Brief History of
the West End Fire and Rescue Company
On Monday August 2, 1954 a group of concerned
citizens met in the M and N Restaurant on Lurgan
Avenue to discuss the fire protection in the West
end of Shippensburg. After this meeting occurred a
committee was established at the Vigilant Hose
Company to look into the possibility of forming a
rescue unit to be housed in the west end of town as
an annex to the Vigilant Company.
In 1955 Frank Hollar of H and H Chevrolet
donated a 1947 Dodge panel truck originally used by
Henry's Bakery to be used as a rescue truck.
Numerous businesses in Shippensburg donated
equipment that could be used for rescue work.
The new rescue unit was to be an auxiliary
station of the Vigilant Hose Company. The Vigilant
Hose Company would not be financially obligated in
any way to the new rescue outfit. The rescue
company was to have the same officers as the
Vigilant's with the exception of a secretary and
treasurer. As more equipment was obtained and
interest grew, legal advice was sought by the men.
It was decided at this time that the best approach
was to form another company independent of the
Vigilant's.
On September 7, 1955 a meeting was held at the
West End Atlantic Station on Lurgan Avenue. Six men
attended the meeting: Robert Jones, W. Budd
Montague, Herbert Cassidy, George Adams and Ralph
Hopkins Jr.
On October 8, 1955 the company filed articles of
incorporation with the Franklin County courts.
Company Charter members:
*Herbert R. Cassidy
*Merle I. Byers
*Galen L. Porter
*Robert J. Jones
*William B. Montague
George W. Adams, Jr.
George Eutzy
Ralph Hopkins, Jr.
**Galen Smith
*Signed Company Charter
**Missed the first meeting due to work but was a
founding father of the company and the only active
member for all the company's 50 years.
Robert Jones became the first company fire
chief.
Company meeting September 8, 1959
In the early days the company was very active with
the Civil Defense and stand by's at local
racetracks.
The company housed their apparatus at the West
End Atlantic Station until August 1965 when it was
moved to a building to the rear of 39 Stewart
Place. In April 1957 the company purchased the
building from Paul E. Bogar for $3,600.
In November 1957 the company purchased their
first fire engine, a 1935 International with a
400-gallon per minute pump from a company in Chester
County Pa. (the company now owns that same engine
fully restored to its original form). The same year
the company added a tank truck purchasing a used oil
truck from Chambersburg and converting it
themselves. The unit was a 1948 International and
carried 1,500 gallons of water.
In March 1962 the company formed a Ladies
Auxiliary.
After years of struggling to be accepted as part
of the Shippensburg Fire Department in May 1966 it
was announced that the company was to begin giving
the Vigilant Hose Company assistance on fire calls
in Southampton Township Franklin County. In
November 1966 the company was to receive one half of
the Firemen�s Relief money from Southampton Franklin
and in January 1968 Company Chief G. Crawford
Wiestling was named Fire Chief for Southampton
Franklin.
On October 4, 1970 the company dedicated their
new firehouse at 39 Lurgan Avenue in the memory of
W. Mervin Fogelsanger a company member and past
President that died in the line of duty February 17,
1969 while battling a fire in downtown Shippensburg.
On January 1, 1971 Shippensburg Borough
ordinance no. 398 was established. The ordinance
established for the first time a Shippensburg Fire
Department and recognized West End as a part of the
department. After 15 years of trying the company
was finally recognized by the Borough.
On August 18, 1973 the company took delivery
of their first new piece of apparatus, a 1973
International Bruco engine. This was the company's
first piece of apparatus to be painted orange and
white.
On January 1, 1976 the company became the first
in the area to begin running a medical assist unit
with the ambulance on calls.
In January 1976 the company revised their
constitution to allow women to join the ranks. In
February the company accepted their first female
member and the first in Shippensburg.
On August 16, 1977 the West End Fire and Rescue
Company placed their first hydraulic rescue tool
know as the "Jaws of Life" in service.
In June 1988 the company held their first
Child's Dream weekend at the station for kids ages
11 through 13. The company continues to hold the
child's dream weekend today.
The West Enders were always known for their
annual spring fair. The members sponsored the event
for 47 straight years at various locations, most
notably the Burd Street parking lot. In 2001 the
company held their last fair.
On October 28,29 and 30, 2005 the company
celebrated their 50th anniversary.
Almost 400 members and invited guest attended the
banquet where past chiefs; presidents and charter
members were recognized.
West End Fire and Rescue past presidents, October
29, 2005
West End continues to be a very active company
answering over 700 alarms annually. The members
continue to operate a food stand at the Shippensburg
Community fair, working weekly bingo, sponsoring A
Child's Dream weekend, working the Shippensburg Corn
Festival and holding the Keith Hess Memorial Golf
Tournament each year to name a few.
Over the years the company has owned many pieces
of fire apparatus. Today the company operates a
fleet of apparatus consisting of a 1995 Pierce
Engine, 1989 E-One Engine, 1990 Dodge Power Wagon
Brush Truck, 1999 E-One Rescue Squad, 1991 Chevrolet
Fire Police vehicle and a 1998 Ford Explorer Utility
vehicle.
* Information
Provided by: Bradley Myers - WEFR Historian *
