PLYMOUTH FIRE CO. NO. 1
Back in 1905 a fire wrought serious damage to a home on Old Elm Street near Light Street which was occupied by the Charles Kelly family. The citizens of the Connaughtown section of Plymouth Township then realized that the community was vulnerable to fire and had great need for local fire protection.
Consequently, John J. O’Neil, proprietor of the West End Hotel at Old Elm and Light Streets, organized a meeting of residents to discuss fire service for the community. It was decided that a piece of fire equipment was necessary immediately. A committee, consisting of John O’Neil and Charley Kelly, was named to carry out the wishes of the residents.
The committee proceeded to buy a two-wheel hand drawn hose carriage and Clay couplings for the hose. This hose carriage was housed in the carriage house at the West End Hotel. The committee then had three fire hydrants installed and connected to the water mains in the community. The fire alarm system established at that time consisted of a bell, donated by James Beaty, which was placed on top of a pole at the West End Hotel.
In November of 1906 the organizers of the first fire company in Plymouth Township obtained a charter in the Name of The Plymouth Fire Company No. 1.
Now that the fire company was formed, the need of a fire house was discussed by the company members. To implement this need, Mr. Richard Wood, the President of the Alan Wood Steel Company, donated part of the money for the purchase of ground at Elm and Light Streets from Patrick Moriarty for $750.00. Mr. Wood also donated all the bricks for the construction of the fire house. Additional money required was raised by popular subscription. A marker stone, hand carved by Robert Carroll, Sr., was inserted in the front wall of the building. This same stone marker is now located in the wall above the mantel of the fire place in the social hall of our current fire station.
Several years later, a four wheel hand drawn hose carriage was donated to the company by the George Clay Fire Company of West Conshohocken. This piece of equipment served the community well.
With the progress of time, the need for increased fire protection was evident. This motivated the fire company members to take steps to obtain a motorized fire engine to augment their hand drawn hoe carriages.
A Simplex chassis was obtained from Dr. DeCosta of St. Davids. A 500 GPM bronze rotary water pump, built by The Hale Pump Company of Conshohocken, was mounted on the chassis. The wooden hose body for the apparatus was designed and constructed under the supervision of Samuel Markley, supervisor of the carpenter shop at The Alan Wood Steel Company. The hose body was capable of carrying 1000 feet of 2 ½ inch three ply hose, in addition to an extension ladder, various nozzles, fir extinguishers and related equipment. The Lee Tire Company of Conshohocken donated the puncture proof tire for this apparatus. It is interesting to note that the tires on the rear wheels were larger than the tires on the front wheels.
One of the early methods adopted to aid in financing the fire company operations was the holding of weekly dances on the second floor of the fire house. John O’Brian, Morris O’Brian, Peter O’Brian, Harry J. Barrett and Mary O’Neill were the members of the popular local orchestra. Another event, held to raise funds for the company, was the annual summer “Block Party”. This event, featuring food, music and games, was first held in 1914 and continued to be one of our main fund raising functions until the 1970’s.
During the 1930’s, the fire company purchased a pumper known as the Kissell Car. While on the way to a fire call, the gas tank on this piece of apparatus exploded injuring four men that were riding on the rear. Fortunately, all recovered from their injuries. This truck was replaced by a used pumper purchased from the Brockway Company.
In 1947 a new Ford pumper was purchased from the Maxim Motor Company at a cost of $5,200.00. This unit had a 500 GPM bronze fire pump built by the Hale Pump Company of Conshohocken. This piece of apparatus served the company until 1979.
In the early 1950’s the membership decided to have the company’s apparatus painted dark blue, rather than red, so that the township residents could distinguish Plymouth Fire Co. equipment from the equipment of other local fire companies when they were responding to fire calls. The company still maintains this color on their equipment.
Since it completion in 1908, the little red brick fire house, located at Elm and Light Street, was expanded twice by the members. In 1955 an additional engine bay was added to the east side of the station. This addition would house our new 1956 pumper that was too big for the “old” section of the building. In 1968 the membership saw the need to expand again. The engine bays were converted into a new social hall and meeting room. A new three bay apparatus room was added to the rear of the fire house along Light Street. The new engine room would eventually house five pieces of apparatus.
Since 1947 the Plymouth Fire Co. has purchased several additional pieces of fire apparatus to help in providing fire and rescue service to the businesses and resident of Plymouth Township. The following is a list of these units:
1956: A 750 GPM International pumper was purchased from the Harwick Company of West Point, PA at a cost of $18,000.00. This truck was sold to a Bucks County fire apparatus collector in 1993.
1968: A 750 GPM International pumper was purchased from The Hahn Motor Company in Hamburg, PA at a cost of $26,000.00. This truck was sold to an Alabama Volunteer Fire Company in 1987.
1970: A 1957 Dodge Power Wagon field truck was purchased from the Gladwyne Fire Co. This truck was sold to a local business man in 1979.
