History of the First West Chester Fire Company

The small community of West Chester was elevated, by an act of the legislature, to the dignity of a Borough on the spring of 1799.  The town was about one mile and a quarter square, an encompassed some six to eight small farms, the prominent Turk’s Head Inn, several small houses, and some professional offices.  The town citizens were farsighted and public-minded from the very start. 

 During June of 1799, discussions among many citizens about the need for protection of property from fire raised an interest in organizing a fire brigade.  At a meeting on the first of July, 1799, twenty three men agreed to set up a fund for the purchase of equipment and a fire engine.  William Sharpless and Joseph Clarke were directed to attend to the purchase and Joshua Gibbons was appointed “Collector of Funds”.

 The next meeting was on the fifth of October, 1799, and additional rules and amendments were adopted.  An office of Engineer was established and the Company appointed William Sharpless and Joseph Clarke for two month terms.

 At a meeting held in November of that year, it was resolved that a ladder and fire hook be provided for use at fires, that the engine house be painted, and that fines be levied on members who were not formally excused from attending meetings.

 At the meeting held on January 2^nd, 1800, the office of Engineer was revised and the positions of Chief Engineer and one Assistant Engineer created.  The term of the Chief Engineer would be until October of that year and the term of Assistant Engineer would be from one meeting to the next.

 In April of 1800, a motion was brought forward that the President be recognized as the Judge of Excuses, for members not attending posted meetings.  It was also resolved that a ladder donated by Jesse Matlack be repaired and kept on a hook at the rear of Benjamin Miller’s shed.

 During the remainder of 1800 few meetings were held and no business of any importance seemed to have been conducted.  Ironically, minutes of the early meetings of 1801 show evidence of a feud because several of the original founders suddenly resigned from the Company without any stated reasons.  Some weeks later these men resumed their membership.  In addition, at the meeting held in February of 1801, it was agreed that since there had been no record made of the amounts subscribed for the fire engine back in July of 1799, such record of names and amounts were to be entered with that meeting’s minutes.  The sum total subscribed was $307.

 The minutes of 1802 and 1803 do not give much information about the activities of these years and 1804 began slowly, with routine meetings at home of various members.  At the March meeting of that year, the members unanimously moved to accept a gift of five buckets from Dr. Joseph Moore.  A motion was put forth that these buckets have an inscription painted on them.  The inscription read, “These Buckets Commemorate the Bounty of Doctor Joseph Moore”.

 In November of 1804 the roll book was reported missing and it was moved that new roll be established in the minute book.

 Since the Company’s inception the rules of preparedness for all members demanded that fire buckets be kept available and in proper condition for immediate action.  Failure to observe this practice resulted in a fine which, by the spring of 1805, had soared to the stinging sum of twenty five cents.  At the May 1805 meeting, Company Clerk Emmor Bradley reported all buckets in proper order except for one belonging to D. Heister.  He seemed to think that his bucket was more useful as a holder for his fire arms.  Heister was fined the maximum.

 Curiously, to this date, there has been no identification in the Company records of the fire engine that was purchased back in 1799 by the $307 subscribed from the original organizers and other concerned citizens.  Often the minutes note that the fire engine “was in good order” or that certain repairs were made or needed to be made.  It can be understood from these minutes that the fire engine was kept in sheds belonging to various members and was maintained in a state of readiness by the Chief Engineer.

 Later records show the fire engine was purchased from the Neptune Fire Company of Philadelphia and was built by Patrick Lyons of that city.

 In May of 1806, John Graves reported on the condition of the engine in the temporary absence of William Sharpless.  His report noted that the bottom of the fire engine wagon was very decayed and he made a motion that it be repaired immediately.  This motion was accepted and a committee was appointed to undertake the work, the expenses of which were reimbursed by Company funds.

 During the years between the summer of 1806 and the fall of 1810, Company records show very little activity in the business of the Company other than repair of equipment.  Throughout the early 1800’s no official mention or description of any fires within the Borough can be found.

 In the meeting of September, 1810, on a motion from the floor, it was resolved that the Fire Company’s ladder, hooks, and apparatus be moved to the new storage location under the eaves of the Market House.  The use of this location was donated by the Market Corporation.  A committee was appointed to supervise the move and to undertake minor additions to the shed so the equipment would be adequately protected.

