Concordville Fire Company History

In addition to the Fire Company history below, take some time to read the about the individual Townships we serve. The following links point to some excellent reading from a book written in 1884: by Henry Graham Ashmead. The work is entitled "History of Delaware County, Pennsylvania".  The links below are to pages maintained by Rich Nicholson who maintains delcohistory.org. Concord , Thornbury , Birmingham /Chadds Ford , Bethel

 In 1924, a group of local businessmen held a meeting at the home of Fred M. Schwalm, located on the Concord Country Club property. Mr. Schwalm, a civic-minded realtor, envisioned the Brinton Lake Colony and later, the Concord Country Club. The meeting was called to consider means of checking the wave of petty night-thieving prevalent at that time over the Township and to talk over the possibility of a future community fire company.

Present at that meeting were the following: Fred W. Schwalm, Dr. H. H. Darlington, C. Canby Darlington, Howard C. Garrett, Taylor W. Richards, Paul L. Willits and J. Gilbert Schrader.

An organization was formed that night and given the name "Concordville Fire & Protective Association", with temporary officers as follows: Fred M. Schwalm President; Dr. H. H. Darlington, Vice President; Howard C. Garrett, Secretary; J. Gilbert Schrader, Financial Secretary; Paul L. Willits, Treasurer; and C. Canby Darlington, Fire Chief.

At a subsequent public meeting held in Concordville Hall July 22, 1925, the organization was confirmed and officers, stated above, were elected.  From this date until April 21, 1927, several meetings were held while the Charter was ordered and on March 8, 1928, the Charter was completed. On April 26, 1928, at the public meeting, Mr. George M. Hill, President of the Delaware County Fireman's Association, presented the new Charter to Dr. H. H. Darlington, President of CF&PA.

The first piece of equipment was a soda and acid tank mounted on a frame between two carriage wheels, with a clamp for quick attachment to the rear bumper of a car. This was the property of Canby Darlington and towed by him when needed - always with the hope that the narrow-gauge portable would not upset and discharge prematurely.  This may have given Canby the original idea of hauling water to rural fires. The fire engines at that time were of little use at country fires unless there was an available water supply - therefore, why not provide the water?  His theory was that a jet of water under pressure would be very effective in cases where the fire could be reached before getting out of control and particularly field fires.

Various ideas and plans were considered - all turned down by builders as impractical.  Eventually it was decided to mount four 80-gallon horizontal connected tanks on a 1 1/2-ton Federal chassis with 300' and two 500' sections of high pressure 3/4" hose, nested in baskets. An order was given to Seddon Motor Co., Flourtown, PA., at the December 1928 meeting for building this approved equipment, and delivery was made March 24, 1929.   Cost of the chassis was $1700.00 and the mounted equipment $2105.00.

It is generally conceded that ours was the first fire company equipped to carry water to fires.  This unusual fire engine was looked upon with some question (and maybe tolerance) by neighboring fire companies with their big efficient pumpers. However, the practical equipment soon proved its worth in untold thousands of dollars saved in property damage. The vehicle could get to fires quickly and had water on the blaze in a minute after arrival.

The new vehicle arrived at 2:00 P.M., was officially tested at 3:00 P.M., was paid for in full at 5:00 P.M. and at 6:00 P.M. was put into action when the company was called out to a fire in Chadds Ford.

On March 28, 1929, four days after the arrival of the new engine, a call was received from the Glen Mills Schools, where the large brick vocational building was burning.  Aided by a very strong wind that day, the fire roared through the big structure uncontrolled.  There was a lineup of big pumpers standing by, helpless without a water supply.  However, there was one apparatus very much in action - the little pumper from Concord. Located close to the main building and with the aid of a boys' bucket brigade supplying water for the tanks, firemen on the roof took care of the shower of sparks and burning embers which rained on that structure, using the small hoses with nozzle controls.  The fire was confined to the one building, which was destroyed.

