History of Firefighting in the Womelsdorf area and
the Womelsdorf Volunteer Fire Company #1

The oldest known records that mention firefighting in the Womelsdorf area can be traced back to around 1815 when they indicate that members were responsible to keep two leather buckets as well as operate the engine of the “Womelsdorf Fire Company”. However, residents no doubt prior to 1815 acted in bucket brigades since the advent of this firefighting method.

In 1833, a resolution required fire protection and a hand-pumper was soon purchased thereafter and the townspeople used it when the need arose. It is unknown what make the pumper was or where it was kept.

In 1841, several citizens petitioned Borough Council to build a new firehouse because the current one was in disrepair and couldn’t properly house apparatus. In 1845, a 30ft. x 30ft. engine house was erected on South 2nd Street, after the owner of the property on which the former engine house stood told them they had to relocate because he wanted the land for his own use. The location of the old engine house is unknown.

In February of 1846 a petition was submitted to Borough Council, asking them to appropriate a certain amount of money to purchase a second fire engine. The engine was to be placed under the control of a certain number of citizens, who associated themselves under the name “Humane Fire Company of Womelsdorf”, however it doesn’t appear that the petition was granted and/or acted upon.

On June 19, 1846, Borough Council agreed to purchase an 1812 Patrick Lyons “Philadelphia-style” hand-pumper for $800. This piece originally served the America Fire Engine Company in Philadelphia. With the purchase of this apparatus, a new fire company was formed called the “America Fire Engine Company of Womelsdorf”. This hand pumper is still owned by and in possession of Borough Council.

On January 5, 1850, the “Columbia Fire Company” was founded at the request of citizens. They took responsibility of the first engine the Borough purchased and housed it in a new firehouse near N. Front St. and W. Franklin St. The town now had two organized fire companies within the borough.

On November 28, 1895, Howard M. Hafer, the owner/operator of the Seltzer House, convinced enough residents that one fire company would serve the area better rather than two, thus the current “Womelsdorf Volunteer Fire Company #1” was organized and recognized as the only and regular fire company in the Borough of Womelsdorf. The first piece of apparatus the company secured was a four-wheeled horse-drawn hose carriage with needed accessories in 1895. They borrowed and later bought the carriage for $150.00 from Robert Miller, Chief of the Reading Fire Department. This unit was originally the property of the Rainbow Fire Company, Reading, Pa. This apparatus was housed in the Seltzer House livery stables

After seeing residents were in favor of finding suitable quarters for the Fire Company, Borough Council agreed and built a town hall and engine house at the intersection of Front & High Streets. The total cost was $6500.00.

Between 1900 and 1904, the fire company purchased a horse-drawn 1900 Gleason & Bailey hook and ladder carriage for $800.00, a horse-drawn 1901 Holloway Corporation chemical and hose wagon for a cost of $1250.00 and a two-wheeled hose cart in 1904.

In June of 1916, the Fire Company decided to motorize the 1901 chemical and hose wagon and awarded a contract to Martin Carriage Works, York, Pa., at a cost of $3000.00. The color was yellow, the only apparatus in Fire Company history to be painted this color. It is unknown why this color was chosen.

In 1921, the Fire Company took delivery of a new Ahrens Fox triple-combination pumper which was in service till 1947. In 1933, the 1916 Martin was refurbed again by Boyertown Body Works with a new International chassis. This pumper was affectionately known as “Old Barney” and was in service till 1985, the longest running apparatus in Fire Company history at 52 years.

The Womelsdorf Volunteer Fire Company Relief Association was formed on October 15, 1925. The purpose of this organization was to take care of funds that the fire company received from the 2% tax levied by Pennsylvania on out of state insurance premiums, This tax was enacted to encourage individuals to participate in the fire service by making funds available which could be used to provide benefits to protect volunteer firefighters and their families. Today, these funds are still used to protect volunteer firefighters by allowing the association to purchase equipment for safety such as SCBA, turnout gear, and hose, pay for training, and pay death benefits to those members who qualify.

In 1939, a Social Quarters was built behind the Town Hall and Engine House on land purchased by the Fire Company from Howard Hafer. The total cost of the construction was $16,355.85. A unique agreement with the Borough of Womelsdorf supplied heat for the building through steam for a number of years. Although the building had extensive renovations and additions over the years, it still serves today as a social quarters, containing a bowling alley, bar, and bingo hall.

In 1947, a new American LaFrance ultra-modern, triple-combination 750 G.P.M. pumper was purchased for a total cost of $14,000.00. This apparatus, dedicated to Howard M. Hafer, replaced the Ahrens Fox and was in service till 1985 upon delivery of the current engine.

