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On November 16th, 1905 the citizens of Richlandtown held their first preliminary meeting for the purpose of developing a fire company. A few days later, the executive officers were elected and a parade was planned in conjunction with the Quakertown, Coopersburg, Perkasie, Sellersville, and Telford fire companies being in attendance. On March 10th, 1906 the first official drill was called to order by Chief Weiland. Later on the years on November 15th, the Richlandtown Fire Company # 1 was officially incorporated. Then on December 9th 1906, the borough council donated $150.00. This was to cover the purchases of 100 foot of hose, 12 leather buckets, 6rubber coats, 6 helmets, 50 foot of ¾” rope and a megaphone. This was just the beginning! Early the following year, it was decided by the fire company that a pool table should be purchased for the social room. It was also decided that 500 cigars and 15 pounds of chewing tobacco be bought for when the firemen could relax after a big fire. Finally in 1921 the fire company held a parade and housing ceremony for the purchase of a 1921 Reo Fire Truck that had a 350 GPM hale pump. Unfortunately there was a fire later on that night at a 3 storey warehouse located where Mike’s Auto Body stands. The fire truck was unable to be used because no one had been trained by the certified instructor for the apparatus. Numerous changes took place within the fire company in the following years. In 1923 a fire alarm system was purchased by the ladies auxiliary. The janitor was instructed to give 6 blasts every Monday night. In 1924 it was decided that the janitor only give 2 blasts every Monday night at 7 pm. On November 24th a motion was passed to purchase a new chemical pumper on June 1st, 1925, that motion was carried out with the purchase and delivery of a new ford fire engine from Hale Fire & Pump for the price of $2142.22. In 1926, the Reo fire truck was overhauled for $16.05. 4 years later the Reo was overhauled, and a new international fire pumper was purchased. On October 19th, 1959 bids were sent out to put an addition on the expanding fire house. The bid that was accepted in the amount of $6,780. A few years after the addition was put up. All of the fire boxes which were located throughout the borough to alert the resident and firemen of the fire, were removed and the fire company went to the a phone dispatch system. In 1967, home alerting systems (also known as “instalerts”) were purchased in the amount of $3432.00. On March 2nd, 1970 the fire company took delivery of its first four wheel drive apparatus. It was a Dodge mini-pumper purchased for $14,000. Later on the year in September, a parade and truck housing was held in celebration of the Dodge mini-pumper, Fifty-two fire trucks and two hundred and fifty firemen participated in the parade. On April 1st, 1974, a patch designed that was submitted by Curtis Hinkle was adopted as the official Richlandtown Fire Company patch. The patch is still worn proudly by the officers and other members of the fire company today. On January 10th the Bucks County communications center completely took over all the dispatching for all fires and emergencies for the Richlandtown Fire Company. In September of 1980 a gentleman by the name of Fred Bartholomew build the trophy case which is still on display in the meeting room at the fire house today. The trophy case is filled with numerous trophies and other memorabilia from the early years of the department. In January of 1981 personal pagers were purchased for fire fighters to carry with them. These were activated by the Bucks County Communications Center and they alerted the firemen as to where exactly the emergency was located at. Pager continue to be a major part in the emergency alerting process. However, the rising cost make it difficult to continuously upgrade these units. In August of 1984 another addition was completed on the fire house. 5 bay doors and a kitchen were all part of the renovation. The 5 bay doors helped make way for the departments fire tank truck, which was purchased and delivered in April 1986. In November, 1991 the 9-1-1 emergency hotline was activated. It made reporting emergencies a lot easier for residents of the borough. They no longer had to dial a ten digit number. They now only needed a 3 digit number. In January 1994 the Richlandtown fire company #1 held its 100th regular meeting. In April the same year, it was decided by the fire company to purchase a KME pumper to replace the current first out apparatus. In May of 1995 the SME pumper is officially placed into service. In July of 1999, the original tanker truck was sold. A 1999 Peterbilt, 3000 gallon tanker was placed into service. In April of 2000 the common practice of riding on the tailboard of the field truck while responding to calls is discontinued. Many members say that was the end of an era. For years fire fighters rode on the tail boards of the fire trucks to respond to calls. Many times this was the only place you could put additional fire fighters on the apparatus. In 2001 it was decided by the fire company to host the eighty seventh Bucks County Fireman’s parade and purchase a thermal imaging camera. Later in 2002 it was also decided by the fire company to design and purchase a new field truck. In 2005, Richlandtown Fire Company # 1 took delivery of a 2005 Ford / Semo field truck and hosed the eighty seventh Bucks County Fireman’s Parade. |
