Organization of a fire company in the growing community of Yorkshire was the desire of a number of individuals as early as 1924, but not until Christmas Eve in 1925, when fire destroyed a large residence there, did organization become the concern of practically everyone living in the neighborhood.
At a meeting held in the Yorkshire Elementary School on January 23, 1926 a group of persons gathered to formulate plans to guarantee home owners some kind of fire protection. During this meeting a volunteer fire company was organized. It was named Springetts Fire Company, deriving its name from the township in which it would be located, and officers were elected to direct its activities. They were President, Mr. Oscar Heckert; First Vice President, Mr. Samuel Smith; Second Vice President, Mr. William Richley; Secretary, Mr. Jacob Hay; Treasurer, Mr. Harry Kissinger.
The first firefighting apparatus was built upon a Buick chassis donated by Mr. William Richley, and it was equipped with chemical tanks and 150 feet of one-inch diameter hose. Interest in the Fire Company grew, and the membership did likewise. Monthly meetings were held at the School until July 9, 1926 when the meeting place was changed to the store of Mr. Robert Dietz in Yorkshire. The apparatus, however, was housed in Mr. Leon Burg's Garage.
It was Mr. Mahlon Haines, the primary developer of Yorkshire, whose interest in the construction of a community building, which could also serve as a fire hall and a place to house fire-fighting equipment, who donated a plot of ground to the Fire Company. Consistent with the keen foresight previously exhibited, the governing body of the now prosperous Fire Company decided that the location of the proposed fire hall should be on the main thoroughfare, i.e., U.S. Route 30, which is now Pennsylvania Route 462. Consequently, the plot of ground donated by Mr. Haines was offered as part payment for a larger plot of ground on the southern side of the highway at the western end of Yorkshire. The advantages of this location were very apparent because the fire hall would be nearer to the rapidly growing East York community, an area of Springettsbury Township also in need of fire protection.
In July 1931 the Springetts Fire Company building was completed at a cost of $10,000.00. Mr. Haines was the financial benefactor and advisor to the construction. In the intervening years a Ladies Auxiliary was organized, and it at once became a remarkable success. The records indicate that membership in the organization included Mrs. R. S. Cannon who served as the first President, and Mesdames Elmer Frey, R. S. Frey, Jacob Hay, O. M. Heckert, Harry Peeling, Samuel Smith, Guy Stauffer, Paul Swartz, and Will Swartz, and Misses Elizabeth Herr, Louise Myers, M. J. Smith, and S. R. Smith.
The Buick fire apparatus donated by Mr. Richley in 1926 served the community well, but in 1938 it was decided that a new and more modern piece of apparatus was necessary. As the result of a concentrated effort by every member of the Company, an American La France fire-fighting apparatus was obtained, together with an additional 600 feet of 2 1/2-inch diameter hose. When the new equipment was delivered an elaborate celebration was scheduled to mark the process.
The purchase of the new equipment and the financial obstacles caused by the Great Depression did not permit the Company to reduce its debt below $10,000.00 until August of 1940. At this time Mr. Haines presented a personal gift of $4,000.00 after which a "Debt Reducing Campaign" organized by the members of the fire Company resulted in an additional $1,000.00 collected from Township residents. The war years followed, and growth of the Company and debt reduction remained status quo.
By March, 1947 Springettsbury Township's "building boom" was gaining momentum, and a public meeting which was widely advertised indicated interest in better fire protection. The Trustees of the Company, sensing citizen support, decided to forge ahead. On March 27th a contract was signed to purchase an International truck with a Howe pump at a cost of $7,082.90 and in 1952 an International panel truck was added as rolling stock to be used as a service truck.
The need for more fire protection brought about the need for more and better equipment, and these needs meant a larger place for storage, maintenance, and operation had to be given consideration. At the Company's monthly meeting held in January, 1954, a Building Committee was appointed. Mr. Franklin H. Daron was appointed chairman, and Messrs. Harold Dettinger, Kenneth Hess, A. P. White, and Robert Williams agreed to serve with him.
In October of that same year a proposal was made to reconstitute the Ladies Auxiliary, and on November 11th, 27 women attended a meeting. With the help of ladies from Commonwealth Fire Company of Pleasureville the Auxiliary organized again, and elected Mrs. Norma Jean Kline as President. The Auxiliary's support of the Company has continued unabated since that time.
At the January meeting of 1955, the Fire Chief A. P. White, reported the highest fire loss in his 18 years of service, which was $515,000.00. Another indication that Company relocation and added service was imperative. A $100.00 donation the following August started a Building Fund, and in September, Mr. Harry A. Brown donated a 1941 Cadillac ambulance in the name of Jon. E. Graybill and Company. By March, 1956 the Springetts Ambulance Club was organized, largely because of the efforts of Messrs. John Swan, deceased, and Walter Torney, who still serves this organization presently as its President. By June 1st ambulance service had begun and in 1957 a 1947 Cadillac ambulance was purchased from the Kreutz Creek Ambulance Club. Since that time the Springetts Ambulance Club has continued to up-date its equipment and serves the entire community with distinction. The Club, since November, 1961 is a separate organization operated by a board of directors.
