In
the year of 1925, the young men of Townsend and vicinity realized that the
community was in urgent need of fire protection and decided to hold
carnivals to raise money for some fire fighting equipment.
Before
they could officially organize there were some serious fires in town. One of
the worst was at the "Old Hotel." The Pennsylvania Railroad
Company hauled water in their steam engine from the Middletown standpipe.
They made several trips before the fire was brought under control.
Wilmington's paid fire company sent down their Ahrens Fox Steam Pumper by
train early the next day to keep the still burning fire under control.
6
1926
After
the frightening experience, the town's people decided it was important to
organize a fire company. Their
first priority was to provide a source of water for this purpose. A building
lot was purchased on Lattomus Street. The
funds for this were borrowed by three of the members of this committee from
the Townsend Trust Company: G. Lester Daniels, Walter Gill and Miss E.J.
Maloney. They were later reimbursed by the Townsend Fire Company after their
incorporation in 1927.
The
water system, which consisted of a 50,000 gallon steel water tank with a 185
foot 6 inch well equipped with engine and pump for water supply. The only
firefighting equipment was a wooden hose cart donated by the Goodwill Fire
Company of New Castle and
some buckets.
The
Corporative Charter stated that the company was to be governed by a Board of
Directors consisting of sixteen members elected for life. Administrative and
line officers were to be selected by this board. They were also responsible
for recruiting active members to assist in fighting fires but could have no
vote or voice at meetings.
The
first Board of Directors elected were the following: W.C. Money, W. Hart
Scott, Harvey J. Naylor, Clarence A. Greenwood, Nathaniel W. VanHorn, Oscar
D. Lockerman, Harry T. Statts, Walter Lee, Myers B. Donovan, William T.
Wells, J.D. Niles, G. Lester Daniels, Lee L. Maloney, Walter Gill, James A.
Hart and William C. Deakyne.
6
1930
The
Townsend Fire Company joined the New Castle County Firemen's Association and
the Delaware Volunteer Firemen’s Association.
The
first piece of motorized equipment was purchased.
It was a 1927 American LaFrance 500 gallon per minute pumper with an
80 gallon booster tank. The cost was $5,500.00. The pumper was housed in a
one car garage owned by Mrs. Arie Latttomus on Chestnut Street. The garage
had a dirt floor and no heat. The pump had to be drained in the winter to
prevent freezing. The building was no narrow that the truck had to be
brought out before the firemen could get on.
The
fire calls were taken by the undertaker, G. Lester Daniels. He, or one of
his employees, would activate a small fire siren, which was hanging on a
nearby utility pole. The
alarm sounded twice for in town alarms and four blows for rural alarms.
The
first carnival the company sponsored was held July 25th to August 4th.
The
company voted to buy six gum raincoats and a leather coat for the driver.
6
1931
In
February a special meeting was called to elect delegates and alternates to
the DVFA Convention, 5 delegates and 5 alternated were elected.
In
March the first discussion was held to discuss the purchase of ground for a
new firehall. Nothing was decided at this point.
6
1932
Directors
held a meeting and decided that the 25 active members of the company be
allowed to vote for the Chief and the 1st and 2nd Assistant Chiefs.
6
1933
An
old schoolhouse was purchased from the state for $1,000. The only remodeling
done was the removal of the bathrooms. An iron coal stove was placed in the
back corner and was kept going in winter not for the comfort of the firemen,
but to prevent the fire truck from freezing.
In
January a motion was approved by the Directors to allow the active members
to nominate and elect all officers of the company, subject to approval by
the Board of Directors.
On
November 7 a meeting was held to discuss the purchase of the vacant Townsend
School building for a firehall.
6
1946
The
company approved the purchase of a new 1946 Chevrolet Truck engine.
After
a walk-out by the members of the active crew, the permanent Board of
Directors decided to change the by-laws and charter to allow all active
members to vote and elect all Officers and Board Members and to hold any of
the offices. Clarence A. Schwatka was the first member to hold the office of
President under these changes.
6
1947
A
pump was installed by Wilmington Fire Apparatus and placed in service in
March
6
1950
In March the company
proudly accepted the organization of it's Ladies Auxiliary. The Auxiliary
continues it's support and assistance to the firemen through many
fundraising events.
6
1952
The company installed
a heating system.
6
1954
A
GMC 1000 gallon pumper was built by Oran of Roanoke, Virginia and placed in
service in 1955.
6
1958
The
building was expanded adding two more bays and remodeling an area of the
second floor for office space.
6
1973
A
plot of ground was purchased for a new fire station on East Main Street near
Ginns Corner.
6
1975
Plans
for a new station were approved and a contract made with Vepco Corporation
of Camden, Delaware to construct a building.
6
1976
Groundbreaking
ceremonies for the new firehouse were held in February.
6
1978
The
new building was dedicated to service in September. Since moving to the new
building, all of the original fire equipment had been replaced/refurbished
by new state of the art fire apparatus.
6
1997
The
fire company began providing our community with basic life support.
Currently there are two ambulances in operation and supported by Nationally
Registered EMT-B volunteers and DE Certified First Responder volunteers.
6
1998
The
company hired two paid personnel for weekday coverage. Plans were also
started to renovate the fire hall as well as build a two story addition to
the front of the building.
6
2001
In
the fall, plans of an addition to the present building was approved by the
company and construction began in July.
6
2002
In
December the company placed a rescue boat in service for inland water and
small tidal water rescues. A couple of in-district alarms required the use
of a boat, as well as assisting with some rescues during a mid-summer storm
in northern Delaware
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