Filling Space...

Sometimes I come across days that I have no more major incidents to report. At times I fill them by featuring a rig from Shippensburg or a county fire company. Some days I just skip because I have nothing at all prepared. That is the case today but I had these two adds ready so I decided to post them. The first one is of the Goodwill ambulance in Chambersburg taken from a 1926 trade journal. The second add for Alco-lite ladders contained the 1959 CV American LaFrance engine and is from a 1960's Fire Engineering magazine. When I have days like these would you rather I skip the post or post something else from the past like I did today? Click on the photos for a larger version and to read the captions.

CCVFA Meets For The First Time In Shippensburg

On August 11, 1927 the Cumberland County Volunteer Firemen’s Association met in Shippensburg for the first time. The meeting was held in the Cumberland Valley Hose Company's parlor. Over 100 members from the 16 companies making up the organization attended the meeting. Near the end of the meeting the Shippensburg companies were sent to a working barn fire (posted last year) and many of the visiting firemen rushed to the scene to watch the Shippensburg's bravest in action.

Cumberland Valley Fire Companies First Hose Reel

There may be another major incident to report on this date other that the ones I posted the last two years, but I could not find one so today’s post will feature another Shippensburg rig.

In January 1859 Shippensburg Borough Council decided that more hose and a reel were needed to protect the borough. On February 3, 1859 a hose reel was delivered to Shippensburg. The reel and hose was purchased from the Howard Street Hose Company in Baltimore, Maryland for $311.00. This was the company’s first hose reel and the first one ever mentioned in the borough. It is unknown how long the reel was used or what its disposition was.

BIDS ASKED

BIDS ASKED
The Borough of Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, request sealed bids for (1) 750-Gal. motor fire engine according to specifications on file in the office of the Borough Secretary at The Municipal Building in said Borough.
Sealed bids will be received by the said secretary at said office until 7:30 p.m. Monday, August 10th, 1936.
Bids will be publicly opened at a Special Meeting of Council in the Council Chamber to be held at 8:00 p.m. same day.
Bidders will be required to bid on trade-in allowance for the American LaFrance apparatus now in use by C.V. Hose Company, No. 2 of said Borough.
Borough reserves the right to reject any and all bids.
By order of the Council
W. Bruce Weaver, Secretary
Adv. July 14

The Lafrance mentioned was the CV's first motorized engine and the bids they were asking for would eventually become the Ward Lafrance the CV's have now.

C.V. Ambulance Celebrates 6th Anniversary

On May 26, 1937 the Cumberland Valley Hose Company ambulance celebrated its 6th anniversary. Before the ambulance was formed in 1931 when a person needed to go to the hospital they rode in a car provided by their physician, rode in a friend’s car or waited for an ambulance to arrive from Chambersburg or Carlisle. In the six years the ambulance was in service it responded to 633 calls, or one call every three days. In making those calls the ambulance traveled 36,000 miles.

CV's 1950 Chevrolet John Beam Pumper

The only major incidents to occur on this date were in 1990 and 2007 and those two were posted the past two years. I will be switching back and forth between Cumberland County fire companies and Shippensburg apparatus on days when I have no major incidents to report. It just depends on what I have prepared at the time.

In early 1950 the Cumberland Valley Hose Company formed a committee to purchase a new pumper. At the April 13, 1950 company meeting it was announced that a John Beam high pressure fog unit to be mounted on a Chevrolet chassis was purchased. The chassis was supplied by the company and purchased from a local dealer. The unit was painted red with the hood lettered C.V. HOSE CO. NO. 2 and the doors lettered CUMBERLAND VALLEY HOSE CO. NO. 2 SHIPPENSBURG. The engine was shipped from the manufacturer June 6, 1950. The unit arrived in Shippensburg on June 7 and was stored for sometime in Hollar's Garage until the company was ready for it. The engine was builders no. 536, the chassis no. was 1TWD3010, motor no. HE499725. It was sold by a Mr. Stockdale. Total invoice was $7,574.00. The engine responded to a number of large fires over its life including the E. King St. block fire on 2-17-69, Cressler's Fruit Market, 10-13-64 and the Sherman House fire on 6-19-60. In December 1969 a 1970 John Beam pumper was ordered to replace the engine. It was mentioned that it would be decided at a later date what to do with the engine. On October 19, 1972 it was reported that the pumper was sold to a company from Erie, Pa. for $1,500.00.