The Ladies Auxiliary of the Womelsdorf Volunteer Fire Company was organized in 1951. They were a vital part in performing their duties, providing moral, material, and financial support. In times of distress both the family involved in the unfortunate experience, as well as, the firefighters fulfilling their voluntary obligations have had numerous occasions to appreciate the services rendered by the women of this group. In the 1990s, the “Women of the Womelsdorf Fire Crew” was established with the same intent of providing financial support to the fire company. This group functioned for several years, however due to lack of interest and volunteers, the group was dissolved. The fire company no longer has any type of auxiliary.

In 1965, the Fire Company voted to purchase a new International/John Bean high pressure fog truck for $12,000. This apparatus was in service until September 2005 and proved to be one of the most reliable and versatile pieces of firefighting equipment the fire company has ever had. A few years later in 1968, fire company members built their first tanker using a 1960 International chassis and a 1000 gallon tank that was donated. This piece was replaced in 1982 with a 1972 International/Kari-Kool milk truck which held 2700 gallons, purchased from Clover Farms Dairy, Reading, Pa.

In September of 1973, the Fire Company purchased a 1954 Ford delivery van from Tyrus Price, a local baker, for a cost of $625.00. This apparatus served for four years as an emergency truck until it was replaced in the spring of 1977 with a 1969 Chevrolet Step-Van which was in service for seven years

In 1979 after Borough Council decided to make extensive renovations to the Town Hall & Engine House, the Fire Company decided to build a new 4-bay firehouse at the intersection of 5th & High Streets. The total cost of construction, $86,641.14, was paid in full with funds donated by the community and many fundraising events and continues to function as the current firehouse.

In April of 1980 the Fire Company purchased a 1955 American LaFrance 75 foot ladder truck from the Ridley Park Fire Company, Delaware County, Pa., for a cost of $20,100.95. This unit was in service till 1996 when it was replaced with the current ladder truck.

The Conrad Weiser Fire Prevention Committee was established in 1982 by firefighters from Robesonia, Stouchsburg, and Womelsdorf Fire Companies and ran through 1988. Their primary task was to educate the children in grades kindergarten through sixth grad in fire safety and prevention. In 1990, the committee was reorganized to also include the Wernersville Fire Company, however the committee has since been disbanded and fire companies in the area are responsible for their own fire prevention and education programs in their local schools and daycare facilities.

In 1984, the fire company voted to purchase a 1985 American LaFrance 1500 GPM pumper in January of 1984. The total cost of this unit was $118,000.00. The new engine was put into service on January 21, 1985 at which time the 1947 American Lafrance pumper was taken out of service having served the Borough of Womelsdorf for 38 years

In 1988, the 1982 International/Kari-Kool tanker overturned and was totaled in an accident while responding to a shed fire. The fire company took delivery of the current tanker, a 1989 International/4-Guys 2500 gallon tanker, to replace this apparatus.

In 1995, the Fire Company celebrated it’s 100th Anniversary with a parade and celebration.

In 1996, the 1955 American LaFrance ladder truck was damaged in a training exercise. It was decided by the membership to replace the ladder truck and the 1955 ALF was sold back to the Ridley Park Fire Company. A committee was formed and the company voted to order a 1997 International/New Lexington/Aerial Innovations 75’ quint at a cost of $328,000.00. To assist with paying for this apparatus, Womelsdorf Borough Council established a fire tax for the fire company.

In 2005, due to high maintenance costs and lack of parts, the company decided to sell the 1965 International/John Bean High Pressure Fog Truck after 40 years of remarkable service. An apparatus committee was formed and made its recommendations to purchase a 2007 Ford F550/4Guys mini-pumper, which was placed in service on May 1, 2007 at a cost of approximately $165,000.

If you would like to see a listing of our Past Fire Chiefs please Click Here .

Can you help the fire company preserve our history?

In an effort to preserve our heritage and history, we are actively seeking documentation of our past. Items such as photographs and videos of apparatus, calls, and events, stories or memories, historical items, and memorabilia are wanted to accomplish this ongoing project.
We are especially interested in the following items:

- Photos of members both past and present
- Photos of apparatus both past and present
- Stories and memories about the fire company
- Information or items related to past apparatus
- Information on past fire companies of Womelsdorf such as the America Fire Company, the
Columbia Fire Company, and the first Womelsdorf Fire Company.
- Photos, movies/video of incidents, specifically fires, or any other incidents involving
the Womelsdorf Volunteer Fire Company
- Just about ANYTHING involving the fire company

If you have an item or items that you would like to donate to us, we would gladly accept them. Stories and memories can be written and mailed or emailed to us, or recorded on audio or video. We understand that photos, slides, videos, or movies have a value. We would be very happy that if could share these with us and allow us to reproduce them. Photographs can usually be scanned via computer in your presence at a pre-arranged visit. Nothing will leave our possession and great care will be taken to return your items in the same condition we received them. Other items and memorabilia can simply be photographed while in your possession.

If you have an items that would like to donate to us, we would gladly accept them.


You can email us at info@womelsdorffire.com, call the station at 610-589-4645, or stop by the station on a Tuesday evening after 7:00pm.