History of Roslyn Fire Co.

First suggestions that a fire company is organized in Roslyn originated among a group of men in 1921, when they watched the Weldon Fire Engine dash out onto Easton Road to answer a call. "We ought to have a fire company in Roslyn," remarked one of them; all agreed. A meeting was held on Monday evening, January 23^rd, 1922 in Perry Greenspan's real estate office. Temporary officers were selected at this time to start organizing the company. The next meeting was held at the Roslyn general store on February 13, 1922, and at this meeting it was decided to hold the rest of the meetings in Schultz's garage, for a fee of $2.50 a meeting. Also, at this meeting, they decide to hold a carnival on February 22 in the garage. They worked hard on this project and were able to gain a profit of $350.00. On April 3, 1922, Mr. Riggs, of Ferguson & Johnson, donated lot #697 to the fire company with an option of purchasing an adjoining lot for $600.00. Moving along, they approved the bylaws on April 24, 1922. The Ladies Auxiliary was formed on May 22, 1922, and plans for a carnival were made. This event was held in July, and raised $820.00. At this time, everyone had the thought of obtaining a fire truck. They found out that the Philadelphia Naval Yard had a Brockway fire truck for sale. A group visited the Navy Yard and purchased the truck for $700.00. The truck was delivered to Roslyn on Saturday, August 26, 1922. With the acquisition of the truck came the task of equipping the apparatus and finding a place to keep it. Mr. Schultz providing the solution of storing the apparatus, when he offered his own garage until a place was built to house the truck. The first year of the Roslyn Fire Company was very busy and exciting! During 1922, the men established the fund-raising activity of placing barrels along Easton Road on Sundays, for motorists to toss coins into.

In 1923, the following events occurred: On April 23, the foundation for the firehouse was begun; on June 5, the Charter for the Fire Company was granted. During the summer months, the men raised more money by placing the barrels along Easton Road on Sundays and selling points. On November 26, the company further planned for the future when they purchased the property lots next to the fire house. Mr. Charles Reuter donated a Paige touring car to the company. This vehicle was renovated into a chemical truck. The members held their first meeting in the new Fire House on December 10, 1923.

The year 1924 was also very eventful, as the company now had a meeting place in the new Fire House. Plans were made to raise money by selling bricks for the front of the fire house; costs of bricks were $5.00 each. Other fund raising events used by the company included selling Christmas trees, carnivals, and card parties. As of this time, the company still was not recognized by the Township and did not receive any funds. In March 1925, the renovated Paige touring car was complete and ready to "answer the call." On May 25, 1925, the Township recognized the company as a duly organized Fire Company. At this time, the company thought they should have a Fire Police Unit and accordingly, on July 13, 1925, the unit was organized under the direction of Captain Stein. On November 23, 1925, the Fire Company joined the Abington Township Firemen's Relief Association. Expansion of the company was a constant theme as in 1925; the two lots to the rear of the firehouse were purchased for future use.

The year 1926 started out in the direction of expansion on February 2, 1926, the Company purchased a Hahn 500 gallon pumper for $5,300.00, to replace the Brockway. The year 1926 also saw the Roslyn Fire Companies receive its first approved fire district, on October 11, 1926. As years moved by, small improvements came about. Then, on March 18, 1929, they purchased a Hahn 350 gallon per minute pumper for $4,482.00 and later on March 10, 1931, an addition to the Fire House was erected in the form of a hose tower. Then, on May 22, 1933, the second mortgage to the building was burned.

The years moved by swiftly and in 1947, we celebrated our 25th anniversary. At the same time, we replaced our 1926 and 1930 Hahn pumpers with two new Hahn pumpers; a 500 gallon per minute and 750 gallons per minute pumpers. Each apparatus cost $16,000.00.

In 1948, the company was still growing and envisioned the need for a new building to house the newer equipment. A new engine was completed in 1950. In 1950 we purchased and Ahrens Fox pumper. In 1953, the La Salle ambulance was replaced with a new Cadillac ambulance. 1953 held another momentous occasion, when the original mortgage was burned.

