On March 6, 1925, a group of spirited residents from the western section of Mahanoy City met to discuss the need for additional fire protection in the borough. At this meeting, those present agreed that a fire company was needed to protect the western section of the borough. The charter to create the West End Fire Company No. 5 was granted on June 29, 1925. Plans were made to errect a permanent engine room and social quarters at 320 - 322 West Centre Street. Construction of the new fire station began in February 1927 and was completed in June of the same year. The first piece of apparatus used by the company was a 1917 American La France pumper. The West End purchased this used unit directly from American La France at a cost of $500.00. The West End was officially accepted into the Mahanoy City Fire Department on May 19, 1928.
The first alarm answered by the West End was box alarm 2-2 on Sunday, April 14, 1928. After being notified by the borough council that the West End was now entitled to an assistant fire marshal, Paul Petrucka was the first member appointed to that post on June 14, 1929. In 1935, the borough replaced the American La France engine with a 1935 Larabee - Buffalo 500 gpm pumper. This engine was the first to feature the color white as the primary color. This tradition would carry on with all following apparatus.
The 1940's were a decade of continued growth for the company as a weekly bingo was started on October 10, 1940. This undertaking was successful as in 6 years after the bingo had begun, the company had paid off it's mortgage on the building and was now clear of all debt. After a disasterous fire on Memorial Day 1945, Joseph Pollack suggested that the company should appoint and train men to handle specific duties at a fire. It was decided at the June 1945 meeting that efforts would be made to improve organization on the fire ground.
In March 1950, the members agreed to update the marching unit. 75 uniforms were delivered to the company on May 29, 1950 and were used for the first time at the Memorial Day parade. Also in 1950, the Borough of Mahanoy City purchased a 1950 Mack L Model 750 gpm pumper to replace the Larabee-Buffalo. The dedication for the new engine was held on July 15, 1950. The company decided at the March 1950 meeting to temporarily disband the weekly bingo.
The Schuylkill County Firemans Association convention was held in Mahanoy City in 1960. All 5 borough fire companies participated as hosts for the week long event. Mahanoy City borough celebrated it's 100th anniverary in 1963. The West End and it's members participated in many of the anniversary events.
The late 1960's and early 1970's proved to be a challenging time for the fire department. Numerous fires consumed large amounts of property throughout the borough. It was during this time that the borough council decided to update the department's aging equipment. Due to lack of space for mounting portable equipment on the 1950 Mack pumper, the company approached Borough Council about purchasing a Squad/Equipment Carrier similar to the one just placed in service at the Washington Hook & Laddder Company. Council informed the company that the Borough would be buying a new engine for the West End within two years. In December of 1975, the company's 50th year of service, the West End recieved a new Mack CF 1000 gpm engine to replace the '50 Mack. The borough council then sold the '50 Mack to Quakake Fire Company of Rush Township.
In 1978, the members realized that a rescue service was needed to protect the residents of the borough. Up to this point, the fire department had to rely on neighboring communities to provide vehicle rescue. A decision was made to purchase a set of Hurst tools, commonly known as 'the Jaws of Life'. These tools were placed on the Mack engine which was dispatched to all motor vehicle accidents. As the members became proficient in rescue techniques and the amount of rescue tools grew, it became apparent that a separate rescue vehicle was needed. In January 1980, the company placed in service a light duty rescue squad manufactured by EVF of Florida. The vehicle, designated as Rescue 993, was innovative for it's time because it not only carried rescue equipment but it also carried scuba gear, a cascade system and an extensive medical compartment. Since many of the company's active members were Emergency Medical Technicians, Rescue 993 saw a great deal of action as a Quick Response Service. The QRS would provide emergency medical care until an ambulance arrived on scene. Since it's inception in 1980, the dive team responded to calls not only in Schuylkill County, but also to other ares including Berks, Luzerne, Northumberland, Carbon and Monroe counties.
As the rescue service expanded, the company steadily out grew the first Rescue 993. The need for a larger rescue also required the need for a larger facility. In 1987, The second Rescue 993 was placed in service. It was a heavy rescue built by Eastern Rescue on a Ford C series chassis. The spirit of innovation continued with the new rescue which included a command area, pre-connected Hurst equipment and a state of the art cascade system. This unit also featured the company's new color scheme of white and silver with two-tone blue striping. The original R993 was sold to the Holley Fire Department of New York. As QRS calls increased, a 1978 Chevy Blazer was placed in service to compliment the capabilites of the heavy rescue. It was equipped with medical equipment and also featured a 2800 watt generator, a Hurst Muti-Tool, along with hand tools, on a slide out tray. Its off road ability greatly increased our ability to respond to emergencies in remote areas such as strip mine operations, and wooded areas.
The increase in provided services required an increase in operating revenues. In 1986, the weekly bingo was restarted to help defray operating expenses and to provide a means to build a new facility. The company purchased land at the southwest corner of 'D' Street and Mahanoy Avenue for its new building. During the Fall/Winter of 1987, a large 4 bay building was constructed to house the company's 3 vehicles and the social quarters. A double dedication and fire apparatus parade was held on May 15, 1988 for the new R993 and the our new headquarters. This event was the kickoff to the Mahanoy City Sesquicentennial, which had functions going on throughout the Summer. The former firehouse was sold to the Humane Fire Company early in 1990.
The Mahanoy City Borough Council began a program of refurbishing the fire department's apparatus in the mid 80's. The West End's '75 Mack was sent to the Swab Wagon company in the fall of 1989 to be refurbished. It returned to service in March of 1990 with a partially enclosed jump seat area, piping/electrical modifications, and six SCBA mounted to the side of the vehicle for easy access. The paint scheme was also updated to match R993. 5 inch large diameter hose was also purchased by the West End to improve water flow on the fire ground.
