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President John King Jr.
Vice President Von Braddock
Secretary Linda Foster
Treasurer Gary Bennett
Inner Guard Polly Buray
Chaplain Jack Sabo
The West Brownsville Fire Department was organized February 1, 1915. One of the most disastrous fires that had ever visited our Borough prompted the idea for the founding of this organization. This fire occurred on November 7, 1914, starting in the basement of the Aubrey Hotel building, where a Cleaning and Pressing Establishment was located.
In some unknown manner, gasoline, which was being used for cleaning, ignited, starting the fire which caused a one hundred thousand dollar fire loss, burning out practically all of the business section of the town. At that time, West Brownsville did not have a Fire Department, and only one fire hydrant, and the water happened to be shut off at the time of the big fire. This made it necessary for the Brownsville and South Brownsville Fire Departments to stretch their hose lines from the south side of the river. Not having a pumper available, the pressure was very weak and the fire got out of control. The Uniontown Fire Company was then called, and they shipped their pumper over on a special train. However, when it did arrive, the fire had been brought under control with the assistance of personnel from the Pennsylvania Railroad, who used their tanks and pumps.
On January 23, 1915, seven citizens of this community, met in what was then known as the old Diamond Store building, to discuss plans for the forming of a Fire Department. This group included C.W. Phillips, William Edwards, Dennis McGill, J.G. Collier, G.W. Stephenson, J. F. Elliott and J.R. Stephenson. After a lengthy discussion, they agreed to meet at a later date. The second meeting was held on January 27, 1915, and three more members added to the first group. These men were Thomas Aubrey, L.R. Edwards, and J. H. Marker. At this meeting, each person promised to bring a new member for the next meeting which would bring the total to twenty. This group then met on February 1, 1915, and elected the following officers: C. W. Phillips, President; William Edwards, Vice President; Dennis McGill, Secretary; and Treasurer; G. W. Stephenson, Chief; Thomas Aubrey, Assistant Chief ; J.F. Elliott, 1st Lieutenant ; L. R. Edwards, 2nd Lieutenant.
During the month of April, 1915, the Borough Council purchased a 40 gallon chemical tank and turned it over to the newly organized department. Council also appointed a committee to install twelve new fire hydrants, and this was accomplished in a very short time.
On May 22, 1915, the Fire Company purchased a 750 foot hose reel and 500 feet of hose. The purchase of this equipment revealed the fine spirit of the Fire Company, as they dragged this apparatus for four years, to several fires in various parts of the town. It seems that the boys were not to be outdone by other well equipped companies in this area, for on March 1, 1919, they purchased one of the newest up-to-date fire fighting apparatus, which was equipped with a 350 gallon pumper.
On February 21st, 1922, the company was called to the business section of Brownsville to fight a fire which broke out in the old Opera House. At this fire, the local company really showed their stamina, as they pumped water for six hours, using the two lines of hose, one tip being 1 ½ inches and the other ¾- inch. Brownsville, South Brownsville, and Uniontown also assisted greatly at this fire. Officers of these companies, including Chief George Letman of the Uniontown company, and George Edel of the South Brownsville company, made the statement that had it not been the West Brownsville truck, the entire business section might have burned. The kind of cooperation of our deceased honorary member, W. Harry Brown, had made it possible to own this piece of apparatus by Mr. Brown’s donation of $2,000. He was loved and respected by all firemen, for his fine spirit and cooperation.
On September 27, 1926, the old truck was traded, and a new 750 gallon American La France pumper was purchased. A 1938 Ford Squad car was bought that year for use in carrying member to parades and also for boat transporting in case of drowning. This was later sold to the Grindstone Fire Company. The 1926 Pumper was replaced in May of 1940, with another American La France truck, and this truck is still in service as of 1950.
The citizens of this borough are no doubt proud of this Fire Company, as the borough has not levied any additional taxes for upkeep of the Fire Company. When you go to bed at night, you do so with no troubles except your own, but the firemen have their own troubles and yours too, for in the dead of night, or day, summer or winter, when the alarm comes in, out they go to give the citizens the protection you have a right to expect from them.
