History

Independent Fire Company
Jenkintown, Pennsylvania 19046
 

Like most present-day fire companies in the area, Independent of Jenkintown was founded by a small group of dedicated men who were not satisfied with existing conditions and saw a need for change. In the winter of 1888-1889 they met in Clayton’s cigar store. A petition for a charter was filed on April 22, 1889 and was granted by Judge Swartz at Norristown on July 23, 1889. Albert Weaks was elected the first President and Charles Myers the first Foreman. The original membership consisted of 50 men. The same year ground was rented from Patrick Kelly at the present location of the Company and a small one-story frame building, approximately 18’ x 40’ was erected by the membership. A hand drawn ladder wagon was purchased, and the Company was in business. The ladder wagon was 32’ long and 8’ high. It carried 110’ of ground ladders, 30 leather buckets and numerous axes, picks and oil lanterns. Soon after this a working four wheeled parade grade hose was purchased. Membership took the carriage to parades as far away as Newtown and Norristown in 1894.

With only four or five fire companies from City Line to Hatboro prior to 1900, alarms were frequent and far afield. Hand drawn runs to Huntingdon Valley, Rydal, the Village of Cheltenham, LaMott, Wyncote, Glenside, Weldon, and Willow Grove were common. Donations were received from as far away as Doylestown, indicating that even this trip was made to fight fires. Old members have said that the rig was drawn by trolley car. Records indicate that other donations were received from such people as Wanamaker, Warburton, Sheble, Snellenburg, Noble, Pitcairn, Heacock and the Wharton Switch Gear Works, none of which were within the Borough. Dues and donations were not enough to operate the Company and other funds were raised by sponsoring trolley parties, fairs and even selling silverware. The Borough made its first contribution of $100 in 1900. This was raised to $200 in 1902, $300 in 1907 and $500 in 1914. Today the Borough underwrites the major cost of the Jenkintown Fire Department with a fire tax with assistance from the Jenkintown Fireman’s Relief Association.

In 1898 the need for larger quarters was essential. At this time, the Company purchased the ground they had been renting, at what is now our present location. The price was $6,000 and because the treasury was depleted it was another two years before a new fire house was built. The summer of 1900 found the Company in their new home. The 2-story building was of brick construction and was 28’x55’. The apparatus room occupied the first floor, meeting room and kitchen occupied the second floor with utilities and storage in the basement.                                                                                  

Growth was coming to the area and two hand drawn two wheeled hose carts, with chemical extinguishers, were acquired to give the Company three hose carts and a ladder wagon. Other fire companies were coming to the area. A County Association was suggested, and it was founded in

Jenkintown in 1909. The Independent Fire Company was present and is a charter member. The first major event of the Montgomery County Firemen’s Association was a parade held in Jenkintown on October 10, 1909. Parades were important events for fire companies in those days. Records indicate that Independent went as far as Bethlehem in 1898 and County Association parades were held annually and again in Jenkintown in 1914. The parade in Hatboro in October of 1911 was a major event for the Independent. Two automobiles bought and modified into apparatus earlier in the year were put on display for the first time. A newspaper report of the day was quite descriptive. “There were now five motor driven fire apparatus in the County Association representing $20,000.” The writer goes on to mention the Independent Fire Company with two apparatus, an automobile chemical and hose and an automobile ladder. This was the first in the area. Pioneer of Jenkintown, Enterprise of Hatboro and Edge Hill also had an automobile apparatus in this parade.

Our first motor driven apparatus was really a converted Glide car purchased on April 11, 1911 for #1,200. T.J. Donnell, a member and local wheelwright, painter, and blacksmith, was given the job to rebuild and equip it for the Company as a combination hose and chemical wagon. A Columbia automobile was also bought in 1911 that was also converted by Mr. Donnell. This was modified as a tractor to pull the hand drawn ladder wagon. The Times Chronicle stated, “It will carry a crew of ten men and a full complement of ladders over the suburban roads at 30 MPH or better, if necessary.”

Fire Police became part of the Company in 1912 and continue to play a part in our activities.

Far sighted members saw a need for a source of continuing revenue for operation of Independent. In 1914 a two-story commercial garage was added to the rear of our station. This was managed by the membership and leased continually until 1971. The space was then altered and added on as part of the fire station to accommodate the increased size of modern apparatus.

A Simplex car was bought in 1914 and converted into a pumper with a capacity of 500 GPM. This truck was kept in service until 1922. It was about this time that a Locomobile was purchased and was converted to be used as a tractor to replace the Columbia car pulling the ladder apparatus. This saw service until 1926

In 1921 the first truck was ordered and delivered, it was originally built as a fire apparatus, by Hale. It had a 600 GPM rotary pump with standard ladders, hose bed and tools. It had no water tank or booster line. This apparatus was used until 1949 when it was given to Towamencin Township to help them start their new fire company.

