Introduction to the West Hanover Township Volunteer Fire Company #1

The West Hanover Township Volunteer Fire Company, better known as Company 36, is an all volunteer company that proudly protects the residents of West Hanover Township and neighboring communities. From its modest beginning in 1946 it has developed into a large fire company that currently has three stations and nine pieces of apparatus. During the first forty years, the company primarily provided engine services, but during the 1980’s it began specializing in rescue company operations and wildland firefighting. Currently the company provides fire protection, rescue services, forestry fire protection, medical services, spill containment, and support services to the residents of the township and mutual aid to neighboring townships. The fire company has the responsibility of protecting approximately 18 square miles of Dauphin County. The 40 active firefighters and EMTs along with four engines, one heavy rescue, two brush trucks and two support vehicles do, as the company motto says, “Whatever It Takes” to save lives and property whenever there is an emergency. The West Hanover Township Volunteer Fire Company is very proud of what it does and will always continue to serve the residents of West Hanover and neighboring communities.

History of the West Hanover Township Volunteer Fire Company #1
(Updated April 2006)

The West Hanover Township Fire Company #1 as known today with three stations and nine pieces of apparatus all began in 1946. Several residents spent a day at the New Holland horse sale with plans to purchase some horses, but instead came home with a used American LaFrance fire engine. This first fire engine was purchased from the New Holland Fire Company by Mr. Harold Slepian.
                Soon after the engine arrived in West Hanover Township, Mr. Slepian decided it was time to organize a fire company to protect the lives and property of the residents of the township. The first meeting was held at the Clarion Press Building located on the present N. Hershey Road nearby the entrance of where the Manada Hill Inn once stood. There were 18 charter members who met on the second floor of the press building for about two years. In addition to the charter members, there were many other individuals who participated in the organization of this new fire company.
                 During this time the fire engine was in the Slepian’s barn which was behind the former Manada Hill Inn. In 1947 a 1936 International pumper was purchased from the Millersburg Fire Company and was housed in the basement of Houck’s General Store on Route 39 just south of the current station #1. Houck’s General Store served as the first headquarters of the fire company.
                 On November 22, 1948 an application for a charter and incorporation of the West Hanover Township Fire Company #1 was filed with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of State. On December 20, 1948 Judge J. Paul Rupp ordered and decreed that the application be approved. The members recorded on the charter were Harold Slepian, Russel P. Hinkle, Joseph M. Polm, James Stokes, Robert E. Buck, John A. Oberholtzer, Lee H. Miller, D. A. Cadzow, Edward Keller, John Carlson, Alfred Troland, Paul J. Snover, George E. Coover, Clarence Megonnel, Stanley Megonnel, William Collis, William Mehring and Jesse Lenker. The acting officers until the first meeting of the next year were Harold Slepian, Jesse Lenker, Joseph Polm and Robert E. Buck. The first fire chief was Charles Zimmerman.
                 The newly incorporated fire company immediately became very active in fund raising to improve upon the services they were expected to provide. From this time until 1955, weekly movies and square dances were held in the basement of Houck’s store. The movies were shown by Ron Drake from the radio station WHP. In 1950, a 1949 Darley Pumper was purchased for $6,800.00. The purchase was made with $1,000.00 of fire company funds, a $3,000.00 donation from West Hanover Township and a $2,800.00 interest free loan from John Houck, Sr. The 1936 fire engine was then sold for $400.00. A garage was built on the west end of Houck’s store to house the new engine. The only cost to the fire company was $150.00 for the overhead garage door. $2,000.00 of the loan was paid in August of 1950 and the remaining $800.00 in August of 1951. West Hanover had the area’s first tank truck in 1952 when the Township donated a used Diamond T chassis and the members of the fire company installed a 2000 gallon tank.
Homes continued to be constructed in the township and by 1953 it was evident that a permanent location for the fire company would have to be found. Mr. and Mrs. John H. Houck, Sr. donated a parcel of land on Walnut Avenue and the new home was born. Construction of the firehouse began almost immediately and in 1954 a ten horsepower siren was installed. Construction of the original firehouse was completed in 1955 at a cost of around $20,000.00, due to all donated labor and materials. As the township continued to grow additional apparatus was needed.
                 In 1962, a new Ford four-wheel drive pickup was purchased and the members installed a 200 gallon tank, booster reels and a 250 gallon per minute pump for a cost of $5,897.50. This was the area’s first brush truck and it was in service until 1999. The original tanker was replaced in 1967 with an 1800 gallon stainless steel milk truck. The older tanker was sold to the Dauphin Fire Company. Also in 1967, Mrs. John H. Houck, Sr. donated additional land so that the fire house could be enlarged. A 20’ x 40’ two story addition which included additional kitchen facilities and a game room was completed by year end. An emergency power plant was also installed.
