Company Featured in Community Paper

Published May 02, 2012

In order to accommodate volunteer firefighters, who often must spend hours or even days at the firehouse during a snowstorm or other emergency, a new building is currently under construction at the First West Chester Fire Company. The 6,425-square-foot facility will contain firefighters' quarters, complete with showers, bunks, a fitness room and more.

The First West Chester Fire Company, established in 1799, is the oldest of three West Chester all-volunteer fire companies. It moved to its present location at 70 South Bradford Avenue in August of 1989.

"When we moved here in 1989 (from) North Church Street, there was an existing building, which was rehabbed by volunteer," said company president Ralph Kramer, noting that the building was eventually torn down to make way for the new facility. "We are building a new building in its place, which is twice the size of the (original)," Kramer said.

The new building will contain administrative offices, a recreation room, a kitchen, a fitness room and a bunk room with showers.

"(The reason) we decided to build a new building is because our firefighters would stay here for three or four days during a snowstorm, and they would sleep on a concrete floor on air mattresses and they had no shower facilities," Kramer said. "It was decided that (a) new building would (be needed), and it had to be big enough to accommodate the volunteers.

"We wanted to give (the firefighters) some comfort when they are staying here," he added.

Kramer said the company was able to save money over the past several years to construct the building, mostly due to the donations received from the annual letter-writing campaign to the community.

"We built enough equity to build this building and have a manageable debt," he said. "Our major fundraiser for the year is our annual letter drive. A lot of people don't realize that all three fire companies in West Chester are volunteer and that our major source of funding is the letter drive."

The fire company currently has 350 members, and there are between 35 and 50 active firefighters. Some of them are high school and college students.

"We will have a quiet room (in the new building)," Kramer said. "On Wednesdays, which is 'drill night,' instead of going home (the younger volunteers) will come here after school. We are giving them a room to do their homework in peace and quiet. We will also have a computer for them to use."

The First West Chester Fire Company provides fire coverage to West Chester Borough, as well as to West Goshen, East Bradford, Westtown, Birmingham and Thornbury townships. In addition to the new facility, the fire company campus includes a building that houses its fire trucks and other apparatus.

Construction on the new building is expected to be completed in early July. This fall, the fire company is planning a building dedication.

Members of all ages and from all backgrounds are welcome to volunteer at the fire company. "All the members are volunteers, but not all are firefighters," said Bob Sheller, finance chairman. "We welcome new members with any skills, such as information technology, finance and fundraising."

"There are so many people with so many skills. Although we encourage people to come in and fight fires, older or retired people who have a few hours a week to give (are welcome)," Kramer added. "What makes a fire company grow and prosper is having active members to support the company."

For more information about the First West Chester Fire Company, including volunteer opportunities, interested readers may visit www.firstwestchester.org.