Unfortunately these are the only two photographs I have of this engine. The fact that it was in Shippensburg for over 22 years there has to be some color photographs out there somewhere of this rig. If anyone has any and can help me out it would be greatly appreciated.

CV's 1938 LaSalle Ambulance

No major incidents have ever occurred on this date.

At the March 4, 1938 meeting of the Cumberland Valley Hose Company, members decided to purchase a new ambulance. On April 15, 1938 the company announced that they had ordered a 1938 LaSalle ambulance from the Wolfington Body Company. The unit was mounted on a LaSalle chassis, the body was of all steel construction with a special cabinet in the interior for first aid equipment and supplies. The ambulance was powered by a V-8 motor and the unit was painted a light tan. An unusual feature on the ambulance was an apparatus for fighting small fires that was built into the fender well on the one side (it didn't mention anymore on this but I can only assume that it was a fire extinguisher). The ambulance went into service on June 3, 1938 and was dedicated on June 16. The original price of the ambulance was $2,890.25 less $790.25 trade in allowance for the Studebaker for a final cost of $2,100.

The ambulance replaced the company's first unit a 1931 Studebaker. On February 7, 1941 it was reported that the ambulance was in need of a overhaul. A committee was formed to replace the unit. In March 1941 it was replaced with a 1941 Cadillac. Wolfington gave the company a allowance of $1,987.00 for the LaSalle.

Cumberland Valley Fire Company Changes Name

The only major incidents to occur on this day were in 1978 and 1926; those were posted the last two years. The following article is reprinted in its entirety from the Friday November 12, 1886 edition of The Shippensburg News (event would have taken place on November 8). With this being the 150TH anniversary year of the Cumberland Valley Hose Company it seemed a fitting entry for today.

The Cumberland Valley Fire Company, at its last meeting, adopted a revised Constitution and By-Laws, and among other changes was that of the title of the company, which will be known hereafter as the “Cumberland Valley Hose Company.” The company, on Monday evening, at seven o’clock, assembled for the purpose of having a run and testing the fire plugs. The first run was to the plug at the terminal of Main Street on the south, a distance of four squares or more. They made several other tests of speed and made attachments in very good time. The Cumberland boys, with this little experience, never imagined that in a few hours they would be called upon to put in practice the knowledge they were then acquiring. The candy store was burned early Tuesday morning.

The candy store fire will be posted on Monday November 9.

New Uniforms and Better Equipment to be Had

SHIPPENSBURG FIRE DEPARTMENT

New Uniforms and Better Equipment to be Had

The following article appeared in The Shippensburg News on Friday July 12, 1907, it is typed here exactly as it appeared in the paper.

Realizing the need of more interest and enthusiasm on the part of our fire department, as well as better regulations and means of extinguishment at times of fire, the Cumberland Valley Hose Company, at a recent meeting, determined to procure new uniforms for their active members. While there may be a few who object to this, as there always are to all projects, we want to say it is one of the first steps. The active working membership of all good fire companies is largely made up of young men; not of old men at least; generally speaking such are in the way. You must have enthusiasm and interest in a fire company as well as in a Sunday school. In order to do this you must get up some attire, simply meeting once a month to heat the secretary read a dry, prosy report, or treasurer the financial statement, will not do this. You must get new young blood into the organization and do something to attract them. Get them interested in the organization. Old men are a good thing in their place. We do not believe, like Osler, they are worn out at 60 years, nut we do not think they are the kind to make active fireman. The uniform is to be a light navy blue, with silver buttons, to correspond with the new uniforms of the Vigilant Hose Company. Then if we disband, the idea is to have them organize under the name of the Shippensburg fire department and thus be able to make some showing among fire companies. If this is done our young men will become interested. When you get young men in these days, aroused and interested, they accomplish wonders. There are no obstacles they cannot surmount.

