Our History
The following articles are excerpts from “A Century of Service”, a book that compiles one hundred years of Franklin firefighting history. The book was authored by David Rykala, who was our Fire Chief at the time of our 1995 Centennial Celebration. There are still a limited number of books available; contact the fire department if interested in purchasing a book.
“A Century of Service”
Times have changed. The faces are different, and to some extent, the danger presented takes on a new complexion.
But one thing has remained a constant: the dedication and loyalty of the men, and now women, who have proudly served the Franklin Borough Volunteer Fire Department over the past 100 years.
Less than three decades after the founding of Franklin Borough and a few short years after the Great Johnstown Flood of 1889, a group of men saw a need and banded together to provide a much needed service in their bustling steel town.
And on March 12, 1895 the legacy began.
It is a rich history, filled with colorful personalities and countless acts of unselfish heroism. Many have passed on, but their accomplishments have helped to shape the future of the borough, as well as the Conemaugh Valley region.
We, the current members, would like to take this time to posthumously salute our department forefathers for their achievements. We wish to thank our families, who have sacrificed birthdays, Thanksgiving dinners, and Christmas mornings, many times victims of those untimely alarms.
This page details the history of one of the oldest fire services in Cambria County. The information provided comes from the department’s history book published in 1995 for the centennial celebration. Over 500 hours of research have gone into preparing the book. The information in the book comes from actual excerpts taken from meeting minutes, items offered by borough residents, and interviews of members, both past and present.
We invite you to share in our “Century of Service”.
Major Incidents
Much can be written about the company’s assistance to other companies, far and near. But a closer look reveals that, while noteworthy emergencies are not commonplace in the borough, a number are worth mentioning.
The first major blaze recorded occurred in 1920 when three homes were leveled on Hazel Street, causing $15,000 in damages. The Musulin Hotel, located where Bar Tech’s Gate #3 Powerhouse now sits, received $7,000 in damages in a 1930 fire. A fire caused $12,000 in damages at a three family apartment complex on Wilson Alley in 1955.
Probably the largest fire occurred on April 29, 1973 when an early morning fire destroyed the popular nightspot, Lil’s Bar, and adjoining Sam Camut’s Barbershop. Harry “Doc” Young perished in the fire and 10 are left homeless, many of which needed rescued from the second floor porch.
The 1977 Flood, however, would put the company to its ultimate test long after the rushing flood waters subsided. After the initial rescue of residents trapped by rising water along Bonair Street, five firefighters had to make a daring dive from a second floor window onto a neighboring roof after attempting to rescue patrons of Jerry’s Bar. After the floodwaters receded, the members engaged in various recovery efforts, including search and rescue, security, medical, and supply assignments.
The company assisted Bethlehem Steel firefighters on a number of occasions but took full response for the mills in 1983 and respond to all types of industrial emergencies from rescues to chemical fires. The largest steel plant emergency occurred in November of 1990, when a major sulfur fire required the response of 29 units from 19 emergency agencies to bring under control. 13 firefighters were injured as a result of this fire.
Keeping Up With The Times
Over the past century, the world has been witness to a tremendous technology explosion in all aspects of life. The emergency services have diligently kept pace with the latest innovations. From the early years of flue and oil lamp fires to the hazardous materials emergencies and paramedicine of the present, the Franklin Fire Company has done it’s best to keep on top of the newest trends and procedures.
A much simpler lifestyle and environment called for nothing more than basics in emergency services during the company’s infancy. That was accomplished by a two-wheeled hose cart initially, and in 1905 a four-wheeler pulled by the firemen themselves. Much to the delight of firemen, a hose team was purchased in 1910 to aid in pulling the cart of the hilly terrain.
The hose cart gave way to the first motorized engine in 1919, a 750GPM solid rubber tire American LaFrance. It was replaced in 1930 with a 1000GPM American LaFrance pumper. With a limited number of fire companies, and even smaller number of motorized fire engines, the company took on more of an active role in surrounding communities. The company’s engine was even loaded onto a Pennsylvania Railroad flatbed car for transport to a major fire in the Altoona rail yard but was not needed as the fire was then under control. The department was also used heavily to pump out basements in Johnstown after the 1936 flood. A Mack pumper was purchased in 1948 and a American LaFrance pumper in 1959, giving the company two top-of-the-line engines. Several other units were purchased throughout the years bringing us to the current apparatus of 1977 Mack 1250GPM 50ft Pumper/Ladder, 1983 3-D/Pemfab 1500GPM Pumper/Rescue, and 1989 Chevrolet Suburban Squad.
Bigger and more advanced equipment meant more spacious facilities to house them and everything that goes with a fire company. The first station was a two-story frame building on Main Street. The building was moved back to Hill Alley in 1904 to make way for the new borough building across from the Franklin School. Upon its completion, the company moved into the new structure until 1929. It was then that they moved into the building they still call home. An addition project solely completed by active members in 1994 added much needed garage space for the current apparatus.
As times became more complex, the need to train became evident. Chief Dirsch became the first to attend organized fire training in 1935. What followed was an exodus of members seeking out training wherever it was offered. From local level training to that offered at the state academy in Lewistown, training became a primary focus. It didn’t stop with merely learning the tactics, many went on to become state instructors.
With the responsibilities of fire protection for Bethlehem Steel, hazardous materials emerged as a new facet of emergencies to address. Members underwent intense specialized training and specialized equipment was purchased. Later, with stricter federal standards emerging, the company became a focal point in the formation of the Cambria County Special Hazards Assistance Response Program (SHARP).