 The meeting of March 12^th, 1812, was marked by an unusual amount of activity.  The Engineer reported his findings, which he had been directed to do at the previous meeting, and submitted a choice of either reconditioning the old fire engine or purchasing a new one.  His report noted that the lowest price for a fire engine was $500 while the cost of reconditioning was uncertain.  The members accepted the report and, after some debate, chose to recondition the old fire engine.  Upon a motion made and accepted, Doctor Jacob Ehrenzeller and Doctor William Darlington were appointed to see that the proper work was performed.  In addition, at that meeting, it was noted that building fund existed with a balance of thirty five dollars and fifty eight cents.

 At the meeting of July 1812, William Sharpless reported that repairs to the fire engine were complete except for one small leak at the offset connection.  The bill for the reconditioning amounted to $41.55.  A motion was put before the meeting that each member of the Company pay fifty cents in order to cover the expense of repairing the fire engine.  The motion passed unanimously. However, at the same meeting, William Sharpless suddenly resigned from the office of Chief Engineer.  He had held the office since 1801 and never seemed to have faced any opposition over the years.  His resignation was accepted without comment and John Babb was appointed the new Chief Engineer.

Two months later Issac Darlington resigned as President and Doctor Jacob Ehrenzeller was chosen as President in his stead.  Also at that November meeting the Engineer reported that the fire engine was out of order.  On a motion John Graves, Joshua Jackson, and Joseph Jackson were appointed as a committee to repair the fire engine.

 Minutes of meetings for the next six months indicate that the fire engine was not able to be repaired properly and began to suffer from its many years of service, needing some type of repair and maintenance continuously. 

 Company records for the period between the spring of 1813 and January 1816 have been lost or damaged over the years.  However, it was determined that very little changed within the Company, its methods and regulations undergoing only minor changes.  Officers of the Company for this period are also unknown.  Comparison of the membership rolls indicates a fairly stable membership, at about twenty three members, with the leadership of the Company still firmly among the older, original founders.  Resignations were frequent and seem to be given for reason of moving outside the Borough.

 It is noted that the reason for the scant nature of Company records during the years 1813 through 1815 may be due to the War of 1812.

 In 1813, many Company members and other concerned citizens of the Borough and countryside organized a military company of volunteer infantry and met regularly for drills and training.  When Washington, D.C. fell to the British in the autumn of 1814, and the enemy began a northern thrust through Baltimore, West Chester’s “American Grays” Company responded to a summons from the Governor of Pennsylvania to aid in establishing a defense for Philadelphia.  On September 18^th, 1814, the Grays marched fully equipped from West Chester to an encampment at Marcus Hook and remained there under official service to the Country until the 5^th of December.  Three members of the First West Chester Fire Company held rank in that company of infantry.

 The meeting of January 27^th, 1816, was held with eighteen members present and a good report, for a change, was given on the condition of the fire engine. 

 The meeting of March 30^th, 1816, was uneventful, except for the acceptance of the resignations of two very active and responsible members, John Babb and Thomas Hoopel, whose reasons were unidentified. 

 The July meeting of 1816 was insignificant, but, at that meeting, an episode begins which proved to be of serious concern to the members.  During those early years, equipment was in very scarce supply and meant much to the efficiency of the unit.  For this reason, its care and accessibility were a constant concern, with stringent guidelines and control.  Infractions of Company rules were usually punished by fines and infractions for misuse of equipment normally drew the heaviest fines.

 At the July meeting, the Clerk reported all buckets accounted for and in good order except for the one assigned to Dennis Whelen, who was fined twenty five cents.  Each meeting thereafter, for the next twenty two months, the Clerk’s report listed the bucket as missing, and the fine applied for each time.  On March 28^th, 1818, Dennis Whelen submitted his resignation, after arranging a settlement of two dollars to square his account with the Company.

 On November 39^th, 1816, it was resolved that “The Chief Engineer shall have the full authority to direct the working of the engine and enforce strict obedience to his orders”.  Failure to obey the Engineer, in matters pertaining to the fire engine and its condition, brought fines up to twenty five cents.

