It was acquired from Fayette county, KY fire department for one dollar. At the time we did not have a formal fire station, so the engine was stored at a local Kentucky Farmers Bank drive-thru on US RT 60 (the drive-thru was part of the building and had garage doors on both ends). We also had a 1949 Jeep donated by the federal prison system of Ashland, KY. Prior to our departments formation the prison had their own in-house fire department. Even during the first several years the prison's department trained with our department and even responded to assist on some calls. They disbanded their department in the early 1980's and we took over full firefighting responsibility for the prison property. In 1975, a two-bay station was built on Summit Road to house our apparatus. Almost all work on the station was done by members free of charge (the building currently is a small office complex). Our current station which has six bays that holds our apparatus as well as having recreation, training, storage, office space, kitchen, and a hose drying tower was completed. It also has a large parking area that we also utilize for training drills. Mutual Aid System
During the years we, as with most volunteer departments, have struggled with staffing issues. In the early 1990's, our department signed an Automatic Mutual Aid Agreement with our neighboring department Westwood Fire Department Station 96. Through this agreement all structures fires in our district or Westwood dispatch will automatically alert both departments to the call. With this agreement the department providing the mutual aid sends an engine co. & tanker. In 2005, we signed an Automatic Mutual Aid Agreement with Canonsburg Fire Department Station 94. Through this agreement we automatically respond to all reported structure fires in Canonsburg North of the Interstate 64 with an engine co. & tanker. In turn they will respond mutual aid to us with engine, tanker, ladder, or rescue upon our request. We are always accepting applications for volunteers. If you’re looking for a war to give back to your community, look at joining the fire dept.
