[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 21762]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           WEST END FIRE COMPANY #3 100TH ANNIVERSARY BANQUET

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM GERLACH

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 29, 2006

  Mr. GERLACH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor West End Fire Company 
#3 as its members and community celebrate the Company's 100th 
anniversary.
  The West End Fire Company #3 of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania was 
established as a result of the disastrous Preseverance Knitting Mill 
fire of 1906. The community's leaders decided that they could no longer 
rely on outside help in time of emergency and needed to create their 
own company. On October 16, 1906, the West End Fire Company was formed.
  This Company has transitioned from using a barn and horse-drawn fire 
equipment to its first official hose cart donated by the Phoenix Hose, 
Hook, and Ladder Company No. 1. The original members of the Company 
were able to pull together funds to purchase its first lot and, within 
2 years, a fire house made from Chester County limestone was 
established on the corner of W. Bridge Street and Pennsylvania Ave. The 
Company continued to grow, adding an ambulance service in 1917, and 
finally incorporating female firefighters into service in 1985. The 
West End Fire Company #3 is to this day on cutting edge of safety by 
constantly adding new equipment, training new members, and providing 
Phoenixville with countless hours of community service.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me today in honoring the 
West End Fire Company #3 of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania as they 
celebrate its 100th anniversary and in extending best wishes and 
heartfelt congratulations for 100 years of exemplary community service 
and volunteerism in protecting the lives and property of Phoenixville 
area citizens.

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