| EAST BRADFORD – Firefighters from the West Chester Fire Department and community members gathered Sunday to celebrate the dedication of First West Chester Fire Company's new building.
"This is a family affair and a family needs a good house and that's what you're building here for all of the firefighters," said West Chester Mayor Carolyn Comitta.
Founded in the borough in 1799, the company relocated from Church Street to its current location on Bradford Avenue in 1989 after growing numbers forced expansion. According to company administration, with their number continuing to grow a new expansion was needed and a building committee was formed in 2011.
The company razed the existing building, leaving the station house and built the new facility in its place.
"This building encompassed everything that our members needed and more," Kramer said. "I hope this building is a building block for new friendships and happy memories and I pray that every firefighter who rolls out the driveway on their way to service their community returns safely."
The new building is equipped with a meeting room, bunk area, kitchen, showers, exercise room and recreation area ensuring to fulfill the firefighters needs when situations call for them to place long hours on active duty.
The building also houses trophies and company memorabilia as well as the original bell from the building on Church Street and a replica of the original fire house.
Comitta thanked the firefighters for being their when the community needed them such as the recent hurricane and in blizzards.
"I'm really so pleased to be a member of a family that comes together, serves the community and puts yourself in harm's way to care for your neighbors," Comitta said. "There is no higher honor than this and we honor you, and we thank you."
Comitta presented the company with a key to the city.
"I am continuously struck by your professionalism your passion and your dedication, you are always there," she said.
Company President Ralph Kramer said the building has presented several challenges throughout the years having to build from scratch originally and then starting the process again recently but having to keep the engine room.
"It all worked out in the end," Kramer said.
He added that before the new facility, firefighters would often stay for four days during a blizzard and sleep on the concrete floor on mattresses and did not have showers. Both of these problems are addressed by the new building.
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