 Throughout 1817 the old fire engine continued to be troublesome.  A major leak developed in the cistern and many month passed before it was effectively repaired at a cost of $67.87.  Some repairs were performed to the engine house which have never been described or located in the Company’s records.

 The meeting of March 28^th, 1818, resolved a major change in firefighting methods for the company.  Effective that date, upon receipt of an alarm, all members were to rendezvous at the fire house with their buckets and accompany the fire engine to the alarm. 

 In July of 1818, the cistern again was reported in need of repairs.  The meeting appointed John Graves and the engineers to attend to the repairs.  Again, in November, repairs were required on the cistern.  In March, 1819, Ramus England, who was appointed to repair the engine house floor, reported that the floor was in such a state of decay that he had to replace it in its entirety.  Before doing so, he had consulted with the President and other members and reported that the cost incurred would amount to $6.50. 

 At the same meeting, Joseph Townsend submitted his resignation as Chief Engineer.  Elisha Ingrain was appointed Chief Engineer and Joshua Jackson was appointed as Assistant Engineer.

 In the decade of the 1820’s, no major changes within the framework of the Company occurred.  Firefighting procedures were stressed and upgraded from time to time, and the old fire engine continued to plague engineers with maintenance problems.  The individual members’ buckets remained the most important piece of equipment, and several members found themselves in trouble from time to time for improper use of their buckets.  In 1829, John Edwards found himself in the same predicament as Dennis Whelen.  Also in that year a “rules and regulations” book was established.  Members were required to read and subscribes to its contents each year.

 At the meeting in January 1830, a committee was appointed to solicit subscriptions and promises of monies for purchase of a new fire engine for the Company.  Appointed to this committee were Dr. Wilmer Worthington, John Marshall, and John B. Brinton.  At a special March 1^st meeting, the committee reported that they had procured subscriptions in the sum of $610.00 for the new fire engine.  On motion, it was resolved that, “Henry Fleming, John W. Townsend, and Daniel Buckwalter be a committee to proceed to Philadelphia and contract with some hydraulic engineer for an engine with the following dimensions and power: an engine with two chambers, six inches in diameter, duly proportioned, with levers for eighteen men; to place on stream from the gallery”. 

 On March 27^th, 1930, the committee reported back that they had completed a contract with Merrick and Agnew Hydraulic Engineers for an engine to be cast at a price of $550.00.

 At the July meeting of that year, a motion was resolved to have the title “West Chester” painted on the gallery of the engine.  A committee comprised of Daniel Buckwalter and Henry Fleming was appointed to “…inquire where, and upon what terms, a lot can be obtained, suitable for the erection of a house for the new engine.”  The committee reported back at the September meeting that they had “…obtained a grant of twelve feet front on the north side of South Street, between the Register’s Office and the Market House…”  This land was leased from the County Commissioners on a five year lease which was renewable, at their discretion, at the end of the original term, with a six month notice to be given if renewal were not to be granted.  The report was accepted and it was resolved that the committee supervise the construction of an engine house of suitable size for the new engine and sufficient room for passage around the apparatus.

On January 29^th, 1831, it was reported that the new engine had arrived and was in good order.  Bills totaling $113.24 were submitted for construction of the new engine house, approved, and ordered to be paid.

Dr. Jacob Ehrenzeller submitted his resignation.  It was accepted with regret and a motion was accepted that Dr. Ehrenzeller be elected an Honorary member of the Company.  A new constitution and by-laws were also approved.  John Babb was elected as a member. He had been out of the Company since his resignation in 1816. 

 These elections were prompted by the resignations of Dr. Jacob Ehrenzeller, and Henry Fleming during the spring of that year.

At the meeting in January of 1832, Amos Darlington, Chief Engineer, and Tomas Powell, Engineer, were each fined fifty cents for permitting the fire engine to be out of order on the 5^th of December.  Amos Darlington also submitted his resignation because he was moving from the Borough.

 It was resolved at the October 1832 meeting that the engineers would no longer be responsible for the good order of the old fire engine.  The responsibility of the old fire engine was assigned to a special committee of three.

 Membership rolls and minutes of meetings indicate that the second generation of many families were beginning to become active members.

