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Historical Timeline
The first 101 years...1913-2014
Click here to view year-by-year call totals since 1955
Click here to view our past Fire Chiefs and Presidents
Click here to view a roster of our past fire apparatus and ambulances
Most historical notes, facts and figures primarily are taken directly from the secretary's minutes of the
Salisbury Township Fire Company #1 (1914 through 2014).
Some additional facts are taken from the book
"A History of Salisbury Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania" by Mrs. Joan Lorenz (2002).
This historical timeline is dedicated to the memory of Mr. John Hostetter,
whom made the ultimate sacrifice for the
Salisbury Township Fire Company #1 on July 16, 1932.
“Lest we forget”
The following is a brief historical timeline of the Salisbury Township Fire Company #1/ White Horse Fire Company. Some years were very routine, some were not. The highlights are touched upon here.
The White Horse Fire
On September 13, 1913, Mrs. Mason Axe saw children coming out of Harry Sweigart's Barn, saw flames licking up from the roof and sounded the alarm. The neighborhood rallied with bucket brigades, but to everyone’s frustration and horror the strong south east wind carried the enormous sparks 500 feet west and across Route 340 to the barn of the White Horse Inn.
Calls for help went to the fire companies in Gap, Intercourse, Blue Ball, New Holland, and Terre Hill. Only Intercourse and Gap performed active service; the other companies arrived too late to be of assistance. J.T. Sellers loaded the Gap pumper on his Ford truck and took off for White Horse. Gap also followed with two more engines.
The prolonged dry weather, the southeast wind, and frame construction causes 3 houses, 7 barns, a carriage house, and some straw stacks to burn in a few short hours.
The scratch of a match in one second changed, in a few hours, the course of the citizens’ lives in the tiny village of White Horse. Many carried insurance while others did not. What did not change was the sense of hard work and neighborliness that characterized the fighting of the fire and the immediate rebuilding of their lives.
History of the Salisbury Township Fire Company #1
1914-2014
1914- The shock of the White Horse Fire on September 13, 1913 energized the citizens to form a fire company. The first organizational meeting was held January 17, 1914 at the Salisbury Township High School. (now the apartment building directly north of the present fire station). The Company’s charter was approved by the Lancaster county Courts on February 24, 1914. 242 persons are listed as charter members of the Salisbury Township Fire Company #1, having contributed $1.00 or more to the Company.
The Fire Company elected Adam Kurtz as their first fire chief. Assistant fire chiefs were also elected to serve the five villages that would house a chemical tank:
White Horse: John Reihl & Frank Seldombridge, Jr.
Spring Garden: William E. Robinson & Edwin Mentzer
Cains: John Oberholtzer & Frank Wright
Keystone: Milton M. Slaymaker & Henry Stoltzfus
Springville: Park J. Bair & Albert Reeser
Later five Type #85 hand drawn chemical fire engines would be purchased from Obenchain & Buyer, fully equipped, at a cost of $250.00 each, and strategically placed; 1 in White Horse, and the other 4 in surrounding villages (Keystone, Springville, Cains & Spring Garden) in Salisbury Township. These chemical tanks were placed on a two wheel cart that could be pulled by hand or placed on a vehicle. Bob Reed remembered pulling the White Horse engine to a barn fire at Chester Dunlap’s, which was too far engulfed in flames for the little engines to do any good. At the October 10, 1914 meeting, Keystone reported that “having had occasion to use their engine at Brackbill’s; where a smokehouse was destroyed by fire. The engine worked fine”
1916- Profit from the 1916 festival reported as $86.42
1918- A fire whistle was bought for $15.00 and mounted on Dr. Hostetter’s house.