                The year 1970 brought further expansion. A new Hahn engine with a 750 gallon per minute pump and a 750 gallon tank was purchased for $27,987.17. Immediately a search was made to find a place to relocate the 1949 Darley engine in the southern end of the township. The ideal location was found when a two car garage located in Hanoverdale was offered rent free by former Union Deposit Fire Chief John H. W. Cassel. A fire siren was installed at this location and on top the mountain in Piketown near the Mt. Laurel Church.
                A new Ford chassis was purchased for the 1800 gallon tank in 1971 for a cost of $11,507.05. The tank was installed by all donated labor and the generous use of the Zinc Pipe Bending facility. A parcel of ground across from the Mt. Laurel Church was purchased in 1973 for $3,500.00. Then, the land and garage in Hanoverdale that was being used as station #2 was purchased for $8,000.00 and the exterior of station #1 was bricked.
                 A second Hahn engine with a 750 gallon per minute pump and a 750 gallon tank was purchased in 1976 at a cost, complete with all equipment, of $58,323.33. Station #3, a 30’ x 40’ structure was completed at Mt. Laurel at a cost of $9,000.00 with all donated labor. The 1949 Darley was moved to station #3 to serve the northern part of the township and the 1970 Hahn was transferred to the Hanoverdale location. A 21’ x 63’ storage room was added to station #1 during this year.
                Because of their concern for the Fire Company and community, the late Fire Chief John H. Houck, Jr. and his wife, Arlene, donated an 8 acre parcel of land to the fire company in 1978. A 50’ x 50’ three bay engine room was added to station #1 in 1979 at a cost of $34,882.70. Once again, equipment and supervision was donated by Lawrence Houck and Company, with labor donated by fire company members. In 1980 a used 1965 Bruco pumper with a 1250 gallon per minute pump and a 500 gallon tank was purchased from the Westwood Fire Company near Coatesville, PA for $25,000.00 and housed in station #3 with the 1949 Darley. This addition now increased the fire company’s total number of pumpers to four, the most in Dauphin County.
                 A 36’ x 42’ steel building was constructed on the site of the original station in Hanoverdale in 1983. The new station #2 was completely insulated, dry walled and painted along with the installation of bath facilities at station #1. Bingo began and continues to be a major fundraising activity. A 3,600 gallon tanker truck was purchased for $18,000.00 to supplement the other 1,800 gallon tanker. This marked the first time that any fire company in Dauphin County ha two tankers in service simultaneously. Air conditioning was installed in the social hall of station #1 along with a new Federal Electronic siren on the roof.
                 In 1984 the Junior Firefighter program was implemented. The first junior firefighters were Tim Shatto and Mark McCahan. The 3,600 gallon tanker was refurbished by 4-Guys Inc. which resulted in the installation of a new 500 gallon per minute pump and numerous compartments for a cost $11,800.00.
                 In 1985, an Amkus hydraulic rescue tool was purchased for $6,500.00 marking the beginning of our rescue company service. Eight additional Scott SCBAs were purchased in 1986. The 1,800 gallon tanker was then refurbished by 4-Guys Inc. which resulted in a new 1,800 gallon stainless steel tank, new compartments and a new 500 gallon per minute pump at a total cost of $30,895.00. Pagers and turnout gear were purchased and issued to members. The first fully equipped rescue truck was put into service in 1987 along with 3,000 feet of five inch large diameter hose which was placed on the three engines. A Dodge van was donated by Hoffman Ford and put into service as a utility vehicle in 1989.
                 The 1990 Dauphin County Fireman’s Association Convention was hosted by the West Hanover Township Fire Company and it proved to be one of the largest logistical challenges ever. Many hours of planning and hard work led to a very enjoyable convention. In fact, the success of this convention led the members to host the county convention in 1996 to commemorate our 50th anniversary.
                 A new Pierce Pumper with a 2000 gallon per minute pump, 1000 gallon tank and a 40 gallon foam tank arrived in February of 1990. This engine became the backbone of our firefighting force and is one of the best equipped engines in the county. It cost $218,000.00 and is expected to meet the demands of fire protection for the next 20 years. It is still in service as of 2006 as Engine 36-1, but within the next year or two it will be moved to Engine 36-2 since a new first due engine is the planning phase.
                 As our needs continued to grow, 1991 saw the addition of a new Rescue Truck. A 1979 Ford/Emergency One Rescue was purchased from the Levittown, PA Fire Company for $60,000.00. This vehicle was refurbished by the members and many modifications were made. It is equipped with a 1,000 gallon per minute pump, 300 gallons of water, 100 gallons of foam, numerous lights, and a 12,000 watt diesel generator. The vehicle remained in service until 1997.
                 Also arriving in 1991 was a new Amkus rescue system which included cutters and spreaders. This supplemented our existing rescue equipment and increased our vehicle rescue capabilities.
                 Our fire company enjoyed somewhat of a windfall in 1991. While attending the Firehouse Magazine Exposition in Baltimore, Bill Gross and Tim Shatto entered a drawing on behalf of the fire company. As luck would have it, Bill Gross’s name was drawn and we were lucky winners of the traffic control signals which are located on Rt. 39 near Walnut Avenue.
