Citizens Fire & Rescue

CompanyHistory

Photo: August of 1928 Company Bi-Centennial

It was during the early part of 1903, in which two fires of great magnitude destroyed the Thomas Printing House Plant in the month of January, & the Heighes Coach Shop together with a number of surrounding buildings in the month of May, for which assistance was need from Harrisburg, the citizens of the western section of town awakened to the fact that better fire service was needed. The question of another company located in the upper was agitated & seemed to meet with such great favor that a petition was circulated and soon over 200 property owners signed.

In the old council chambers, June 12, 1903, this company was organized with a charter list of 60 members. Andrew Stambaugh was elected the first president.The lot where the building stands today was purchased from Dr. W. H. Moyer and during the latter part of October, 1903, ground was broker for a new engine house. The new house was dedicated on April 21, 1905 & the new Knott Steam Engine arrived in November.

The Past

The Present

Photo: Info Coming Soon!

Photo: Governor Tom Ridge & CFR Members Bob Bender, Keith Marston, & Richard Corman.

Here are some more highlights of our company's past:

In 1935, the borough council purchased an Athens-Fox Pumper which was later bought from council by the company.

Old Company Uniform

In 1958, the company purchased a 1956 Ford Chassis & L. B. Smith, Inc. built 1,000 gallon tanker. The chassis was replaced with a 1961 GMC.

In 1962, the company purchased a 1951 Chevrolet van to carry rescue & salvage equipment. This unit was later replaced by a 1971 Dodge chassis with a SWAB Wagon C. body.

In the spring of 1962, ground was broken for an addition to the station. The addition was completed that same year.

In 1970, the company purchased a Dodge Rescue Truck. The Rescue was then sold to our friends at the New Kingstown Fire Company, who then sold it to Tuckey's Restoration Company.

In 1975, the company merged together with the Rescue Hook & Ladder and the merger is now know as Citizens Fire & Rescue Company No.2. Station 1 was located at 208 South York Street (today's station) & Station 2 at 101 West Main Street (currently La Campana Restaurant).

"Hookies" Uniform

In 1975, we also took delivery of a new Mack Pumper with a 1000 GMP pump.

In 1980, a Ford 1000GPM pumper was purchased by the Borough to replace the 1966 GMC pumper.

This is the former Engine 127.

In 1985, the company purchased a Sutphen pumper with a 1500 GPM waterous pump, 750 gallon tank, with seating for six firefighters. this unit replace the Mack pumper and is

currently Engine 227.

In 1990, the company purchased a 1990 Spartan SWAB Heavy Duty Rescue to replace the 1970 Dodge Rescue Truck. This unit was just sold to the Flint-Gresham Fire Department of Flint, Texas.

In 1998, the company purchased an Ford F-250- Harrisburg Body Utility truck. This unit is still in service today as Utility 27.

In 2004, the Borough of Mechanicsburg purchased a 2004 KME Engine for the members of Citizens Fire & Rescue to use to protect its citizens. More info coming soon!

March 2006: At 7:30 AM on March 30, 2006, a 3 Alarm fire hit the Western part of Borough. Cumberland County dispatched box 27-01, which sent units from 27, 28 (the Washies), 37 (Navy), & 23 (Upper Allen), for a building fire on West Allen Street in the borough. Chief 27 went on the scene with a commercial building with heavy smoke from sides C & D. Supply lines were dropped at the intersections of Main & Washington, York & Allen, and Green & Washington. Shortly after the 1st units arrived Command 8 requested a 2nd alarm which brought units form Engines 30 (Hampden), 25 (Monroe), & 22 (Shiremanstown), Truck 23, Rescue 31 (Silver Springs) & YC 69 for RIT (Federal) & Air 13 (WSBF) and then a 3rd alarm which brought Engines from 33 (New Kingstown), 35 (South Middleton), & 19 (West Enola), Truck 30 & Rescue 14 (Camp Hill). Units found heavy fire overhead & the evacuation tones were given around 8:15ish and the a defensive attack was set up with multiple deck guns and master stream operations from Trucks 28, 23 & E337. Units operated on the scene for approximately 7 hours. Engine 1 & Utility 27, & Truck & Utility 28 were called back to the scene last evening & this morning to extinguish some hot spots. Please continue to check in to see more picture updates of this fire.

Special Thanks to E20 & York Rescue 64 for the transfer to the 27House.

THANKS TO JOE BARTOLO FOR THE PICTURES!

In the fall of 2007, the members of CFR #2 purchased a 2008 KME Heavy Duty Rescue to replace the 1990 Spartan / SWAB Rescue. Visit the Rescue 27 page to see more!