Since the weekly bingo was started in 1986, it was held in St. Joseph's hall on West Mahanoy Avenue. In 1991, construction began on a building addition to the new station. A large banquet facility was erected to hold the weekly bingo and for hall rentals. It officially opened in September of 1992. Most of the work on finishing this building was done by the talented membership of the company, saving thousands of dollars. During the 1990's-early 2000's the Company held an annual block party fundraiser during the last weekend in June. This was the biggest fundraiser during the year. There was great ethnic food, and the best local area bands. The highlight of the event was our famous Friday Night Fire Apparatus Parade, which was the largest in Schuylkill County and was attended by an average of over 60 pieces of apparatus from as far way as Stroudsburg and Williamsport. In 1993, there were nealy 100 pieces of equipment for the parade.
While responding to numerous vehicle accidents on an icy interstate on December 6, 1997, Rescue 993 was involved in a serious accident. Fortunately, no one on board was seriously injured. R993 however sustained severe damage. A 4X4 army ambulance obtained from DCNR earlier in the year, was finished and placed into service to provide rescue coverage until R-993 could be replaced. This unit, a 1985 Chevrolet with a Grumman body, was repainted and finished by Frank Di Marco of Yaissle Body Works in Pottsville. It was designated as Rescue 469 and was an invaluable asset serving as our heavy rescue for nearly 2 years. It is equipped with Phoenix hydraulic rescue tools, 3-bottle 5000lb cascade system, and numerous hand tools. Today this unit still remains in service as an off road-rescue and back up when R993 is on another call or out of service.
After months of planning, the West End signed a contract with Kovatch Mobile Equipment of Nesquehoning, PA to build the next Rescue 993. The new R-993 was delivered in June of 1999 and was placed in service in July of 1999. In keeping with the company's history of innovation, this vehicle also added new dimensions to the existing rescue service. A state of the art command center, a 9000 watt light tower, a confined space rescue compartment, a rehab compartment, pre-connected Hurst hydraulic rescue tools on each side of the vehicle, and a RIT compartment are just some of the new items featured on the vehicle. During the Spring of 2000, our old 1950 Mack pumper was bought back by the company, led by Mike Kitsock, president of the Schuylkill Historical Fire Society. The apparatus underwent a transformation and was repainted/relettered to its original look while in service at the West End.
On Saturday, August 26th, 2000, the Company celebrated its 75th Birthday with a Triple Housing Ceremony. Rescue 993, Rescue 469, and the refurbished 1950 Mack were housed. A fire apparatus parade was held with over 80 pieces of equipment from fire companies all over Eastern Pennsylvania participating. The guest of honor was PA State Fire Commissoner Ed Mann. Numerous local and state dignitaries took part in the event. The company also was the forefront of a new concept in the fire service, having a dedicated team of firefighters on standy to rescue and downed/trapped firefighters or RIT (Rapid Intervention Team). Our firefighters, led by Fr. William Glosser, were trained on the concept and tactics of RIT duties. Rescue 993 is the desiganted primary MCFD RIT apparatus, and has been called as far away as Hamburg to provide RIT services on a fire scene.
During 2004, the 1978 Chevy Blazer was starting to have both mechanical and body problems that were cost ineffective to replace. The company purchased a 1986 Chevy Suburban from a private individual as a replacement. It was rebuilt mostly in station by our members and would serve as a personnel carrier/support unit. A new engine committee was also formed to begin the process of replacing the 1975 Mack CF Pumper in the near future. Committee members made trips to several other local companies who just took delivery of new engines, to gather ideas for our new apparatus. Meetings were held on a constant basis to draw up specifications and meet with various fire apparatus vendors, including Seagrave, Sutphen, KME, and Four Guys, about building us a new pumper.
A gigantic step was taken towards a new engine when the company was awarded a FEMA grant in excess of $200, 000.00 to go towards its costs. During the Summer of 2005, a contract was signed with KME for the purchase of a new pumper. It would have a fully enclosed cab with seating for 8, a 9000 watt light tower, a 25 kw hydraulic generator, a 500 gallon water tank, and a 20 gallon foam cell. Perhaps the most impressive feature on our new engine is the Waterous 2250 GPM pump, with an electronic push button computerized pump panel. The new engine was on display at the 2006 Fire Expo at the Harrisburg Farm Show Complex, and was the star of the show. A few days later we took delivery of the new Engine 465, and it was placed in service on August 26, 2006, when it was officially housed along with the 1986 Chevy Suburban. A huge celebration with a parade of nearly 100 pieces of fire apparatus from all over the state took part in the gala event. After much debate, it was decided to keep the 1975 Mack CF and use it for parades and public service functions.
In the beginning of 2008, the Suburban had to be taken out of service due to severe mechanical problems. The company voted to purchase a Haulmark trailer for the purpose of keeping all the water rescue equipment in one place. Until this point, all of the water rescue gear was split between R993, R469, and an equipment room in station. A trailer from the newly formed Schuylkill County Rescue Task Force, part of Schuylkill County EMA, was also now housed at our station. A vehicle was needed to haul these trailers to incidents, something that the Suburban would not be able to do. A committee was formed to find a suitable vehicle. In March 2008, a 1996 GMC Sierra sedan cab heavy duty "dualie" pick up with a diesel motor, was purchased from a private individual. Nearly all of the work to convert it for our needs was done in station. The new Squad 468 was placed in service during Memorial Day weekend 2008. It has proven to be a great addition to our Company and has exceeded its expectations.