                 In an ongoing effort to meet the increasing demands of development and progress, a new engine was purchased to replace the 1976 Hahn at station #3. A 1993 International / 4-Guys engine was purchased for $142,000.00. This new engine is equipped with a 1250 gallon per minute pump, a 1000 gallon tank and a diesel generator. This new engine greatly improved the fire protection in the Piketown and Fishing Creek Valley areas of the township. This engine served as Engine 36-3 until 2000 when it was removed to reserve status as Engine 36.
                 Also in 1993, the pump on Engine 36-2, the 1970 Hahn, was totally rebuilt and increased to a capacity of 1000 gallons per minute. Additional 5” large diameter hose was purchased making our total supply line capability just over one mile! (5,300 feet)
                 Station #1’s social hall was renovated by the members in 1993. Noteworthy improvements were made to the ceiling, lighting and floor (by Houck & Company) and a stage was built.
                 A restoration project was started on the Brush truck in late 1993 by the members. This vehicle was originally purchased in 1962 and was designed so well by the original committee that it was kept in service for well over 35 years.
                 As our rescue needs continued to increase, a need for high pressure air lifting bags was realized. After much consideration, a full complement of Maxiforce air bags were placed into service in 1994.
                 The year 1994 also saw the addition of another vehicle to our fleet of emergency apparatus. A 1994 Ford F-350, 4-wheel drive, crew cab pickup was purchased for use as a medical assist and multi-purpose truck. This truck was a very welcome addition and proved its worth in many ways. It served as Special Unit 36 until 2004, when it was replaced by a new Ford F-350 crew cab. It currently serves as Utility 36.
                 A computerized bingo calling system was installed in 1995 complete with video monitoring system. Bingo now entered the age of automation.
                 A comprehensive needs assessment was completed in 1994 and as a result the need for a new rescue vehicle was very clear. An overwhelming percentage of our alarms were rescue related and the capacity of the 1979 E-One had well been exceeded.
In 1995 a rescue truck committee was formed and this committee built and designed a brand-new state of the art Seagrave Heavy Rescue that was placed into service in late 1997. This rescue continues to be one of the top rescues in Dauphin County.
                 In 1995 the West Hanover Forest Fire Crew was formed by 88 members from five companies and served the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry throughout District 18. Today the West Hanover Forest Fire Crew under the direction of Fire Warden Tim Shatto consists of over 25 members just from our company.
                 In the late 90’s and early 2000’s, our company made some major updates to our apparatus fleet. In cooperation with Dauphin County Natural Resources a new 2-1/2 ton military brush truck better known as Brush 36 was acquired. Also, in 1999, a new Ford F-350 brush truck better known as Brush 36-1 was bought by the company. When Brush 36-1 was purchased, Brush 36 was moved from Station 36-1 to Station 36-3 on top the mountain to better serve the heavily forested mountainous areas. In the year 2000, Engine 36-3 (Current Engine 36) was moved to reserve status at Station 36-2 along with the sale of Tanker 36-3 (1972 Ford) and a brand new Engine/Tanker 36-3 was bought and placed in a newly expanded Station 36-3 to serve the northern end of the township. Also around this time Engine 36-2 (1970 Hahn) was replaced with a much newer engine. In 2004 a new Special Unit 36 (Ford F-350 crew cab) was purchased which moved the 1994 Special Unit to the current status of Utility 36. The Utility serves as the Fire Police’s main unit.
                 In 2005, the company replaced its turnout gear for the first time in 5 years and replaced all its Scott SCBAs with brand new MSA SCBAs.
                 In 60 years our fire company has made incredible progress, due largely to the hard work and dedication of its members. We are still the only volunteer fire company in Dauphin County to operate three stations and four front-line engines. We are continuing to expand our realm of services and are planning our company’s growth to match that of the expected needs of our township and surrounding communities.
                 Currently on the drawing board as of 2006 is a brand new state-of-the-art, multi-million dollar, working firehouse that will replace current Station 36-2 at a newly centralized location along Route 22 in the township and a brand new and improved first due front-line engine that will become Engine 36-1 as current Engine 36-1 becomes the new Engine 36-2. Also a new website is being launched and an extensive dry hydrant project to provide better protection in the rural areas of the township is in the development phase. Also, a little further down the road, a new tower ladder will be bought to better serve our township along with the replacement of another front-line engine.
                 All members, both past and present, can be proud to be a part of an essential organization with such a proud past and promising future. The fire company enjoys a very supportive community and a very cooperative township government. The fire company has been assisted by the township in many projects which may not have been possible without its help.
                 For over 60 years, the members of the West Hanover Township Volunteer Fire Company #1 have proudly served the citizens of the township and those in nearby communities and with the continued support of both the citizens of this township and the public officials we look forward to our next 60 years of dedicated public service.