1922- February 4th meeting it was discussed about obtaining automobile chassis on which to mount 2 or more chemical tanks, in order to fight fire more effectively and to get to the fires in a “more speedy arrival”. February 25th, the men purchased the first smoke masks, and it was decided to move the Springville engine to White Horse to be mounted on chassis and it was to remain in White Horse as a second engine. April 9th it was approved to buy 3 Ford Model T Chassis and have two 45 gallon chemical tanks mounted on each. The remaining two chassis, 1 would be assigned to Spring Garden, and the other to Cains. These Model T’s had a seat in the front, and a seat in the back with a ¾” hose, and were effective in extinguishing chimney and grass fires, and were a good start in saving lives, livestock and property. When someone mixed the soda and acid in the tanks, it activated the process, and the mixture came out fast until it was gone… when you charged it, you used it.
1925- On September 28, a committee was formed to look into getting a new “chemical and pumping” engine
1926- The Model T chemical engine was moved from White Horse to South Hermitage, since White Horse now had the 1925 Reo Pumper delivered to them. Land was purchased for $7482.65 in April in White Horse for the construction of a new firehouse. The Salisbury Township Fire Company #1 was admitted to membership in the Lancaster County Firemen's Association in February.
1929- On February 11, a bid was received for a single phase 3HP siren for the firehouse. It was decided to build the new firehouse before buying a siren. July 1, met with the Gap Fire Co. to set response areas in Salisbury Twp.
1930- On 1/13/30, The Cains engine is reported to be “in very poor condition” Mr. Marvin Stern reports that he had put this engine in “first class condition” several times, but that “someone always undoes his efforts to keep it in this condition” On 3/10/30, A committee is formed to visit area fire halls, and get ideas for our new station in White Horse. After giving a report in April they are reformed as the building committee.
1931- On 2/9/31, the first relief association check was received for $50.62. On 7/14/31, a second hand car was bought as a squad unit for $107.50, so that “men and hose could be hauled to a fire”
1932- The meeting of 2/8/32 “ended in confusement when it was agreed to disagree as to the size of the new hall & the amount of money to finance it”. On 3/14/32, the Cains engine is ordered removed and brought back to White Horse, due to the abuse the equipment receives at Cains. It‘s new use was as a hose wagon at White Horse. On 5/9/32 the plans for the new fire hall are approved.
The Company’s only Department related Death to date occurs on 7/16/32... After the 1932 carnival, Clyde McKillips and John Hostetter took the Carnival proceeds to the bank. According to John’s son, John H., there was a fellow at the fair who could not find his car. This signaled to folks that there was a robbery afoot. Clyde gathered the money in the cash box and when to go get John who had become sick and went home to bed. However, Clyde wanted a steady, dependable man to go with him and deposit the money at the bank. Clyde had placed a pistol on top of the money in the box. John had his “piece” with him as well. As they arrived at the bank, Clyde tripped, dropped the box, and the gun discharged, striking John Hostetter in the stomach with a fatal wound. John Hostetter was 28 years old, and left a wife and three children.
1933- On October 12, the construction of the new fire hall is commenced.
1934- On February 12, the first company meeting is held in the new fire hall.
1935- A small electrical system is installed in the fire hall, with the bill being $2.13 a month.
1939- A siren for the fire house was bought from Earl Brooks of Coatesville for $200.00.
1943- On 1/11/43, it was decided to only have company business meetings twice a year due to rationing of gas during World War II
1944- L. Ross Parmer joins the company, starting over 65 years of continuous service to the Company.
1946- On 1/14/46 Monthly meetings are started up again. On 11/11/46 1925 Reo pumper is sold for $193.40
1948- Ross Parmer elected Fire Chief for the first time on 4/12/48
1949- On 3/21/49 it was decide to buy a TV set to chance off at the annual festival. On 6/13/49 membership age dropped from 18 to 14, with written parental approval.
1950- Annual Festivals, a company tradition since the beginning, are discontinued in favor of soliciting funds by fund drive
1951- On 6/11/51, it was decided to send the engine to Honey Brook’s parade, and to buy a light plant that included 2 large flood lights, 2 small and lights and 400’ of cable for $600.00. On 10/8/51 an ambulance is first discussed. On 12/10/51 Amos Ebersol presented a glass painting to the fire company. It is still on display today at the present fire hall.
