New Cumberland Fire Department

The only major incident to occur on this day was in 2004 and that was posted last year. Today is the last installment of the New Cumberland Fire companies before moving on to another community.

Most of the rich history of the New Cumberland Fire Department has already been told on this site when I featured the Elkwood and Citizen’s companies.

In 1966 the Citizens’ Hose Company No. 1 and the Elkwood Fire Company No. 2 merged to form the New Cumberland Fire Company. The transition was not an easy one, with pride and competition having prevailed between the to companies for so many years, but is was accomplished. At the time of the merger the companies continued to operate out of their respective fire stations for some time.

In 1972 a junior organization was formed starting out with nine junior members. In 1973 a CF Mack pumper was purchased for $39,000 and a new Dodge Horton ambulance was added to the fleet. In March of 1976 all the apparatus cabs were repainted with white roofs. I n 1978 the New Cumberland ambulance association became a part of the New Cumberland Fire Department.

In 1980 a new fire station was constructed at 319 Fourth Street and completed at a cost of $400,000. The building was dedicated on October 18, 1980 completing the merger of the two fire companies as one.

In 1982 new squad truck and Pierce Arrow pumper was added to the fleet. In 1990 a Seagrave ladder truck was purchased from New York City and refurbished. In 1992 the 1973 Mack was refurbished with an E-One glider kit. Numerous other small rigs and ambulances have also been purchased over the years. The company’s newest rig is a 2005 Pierce ladder truck.