Chief ~ George Fohner Jr.

A charter for the Strawpump Volunteer Fire Department was signed and paid for by the Strawpump Civic Association on November 19, 1949. There were 22 charter members. The first truck they purchased was a used 1919 American LaFrance in December of 1949. The first building was at the corner of US Route 30 (now Pennsylvania Ave.) and Thompson Lane (now North Thompson Lane), which was originally a chicken coop. The fireman had to put on an addition in order to house the fire truck.

The firemen attended parades with a small truck carrying a pump wrapped in straw. Symbolizing the original pump wrapped in straw from which the community and the fire department got its name. The original pump was wrapped in straw to keep it from freezing in the winter time, so the horse teams would have water. Travelers on the dirt path, which became US Route 30, knew the next stop after leaving town was at the Strawpump, in order to water the horses. The pump was in the area where Gongaware Bus Lines is now located.

In 1959, the ground floor of a 50' X 75' building was constructed entirely by volunteers at the fire halls present location. In 1962, a second floor was added. In 1977 a three bay garage addition was completed. In 1992, an addition was added to the downstairs hall including additional garage space.

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Web Site updated 5/2/11