[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 75 (Friday, May 27, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E970]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF HUNTINGDON VALLEY FIRE COMPANY #1

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                        HON. ALLYSON Y. SCHWARTZ

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 26, 2011

  Ms. SCHWARTZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and congratulate the 
Huntingdon Valley Fire Company #1 as they celebrate their 100th 
anniversary.
  One does not need to look far to see signs of the distinguished 
history of Huntingdon Valley Fire Company. After their founding the 
company used a local barn to store their equipment; that barn still 
stands just up the road from the current firehouse. After struggling to 
raise funds for equipment, a locomotive tire was donated to the company 
to be used as an alarm bell. The tire is currently hanging in front of 
the firehouse. The fire company's website shows pictures of every major 
piece of equipment the company has owned in its century long history.
  In addition to the ties to their founding, the fire company also has 
a consistent record of being strongly supported by the community. The 
use of the old barn to store their first pieces of equipment in 1911 
was volunteered by a local resident. To raise funds for their first 
fire wagon in 1911 the company held carnivals, dances, and minstrel 
shows for the community. Their first make-shift fire alarm, the 
locomotive tire, was donated by the Midvale Steel Company. In 1912 the 
four wheeled fire cart was pulled by the closest two horses available. 
When the fire company needed to build a new addition to their garage it 
was built and paid for by members of the company. In 1929 the residents 
contributed the funds necessary to purchase a piece of modern fire 
equipment. With the growth in population of the 1940's it became clear 
that the fire company needed additional funds to continue to provide 
fire protection. A question was raised and the community agreed that a 
fire tax was necessary to ensure that the company had the funds needed 
to purchase and maintain modern firefighting equipment.
  Over the 100 years that Huntingdon Valley fire company has been 
protecting its residents they have upgraded their equipment, modernized 
their operation, and expanded their services. Through the decades, the 
fire company has never lost sight of their original goal of fulfilling 
the time honored tradition of volunteers risking their lives to protect 
their neighbors.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating the 
Huntingdon Valley Fire Company as they mark their 100th year of 
protecting the community.

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