 In 1831 and 1832 the Board of Engineers formally organized their board with by-laws and duty assignments.  A book of minutes of their meetings was established and has remained the only record within the Company which discusses events and fire to any detail.

 At the May 3^rd, 1832, meeting the Board of Engineers adopted their by-laws, one of which stipulated that the person designated monthly to take care of the equipment would be fined up to $3, if such equipment was not in “good order and condition”. 

 At approximately 11:00 a.m. on July 21, 1832, there was a fire in the kitchen of Marshall James’ home on Gay Street.  Both fire engines responded.  The fire burst through the roof of the structure but it was quickly extinguished, with minor damage.  A subsequent investigation determined that the oven had caused the disturbance.  There is mention of another fire on April 30^th, 1833, in the Smedley Kiln.  There was much damage in this fire and it was determined that the top of the kiln was too close to the roof. 

 On August 3^rd, 1833, the Company procured a new ladder.

 On February 8^th, 1834, there was a fire in the kitchen chimney at Dr. Worthington’s home.  No action was taken because there was no danger of the fire spreading to either the roof or the house.

 It was at this meeting that the by-laws were amended, so that tow persons were put in charge of caring for the fire engine, and each of them was to be fined $1.50 if the engine was found not to be in good order and condition.  On July 5^th, 1834 it was decided that a nozzle would be purchased for use on the “squirt pipe”, which was smaller than either of the others then in use at the Company.

 Little Company activity is recorded through the balance of the 1830’s, except for numerous amendments to the by-laws.

 At the stated meeting of April 25^th, 1840, it was moved that the Board of Engineers be a committee to study the “expediency of selling our present engine”, and purchasing a new one.  Eber Washington tendered his resignation and was declared an honorary member.

 At the special meeting of May 26^th, 1840, the committee of engineers reported their findings on the topic of selling the present engine.  An estimate had been procured from John Agnew, Engine Builder, of Philadelphia, for “…an engine of 8-feet body, 7-inch diameter chamber of 10-inch stroke.  Wheels 4 feet in diameter, one long piper screw together in the center, one hose pipe for the side stream, the usual number of nozzles, receiving screws at the side, one pair of lamps, cups in the chamber, shut off valve, and fine head with the usual quantity of brass mountings, to play 180 feet, painted and complete under the cost of One Thousand and Seventy Dollars.”  The committee appointed to complete the contract with Mr. Agnew.  The new fire engine was received some time in the summer of 1841. 

 At the special meeting in March of 1841, President Washington Townsend expressed his desire to see the membership take into consideration, “…the propriety of applying for incorporation.”  On a motion, it was resolved that the President should have full authority to take all necessary steps.  In addition it was resolved that a committee be appointed to act in conjunction with similar committees of the other fire companies to solicit the aid of citizens for the fire companies.  William Townsend motioned, and the meeting resolved, that five members be appointed to study the feasibility of procuring a lot for a new engine house.  Appointed were F.E. Hayes, Thomas B. Tweddle, John W. Babb, John H. Sweeney, and Captain William Apple.

• $1,290.00 for the engine
• $45.00 for lamps
• $50.00 for paintings
• $62.00 for 90 feet of hose
• $4.50 in transportation cost

 At the May 29^th, 1841, meeting, John W. Babb tendered his resignation and was declared an Honorary Member.

 There was a special meeting on October 9^th, 1843, to announce the death of Eber Worthington, and Honorary Member and respected citizen.

 At the stated meeting on November 24^th, 1855, the Committee was authorized to purchase a hose carriage, from the Southwark Hose Company of Philadelphia, at a cost of $600.

 At the meeting held on November 5^th, 1859, the membership agreed upon an official company uniform to be worn to company functions by the engineers.  The uniform consisted of a green hat with gold scroll work at the emblem, blue flannel shirt, black patent leather belt with German silver plate lettered “Engineer”, and black pants.

 There is a notation in the record books that in December of 1859, a serious discussion finally began among the three fire companies on the topic of forming a fire department in the Borough.