Much credit for the success of the new fire company was due to Canby Darlington, who gave it intelligent study, untiring energy and devotion, and who, with his employees, answered all calls regardless of hour or weather conditions.

Another member prominent in the early days of the Company was William L. Cloud, who not only gave it much of his time and thought but also was most successful in the solicitation of sizable contributions for both engine and building.

Much credit for prompt response to fire calls was due to the efficiency and interest of Mrs. Bertha G. Stern, then Chief Operator of Concordville telephone exchange. When such a call came in she would call Dr. Darlington's office, where there was always someone to answer and sound the siren. On one occasion when there was no one immediately available to take the engine out she quickly recruited nearby firemen and another building was saved. For this she was cited by the Bell Telephone Company for outstanding service beyond the call of duty.

Another factor in the success and financial progress of the Company is the Ladies' Auxiliary. Too much credit cannot be given this loyal group for their interest and tireless work on behalf of the Fire Company.

Careful consideration has always been given for controlling fires with a minimum of property damage by water or otherwise.

As a warning signal, the engine was equipped with a lusty exhaust whistle, and the apparatus racing to a fire in the late night hours sounding its screaming, tremulous alarm aroused not only the populace, but all the barking, howling dogs for miles around.

The Company was occasionally called upon for other than fire services, such as relief from flood conditions, removing a cow from a well and on one occasion catching a burglar! The burglar attempted to enter a home near Chadds Ford, by means of one of the large stone chimneys, but was blocked by a fireplace damper. Unable to get up or down, he was deserted by his waiting accomplices. Police summoned the Fire Company, which promptly surfaced him by means of a lowered rope.

On March 29, 1929, work was started on the first fire house, located on - the site of the present township truck scale in the village. The ground was leased to the Company by Dr. H. H. Darlington for $1.00 annually, the dollar always being returned as a donation. The rectangular one-story block building housed the engine, with space on one side for shuffleboards and an open area in the rear for recreation and meetings. A good big fireplace added to the comfort and cheer in winter. In front of the building was mounted a large locomotive band tire, with an iron striking sledge, a token of the days when fire alarms were thus sounded.

April, 1929 found us joining the Delaware County Firemen's Association. Dedication of the new building took place on May 31, 1929, sponsored by Lenni, Feltonville, Media and Chester Township Fire Companies. That evening there was a call from Chadds Ford for a field fire on the Holliday farm which would have destroyed a quantity of piled lumber but for the ability of the new engine to reach it over a steep, rough terrain.

The first regular meeting was held in the new firehouse on June 6, 1929, and from then on activity in the Company increased very rapidly, with the addition of new members and all types of equipment. In 1932 need for another engine of the tank-type was discussed and in October a used Pierce-Arrow chassis was ordered with a 1000-gallon tank and other necessary equipment mounted. This truck was delivered January 12, 1933, and in May 1934, a Barton front pump was mounted on it.

The Association continued to operate very efficiently during the next few years, and in 1942, to provide more space, it was voted to buy the Chapel, across the road, and remodel it to suit our needs. The original building was sold and torn down. During the ensuing year, with help from local businesses and willing mechanics, work progressed on the building until we moved into it and held our first meeting there February 11, 1943. During the next three years of World War II it was a struggle to have enough men around to man our equipment, but we managed to answer our calls. Near the end of the war interest again grew strong and it was decided that our old tank truck should be replaced. On November 8, 1945, a 1000-gallon tank truck complete with a 500-gallon per minute pump was ordered from the Hahn Fire Equipment Co. at a cost of $6872.00. Due to shortages in materials, delivery was delayed for many months. On June 10, 1947 it was finally delivered and tested by the Underwriters. Lenni Heights Fire Company housed the Hahn on Saturday, September 27, 1947. At our February meeting in 1946 we purchased a Hale portable pump. Our first Indian Pack tanks were purchased in November 1946.

With the strain of worldly conditions facing us, the manning of our equipment with the primary idea of safety for our fire fighters was considered, and we added a junior membership to our ranks. These boys have been a great help to us.

