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HISTORY

           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 truckto be donated to the fire 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 17, 1964. The new fire company was born at this memorable meeting. The new fire company's first officers were elected and those assembled:

President: Clyde Hull Jr.

Vice President: Don Spidel

Secretary: Richard L. Jones

Treasurer: Earl Ferry

           On February 21, 1964, The American Legion Post officialy turned over the fire truck to the company. Still not having a fire house, the truck was temporarily housed in the garage of Clyde Hull Sr.  In March the company colors of yellow and black were officially adopted and incorporation procedures started then. On April 7, 1964 the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania approved the name of St. Thomas Township Fire Company, for incorporation. The roster of fire engine drivers was assigned. May 29, 1964 was a red letter day in the company history, for they were given the site for the fire house with a donation of a scetion of land by Orrin Ehrhart. The company voted Mr. Ehrhart tot he first life membership in to the company. The articles of incorporation were presented to the Frankin County Courthouse for approval on July 10, 1964. This approval was promptly granted. On July 24, 1964, an 850 gallon truck was donated to the fire company. Members quickly converted this truck for fire use and on September 25, 1964 the contract was awarded for the construction of the new building. Approval as Civil Defense Headquarters for St. Thomas Township was recieved at this time.

         On February 19, 1965, just one year and a month after the first organizational meeting, the company had a new fire hosue, a pumper, and a tanker. On March 15, 1965, the company responded to its first call, a barn fire, at the Clavton Brandt Farm. In November 1968, the company added its third truck, a 3,300 gallon tanker.

         In February of 1970, the Ladies Auxiliary was organized.

         In January of 1971, a new 1,000 gallon per minute pumper - tanker was purchased. This new truck became the first line unit. In July of 1971an addition to the fire hall was started and was dedicated on October 10, 1971.

        In September of 1974, an 1,800 gallon tanker and a special unit, used for brush and rescue, was purchased.

       In 1975, the Ladies Auxiliary started the St. Thomas Fire Queen Contest for young girls to compete to be Fire Queen for a year and to represent the fire company at the company functions and parades and what ever else came about concerning the company.

      With the advent of more and more medical calls in the township, the fire company recognized a need for an ambulance service. On January 24, 1977, they met that need with a new dodge van ambulance. Its first call was an accident involving a car and a motorcycle at the intersection of Lincoln Way West and Maxheimer Road.

      On May 16, 1980, a new 1,000 gallon per minute first class pumper was purchased. In April of 1981, a new ambulance was put in service. The current list of apparatus at this time was Two 1,000 gallon per minute pumpers, one 1,800 gallon tanker, a special unit and an ambualnce, and our first fire turck that was donated by the American Legion Post 612. In December of 1983, additional land was purchased adjacent to the fire house for future expansion.

         The firefighting needs of today have increased rapidly with the advent of a more populated township, and the manmade materials used in construction of housing, such as plactics, ect. In the year of 1965, the company ran a total of 35 calls.

         In January 1987, the company decided to build a new firehouse of whch we have at present. Construction on the new fire hall began 1988. The lower portion of the new fire hall was completed in January 1989, and apporved for occupancy. The upper portion of the fire hall is still under construction as the rest of the building was occupied.

         The company commends the people of St. Thomas Township for their support. Without it, the company could not have advanced to the stage it has today.

        This brief history is dedicated to those men who saw the need and accepted the challenge of starting the St. Thomas Township Volunteer Fire Company and to those men and women who have served so faithfully in the past. May their spirits and drive remain with the company into its future, which is the moral support of the present membership.