 The Civil War held a very dismal shadow over the Company during the years between 1861 and 1863.  Attendance at meetings dropped from 25 or 29 normal members down to 6 or 13.  The April 1863 stated meeting and every monthly meeting until January 25^th, 1864, were cancelled because not enough members were available to attend.  The records covering the meeting that were held during the war years show that little work or business was conducted, and there is no mention, in the same records, of the firefighting equipment and its condition.  It was not until March 24, 1864, that records mention equipment, and then it was to report that $10.00 was received from the sale of the old hose carriage.  At this same meeting, the Treasurer’s report stated that, with the payment of $300.00 to the mortgage holder, Prudence Williams, the Company would be out of debt by April 1, 1864.

 By the year 1867, members began to see activity around the engine house return to near pre-war levels.  The First West Chester Volunteers continued to bring new methods and equipment to service.

 During the month of May, 1869, bids for an addition to the rear of the engine house were solicited, and, concurrently, a truck committee was assigned to meet with a committee appointed from the Borough, in order to iron out the details from the purchase of a new ladder truck.

 The July 6^th, 1969, issue of The Republican headlined the parade and festivities held in honor of the arrival of a new hook and ladder truck.  This was purchased by the Borough, at a cost of $850.00, and was assigned by the Borough to the custody of the First West Chester Fire Company.

 The truck was forty five feet long, and the ladder cradles were ornamented with gilt eagles.  The “truck” carried one each 30’, 25’, 20’, 15’, and 10’ ladders, plus additional equipment, including four heave pick axes, a hand crowbar, and 18 “gutta-percha” water buckets.

 The history of the “Wessies” during the 1870’s becomes obscure and the years seem to have been uneventful because of a very lax method of record keeping.  The same problem of incomplete record keeping has obscured the events of the early 1880’s. 

 At the stated meeting held May 29^th, 1882, the committee on the hose reported that a carriage had been ordered from the Buffon Manufacturing Company of Waterford, New York, and was to be finished within two months.  Also at the meeting it was noted that the Good Will Fire Company had requested the Company “…appoint a committee to meet a similar committee appointed by their Company, to consider the subject of an organized Fire Department for the Borough.  On motion at this meeting, it was resolved that the Committee be invited to attend the next regular meeting on June 26^th, and there explain their purposes and the object of their appointment.”  Nothing seems to have come of the invitation in the minutes immediately succeeding these.

 In August of 1882, it was reported that the new hose carriage was to arrive in Philadelphia about September 11^th or 12^th.  A special meeting was called on September 13^th, 1882, to arrange for reception of the new hose carriage and have it displayed at the Gay Street Depot.  The carriage, however, did not arrive until September 20^th, and, consequently, there was no parade and no display.  It was housed immediately.  It had all the modern improvements and carried 800 feet of rubber hose.

 In January of 1883, a letter was received from Chief Burgess Wood requesting “…each Fire Company elect three delegates to meet at a general meeting for the purpose of consulting and devising a method so that the entire fire department shall be under the control of a competent person to direct the same.”  On motion, the Chair appointed George G. Cardwell, H.I. Brinton, and J.T. Murtagh.

At the meeting of April 1883, it was taken under discussion to dispose of the old, hand fire engine.

 The new uniform was adopted in June of 1883.  This consisted of a white cap and belt, blue shirt with white figure, white scarf with slide, and a black pair of pants.

 In June of 1884, it was resolved that the alarm bell would be struck on regular meeting nights to call members to the meeting.

 At the November meeting in 1884, the Company ordered 6 rubber coats for the engineers.

 The hand fire engine was sold, in January of 1885, to Thomas Peto, of Philadelphia, for $75.00.

 At a special meeting held on February 2^nd, 1886, the members resolved that the Trustees purchase the store and lot of Sarah P. Lackey, adjoining the Company’s building for the sum of $4,500.00.  There was an additional special meeting called on December 11^th, 1886, and there the members reviewed the plans prepared by Architect T. Roney Williamson.  The Company building fund would provide $500.00 and the Engineers Board pledged $1,500.00 toward the construction cost.  The Trustees, Chief Engineer, and Hiram W. Hannum were appointed as a building committee to carry out the supervision of work. 

 A news paper clipping from December 29^th, 1886, traces back the motto of the First West Chester Fire Company to the time when the fire engine purchased from John Agnew of Philadelphia, in the early 1830’s, was completed and ready to go.  The Honorable Washington Townsend, a member of the Company, sat down and penned the inscription, “Faithful and Fearless” and had it painted on the gallery of the engine.