In March of 1949 we purchased a new Chevrolet chassis on which we mounted a 200-gallon pump and a 300-gallon booster tank. On February 9, 1950 the new tank was put into service at a cost of $4500.00. January 1951 found us adding a portable lighting unit to our equipment, with the idea of safety for our fire fighters.

As our territory was being rapidly built up and increasing in possible fire losses, we realized that something must be done to provide adequate space for more apparatus and to have a community hall. It was through this vision that at a special meeting held on November 26, 1951, a motion was made and carried that we purchase 4.3 acres of the former Darlington property directly across the road from the quarters at that time. This was consummated in January 1952, the cost being $5500.00.

At a meeting of the Association held April 14, 1960, it was voted to build the present new firehouse. Work was started around June 1 of that year and the building completed and occupied February 25, 1961, the architect being George N. Sprague, Chadds Ford, Pa., and the builders, Lafferty & McCoy, Wilmington, Del.

The new firehouse is of masonry construction, covered with white stucco. It has 60-ft. frontage and 100 ft. depth, fireproof throughout and with acoustical ceilings. Two reinforced 60-ft. concrete beams support the roof over the engine room, each weighing 16 tons. Window frames are aluminum; the interior's doors and trim mahogany with natural finish, Interior walls are painted and the floors tiled, with the exception of the engine room, which is concrete.

During our regular monthly meeting on October 12, 1961, a call was received from the Concord-Thornbury Lions Club advising that they would secure an ambulance if we would house and operate it. After checking with other fire companies who operated ambulance services in the area, it was decided to accept the offer. Shortly thereafter first aid classes were started for this project.

In August 1962, a squad truck was put into service for the purpose of hauling men and equipment. This was made possible through many donations from interested persons, and it was designated as Truck 59-6.

In April 1964, a letter was written to the Concord-Thornbury Lions Club accepting the ambulance. The Fire Company purchased the necessary equipment to operate the ambulance and it was put in service in May of that year.

In March 1965, we purchased from Talleyville Fire Company a 1200-gallon tank truck on an International chassis, Truck 59-4. This truck was purchased with money donated by the Ladies' Auxiliary.

In December 1963, a Fund Drive committee was appointed to secure funds for a new fire truck. Another committee was appointed to write specifications and to get bids. After many hours of research and visiting other fire companies, bids were received and opened. On October 26, 1966 we voted to buy a Mack fire truck, gasoline-operated motor, 1000-gallon pump carrying 750 gallons of water. This new truck, 59-3, was put in service in September 1967.

On March 13, 1969 the ambulance committee advised that they were considering the purchase of a second ambulance. This new ambulance was put into service in March 1970, known as 59-7A.

In December 1970 a decision was made to purchase a new chassis with an International diesel motor to carry 59-4, the 1200-gallon tank.

Our Hahn truck, 59-2, went out of service and the committee was urged to get busy to replace it. In September, 1972 we put into service a Mack diesel engine truck with a 1250-gallon pump carrying 750 gallons of water-known as 59-2. Also in 1972 a new ambulance was purchased to replace the original ambulance, 59-7.

In February 1971, our officers were authorized to sign the necessary contracts to operate with the Delaware County Fire Board at Media, and alarm cards were prepared to cover our area. In 1972 a hose washer was purchased to facilitate the job of keeping the fire hose clean.

In June 1974 the Equipment Planning committee started to tour other fire companies to look at rescue apparatus. In November permission was given to secure bids on a new ambulance to replace 59-7A and in December a Ford chassis was purchased. In February 1975, a body for the chassis was purchased from Providence Ambulance Body Company. Ambulance 59-7A was put into service in April 1976. We purchased from the Mack Company a pumper-rescue diesel truck with a 1000-gallon capacity pump and 500-gallon tank with large compartments to haul necessary equipment for rescue operations. This is our Truck 59-6 and it was put into service in September 1977

The 1972 Chevrolet ambulance, 59-7, was replaced by a 1977 Dodge van-type ambulance.

[ to be continued]