Created : 8/22/05
Best Viewed at 1024 x 768

The Geeseytown Community Volunteer Fire Company Apparatus and Fire Fighting Equipment History

• Prior to 1929 - There was no mechanized fire fighting equipment. The only fire fighting equipment available was 1 fire extinguisher, 1 ladder, 4 water buckets, 1 double bit axe, and 2 oil lanterns. All of these were stored at Dunmire’s Garage in Geeseytown.



• 1929 - The Geeseytown Community Fire Company was founded and a 1929 open cab Chevrolet truck chassis was purchased. This was also stored in Dunmire’s Garage. Later 2 chemical tanks were placed on this truck, each tank held 45 gallons. This was sold in 1946.



• 1943 - A 1937 Ford truck chassis was purchased with a 300 gallon water tank. A 500 GPM (gallons per minute) Darley pump was also purchased, and was mounted on the front of the truck.



• 1944 - A body was built for the 1937 Ford truck chassis by Brumbaugh Body Co. of Altoona, PA. The pump and equipment came from the Borough of Hollidaysburg's Office of Civil Defense.



• 1953 - A brand new Chevrolet truck chassis was purchased, and the body and pump for the 1937 Ford was placed on this. The Ford was retired.



• 1954 - A 1949 Plymouth station wagon was purchased. It was used as a squad car and ambulance.



• 1959 - A 1939 Dodge Tanker was purchased from Grandview Fire Department that held approx. 700 gallons. At the same a 1955 Chevrolet Tanker that held 1600 gallons was also purchased.



• 1961 - A 1957 Dodge Town Wagon was purchased and the 1949 Plymouth was retired.



• 1967 - A brand new International truck chassis was purchased by Frankstown Township and the tank from the 1955 Chevrolet was transferred to it. A Hale 250 GPM pump was added. The Chevrolet Tanker and the 1939 Dodge Tanker was retired. A 1935 Seagrave Pumper was purchased from the City of Altoona, with a pump that was rated at 750 GPM. It was soon sold to Burkholders Antiques. During this time a 1966 Chevrolet delivery van was purchased second hand to be used as a squad truck. It was to replace the 1957 Dodge Town Car.



• 1972 - a new Pierce/Ford Surburan 1000 GPM pumper was purchased. It was used as a demonstrator model for a short time prior to purchase.



• 1978 - Berwind White Railway Company donated a Hose Cart to the Fire Company. It was said to be built around 1895. It has been restored by some of the members.



• 1979 - 4 Guys of Meyersdale, PA built a new 1800 gallon tank for the 1967 International. Around this time a 1975 Ford Econoline van was purchased second hand to be use as a rescue truck. The 1966 Chevrolet was retired and was replaced by the 1975 Ford Econoline.



• 1988 - A 1965 Gretenslager/Ford Rescue was purchased from the New Kensington Fire Department. The 1975 Ford was retired.



• 1990 - A 1953 Dodge Military M37 Ambulance was purchased from Auto Wholesalers for use as a brush truck. It was refurbished by the members.



• 1991 - A new Pierce Lance Pumper was purchased. It has a 2000 GPM pump on it. It was not only our first diesel truck, but the first truck entirely built to our specifications.



• 1994 - A Ford L9000 truck chassis was purchased on the intent of making a new tanker to replace the aging 1967 International. 4 Guys were again chosen to build the tank, which holds 2000 gallons of water.



• 1996 - A 1980 Mack/Pierce Rescue was bought from Northern Fire Equipment, Watertown, NY. It use to be New York Fire Department’s Rescue 3. We sold the 1965 Ford Rescue to Freedom Paving.



• 1998 - A 12 ft Avon/Quicksilver Inflatable Boat was donated by Auto Wholesalers. It is powered by a Mercury 25 HP outboard motor that was bought through Weimer's Trailer Sales. It is transported on a 1995 Loadrite Trailer.



• 2001 - A Ford/Mertz Brush Truck was purchased and the 1953 Dodge Brush Truck was sold. We also acquired a 1972 Ford Brush Tanker with a 1000 gallon tank. We have use of the tanker from the Pennsylvania Department of Forestry through the Bureau of Forestry’s Cooperative Mutual Aid Fire Suppression Program.



• 2003 - A 1986 Ford Ambulance was bought from Imler Fire Company to be used as a Special Response Vehicle for QRS and Water Rescue. Also a new Pierce Saber Rescue was bought with the bulk of the money coming from the Frankstown Township Board of Supervisors.



• 2006 - In March, the delivery of the new Pierce Engine was received to replace the 1972 Pierce Engine. In October, a 1996 Ford Ambulance was received. It was previously owned by Howard County Maryland and was donated by Auto Wholesalers.