RFC HISTORY
On November 16th, 1905, the citizens of Richlandtown held their first preliminary meeting for the purpose of developing a fire company. A few days later, the executive officers were elected and a parade was planned in conjunction with the Quakertown, Coopersburg, Perkasie, Sellersville, and Telford fire companies.
On March 10th, 1906, the first official drill was called to order by Chief Weiland. Later on the year, on November 15, the Richlandtown Fire Company #1 was officially incorporated. Then on December 9 1906, the borough council donated $150.00 to cover the purchases of 100 feet of hose, 12 leather buckets, 6 rubber coats, 6 helmets, 50 feet of ¾” rope and a megaphone. This was just the beginning!
Early the following year, the fire company decided to purchase a pool table for the social room, 500 cigars and 15 pounds of chewing tobacco so that the firemen could relax after a big fire.
Finally in 1921, the fire company held a parade and housing ceremony for the purchase of a 1921 Reo Fire Truck that had a 350 GPM hale pump. Unfortunately, there was a fire later on that night at a 3 story warehouse located where Mike’s Auto Body stands. The fire truck was unable to be used because no one had been trained by the certified instructor for the apparatus.
Numerous changes took place from within the fire company in the following years.
In 1923, a fire alarm system was purchased by the ladies auxiliary. The janitor was instructed to give 6 blasts every Monday night. In 1924, it was decided that the janitor should only give 2 blasts every Monday night at 7 pm.
On November 24, a motion was passed to purchase a new chemical pumper on June 1st, 1925, that motion was carried out with the purchase and delivery of a new Ford Fire Engine from Hale Fire & Pump, for the price of $2,142.22. In 1926, the Reo Fire Truck was overhauled for $16.05. Four years later the Reo was overhauled, and a new International Fire Pumper was purchased.
On October 19, 1959, bids were sent out to put an addition on the expanding fire house. The accepted bid was for $6,780. A few years later the addition was erected. All of the fire boxes located throughout the borough to alert the resident and firemen of fire were removed and the fire company switched to the phone dispatch system. In 1967, home alerting systems (also known as “instalerts”) were purchased for the amount of $3,432.00.
On March 2, 1970, the fire company took delivery of its first four-wheel drive apparatus. It was a Dodge Mini-Pumper purchased for $14,000. In September, a parade and truck housing was held in celebration of the Dodge Mini-Pumper; fifty-two fire trucks and two hundred and fifty firemen participated in the parade.
On April 1, 1974, a patch, designed and submitted by Curtis Hinkle, was adopted as the official Richlandtown Fire Company patch. The patch is still worn proudly by the officers and other members of the fire company today.
On January 10, the Bucks County communications center completely took over all the dispatching for all fires and emergencies for the Richlandtown Fire Company.
In September of 1980, a gentleman by the name of Fred Bartholomew built the trophy case which is still on display in the meeting room at the fire house today. The trophy case is filled with numerous trophies and other memorabilia from the early years of the department.
In January of 1981, personal pagers were purchased for fire fighters to carry with them. These were activated by the Bucks County Communications Center and they alerted the firemen as to exactly where the emergency was located. Pagers continue to play a major part in the emergency alerting process. However, the rising costs make it difficult to continuously upgrade these units.
In August of 1984, another addition was completed on the fire house. Five bay doors and a kitchen were all part of the renovation. The five bay doors helped pave the way for the department’s fire tank truck, which was purchased and delivered in April 1986.
In November of 1991, the 9-1-1 emergency hotline was activated. It made reporting emergencies a lot easier for residents of the borough, no longer having to dial a ten digit number. They now only need a 3 digit number.
In January of 1994, the Richlandtown Fire Company #1, held its 100th regular meeting. In April of the same year, it was decided by the fire company to purchase a KME Pumper to replace the current first out apparatus. In May of 1995, the SME Pumper was officially placed into service.
In July of 1999, the original tanker truck was sold. A 1999 Peterbilt, 3000 gallon tanker was placed into service.
In April of 2000, the common practice of riding on the tailboard of the field truck while responding to calls was discontinued. Many members said that marked the end of an era. For years fire fighters rode on the tail boards of the fire trucks to respond to calls. Often this was the only place you could put additional fire fighters on the apparatus.
In 2001, it was decided by the fire company to host the 87th Bucks County Fireman’s parade and to purchase a thermal imaging camera. Later in 2002, it was also decided by the fire company to design and purchase a new field truck.