1973: A 1972 Chevrolet Van was purchased from a Conshohocken contractor and was converted to serve as the fire company’s first rescue truck. This unit later used as our first Fire Police truck.
1974: A new 55 Ft. Tele-Squrt 1500 GPM Pumper was purchased from the Peter Pirsch & Sons Co. of Kenosha, Wisconsin at a cost of $77,368.00.
1979: A new Ford rescue truck was purchased from The Pierce Manufacturing Co. of Appleton, Wisconsin.
1981: A new 1500 GPM pumper was purchased from The Peter Pirsch & Co. of Kenosha, Wisconsin at a cost of $92,000.00. This truck was sold to an upstate New York Volunteer Fire Co. in 1997.
1987: A new 1250 GPM pumper was purchased from the Hahn Motor Co. of Hamburg, PA at a cost of $140,000.00.
1990: A new Dodge Van was purchased from a Local Dealer to serve as our new fire Police Truck. The cost of the vehicle and modifications was $20,000.00. This unit replaced the 1972 Chevrolet Van.
1993: A new 105 Ft. Aerial Ladder Truck is purchased from The Pierce Manufacturing Co. of Appleton, Wisconsin at a cost of $417,000.00.
1994: A 1991 Ford Bronco is donated to the company by company member Fred Goethel and is converted to serve as our first mobile command unit.
1997: A new 1500 GPM Rescue/Pumper is purchased from K.M.E. Fire Apparatus of Nesquehoning, Pennsylvania at a cost of $297,000.00.
1999: A contract is signed with the Pierce Manufacturing Co. of Appleton, Wisconsin to refurbish the 55 Ft. Tele-Squrt water tower on our 1974 unit and install it on a new 1500 GPM custom pumper at a cost of $330,664.00. This new unit was delivered in the summer of 1999.
On January 10, 1978 The Plymouth Fire Co. No. 1 moved to its present location at 1323 Colwell Road. After 71 years, we had outgrown our station on New Elm Street in the Connaughtown section of the township. The property was sold to The Chemical Exterminating Company. This company still maintains their business at that location. Our current fire station consists of a modern five bay engine room, social hall, meeting room and offices.
Not to be forgotten is the Auxiliary of the fire company. For over 30 years the Auxiliary has aided our firefighters in all their undertakings. The members of the Auxiliary are a real asset to the company. Much credit is due the Auxiliary for their untiring efforts in past years, all of which has played an important part in the history of The Plymouth Fire Co. No. 1.
Down through the years the company members have persevered and devoted many long hours and unselfish effort to enable the company to achieve it’s current first class status. The Plymouth Fire Co. No. 1 is now in it’s 100th. year of growth and service to Plymouth Township. Through community support, continuous training and much hard work our members continue to provide the best in fire and rescue services. The Plymouth Fire Co. No. 1 is proud of it’s heritage. We are a fire company with a glorious past and a bright and exciting future.
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Joseph F. Bruno
Plymouth Fire Co. No. 1
Joseph F. Bruno, a life member of the Plymouth Fire Co. No. 1, passed away on Saturday, Sept. 29, 2007.
Joe joined the fire company in June, 1952 and maintained active status for over 54 years. Joe served the firehouse in the capacity of Vice President, Trustee, President, Engineer, and Assistant Chief. Joe joined because his father, brother, uncles, and cousins were all active members in the firehouse, located in Connaughtown, which made it a family tradition. Joe’s father, Arthur Bruno was past president of the fire company in the 1930s and his mother was an active auxiliary member. In addition, due to his father’s friendships with the members of the “Washies,” Joe became a member at Station 36, in order to march in parades, and was later made a trustee. Joe was a member of Washies since 1952, and had also been a member of Humane Fire Co. of Norristown for 40 years.
Joe held other positions related to the fire service, including President of the Plymouth Township Union Relief Association for the past 20 years. Joe was also the last living chartered member of the “Gooseneckers.” It was through this elite group that Joe, along with others began the “Chicken Headers” organization, securing a charter for this amusing group, as well. This group traveled together for numerous conventions and events, bringing a bit of fun to the convention.
A retired pharmacist who worked for Farbman’s Pharmacy in Norristown, life in a family run pharmacy allowed him to get to know his patients and their families on a first-name basis. Many who moved out of the area, returned to say, “Hello” when they returned to town. Joe served as a pharmacist for 45 years.
On a personal level, Joe was married to his wife Regina (Jean) for 44 years. Jean passed away August 29, 2007. He had three daughters, Denise, Gina Maria, and Yvette and 6 grandchildren. Joe’s biggest hobby, aside from the firehouse, was his grandchildren. Joe was actively involved in the lives of his grandchildren; babysitting, attending sports and school activities, and simply enjoying their lives. Joe was proud of each and every one of them.
Joe was a very important part of the Plymouth Fire Company #1. We thank him for all of his many years of volunteer service and for sharing his advice, wisdom, and friendship with us these many years. We’ll miss you, Joe.