1952- On 2/11/52 It was voted to get a 500 GPM hale pump installed on the engine. 5/12/52 it was decided to lock the fire hall and hand out keys. Later that year, the first vehicle radio was used at Babe Marshall’s on Springville Road in the Welsh Mountain
1953- On 1/12/53 Lancaster County Fire Marshall Paul Knier was at meeting to give talk on Civil Defense. On 3/9/53, voted to install a 2 way radio on the engine for a cost of $255.00. On 9/14/53, the STFC joins Zone 4 fireman's association.
1954- On 3/8/54 it was decided to add another engine bay and kitchen to the west side of the fire hall.
1956- On 2/13/56 A tanker is first discussed. 13 votes for, 9 against, all voted for used chassis. Chassis bought from Lloyd Welk from Georgetown, for $500.00. It was a 1948 Reo, with a 1953 motor installed, Ross Parmer to make the tanker body in his shop. On 8/13/56 approved to buy a 2way radio for Tanker for $255.00. Final Cost for Tanker was approx. $2400.00.
1957- On 9/9/57 First Fire Police are appointed.
1958- On 3/10/58 Ambulance service is started. The first ambulance is purchased from the Honey Brook Fire Company for $250.00 15 yes vote, 13 no. Ironically, the ambulance purchased was Honey Brook’s first ambulance. 1st ambulance call was on 5/15/58 for a heart problem.
1960- On 10/10/60 new tanker approved…250 gallon per minute pump/1400 gallon tank
1961- On 2/27/61 new tanker is in service
1962- A second remote button for the fire siren is installed at Kurtz’s Store in town. You would call them and they would push the button to blow the siren.
1963- On 1/14/63 it was approved to get Chief Parmer a 2 way radio for his truck. On 10/14/63, it was approved to install base station at hall. Call sign assigned was KCU-214. Also bought that year was a 35’ extension ladder.
1966- On 11/14/66 a new engine was ordered for a cost of $16,281.00. The Tug-O-War team wins the championship at the New Holland Farm Show.
1967- On 5/20/67 first annual BBQ held, profited $589.89. The barbecues continue to this day.
1968- The Tug-O-War team wins the championship at the New Holland Farm Show.
1970- On 4/13/70 voted to sell the 1946 Reo
1971- On 3/8/70 1946 Reo finally sold for $400.00 On 9/13/71 it was approved to buy 12 alerting monitors
1972- On 1/10/72 approved to get 1 exhaust fan and 2 SCBA’s. On 7/10/72, Chief Parmer reported the company pumped out many basements on June 22 due to Hurricane Agnes. On 10/9/72 approved to get the Assistant Chief a 2 way radio for his car.
1973- On 5/14/73 voted to join Lancaster Co. central alerting when it goes on line on 8/1/73
1974- On 3/11/74 approved to get each fire truck a revolving roof red light. 12/10/74 it was announced that Salisbury Township now has an ordinance against “black smoke” fires.
1975- Willis Kurtz is elected Fire Chief due to Chief Parmer’s illness. On 10/13/75 it was approved to get a telephone installed in the fire hall.
1976- On 6/14/73 new house siren installed. The 1973 Cadillac Ambulance is purchased from the Willow Street Fire Company
1978- On 9/17/78 we buy the land for the present fire hall from the Pequea Valley School District for $16,744.00. It was the playground for the old Salisbury Township High School.
1980- On April 1st the present fire station construction is commenced. On 11/10 the first company business meeting is held in the new station. It was also decided at this meeting to hold the fire company and ambulance meeting separate due to increased activity on the ambulances part.
1981- On 1/12/81, the old fire hall is sold to a Mr. Wood.
1982- On 1/11/82 Kenneth Eberly is elected treasurer; a position Ken would hold until he stepped down in January 2007. On 2/8/82 a needle work picture of the fire hall is given to the company by Mrs. Mark Beyer. It is still on display.
