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 g.p.m. 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 g.p.m. 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. In December of 1975, the company's 50th year of service, the West End recieved a new Mack CF 1000 g.p.m. 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 R-993 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. The blazer was equipped with medical equipment and also featured a 2800 watt generator and hurst equipment on a slide out tray.
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 on the corner of 'D' street and Mahanoy Avenue for it's new building. A large 4 bay building was constructed to house the company's 3 vehicles and the social quarters. A double dedication was held on May 15, 1988 for the new R-993 and the new building . The former firehouse was sold to the Humane Fire Company.
The Mahanoy City Borough Council began a program of refurbing the fire department's apparatus in the mid 80's. The West End's '76 Mack was sent to the Swab Wagon company in the fall of 1989 for a refurb. It returned to service in March of 1990 with a partially enclosed jump seat area, piping and electrical modifications, and six air paks mounted to the side of the vehicle for easy access. The paint scheme was also updated to match R-993. 5 inch large diameter hose was also purchased by the West End to improve efficiency on the fireground.
Since the weekly bingo was started in 1986, it was held in St. Joseph's hall on west Mahanoy Avenue. In 1991, constructuion began on a building addition to the new station. A large banquet facilty was errected to hold the weekly bingo and for hall rentals. It officially opened in September of 1992.
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. R-993 however sustained severe damage. A former army ambulance obtained from DCNR was placed into service to provide rescue coverage until R-993 could be replaced. This ambulance, a 1984 Chevrolet, was repainted and finished by Frank Di Marco of Yaissle Body Works in Pottsville. It was designated as Rescue 469 and was invaluable filling in for the heavy rescue.
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 re-hab compartment, pre-connected Hurst equipment on each side of the vehicle and a RIT compartment are just some of the new ideas featured on the vehicle.