The constant theme of expansion continued in 1954, when we employed the use of current technology and installed two-way radios in the fire apparatus. The members now considered regular replacement of equipment to ensure good fire protection. On December 27, 1955, the company purchased a 750-gallon Seagrave pumper. In 1956, the company sold the 1924 Ahren Fox.

The years 1957 through 1963 saw normal operation and continued growth of not only the fire company, but also the community we serve. In 1963, additions were made to the present fire house building when an addition to the rear and second floors were added. During the construction, the general body meetings were held at the V.F.W. on Easton Road. On November 25, 1963, our first meeting in the new building was held. During the construction to expand the building, a committee was progressing toward the purchase of two new fire trucks. On December 28, 1964, the company was forced to purchase a 1939 Mack pumper for temporary service until the arrival of the new apparatus.

On December 14, 1965, the first of the two new Mack pumpers arrived. The second followed shortly thereafter. The 1964 sale of our ambulance to the Civil Air Control, there was a need of some type of apparatus. In 1966 we received a Chevrolet panel truck, which was placed into service as a utility piece of equipment.

On April 30, 1966, the company held a building dedication and apparatus housing for the two Mack pumpers purchased in 1965 and the Chevrolet panel truck purchased in 1966. The years 1966 through 1972 were devoted to normal fire department operations and preparations for the celebration of our 50th anniversary in 1972. On June 9, 1972, the company celebrated its 50th celebration in grand fashion with a parade that included 40 units in the line of march. On June 16, 1972, we held our 50^th Anniversary banquet at the Treadway Fiesta Inn in Willow Grove; 360 persons attended this event.

In 1972 a committee was formed to purchase another pumper. After investigating many manufacturers, it was decided that Mack Fire Apparatus would be the supplier for our new truck. The new apparatus would be an MB611FC diesel-powered pumper; a unique design that was similar to those used in collecting refuge, hence the nickname of "The Trash Truck." In 1972, renovations were made to the second floor to allow office space for the executive and line officers.

In 1973, a committee was formed to replace the two 1965 Mack pumpers. The decision was made to purchase two Mack CF686F, 1000 gallon per minute pumpers. The 1977 Mack pumpers were received and placed into service; a housing ceremony for the apparatus was held on June 4, 1977. The need for a utility apparatus was investigated and a committee formed in 1978; subsequently, a 1979 GMC utility truck was placed into service.

The minutes of the executive board meeting held on February 12, 1979, referenced a meeting attended by company officials for the purposed shopping mall on the grounds if the now-defunct Willow Grove Park. The location contained a former amusement park which had fallen victim to many fires in recent years. In September 1979, a contract was signed for alterations to the front of the fire house, allowing for an expansion of the garage doors from two to the current three and an entrance to the engine room from the side parking lot. Several references to the concern to the 1974 Mack MB Pumper will eventually lead to the formation of a committee to investigate the purchase of a new pumper. 

In 1981, an investigation and committee recommendation, a contract was signed with Mack fire apparatus to build a CF686F, 1250 gallon per minute pumper. It was also agreed to sell the 1974 MB fire truck for the sum of $39,000.00 to the Avoca Fire Company in the Northeast Pennsylvania.

The company raised funds, in addition to the Township fire tax, through Ham and Oyster Suppers and solicitations to residents in our communities. Additionally, the Ladies Auxiliary was instrumental in providing donations of financial resources or equipment to the Active Crew, as a result of their fund-raising efforts.

In 1982, the officers and members of the company began regular tours of the progress of the shopping mall to be erected at the former Willow Grove Park site. At the May 1982 executive board meeting, a discussion ensued regarding height problems encountered at "The Willow Grove." It was felt that in order to continue to provide "topnotch" fire protection, we would need to investigate the possibility of purchasing additional apparatus such as a, "platform-type apparatus." In June 1982, it was recommended that the company purchase a 75-foot telescopic platform from Mack Fire Apparatus. In addition to this proposed apparatus purchase, the building garage doors would need to undergo alterations to allow the apparatus to be housed in our building. The apparatuses were received and officially "housed" in a ceremony held on May 21, 1983. In 1984, the 1979 GMC utility was sold to Weldon Fire Company. The next several years were busy for the Roslyn Fire Company as well as the township of Abington. The Willow Grove Park Mall opened on the formal Willow Grove Park site; several areas in our business district sprouted new business and tenants. The township fire companies switched from being dispatched by the police department to the Montgomery County Commutations Center, eventually eliminating the five p.m. test that sent many of the area’s youths running home for supper. The use of portable (pocket) pagers would be common place as a method for alerting our members to fire incidents.

