[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 26 (Monday, February 25, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E182-E183]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        WASHINGTON FIRE COMPANY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. LOU BARLETTA

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, February 25, 2013

  Mr. BARLETTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the Washington Fire 
Company No 1. which will celebrate 155 years of service to the Borough 
of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania and the surrounding counties.
   The Washington Fire Company is one of the oldest operations of its 
kind still servicing Cumberland County. Named after our country's first 
president, the company was formally constituted on February 22nd, 1858. 
The town hall was used to house equipment and hold meetings until 1860, 
when a firehouse was built on East Main Street, a facility the 
Washington Fire Company still uses to this day.
   The Washington Fire Company has been an important force against many 
historic fires in

[[Page E183]]

the region. Members of their workforce were present at the Thomas 
Printing fire in 1903, the Grantham Aircraft Engine Works and the 
Updegraf's Bowling Alley fires in 1956, the Brandtsville Train Wreck in 
1963, the Arch Street School fire in 1972, and the fire at Rakestraw's 
Ice Cream in 1991. They continue to put their lives on the line to 
protect the people of Cumberland County.
   Mr. Speaker, for the last 155 years, the Washington Fire Company has 
acted as an important asset to the citizens of Mechanicsburg and the 
surrounding counties. Therefore, I commend the personnel who have 
faithfully worked to protect our community at this fire house.

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