Ask members from different decades about ambulance service and you’ll get a wide variety of answers. Emergency medical services (EMS) as it is now called, has arguably undergone the most dramatic change through the years. From simply placing the patient in the hosebed of the fire engine in the early years to first aid in the 1960’s, EMT’s in the 1970’s and Paramedics in the 1980’s, the company has certainly kept pace with the rest of the community.
On Monday, June 18, 2001, in an effort to improve the service provided to our citizens, the fire department ambulance services of Cover Hill, East Taylor and Franklin consolidated to form the Conemaugh Valley Regional Ambulance Association, Inc. (CVRAA). Under this new organization, a centralized advanced life support (ALS) squad responds with one paid paramedic to all calls in the service area along with a volunteer basic life support (BLS) ambulance that responds from one of three stations located at the firehouses. The mission of the ambulance association is to provide better patient care to the public by assuring the availability of paramedics and emergency medical technicians.
Civic Pride
The company has always been at the forefront when it comes to community spirit. Whether it be sponsoring a community event or participating in a solemn ceremony, members have always gone above and beyond the call of duty.
The first official act of civic responsibility came in 1930, with an invitation by the Conemaugh Independence Fire Company to participate in a Memorial Day Parade. 68 years later, working hand in hand with the Conemaugh company, Parkhill and Conemaugh-Franklin American Legions, and the Sgt. Michael Strank VFW Post 5107, the company annually participates in remembering our deceased in the May ceremony.
The company has always responded to pay its respects to a fallen comrade. Traveling as far away as Pittsburgh, the members have functioned as ritual teams and pallbearers in final tribute. It doesn’t stop with fallen firefighters, though, as the company has assisted the families of deceased community residents in their time of need.
On a national level, the company has done more than its share. Many members left the company for military service (pre-WWII meetings drew nearly 60 members while meetings during the war barely drew 7). The company has support war efforts by purchasing war bonds, making donations, and organizing scrap iron and food drives.
The company has always had a soft spot for the youth of the community. It has been a longtime sponsor in the Duke Andrews Basketball League (formerly Conemaugh-Franklin Lion’s Club League). The “Bunny Bread” truck was used for years to transport the little league team to away games. From its establishment to its disbanding, the company was a co-sponsor of the Franklin Boy Scout Troop. Over the past few years, fire prevention programs and technical support to the fledging Conemaugh Valley American Legion Baseball program have become an annual undertaking.
Holidays have not been forgotten either. For many years the company provided parties, movies, and treats to the Franklin children each Christmas. And the annual trick or treat patrol has provided a safe environment for the community each Halloween.
Community pride, it is said, starts at home. The Franklin Fire Company has made its presence known that it is the leader of civic pride.
Not All Business
Just like any other organization, recreation and social activities have always been blended into the framework of the company. Parades, Card parties, dances, and picnics became opportunities for the members, and community as a whole, to share some fellowship.
Once the technicalities of organizing a fire department were complete, the next order of business became establishing a social atmosphere. And it didn’t take long with the company hosting a festival on August 20-21st, 1895 complete with the Conemaugh Band. Old Home Week festivals became an annual event, held at the Firemen’s Park, the present location of Bar Tech’s Wheel Plant. The park, used at the turn of the century, boasted a swimming pool, baseball diamond, merry-go-round, dance floor, and concession stand.
Community wide celebrations became a common occurrence with carnivals in the 1930’s and a firemen’s convention in 1934. Firemen’s picnics became an annual occurrence for many years starting with the first in 1934. The first turkey raffle was held in 1949 and a circus was held in 1954. Add spaghetti and pancake dinners and chicken barbeques, and you find that members have always had a knack for putting on enjoyable social activities while raising much-needed funds.
In early years, times were much simpler and as a result there were only 10-40 calls annually. This left a lot of time for social activities such as parades for which the department was well known. Through the ages, the term “parade” became synonymous with the fire service. In the early years, parade and fire company appears to have been one in the same. No parade seemed to be too far and no logistical problem seemed to be insurmountable. During parade season, it became commonplace to attend a parade almost every evening and sometimes two on a Saturday or Sunday. Distance didn’t curb enthusiasm either, as the marching unit routinely traveled as far west as Farrell and as far east as Lewistown. All this in a time when motor vehicles were a luxury afforded by few. The transportation problem was remedied by first reimbursing members for gas, then using a bus, borough dump truck, and finally purchasing a squad truck.
The company took its competitive marching seriously, as members were routinely fined for failure to march at a parade. Likewise, members were suspended or even expelled for marching for another company at the same parade. While the regulations became less stringent in the 1960’s, this is when the “Red Coats” stepped to the forefront, carrying on the tradition of the company. In their maroon and gold uniforms, white belts, hats and shoes, the unit became the envy of many a competitor.
When parades weren’t in season, sports quickly became the focus of the company. And it didn’t matter how poor the financial picture was, money was always made available for uniforms and related equipment. The first baseball team was formed in 1896. So serious were their competitive fire that whole meetings were devoted to selecting teams and members were placed on the roles solely on their athletic ability. Men’s basketball teams took full use of the full-size basketball court located in the basement of the new municipal building. The team played in front of packed houses against teams from as far as Altoona, Indiana, and Monongahela.
© 1996-2008 Franklin Borough Volunteer Fire Company, No. 1