In 1926 a Reo was purchased to be used as chemical and hose truck. It had two 50-gallon soda and acid tanks, booster reel and 36’ of ladders. It served our Company until 1937 when it was given to Christ Home in Bucks County. A Hale city service ladder apparatus was bought in 1929. This truck cost $7,000 and had 203 feet of ground ladders, a 50-gallon water tank, booster line in a basket, life net and the regular complement of poles and tools for this type of apparatus. In 1934 a monitor type deluge set was mounted with a four 2½” inlet manifold. This apparatus saw service in the Borough and surrounding area until 1951.

The addition of larger and more modern apparatus brought about major renovations to our station in 1926, 1934, 1937, 1951, 1971 and the latest in 2003. In 1937 the Reo was replaced with a 750 GPM Buffalo pumper at a cost of $8,900. This saw 21 years of service to Jenkintown. It was given to the Warwick Township Fire Company of Bucks County in April 1958 to help start their Company.

One of the first aerial ladder apparatus in the area was purchased in 1951 for $31,000. A Maxim 85’ mid-mount ladder was delivered that year. It served Jenkintown and many of our surrounding communities for 20 years and until similar devices were acquired by our neighbors. It last saw active service in Quarryville, PA.

In 1958 a 750 GPM Maxim pumper was purchased and delivered for $22,000. It replaced our Buffalo pumper and served the Borough for 19 years.

A Maxim 100’ mid mount aerial ladder was ordered and delivered in 1971 for $74,000. This was the first cab forward and enclosed cab operated by our Company. It was powered by a Detroit Diesel 6V92TA, 350 H.P. engine with an Allison HT70, 5-speed transmission. It carried 230’ of ground ladders, a 5KW generator with cab start, cab-controlled flood lights, large diameter hose in the bed and all NFPA standard poles, rescue and overhaul tools.

In 1977 a Seagrave pumper was ordered and delivered for $89,000. It was powered by a Detroit Diesel 8V71N engine with a n Allison HT740D transmission. In addition to all NFPA 1901 standard ladders, tools and equipment it included a 4KW generator with cab start and cab controlled flood lighting, a 500 gallon water tank, 3” pipe and valves throughout, portable Eastman master stream device, pre-connected 1 1/2 and 2 1/2 lines, a PA system and oversized hose bed with 3” & 3½” hose.

A previously owned 1994 105’ Pierce Quint aerial ladder was purchased by the Borough for $300,000 and was put in service in 2004. It has a 2000 GPM single stage pump with a 300-gallon water tank and a pre-piped waterway with a 1000 GPM automatic nozzle. It also has pre-connected 1 ¾”, 2” & 2 1/2” water lines and a hose bed holding 1000’ of 5’ supply line.

 A 1993 GMC ambulance was donated to us by the Willow Grove Second Alarmer’s. The body was converted to accommodate four air pack seats and two additional packs were mounted in

compartments. The primary purpose of this piece was to carry additional personnel and back up the aerial apparatus.

A 2009 International, with a five-man cab and rescue body, was purchased for $160,000 and was put into service to replace the GMC. This rig runs as a tactical unit and has a skid load with a 250 GPM pump and a 280-gallon water tank. This apparatus also has a 10 KW generator, tools, and the equipment to perform as a Rapid Intervention Team, forcible entry, rescue, overhaul, and minor hazardous material mitigation.

A 2019 Spartan LTI Quint 110’ aerial ladder was purchased by the Borough to replace the 1994 Pierce. The apparatus has five major functions which include the 110’ aerial main with pre-piped waterway, 175’ of ground ladders, 2000 GPM pump, 1000’ of 5” supply line and 500 gallons of water. In addition, there are several various sized hand lines, generator and the compartments are filled with many of the latest tools to assist firefighters in their operations. Each firefighter is protected inside the cab with the modern safety features that cars and trucks have today including air bags.

Firefighters are outfitted with the best possible safety equipment including PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) which includes coat, pants, boots, helmet, gloves, eye protection, self-contained breathing apparatus and portable radios.

Present day activities are many and varied. Weekly drills are conducted by Company officers. Basic training required for certification is taken by all active members and refresher, advanced and specialized training is attended regularly throughout the year which is offered by the accredited County Fire Academies as well as the State Fire Academy. The annual 4th of July parade, games and lunch is sponsored by the Jenkintown Fire Department and is looked forward to by all.

The present Company consists of 80 men & women with an active membership of 30. Company President is Kevin Lyons and Fire Chief is Kenneth Lynch.