 At a meeting held in March of 1887, a bid of $2,885.00 was accepted from Messers, Williams & Burns to renovate the engine house.  The new engine house was dedicated with a celebration in April of 1888.

 A special meeting on November 28^th, 1888, was called to prepare resolutions and offer condolences on the death of the Honorable J. Smith Futhey.

 As the Company’s membership grew during the latter years of the 1880’sand into the 1890’s, new activities began to sustain the members’ involvement.  Periodic fairs and minor fund raising parties or picnics became an occasional diversion, but the biggest events of the 1890’s were the frequent Firemen’s Parades held around the County.  The members invested in smart marching uniforms and color guard equipment, and they made great efforts to send a representative delegation to as many parades as possible.  The unit often travelled many miles to march with pride and distinction under our colors.  In June, 1893, they travelled to Fredrick, Maryland, and by the late 1890’s, the reputation of their fine showings drew invitations to march in the Firemen’s parades at locations as distant as Roanoke, Virginia.

 A new chemical truck with two, fifty gallon chemical tanks was purchased by the Borough for the Company in July of 1894.  On December 9^th, 1894, a bunk room was established in the engine house.  The purpose of the bunk room was to permit a crew to put the new chemical engine into service more quickly.

 On January 28^th, 1895, the membership elected to have a stained glass memorial window for the late H.I. Brinton installed in the meeting room.

During planning for the 1899 centennial anniversary of the Company, Composer J. Max Muller wrote and dedicated an original musical composition to the First West Chester Fire Company.

 The 1900’s began quietly for the Wessies.  Parades continued to be a favorite activity demanding much time and effort.  The matching unit now numbered better than one hundred men, when all attended.  The age of the apparatus was, once again, causing many hours to be spent in repair and maintenance.  In March of 1903, the chemical engine was shipped to Elmira, New York, for repairs.

 In 1911, the first motorized engine was delivered; a twelve cylinder autocar.

The records of the Company are very incomplete during the period of the First World War and into the early 1920’s.  The history of activities of the Company for the early 1930’s also suffers from lenient record keeping.  On September 19^th, 1931, the by-laws committee motioned that amended by-laws be accepted and the old struck.

 At the stated meeting of November 1931, it was motioned and approved that all existing old minute books and other records be assembled, repaired, and properly stored.

 During January of that year, the Borough delivered a Seagrave pumper to the Company.

The engine house was renovated again in January of 1935.  At this time a concrete floor was installed in the engine room and the basement was remodeled so that it could be used by the members.

In October of 1937, the First West Chester Fire Company joined other companies from around the County in the County Firemen’s Association.  The conditions of the fire house were again improved in June of 1938, with the purchase of new chrome and vinyl furnishings.

 The Wessies demonstrated their prowess of the softball field during the summer of 1938 under the leadership of Joe Leary.

In October of 1941, the Company accepted custody of a new 750 GMP Seagrave pumper.  The truck was equipped with a twelve cylinder engine and a 300 gallon booster tank.  The new engine cost the Borough approximately $7,500.00. 

After the Country became fully involved in World War II, the faces around the Wessies engine house drastically changed.  Many younger, active members were going overseas, and their duties around the engine house were left to be performed by the older members.  Often the minutes of the meetings discuss the need of older members to lend a hand in the demanding task of keeping the equipment ready to respond.  As had occurred in the periods of previous wars, the manpower of the Company dropped so low that points that the monthly meetings were cancelled for several months at a time.  From April to December 1943, no meetings were held due to the pressures of the war.  All officers in 1942 were elected to officer in 1943 by a simple procedural vote, since no names had been nominated to permit an election.

 At the meeting held on February 28^th, 1944, the members received the new of the death of Eddy McCormick, the first member to die in action.

 At the July 1947 meeting the purchase of an RCA television set for the recreation of the membership was approved. 

 During one night in December of 1947, the Company was engaged to the maximum efforts to extinguish the tremendous fire in the old high school at Church and Washington Streets.