As is well documented in our history, the members soon felt the need to update our fire fighting equipment. Emphasis on the purchase of all types of fire fighting equipment is now based on safety regulations and the national fire protection agencies (NFPA). It was recognized that the practice of "riding the back step" for a fire truck was dangerous and soon prohibited by many industries, including insurance carriers. Modeling what had become a business standard, downsizing, and the department would switch from three pumpers to two pumpers.

In the early 1990's the need to update our fire apparatus was recognized. Many years were spent discussing the needs of the community and our needs to maintain "top notch" fire protection. In 1992 the 3-D manufacturing company was contracted to build our company two state-of-the-art fire engines. The apparatus would contain 2000 gallon per minute pumpers and provide a totally contained crew compartment that would hold ten personnel. The apparatuses were received in October 1993 and officially housed in a ceremony on June 25, 1994.

In 1996, the five Abington Township fire departments banned together and took a plea to the citizens of the township in an effort to receive a much-needed increase in funding the fire tax. The departments would actually be asking the residents to vote for a tax increase to help the fire departments. This risky request was met with resounding support from the volunteer fire departments and in the general election in November 1996; the referendum for the increase was approved by the voters.  1996 was the busiest year in the Roslyn fire company history, with regard to requests for assistance. On September 8, 1996, the remnants from a hurricane, Fran, met with another weather front in the area of Abington Township. The result was an estimated ten inches of rain in a two-hour period. The community of Roslyn was devastated and received much of the storm had to offer.

The year 1997 begins a milestone for the department, which is about to celebrate 75 years of continuous, volunteer fire prevention and protection services to the communities of Roslyn, Crestmont, and Willow Grove. On May 17, 1997, the diamond anniversary banquet was held at The Warrington in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. More than 200 persons attended this event, representing emergency services providers from eastern Montgomery County and political officials from the township and United States Congress. We look forward to working with these individuals and organizations for many more years.

This day, June 21, 1997, we celebrate our diamond anniversary with whom we proudly serve, the citizens of the fine township of Abington. This parade contains participants that we work aside every time the call for help is issued and those whom we are always there within spirit. We especially acknowledge the members of the Roslyn Rescue Fire Company of Roslyn, Long Island, New York, with whom we have forged a special relationship that shows neither State lines nor distance impact the respect for fellow fire fighters. In the early spring, we are honored for our 75^th Anniversary when we are granted the opportunity to welcome America to the ABC television show, ""Good Morning America."" Led by Chief Jeffrey Glynn, the members gathered on the ramp of the Firehouse to utter those famous words, ""I’m Chief Jeffrey Glynn from the Roslyn Fire Company in Roslyn, Pennsylvania - Good Morning America!""

The years 1998 and 1999 continue in an uneventful manner. The community around the Firehouse begins to change, with an influx of community service grants from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Fire Company now takes part in annual Roslyn Valley Celebrations, including the Fall Festival and Car Show that are held at the Roslyn Valley Shopping Center located at Woodland and Easton Roads. The Fire Company continues its proud tradition of delivering Santa Claus to the Shopping Center in December, just prior to the annual ""Santa Run"" through the Fire District.

The fire co. began the new decade, and unofficial beginning of the new millennium, with a stand-by and celebration at the firehouse. Beginning at 9:00 P.M. on December 31, 1999, the members ready themselves for the New Year and were prepared to meet any challenges posed by the Y2K bug. There were no problems and the members celebrate the New Year with their family members on hand.

Following a devastating fire at the Roslyn Valley Apartments on Easton Road, the owner of the property Joseph Gallagher donates $5000.00 toward the purchase of a thermal imaging camera for the Fire Company. His well-publicized donation brings the donations of others and with an influx of funding from the Ladies Auxiliary and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; the department will be ready to purchase the equipment in 2001.