In 2005, Richlandtown Fire Company # 1, took delivery of a 2005 Ford/Semo Field Truck and hosed the 87th Bucks County Fireman’s Parade.
On March 10th, 1906, the first official drill was called to order by Chief Weiland. Later on the year, on November 15, the Richlandtown Fire Company #1 was officially incorporated. Then on December 9 1906, the borough council donated $150.00 to cover the purchases of 100 feet of hose, 12 leather buckets, 6 rubber coats, 6 helmets, 50 feet of ¾” rope and a megaphone. This was just the beginning!
Early the following year, the fire company decided to purchase a pool table for the social room, 500 cigars and 15 pounds of chewing tobacco so that the firemen could relax after a big fire.
Finally in 1921, the fire company held a parade and housing ceremony for the purchase of a 1921 Reo Fire Truck that had a 350 GPM hale pump. Unfortunately, there was a fire later on that night at a 3 story warehouse located where Mike’s Auto Body stands. The fire truck was unable to be used because no one had been trained by the certified instructor for the apparatus.
Numerous changes took place from within the fire company in the following years.
In 1923, a fire alarm system was purchased by the ladies auxiliary. The janitor was instructed to give 6 blasts every Monday night. In 1924, it was decided that the janitor should only give 2 blasts every Monday night at 7 pm.
On November 24, a motion was passed to purchase a new chemical pumper on June 1st, 1925, that motion was carried out with the purchase and delivery of a new Ford Fire Engine from Hale Fire & Pump, for the price of $2,142.22. In 1926, the Reo Fire Truck was overhauled for $16.05. Four years later the Reo was overhauled, and a new International Fire Pumper was purchased.
On October 19, 1959, bids were sent out to put an addition on the expanding fire house. The accepted bid was for $6,780. A few years later the addition was erected. All of the fire boxes located throughout the borough to alert the resident and firemen of fire were removed and the fire company switched to the phone dispatch system. In 1967, home alerting systems (also known as “instalerts”) were purchased for the amount of $3,432.00.
On March 2, 1970, the fire company took delivery of its first four-wheel drive apparatus. It was a Dodge Mini-Pumper purchased for $14,000. In September, a parade and truck housing was held in celebration of the Dodge Mini-Pumper; fifty-two fire trucks and two hundred and fifty firemen participated in the parade.
On April 1, 1974, a patch, designed and submitted by Curtis Hinkle, was adopted as the official Richlandtown Fire Company patch. The patch is still worn proudly by the officers and other members of the fire company today.
On January 10, the Bucks County communications center completely took over all the dispatching for all fires and emergencies for the Richlandtown Fire Company.
In September of 1980, a gentleman by the name of Fred Bartholomew built the trophy case which is still on display in the meeting room at the fire house today. The trophy case is filled with numerous trophies and other memorabilia from the early years of the department.
In January of 1981, personal pagers were purchased for fire fighters to carry with them. These were activated by the Bucks County Communications Center and they alerted the firemen as to exactly where the emergency was located. Pagers continue to play a major part in the emergency alerting process. However, the rising costs make it difficult to continuously upgrade these units.
In August of 1984, another addition was completed on the fire house. Five bay doors and a kitchen were all part of the renovation. The five bay doors helped pave the way for the department’s fire tank truck, which was purchased and delivered in April 1986.
In November of 1991, the 9-1-1 emergency hotline was activated. It made reporting emergencies a lot easier for residents of the borough, no longer having to dial a ten digit number. They now only need a 3 digit number.
In January of 1994, the Richlandtown Fire Company #1, held its 100th regular meeting. In April of the same year, it was decided by the fire company to purchase a KME Pumper to replace the current first out apparatus. In May of 1995, the SME Pumper was officially placed into service.
In July of 1999, the original tanker truck was sold. A 1999 Peterbilt, 3000 gallon tanker was placed into service.
In April of 2000, the common practice of riding on the tailboard of the field truck while responding to calls was discontinued. Many members said that marked the end of an era. For years fire fighters rode on the tail boards of the fire trucks to respond to calls. Often this was the only place you could put additional fire fighters on the apparatus.
In 2001, it was decided by the fire company to host the 87th Bucks County Fireman’s parade and to purchase a thermal imaging camera. Later in 2002, it was also decided by the fire company to design and purchase a new field truck.
In 2005, Richlandtown Fire Company # 1, took delivery of a 2005 Ford/Semo Field Truck and hosed the 87th Bucks County Fireman’s Parade.