CV's Recieve 1949 Cadillac Ambulance...

The Cumberland Valley Hose Company accepted delivery of their new 1949 Cadillac Superior ambulance on this evening in 1949. The unit was purchased from Wolfington Body Company Inc. of Philadelphia. The total cost of the unit was $6889.55 less $5889.55 trade in allowance for the 1948 Cadillac ambulance plus $25.00 for chrome wheels bringing the total to $1,025.00. The unit was in service the next day and taken to it’s first parade two days later.

Cumberland Valley Fire Company

The following two articles appeared in The Shippensburg News on June 12, 1886, they are reprinted here exactly as they appeared in the paper.

--The Cumberland Valley Fire Company with commendable enterprise have organized a cornet band from among their members. Mr. Frank Mowers will be the efficient leader.

--H. Frank Beidel, photographer, has a fine view of the Cumberland Valley Fire Company as it appeared on Democratic Day. There is some twenty-five figures in the group, and they are sharply defined.

The band photograph was more than likely taken later in the year, as the received their instruments in October 1886. The other photograph may be the one mentioned in the article but I cannot confirm it. The uniforms the company is wearing were purchased in 1886 and the hydrant was installed the same year, however there is only 21 firemen shown in the group.

Cornerstone Laid For New CV Firehall

On March 15, 1950 during a brief ceremony the cornerstone was set in place at the new Cumberland Valley Hose Company building. Russell Lerew, company president gave a brief speech witch included the history of the company. A copper box was placed in the stone by Mr. Lerew witch included a history of the company, pictures of the old building and of the proposed new building, a recent issue of The News Chronicle and a roster containing the entire membership of the company.

Firemen Respond To Middle Spring

On March 6, 1889 at 7:30 a.m. an alarm of fire was sounded for the Shryock Brothers’ Paper Mill, Middle Spring. A blaze of incendiary origin began in a 200 foot long straw stack. Word spread to Shippensburg about the fire and the request for assistance. Mr. Shryock’s six-mule team just happened to be in town taking a load to the freight depot and was attached to the Vigilant engine (1860 Button). The engine and hose reel along with the men arrived at the scene in about 40 minutes. Firemen quickly had a stream of water on the fire assisting the bucket brigade that had been working for sometime. At about 10:30 a.m. it was decided to only way to extinguish the fire to cut the straw stack in half making a fire break, by noon the fire was under control. Approximately 75 tons of straw was destroyed. A damage estimate was not available.

The photograph of the Cumberland Valley's fleet was taken sometime between 1970 and early 1973. The Bean and ladder truck did not come in until 1970 and the 1969 Caddillac was replaced in May 1973 with new caddy's.

CV Ambulance, Iron Lung

The only major incident to occur on this date was a fire in 1996, that incident was posted last year.

The photograph was published in The New Chronicle on February 25, 1947. The following article appeared in The News Chronicle on March 4, 1947.

Inhalator Again Saves
Life Ambulance Crew Uses Lung, Oxygen Unit To Revive Trucker Poisoned by Monoxide

For the second time in less than six years the inhalator, which is held in constant readiness for use in conjunction with the local community ambulance by Cumberland Valley Hose company firemen, has saved a life.

On Saturday morning, William Hatfield and Edgar Hockersmith, who recently received special training in the application of the iron lung purchased last month by the local chapter of the Red Cross, rushed to the Blue Mountain service station of the Pennsylvania Turnpike in the community ambulance to render first aid to a truck driver who had been overcome by carbon monoxide gas.

Arnold Repp of Pritchard, Alabama, was found in an unconscious condition by service station attendants who summoned aid here immediately.

Removed From Truck
Upon the arrival of the local men, it was discovered that the afflicted man’s skin already had turned to a dark hue and his breath was very weak and irregular. He was carefully removed from the large truck to the ambulance cot and placed inside the service station.