The members of the Fire Company were advised at the November 1956 meeting that the Township Supervisors had arranged to procure a piece of land owned by the Pennsylvania Railroad which is the present site of the Springetts Fire Company. Sometime thereafter a Fund Raising Committee consisting of Messrs. H. Eugene Boll, Chairman, and Glenn O. Kline, H. B. Reisinger, Jr., Luther B. Sowers, and Russell S. C. Wolf, Jr. was appointed. On January 7, 1958 bids were opened for construction of a new building, and contracts totaling $74,975.00 were awarded. One third of the money needed was raised in the community, and the remainder of what was thought to be insurmountable indebtedness was established as a mortgage. A groundbreaking ceremony took place on April 6th and the first stages of construction began April 9th. In October the original fire hall was sold for $13,600.00, and the move to the new premises took place on Thanksgiving Day. On Sunday, April 26, 1959 a dedication ceremony was held on the premises. Two months earlier, nine applications for positions as paid fire drivers were distributed, and in March, Messrs. William Garland and Donald Snyder were appointed. Today there are seven paid firemen serving the Company. In addition to Mr. Garland they are Charles Myers, Michael Bashian, Ronald Busser, Leon Stough, Jared Auchey, and Gerald Wishard.
As far back as October 4, 1954 the installation of radio equipment in the Fire Company building was suggested, but the cost was declared to be too high and the motion was dropped. However, in August, 1959 approval was given for an ADT alarm system, and ten years later in October the York County Commissioners were given permission to install the equipment necessary to enter the County's communication network. Also, the year 1959 marked the beginning of a resident mascot. For the next 13 years "Dutchess" watched over Company functions, and after her death a replacement never seemed satisfactory.
In January, 1960 an apparatus fund was established, and the following September a functioning Apparatus Committee was appointed. Those who first served on the Committee were Mesrs. Glenn O. Kline, Chairman, Woodrow Landis, Edward Harman, and Walter Torney.
The Company became a member of the Firemen's Association of York County in February, 1961, and in September of that year authorization was given to purchase a Ward La France apparatus for $21,477.00. It was delivered in March, 1962. In August, 1963 approval was given for the purchase of an International Service Truck at $5,045.00, and delivery was made in November.
Investigation was begun in June 1965 regarding an addition to the premises. It was decided that more space was needed for storage and new apparatus. Approval for construction at an estimated cost of $34,000.00 was granted in February, 1967. Construction began in March and was completed in December. The first meeting of the year 1969 included an item of business that gave approval for establishing specifications and seeking bids on a snorkel fire truck and on May 29th a contract for $78,752.00 was signed for purchase of same. The truck was delivered the following year. In September 1971, permission was given to purchase a 1972 Ward La France pumper at an approximate cost of $27,427.00, and it was delivered in June of the following year.
And still more space was needed, so in April, 1974 a bid of $115,000.00 was accepted from C. C. Dietz to construct another addition to the premises. The Springetts Fire Company as seen today resulted from the completion of this work.
Events scheduled in 1976 celebrated 50 years of arduous dedication by individuals who dared to organize, plan, and execute what had become Springetts Fire Company No. 1. The volunteers during this first 50 years are best characterized by Glenn O. Kline, whose concern and devotion to the fire service and this company led to his position as Springettsbury Township Fire Chief. The celebration was a fitting tribute to 50 years of financial solvency, community support, and a consistent record of fire protection that defined Springetts Fire Company No. 1.
In September of 1977 a special meeting was called to discuss replacement of the 1962 Ward La France pumper. After reviewing several bids it was decided to purchase a new pumper from Pierce Fire Apparatus at an approximate cost of $83,000. The new pumper was delivered in February of 1979.
The increasing population and construction of new businesses within Springettsbury Township brought another change to the services provided by Springetts Fire Company. This progress included increases in call volume for the Springetts Ambulance Club and in December of 1978, full time Emergency Medical Technicians were hired to staff an ambulance during peak call times. The volunteers continued to supplement the career staff when there was not full coverage scheduled. Through the years since 1978 staffing has increased to the point where round the clock ambulance service is being provided to Springettsbury Township by career Emergency Medical Technicians.
In March of 1980 it was decided to replace our 1965 Metro International rescue truck with a larger vehicle capable of carrying the increasing amount of specialized rescue equipment that we were acquiring. In January of 1981 the fire company took delivery of a new rescue truck manufactured by Swab Wagon Company at a cost of $65,000. This purchase became an important vehicle in Springetts Fire Company’s ongoing progressive stance in providing fire service to the area.
Springetts Fire Company was proud to host the 75th Annual Convention of the York County Firemen’s Association in August 1987. This diamond jubilee included meetings, a parade through Springettsbury Township, and a party the befitted the Firemen’s Association seventy-fifth anniversary. Also in this year plans were started to remount the aging 1969 Snorkel. These plans included remounting the Snorkel boom and the pump onto a new frame and chassis. The project was bid and Pierce Fire Apparatus completed the upgrade at a cost of approximately $240,000. The newly remounted Snorkel went back into service in early 1988.