980. A new 1980 Darley pumper was housed the same year. In the 1980’s, a used Chevrolet walk-in rescue was acquired along with a Holmatro rescue tool system. In the early 1990’s the department received a 1976 Mack CF pumper (formerly Commonwealth of Springettsbury Township) that was donated by the ladies auxiliary to replace the short-lived Darley engine. In 1996, the Wrightsville Fire Department purchased a Seagrave Marauder rescue-engine. This unit is still in service and is the department's longest serving front line piece of apparatus. In 2005, the department met with manufacturers making the decision to purchase a 2005 Seagrave Marauder engine and 2005 Ford F-550/Semo rescue.
On April 19, 2015, the Wrightsville Fire Department suffered its second line of duty loss with the passing of Fire Police Lieutenant Curtis E. Nordsick. Lieutenant Nordsick was operating at the scene of a police incident and while taking a break, he collapsed in the fire station. Despite valiant efforts by surrounding members, he was unable to be resuscitated. Lieutenant Nordsick left behind a wife and children. He was also the grandfather of current fire chief, Chad Livelsberger. Lieutenant Nordsick was 71 years old.
In September of 2022, The Wrightsville Fire Department took possession of a 2018 INMAR Inflatable Rescue Boat. Boat 41 comprised of Hypalon material, is powered by a 40hp Evinrude Prop Motor. This boat is equipped with Flip Lines, 3 Throwbags, Anchor, Bow Line, Rescue Cargo Net, K-Pump, Victim Rescue Safety Kit and Lighting. Boat 41 will be utilized for Urban Flooding, the Susquehanna River and various other streams, lakes and rivers. This boat will be able to occupy 8 people. In addition to Boat 41, Company 41 has obtained an 2022 NRS ASR 155 Rescue Boat (Non-Motorized). The craft will be utilized for Urban Flooding, Ponds, Lakes, Rivers, Low Head Dams and Ice Rescues. This boat will be used when conditions do not warrant a boat with a motor. NRS ASR 155 is 15’ in length, will occupy 4-5 individuals, and can be deployed from almost any location. This craft is capable of being used from an MCP and challenging limited space areas. Up until this timeframe, the department utilized a 5-Ton Military truck as a high water rescue vehicle. Although it was very effective and made COUNTLESS rescues, the members of the department found it necessary to upgrade its water rescue capabilities due to changing weather conditions and significant increase in water related emergencies.
Both crafts will be in service once all members have completed orientation, training and boat outfitting is completed. Today the Wrightsville Steam Fire Engine and Hose Company No. 1, Wrightsville Fire Department for short, is a 100% volunteer fire department that provides fire, rescue, and non-transport BLS care for residents and guests of Wrightsville Borough, Hellam Township, and Hallam Borough. We also provide mutual aid services to numerous other municipalities in York County and neighboring Lancaster County. Our dedicated and professional volunteers respond to nearly 900 calls for service annually, making us the busiest all-volunteer department in York County.
A Symbol of the Pride and Dedication of Those Who Served Before Us
The year was 1888 and the Wrightsville Steam Fire Engine & Hose Company No. 1 was going into its 2nd year of service since its organization. With a need for an engine house to keep the Amoskeag steam engine purchased from Columbia in 1887, the citizens of Wrightsville Borough began the stages of building a home for their fire company. The Pennsylvania Railroad owned the lot of land where the engine house was to be built, present day South 2nd Street at Garden Avenue (our current location).
In 1892, as a phase in construction of the 3 story brick facility, the McShane Bell Foundry, located in Baltimore, Maryland, was contracted to manufacture a bell to alert volunteers of instances of fire. Once completed, the 650 pound bell cast of bronze, was transported via rail from Baltimore to Wrightsville. The bell was then placed into the bell tower atop the engine house, over 40 feet above the ground.
For over 50 years, the McShane bell was the primary alerting system for fires. A card was sent out to residents listing phone numbers for townspeople that lived within a short distance of the engine house. If a fire broke out, one would have to call a number listed on the card, and that person would then run to the engine house and hastily ring the bell to alert firemen of the fire. The bell was also rung, but at a slower rate for meetings and other fire company related events. It wasn’t until the late 1940’s that a mechanical WWII civil defense siren was used, but the bell had not yet gone silent. It was often used to report fires that occurred at the town dumps. In 1979 the aging single-bay engine house was razed, at which time the McShane bell was placed into storage. After 35 years of the bell being silent, the Wrightsville Fire Department incorporated the 1892 McShane bell with a new fire department sign in 2015. The sign project was funded by a federal grant that was awarded to our organization. The department was pleased to find out that the McShane Bell Foundry was still in business, 123 years after making the bell. In March 2015, the bell was transported to Glen Burnie, Maryland to be restored by the manufacturer to its original appearance. The bell and sign project was completed in September 2015. Although its original purpose was to alert members of fires, the McShane fire bell now serves as a symbol of the pride and dedication of those who served before us and is utilized on special occasions.
|
