1956
During the spring of 1956, the department purchased its first piece of apparatus. This was a 1936 Ford tanker that carried 500 gallons of water. The truck was painted red by members of the department and equipped with a portable pump, Indian cans and hose. The truck also had mechanical brakes. This tanker was replaced in 1959.
1957
The first fire station was a rented building on Sullivan Road owned by Robert Denning. This was used until 1957 when the department lost its lease on the building. The pumper and tanker were moved to a lot on Interstate Parkway where the township road department had a cinder pile. The apparatus was covered with tarps and a metal oil lease dog house was used to store the base radio and miscellaneous equipment.
1956
A new 1956 Chevrolet American LaFrance pumper was purchased in June of 1956 at a cost of $16,500. The pumper had a 500 gallon per-minute-pump and carried 500 gallons of water. The first appearance of this truck was at the Fireman’s Parade in Smethport, PA, on Friday, June 29 during the “Old Home Week” celebration. This pumper was in service until 1978. The pumper was then sold to our neighbor, the Corydon Township Volunteer Fire Department.
1959
In 1959, a used 1946 Ford 500 gallon-per-minute pumper was purchased from the Westons Mills, NY, Volunteer Fire Department. This pumper replaced the 1936 Ford tanker.
1960
Plans were announced on March 10, 1960, to purchase a lot from the Kendall Oil refinery near the Harri Emery Airport to build a fire hall in the West Branch area. Construction of the station began on May 1, 1961. Joseph Shultz was appointed building chairman of the two stall, 26 by 36 foot building. The building had a basement and hose tower that was expected to cost $5,000. Construction of the building was completed in the fall of 1961.
1962
Firemen showed off the Interstate and West Branch fire apparatus during Fire Prevention Week on October 12, 1962. Fire Chief William Neatrour stated that all four firefighting units owned by the department were radio equipped for communication with the fire station. As part of Fire Prevention Week, fire drills were held in township factories and schools.
1963
It was announced on April 12, 1963, that a building lot would be purchased in Custer City for a new fire station. The property for the Custer City Fire Station was purchased from Donald Gould on April 23, 1963, for one dollar.
1964
In February, 1964, the membership voted to purchase a new truck. A new 750 gallon-per-minute high pressure pumper with a 750 gallon booster tank was purchased at a cost of $19,000. This pumper was stationed at the Interstate Parkway Fire Station until 1979 when it was sold to a used fire apparatus dealer.
1965
A new Ford truck was purchased locally in the spring of 1965. The conventional cab and chassis was fitted with the 1,250 gallon tank from the old tanker. The cost of the truck was $9,000.
1970
A new John Bean High Pressure Fog Pumper was delivered March, 1971. The truck was equipped with a 750 gallon-per-minute pump and a 1,000 gallon booster tank. The truck cost approximately $30,000. The truck was equipped with $5,000 worth of additional equipment and a $1,200 radio. The truck stationed at the Custer City fire station was in service until September, 1992 when it was sold to an apparatus dealer in Virginia.
1974
During the fall of 1973 construction was started on the new social hall addition to the Interstate Parkway Fire Station with an estimated cost of $32,000. On October, 4, 1974, the first bingo game was held in the new social hall. Howard Warfield called the first game. The social hall and new kitchen were completed in December, 1974.
1977
In the spring of 1977, the department received an army truck from the U. S. Forestry Service grant program to be used as a tanker. The truck was delivered with a 1,000 gallon fiberglass tank and a 250 gallon-per-minute pump. Department members painted the truck red, installed warning lights and a siren, and plumbed the pump into the tank. The truck was also equipped with Indian cans and brush firefighting equipment. The truck was in service until 1986 when it was returned to the Forestry Service. It was reassigned to the Clermont, PA, Fire Department.
1978
The department received a Howe Hendrickson 1,250 gallon-per-minute pumper in September 1978. The truck with a 1,000 gallon booster tank was purchased from Howe Fire Apparatus Fire Company of Anderson, IN. The local dealer was John Fabry of Fire Equipment Unlimited, Inc., of Pittsburgh, PA. The cost of the apparatus was $74,500.
1982
1986
1992
1993
1997
A used 1979 mini-pumper was purchased in March of 1987 from the Abington, Pennsylvania Volunteer Fire Department at a cost of $37,500. The four wheel drive fast attack vehicle was equipped with a 450 gallon-per-minute power take off pump, a 250 gallon booster tank, and a built-in 30 gallon foam eductor system. This truck was stationed at the Interstate Parkway Fire Station until it was sold to a fire apparatus collector in the summer of 2004.
1999
2001
2005
