In July 1919, the fledgling fire company was given the old Seavey School Building from Mr. George A. Seavey (located near where the old Seavey Service garage is today), and it was partially dismantled, rolled up Parker Street on logs, and reassembled at our station’s former location, 300 Parker Street, at the intersection of Koehler Street. The fire company did not own this property, but did purchase it a couple of years later. Up until that time, fire company meetings were held in the homes of the members. The first meeting in the old school/fire station was held in September 1919 and the Rules/Regulations of Undercliff VFC were temporarily adopted until our own were developed and approved. In November 1919, the Sporting Committee purchased a used pool table for $65. In June 1920, the fire company purchased, from Etna Borough, an old horse-drawn hose carriage, used in West Etna, for the costly sum of $25. It was refurbished into a hand-drawn carriage and equipped with chemical fire extinguishers, ladders, buckets, and other necessary equipment to serve as the company’s first “fire engine.” Not sure what the priority was at this time in the fire company; shooting pool or responding to alarms?
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At the January 3rd, 1921 monthly meeting, the first recorded fire our fire company responded to was at the Peerless Dairy Plant, near the intersection of Parker St and Hill St. Needless to say, they saved the building. In May 1921, the fire company completed the purchase of the lot from the heirs of the late William D. Hartupee, where the original fire station was located, for a whopping $150. In July 1921, the By-Laws and Rules and Regulations were drafted and adopted by our membership, and later accepted by the Shaler Township Board of Commissioners. The fire company was also admitted into the membership of the Allegheny County and Western Pennsylvania Firemen’s Associations, and we are still active members in both organizations. In October 1921, the fire company was ordered to pay a Special Tax and fine to the Internal Revenue Service, in reference to soliciting payments from users of the pool table, between December 1919 to June 1922, in the amount of $32.30. In January 1924, we had 78 members on the books.
In the following year, 1925, more fire extinguishers, extension ladders, smoke masks, first aid supplies, and a fire alarm siren, were purchased. We spent $25 to buy our building’s bell from Sharpsburg Public School, and it was mounted in a tower on the roof of the station. On May 5th, 1926, a charter was granted to our company by Judge John Albert Evans (B1853-D1934) of the Common Pleas Court of Allegheny County, PA, and the title was filed and recorded with the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in Harrisburg, PA.
In 1926, a Moon automobile was donated to the fire company by David E. Hodge (B1891-D1964), and the firemen converted it into our first “motor-driven” fire engine. The next year, a Cole automobile was donated to the fire company by George Fugh, and it also was converted into a combination fire engine / ladder truck. This particular truck served the community for over twenty years and won many trophies at various fireman conventions and parades for being the best “Home-Built” fire apparatus. Finally, in 1928, we formally established the office/title of Chief. Charles C. Riethmiller was promoted to this position from the Captain’s rank. According to our fire insurance records, we had 95 members on the books in April 1928.
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In 1930, our fire Company helped to organize the Shaler Township Volunteer Firemen’s Relief Association, which is still very active and does an extraordinary job of funneling monies from foreign fire insurance companies (who are required to provide monetary assistance to all firemen relief associations in the state of Pennsylvania, because their home office is not in the state of Pennsylvania). The firemen’s association also provides protection and relief to volunteer fireman who are injured or become ill while performing the duties of a volunteer fireman. Also, in 1930, the Shaler Township Board of Commissioners began to establish a water supply system with fire hydrants, which greatly improved the methods of extinguishing fires. Our members remodeled our trucks to carry more hose, nozzles and other new equipment, as well as purchased new boots, helmets and coats for the protection of the firemen. The better efficiency of this fire company resulted in the reduction of fire insurance rates for the residents of the First District. Funds to help pay for these items were secured by holding dances, card parties, and minstrel shows.
Between 1934-36, the members enlarged the original building by putting in a new foundation with a full basement and brick veneering the building, as well as installing other conveniences.
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