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WEST CORNERS FIRE DEPARTMENT

The month we feature the West Corners Fire Company. A 100% Volunteer Department founded in 1918 when a meeting was held at the home of Jack Gallagher to establish a fire department in West Corners. The department was organized with 5 members using a 4 wheel vehicle donated by Valley Hose Co. (Union). This vehicle was chemical tank which had 200 feet of garden hose mounted on the vehicle.

Years later reorganization started in the district. The first piece of motorized firefighting equipment was purchased. A 1924 Model T Ford Truck with three chemical tanks mounted in the rear of the vehicle. The method of alarm was

APPARATUS

The West Corners Fire Company Fleet consists of:

Engine 29-1, a 2001 HME 4 Guys, with a 2000 GPM Hale Pump with 1500 Gallons

Engine 29-2, a 1994 Spartan Saulsbury, with a 1500 GPM Hale Pump with 1000 Gallons Water

Engine 29-11, a 1986 Spartan Young, with a 1500 GPM Hale Pump with 1000 Gallons Water

Rescue 29. a 2006 HME Silverfox, an 18 Foot Walk Around Body Ladder 29, a 2010 Spartan 4 Guys, with a 75 Foot Rear Mount Straight Stick

EMS 29, a 2007 Ford F-250 4 Door, with First Responder EMS Equipment

Brush 29, a 2009 Ford F-350, with an 18 Horsepower Waterous Pump with 225 Gallons Water

Utility 29, a 2012 F-250, with Fire Police Equipment ATV 29, a John Deere Gator XUV 825i, with a 70 gallon ‘L’ shape tank

established, which was a telephone call to Gallagher’s skating rink, in turn, a bell was rung from the top of the one stall garage fire station.

Today the department holds over 40 active firefighters running out of two stations. Eight pieces of apparatus with start of art technology enables proper fire protection for the fire district. Engine 98 and mutual aid procedures help ensure that fire crews will always be responding no matter what time of day.

The West Corners Fire Company Commanding Officers include Chief Jeff Hontz, Maintenance Chief Dave Thomas, and Training Chief Neal Haight. The Chairperson of the Board is Charles Loveland. There are two stations in the West Corners Fire District. Station 1 is their 5 bay headquarters. Built in 1980, Station 1 houses their main apparatus, Communication Room, District and Department offices, The Dave Ring Training Room, Squad Room, Kitchen and the Chuck Loden Training Building. With over 30 active members responding from the northern part of the fire district, Station 1 responds to all mutual aid and FAST calls. Station 2 was built in the hay day of IBM Glendale. Built in the 1960’s the 3 bay Station 2 houses their Med Team and UTV Brush Fire equipment. Station 2 also has a Communications Room and their Workout Facility, available for all members. With over 10 members in the southern part of the fire district, Station 2 responds directly to all fire alarms within the district and full response mutual aid alarms.

If you want to challenge yourself and help your neighbors at the same time, then West Corners Fire is your answer. They are more than a fire department, they are a family of dedicated individuals volunteering time and personal skills to help serve the West Corners community.

They are ALWAYS accepting new recruits for various positions: Firefighters Drivers (on all vehicles) Fire Police EMS Auxiliary General Positions

They offer several celebrations throughout the year to recognize volunteers. An annual Dinner Dance, Summer Picnic-Pig Roast for volunteers’ families and many other company events.

For More information: westcornersfire.com

https://www.facebook.com/WestCornersFire29