 Early in the 1950’s, the routine of the Company was again touched by war.  Although the Korean War did not deplete the membership rolls to the extent that meetings had to be cancelled, the war did draw from the Company ranks.

 The 1960’s brought many problems to the West Chester Fire Department.  Urbanization and industrial growth in the West Chester area were adding new pressures to the fire fighting duties of the volunteer companies.  The companies began to expand their training and practice schedules to deal with these new hazards.

 In this connection, Mr. Charles Davis of Birmingham Township was invited to attend the meeting on Match 27^th, 1961, to introduce the available sources of water within the township so that so that the Company could better handle calls in the area.

At the meeting of April 24, 1961, it was announced that Borough Council had approved a request that they pay expense for two men to attend the State Fire School.  In May of 1961 Frank McCormick and John McClain were assigned, by the Company, to attend the week long State Firefighters’ course taking place in July.

 In February of 1962, Assistant Fire Chief John McClain of the First West Chester Fire Company assumed duties as Department Chief.

 An examination of the engineers’ reports for the month during the 1960’s attest to the increasing incidents and potential for fire in the growing West Chester area.  The report of May 1962 shows twelve calls for the month, seven of which were general alarms.  The June report shows seven calls, with four general alarms.  The October report shows fifteen calls, with one general alarm.  The January 1963 report shows nine calls, with seven of those listed of general alarms.  In March of 1963, the Assistant Chief and Engineers made a survey of the Borough alarm system.  The engineers’ report for 1963 stated that of 182 alarms, the Wessies responded to 45 house fires, 21 car and truck fires, 17 commercial building fires, 3 industrial building fires, 47 field and woods fires, and 30 miscellaneous fires.

 During 1965 members of the Company and other companies in the West Chester Fire Department toured many of the commercial, industrial, and institutional structures in the community to familiarize themselves with the structural conditions and specific equipment on the premises of each.

 On August 26^th, 1966, the 1,000 gallon pumper (51-1) arrived from the manufacturer.  On August 31^st, 1966, the Underwriters’ test was held and the specifications of the truck were verified.  The First West Chester Fire Company officially accepted the new pumper of September 1^st, 1966 and housed the engine with a parade and ceremony on September 10^th.  The new Seagrave pumper was first called into action on September 15^th, 1966.

 Ironically, the first call into service for the new pumper was to attack the hazards of a fire discovered in the new multi-storied women’s dormitory at Church and Sharpless Streets, on the West Chester State College campus.  The building was part of a new generation of firefighting problems which were blooming throughout the expanding West Chester Community.  During the succeeding years, this pumper and its crew returned to the campus to become familiar with the complex buildings and equipment as expansion continued.

At the January meeting in 1968, the Chief Engineer reported that there were 188 calls in 1967.  Training of the members was intensified during the year, and the Board of Engineers began that April to hold weekly sessions to train members in firefighting skills.

In August of 1968, tragedy struck the Company in a most chilling manner.  Phillip T. Austin, 53, a volunteer fire policeman of the First West Chester Fire Company was hit by an automobile at 10:20 p.m., Friday, August 16^th, while direction traffic around three cars which were involved in an accident on Route 202.  He died as a result of these injuries on the following Sunday.

In February of 1971, Assistant Fire Chief J. Herbert Chambers, Jr., of the First West Chester Fire Company, assumed the duties of Department Chief.

The 1970’s continued to present the First West Chester Fire Company volunteers and the other Department members with new hazards and responsibilities.  The monster threat of the early 70’s was undoubtedly the rapid growth of the apartment complex.  These structures and their designers’ obvious disregard for fire control have placed an enormous burden on the volunteer fire companies.  The years of the seventies have been marred by deaths in apartment complex fires.

On June 7^th, 1973, one of the largest alarms brought all three companies to the Seven Oakes Apartment Complex on East Marshall Street.  One apartment occupant died in the fire and several company members received minor burns and lacerations.

In the Chief Engineer’s report for 1973, it was reported that the Wessies responded to 286 alarm in the Borough and five surrounding townships.

In February of 1974, a disastrous fire struck the Cambridge Hall Apartment Complex on West Rosedale Avenue, leaving the Selwyn House, a unit within the complex, totally destroyed by flames.

