[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 23 (Tuesday, February 28, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E224-E225]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE RADNOR FIRE COMPANY, SERVING 
    RADNOR AND PARTS OF DELAWARE, MONTGOMERY AND CHESTER COUNTY, PA

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. CURT WELDON

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 28, 2006

  Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, it is a great honor for me 
to rise today to congratulate the Radnor Fire Company for 100 years of 
dedicated service to the residents of Radnor, Tredyffrin and the 
surrounding communities in Pennsylvania.
  On a historical note, after 30 years of service in 1904, the Wayne 
Hose Company & Wayne Chemical Company disbanded leaving no fire 
protection for the community. Following a devastating fire that 
completely destroyed the Wayne Suburban newspaper building in March of 
1906, 24 men organized the Radnor Fire Company to protect the community 
and incorporated on March 15, 1906.
  The Wayne steam plant agreed to sound the steam whistle if there was 
a fire and it sounded its first alarm on May 24, 1906 for a working 
house fire near Strafford train station. In that first year of 
existence the Radnor Fire Company responded to 13 fire calls.
  In 1907, looking to improve the firefighting capabilities the members 
were tasked to find a motorized fire truck. Since none existed at that 
time they drew specifications and The Knox Company was hired to build 
the first motorized fire pump in the United States.
  The firefighters of the Radnor Fire Company have an impressive record 
when it comes to firefighting. The fire company has fought such 
spectacular blazes including four at Villanova University, six at 
Valley Forge Military Academy, the Pennsylvania Fire Works Company 
explosion in Devon, the Wayne Opera House, Caley Nursing Home and 
crashes of P-40 fighter planes during World War II. During that time, 
the fire company manpower was augmented by a ``school boy fireman''--
Rick Taddeo, who is still a member today.
  The first ambulance was purchased in 1947 with funds raised by the 
Rotary Club following the death of a Radnor firefighter. By the 1970's 
the fire company was responding to 390 fire and 890 ambulance calls 
annually. Today they answer nearly 800 fire and 4,000 ambulance calls 
annually.
  From its beginning with a horse-drawn fire apparatus to the first 
motorized firefighting equipment to its modern new trucks of today, 
Radnor is a leader in firefighting capabilities and continues to 
protect the citizens of Radnor, portions of Tredyffrin and the 
surrounding communities.
  I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have 
dedicated not only their time, but also their lives, to the safety of 
all Radnor residents as well as surrounding communities. As a former 
fire chief in Marcus Hook, I am aware of the risks firefighters face 
each day, under intense pressure, in life or death situations. Our 
thanks and appreciation can never repay those who put their lives on 
the line to ensure our safety. I am proud to recognize and commend the 
tremendous commitment, courage and dedication of the Radnor Fire 
Company members who continue

[[Page E225]]

to reflect the same spirit in which the department was established more 
than 100 years ago. I am honored to rise today to extend my thanks for 
what the members of the Radnor Fire Company do each day and 
congratulate them on this milestone anniversary.

                          ____________________