The St. Thomas Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company was established in 1964. For many years it had been the dream of the citizens of St. Thomas Township, that a fire company would be organized in the township. In December of 1963, the realization of this dream was given a tremendous boost by the American Legion Detrick-Brechbill Post 612 of St. Thomas. The post purchased a used fire truck to be donated to the company, if it were formed.

      The challenge of organizing a fire company for the area was accepted by a group of thirty men who met at what was then the St. Thomas High School on January 17th, 1964. The new fire company was born at the memorable meeting. The fire company's first officers were elected from those assembled: President Clyde Hull Jr., Vice President Don Spidel, Secretary Richard L. Jones, Treasurer Earl Ferry. On February 21st, 1964 the American Legion officially turned over the fire truck to the company. Still not having a firehouse, the fire truck was temporarily housed in the garage of Clyde Hull Sr.

      In March, the company's colors of yellow and black were officially adopted and incoporation procedures started then. On April 7th, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania approved the name of the St. Thomas Fire Company, for incoporation. The roster of fire truck drivers was assigned. May 29th was a red letter day in the company's history, for they were given  the site for a firehouse with a section of land by Orrin Ehrhart. The company voted Mr. Ehrhart to the first life membership in the company. The articles of incoporation were presented to the Franklin County Courthouse for approval on July 10th, 1964. This approval was promptly granted. On July 24th, 1964 an 850 gallon truck was donated to the company. Members quickly converted this truck for fire use and on September 25th the contract was set for construction of the new firehouse. By December 1964, the company held its first regular meeting in the new building. Approval as Civil Defense Headquarters for the St. Thomas Township was received at this time.  

  On February 19th, 1964, just one year and a month after the first organizational meeting, the company had a new fire house, a pumper and a tanker. On March 15th, 1965 the company responded to its first fire call, a barn fire, at the Clayton Brandt farm. In November 1968, the company added a third truck, a 3300 gallon tanker.

      In February 1970, The Ladies Auxiliary was organized. In January 1971, a new 1,000 gallon per minute pumper tanker was purchased, this new truck became the first line unit. In July of 1971 an additional was started and was dedicated on October 10th, 1971. In September of 1971, an 1800 gallon tanker and special unit, used for brush fires and rescues, was purchased.

      In January 1987 the company erected the new fire house which is the current station today. 

      The first Fire Chief of the department was Frank Brake, he held his position until 1967, then Richard Sites, 1968-1973, Larry Christman 1974-1975, Donald Scott, 1976-1983 and Donald Horsch 1984.

Other Apparatus