The automatic iron lung recently purchased by the Red Cross chapter here, was applied to the victim and artificial respiration was started immediately. About that time, Dr. E. R. Disbrow Jr., of Lansing, Michigan, who was traveling toward Pittsburgh, stopped at the service station.

Following a hasty examination of the afflicted trucker, Dr. Disbrow ordered the removal of the iron lung and the application of the inhalator to administer oxygen. The lung had done its work well, Dr. Disbrow said, and the inhalator was the better instrument at that point of the procedure, he advised.

Taken To Hospital
The unconscious man was removed to the Carlisle hospital under Dr. Disbrow’s instructions where he was placed under an oxygen tent for 19 hours.

On Monday morning, hospital attendants reported that Mr. Repp’s condition was fine and that he would be discharged in several days.

Mr. Repp was a driver of one of the large trucks of Midwest Haulers, Inc., of Chicago.

The inhalator was used in the summer of 1940 so save the life of Miss Valida Massaker of Plymouth a girl living at the National Youth Administration hostael, Hosfeldhall, who suffered a cramp while swimming at Big Pond, and collapsed after being rescued from the water.

Shippensburg EMS Places New Ambulance In Service

The only major incident to occur on this date in the Shippensburg area was in 2000, that call was posted last year.

On Saturday November 15, 2008 Shippensburg EMS housed a new ambulance. The unit is the first new ambulance purchased by the organization since they separated from the Cumberland Valley Hose Company and also the first to sport the company’s new colors of silver, red and blue.

The ambulance was purchased through VCI, Berlin New Jersey and is a 2008 GMC 4500 custom Horton. The unit was placed into service on January 22, 2009 shortly after noon and is designated Ambulance 473. Later that day the unit ran it’s first call in Shippensburg Township.

I would have been nice to post better photos of the unit but this winter has not cooperated. I will post additional photo of the inside and outside sometime in the future. Also the other image was recently purchased by me (it is the first actual photograph I have found of the unit), I thought this would be a good time to post it. It was the first ambulance Shippensburg operated, a 1931 Studebaker. The unit was featured on this site on November 7, 2008 if you follow this link http://shippensburgfiredepartment.blogspot.com/2008/11/cumberland-valleys-1931-studebaker.html it will explain why this photo was taken in Mechanicsburg.

C.V.’s Buys Two Ambulances and Turns 150 Years Old

On January 12, 1978 at the regular monthly meeting of the Cumberland Valley Hose Company members voted to purchase two 1978 Dodge Continental van ambulances for an estimated cost of $32,874 including trade ins. The units were to replace two 1973 Cadillac’s and marked the first time the company would operate ambulance’s not of that style. The decision was made after months of discussions within the company about the type of ambulance to buy.

Today also marks the 150Th birthday of the Cumberland Valley Hose Company.

Flue Sparks Cause Fire

On December 13, 1906 at 9:45 a.m. the bell on the C.V. Hose firehall sounded an alarm of fire. Firemen were sent to the area between West Main and West Orange Streets near the Branch stream along the P. & R. R. R. for a building fire. A blaze caused by escaping sparks from a flue pipe destroyed a large building housing a wood and coal business. The fire extended rapidly to the attic of the large (over 100 feet in length) frame building that by the time firemen arrived they could not save the structure. Firemen had the blaze under control in 30 minutes. Damages were estimated at $1,000. The Vigilant Hose and Cumberland Valley Hose Companies answered the alarm.