On August 6^th, 1974, the Company celebrated its 175^th anniversary.  The week of September 8^th through September 14^th, the Company and members observed the celebration of 175 years with Sunday Church services.  On Monday was the Beard Judging of members “Brothers of the Bush” contest.  Tuesday and Thursday nights saw a “Battle of the Barrels” contest with local neighboring fire companies competing against each other for trophies.  Friday evening was the Chester County Firemen’s Association meeting in West Chester.  The week long events culminated with the Grand Firemen’s Parade on Saturday.

In the mid 70’s the talk began about the necessity to move into a larger firehouse.  Much talk was due to the ever increasing lack of room in the facility of Church Street and also due to the problems with parking around the station.  With the increasing size of apparatus it had become more difficult to back vehicles into the firehouse with cars parked across the street.  The bulk of the problems were created with the moving of the sheriff’s office into the old Mosteller building.  Their cars were constantly parked across the street taking away parking for members when coming to fires as well as the room to maneuver equipment prior to backing into the station.  After several years of talking with the County Sheriffs and the President Judge the problem only increased and the County refused to budge.  The Sheriffs promised to move their cars in case of a fire but this proved to be futile.  On many occasions the Sheriffs and volunteers would confront each other about the problem.

 Much talk about trying to build a new firehouse occurred around the station.  Much of the problem was the lack of funds available to the Company.  For many years the Company invested its money in an effort to get into a position where it could build a new firehouse and move to an area with ample parking for both the apparatus and volunteers.

 In 1985 past President Daniel Chambers brought forth information to the Company about a property that was going up for Sheriff’s Sale.  The property was located in East Bradford Township and was the old West Chester Hunt Property on South Bradford Avenue.  The owner was contacted who offered to sell the property for $70,000.  At that time the building on the property was used as a shooting range, which sat on five acres of land.  At a regular monthly meeting the Company voted to purchase the property.  Next began negotiations with East Bradford Township regarding zoning and the type of building the company wished to construct.  The property was zoned municipal use by the township and the building plans were approved. 

 Following the purchase of the property the Company had its hands full.  The property consisted of two buildings and five acres of pastures and woods, all unimproved and need of a lot of work.  The members tore down existing dog kennels and outside sheds.  Over the next two years two different committees grappled with the design and the choice of architect for the project. 

 In order to widen the frontage on the Bradford Avenue, the Company began talks with the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to purchase a triangle of property consisting of ½ acre.  This portion of land was given to the Company at no cost.  In addition a piece of property, forty feet wide and eleven hundred feet long, was purchased from the Archdiocese for $2,000.  The addition of the two pieces of land expanded the new grounds to 6 acres.

 Gary Rostrom, a member of the Company, was chosen as the architect and a butler style building was chosen for the engine room.  A ten by twenty foot link would join the new engine room and existing building which would house administration.  Utilicon Company of Phoenixville was hired to build the engine room for $400,000.  The existing shooting range was renovated completely by members of the Company.

 Construction began in April of 1989 on both sections of the building.  The construction of the administrative section was completed by twenty members working five nights a week and all weekend for five months.  The building was completed in early August 1989 with a housing that followed on August 6^th which included a processions from the old firehouse on Church Street to the new station.  A small ceremony was held along with the housing of the apparatus followed by a small party on the grounds.

 During the 1990’s improvements were made to the property including a large two bay garage on the rear of the property.   The Company purchased two tractors to care for the grounds and cut the grass.  The engine room was repainted, trophy cabinets added, and the construction of a storage area in the mezzanine prior to the 200^th anniversary in 1999.

 Also during the 1990’s the Company saw the addition of two pieces of apparatus, Tac and Squad 51, bringing the total count to five pieces of firefighting apparatus.  Members continued to train vigorously to advance their firefighting skills to better serve the community.

 In September of 1999, the Company celebrated its 200^th anniversary.  A weeklong celebration included the traditional beard contest, pumper pull, Kangaroo Court, and Firefighter Challenge in downtown West Chester.  The celebration culminated with a parade on September 18^th.  Unfortunately attendance at the parade was affected when two days before, Hurricane Floyd, a category 4, struck the east coast with force.  But the massive storm was unable to quell the spirits of those who attended the celebration.