| Engine 74 | FOURTH WARD
HOSE COMPANY DuBois Pennsylvania |
Rescue 74 |
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Regular Meetings - Held on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the Month (Exceptions announced)
Special Meetings - Advertised in the media, announcements by radio
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The Fourth Ward Hose Company was formally organized March 10,1894, at 8 West Long Avenue, DuBois, Pa. The Committee on buying a new hose cart recommended the company buy a cart from American Fire Engine Company for $100. The American Fire Engine Company was later to become American Lafrance. With the addition of two more hose carts, the company's ability to fight fires was increased. These carts were placed at strategic locations due to the hills and the fact that the mud was, at times, deep and slippery. One cart was placed at the hose company building, one at the B.R. and P. Railroad blacksmith shop and the other at the Moore Barn on Cottage Hill. The hose Company still has one of these carts. Another is in the Baltimore and Ohio museum in Baltimore, Md. On September 2, 1896, Mr. Barlow made a proposal to the hose company to build a new hose company building. This would require the hose company to sign a contract for a term of five years and pay $10 per month. The company, being under DuBois City Council, told him to take the proposal to them. On September 23,1896, the trustees of the hose company met with Mr. Barlow, revised the plans and specifications, accepted them and recommended the same to City Council. In October of 1896 the agreement was signed between City Council and Mr. Barlow for a new hose company building. Construction would begin sometime in December of 1896. On December 6,1920, a White Chemical Truck was purchased and placed into service at the Fourth Ward Hose Company.
In September of 1937 the hose company building was destroyed by fire. The truck was saved, but many of the records of the hose house were lost. The truck was housed at the DuBois Grange and meetings were held in the Moose Lodge. In October the old A and R ice cream factory on South Jared Street was brought to the membership by City Council as a possible new hose company building. After looking it over, and with City Council agreeing to supply the materials to do the necessary changes, the building was purchased in December of 1937. Plans for a new building were started in 1941. On February 23,1943 a new Mack 750 gpm triple combination Pumper was accepted by City Council for the Fourth Ward Hose Company.
When the 1962 Mack 1000 gpm Pumper was ordered for the hose company, it was discovered that the new truck would not fit in the truck room. The members found there was only "one thing to do " - they got together and built a new truck room on the right side of the building. When the new truck arrived in April of 1962, the members started to add additional equipment for this truck, as they had done with other trucks in the past. In February of 1974 it was discussed to look into the purchase of a new building and what had to be done to go about it in the right way.
On April 5,1974 the Building Repair Committee of the fire department sent a letter to City Council stating:" it is the feeling and recommendation of the Building Repair Committee that Fourth Ward is beyond repair and a new building should be provided. "After many meetings were held with different contractors, a letter was sent to the fire department on February 24,1976 stating that the Fourth Ward Hose Company was ready for a new building. Having all the facts that they could get on the building planning was started with City Council and land was purchased on South Brady Street. The hose company members demolished the building on the land and prepared the site for the new building with equipment loaned by the City and Fairman Drilling Co. The company had officially moved into its new structure on December 16,1978. Over $ 3,000 was raised in donations from members themselves.
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The membership had been discussing the need for a vehicle rescue truck in the City and in 1981 the opportunity presented itself in the form of a 1953 Civil Defense heavy rescue truck donated by nearby Oklahoma Fire Company. Many members trained and became certified as vehicle rescue technicians. They also became proficient in other forms of rescue including high angle rope rescue. After 10 years, the City acquired a 1980 Chevrolet box van which the members converted into a rescue truck. This truck was fitted with a cascade system later used by the City and mutual aid requests. The "new" truck was then certified by EMCO East as a light rescue vehicle. The Fire Department then purchased their first hydraulic rescue tool built by T.N.T. Rescue. Within days of it's acquisition, the rescue tool was put to use at a motor vehicle accident in front of the high school on B-Line Highway. Since then, a grant was approved and an AMKUS rescue tool was purchased. Both tools are carried on the Rescue and ready for use.
Today, Fourth Ward Hose Company acts as the rescue company for the DuBois Volunteer Fire Department. They operate a 1990 Sutphen Custom Pumper with an 8-man enclosed cab and top-mounted pump. They also operate a heavy rescue unit mounted on a Ford chassis. Thirty active members are led by a captain and two lieutenants. A truck foreman and assistant maintain the vehicles and equipment inventory while a company president and trustee's take care of house business. Together, they strive to develop and maintain an effective fire fighting and rescue company for the City of DuBois.
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