The New Engine 53

Model: 75' Aluminum Ladder
Sales Organization: Glick Fire Equipment Co.
Department:Cumberland Valley Hose Co # 2. Shippensburg, PA
Job Number: 21026
Category: Aerials
Chassis:Velocity™
Body:75' Aluminum Ladder
Engine:Caterpillar C13
Horse Power: 525
Foam System:Husky® foam system
Pump:Hale
Pump GPM:1750
Tank:Foam, Water
Tank GPM:20 foam/500 water
Generator:Harrison
Generator KW:20
Safety:Command Zone™, Side Roll Protection system, TAK-4® independent front suspension
Lighting: Whelen Freedom LED warning light package, (6) FRC quartz lights on body/cab, (4) FRC quartz lights on aerial, Whelen scene lights
Storage: Aluminum quint combo body w/dual hose chutes
Comments:(2) electric cord reels, front intake, (5) crosslays, chrome bell, painted bumper, front discharge, 2.5 aerial aux discharge, rope lighting on aerial

Combination Wagons And Siren Dedicated

On November 29, 1923, Thanksgiving Day the new ford chemical combination wagons of the Vigilant Hose and Cumberland Valley Hose companies were dedicated along with the new town siren. The new siren was placed on a 65-foot tower at the rear of the colored school building on East Burd Street. The firemen paraded around town with their four motorized rigs and the old button hand pulled engine. The Good Will Fire Company of Chambersburg, the town band and the Scotland band joined them. The parade ended at the Cumberland Valley’s station where the dedication occurred. Firemen then held a banquet and smoker in the C.V. fire hall.

The photograph is of the Cumberland Valley’s 1923 combination wagon. Unfortunately I have never seen a photograph of the Vigilant’s 1923 wagon.

Cumberland Valley Fire Company’s First Engine

The only major incident to occur on this date in the Shippensburg area was in 1951 and that was posted last year.

The Cumberland Valley Fire Company’s first engine was actually purchased before the company was formed. Sometime after the Alert Fire Company gas destroyed their hand engine and disbanded, Shippensburg Borough Council felt the need for a second engine in town.

In June 1858 council contacted John Agnew a prominent engine builder in Philadelphia to acquire a hand engine. Council asked that Mr. Agnew supply them with an engine suited for work in this town with no suction and that it be named the “Cumberland Valley”. Mr. Agnew was to use his own discretion as to the color of paint, height of the wheels and breadth of the engine.

The Cumberland Valley Railroad delivered the engine in February 1859. Council paid $700.00 for the hand pumper.

It is unknown what happened to the engine but in 1877 after the company reorganized, another Philadelphia style hand engine was purchased for the company. There was never any mention of the company operating two engines at this time so I believe it was disposed of when the new engine arrived. Unfortunately I have no photographs of this rig nor have I ever seen any.

For those of you that do not know the Vigilant Hose Company unveiled their new and improved web site yesterday, stop by and check it out. And in case you missed it the Cumberland Valley Hose Company released their new site on October 14. All the Shippensburg Fire and EMS links are in the right hand column.

The other day when I posted the information on Dick Holtry, Jeff asked if I would post his address so people could send cards. Here is his home address:

Richard S. Holtry, 111Springhouse Road Shippensburg, Pa. 17257

C. V. Hose Company’s 1934 Chevrolet Studebaker Pumper

Sometime in 1934 the Cumberland Valley Hose Co. No. 2 formed a committee to purchase a new piece of equipment. On June 1, 1934 Lawrence Watson, chairman of the service truck committee reported the prices of different makes of car chassis. At that time a Studebaker body was selected and obtained from Mr. Statler of Marion, Pa.

On October 5, 1934 the service truck committee reported that the new truck was ready for service. At the January 4, 1935 Company meeting committee made its final report stating that the cost of the truck complete was $1,151.64 (it is unknown if this figure is correct as it seems a little low).

On November 12, 1953 a proposal to sell the pumper was adopted by the company members because the rig was no longer in usable condition. A committee of three consisting of Galen Staver, Wayne Commerer and Robert Holtry had the authority to sell the engine at the best price obtainable. At the January 14, 1954 company meeting Galen Staver reported that the committee had sold the pumper for $106.00.

Unfortunately this is all I know about the rig; the information never mentioned whom they purchased the Chevrolet chassis from or whom they sold the rig to. I have never found photographs of the unit either. I made this photograph years ago from vhs footage that was put together from 1944.