1983- On 3/14/83 decided to purchase a 5300 watt generator. In August 1983, Zone 4 firemen’s assoc. disbanded, and handed responsibilities over to the Zone 4 fire chiefs association. On 9/12/83, new tanker committee formed.
1984- On 3/12/84 the new tanker was ordered. 11/12/84 the Ladies Aux. donated 12,500.00 to the new tanker. On 12/11/84 new tanker arrives.
1985- On 1/14/85 approved to get the 1967 pumper repainted. On 3/11/85 old tanker was sold for $2325.00
1986- On 3/10/86 Approved to buy 4 portable radios for the Fire Police, 2 quartz lights for each engine, and a second exhaust fan. On 4/14/86, White Horse and Gap agree to each pay ½ of a new air cascade system to be installed at White Horse for both companies to share.
1987- On 3/9/87, approved to build an office in the fire hall. On 12/28/87, the water tank in the 1979 Ford was replaced.
1988- On 1/1/88 Chief Parmer mandates all personnel wear rubber gloves when on accident call, to prevent bloodbourne disease. On 5/9/88 the first foam firefighting equipment is purchased. On 9/12/88 approved to purchase 1989 Ford E/One engine for a cost of $110,000.00 and 1989 Ford/Road rescue Ambulance for $44,000.00.
1989- On 1/30/89, the 1967 Ford sold for $2100.00
1990- On 1/9/90 we move up to 4” Large Diameter Hose. On 5/14/90, it was approved to build a roof over the BBQ pits. On 6/11/90, flag pole erected in front of the fire hall
1991- On 3/11/90 the company approves to get Winross Trucks to sell. Lancaster County CAD system goes online 7/19/91. On 6/11/91 a local antiques dealer donates a 1936 STFC carnival poster to the company. It is on display in the station. On 7/8/91, a new office is built I the hall, and the old one is made into storage. On 9/9/91, men were no longer permitted to ride the back step on the trucks going to fires. On 11/11/91, new generator was installed on the 1989 Ford.
1992- On 1/13/91 3rd assistant fire chief position added. On 2/10/92 approved to change response to have both engines respond on MVAs. On 9/14/92 a 2500 gallon port a tank is bought for Tanker 4-9
1993- On 4/12/93, a 1993 Ford E-One Ambulance bought for $68,000.00. On 6/14/93 new engine approved for purchase. On 12/13/93, the 1979 Ford sold for $20,000.00.
1994- On 12/12/94 the fire company and ambulance each donate $1000.00 to the Ladies Aux. for their food trailer. Lancaster County 911 moves to Manheim on 8/29/94.
1995- On 1/9/95, the 3rd assistant fire chief position is eliminated. On 12/11/95 approved to get a carbon dioxide sensing meter.
1996- On 2/12/96, Past assistant chief Elam Riehl is presented with a plaque commemorating his years of service. A new tanker/pumper is first discussed. On 3/11/96 an American flag was donated to the company by John Spotts, Jr. in memory of his dad, John Sr. In April of 1996 a new generator for the ’89 pumper is ordered. In July 1996 new tanker is ordered. In December of 1996 the old 1985 tanker was sold to Airville, York County.
1997- In March of 1997, the motor is blown on the ’89 Ford at a fire in Gap. On May 12 Jim Griel resigns as Deputy Fire Chief due to moving from the area. He is presented with a plaque of appreciation and is replaced by Rodney Gossert, and John Beyer replaces Rodney as Assistant Chief.
1998- New Scott Self Contained Breathing Apparatus are purchased. At the October meeting , Ross Parmer announces his retirement form the office of Fire Chief.
1999- Ross Parmer steps down as Fire Chief. Rodney Gossert is elected as the new Fire Chief, Ross Parmer is named Fire Chief Emeritus by President John Beyer. On 4/12/99, occurs the first discussion of adding on to the station. On 7/14, Chester County goes on to a new radio system. It will affect us working with them. On 12/13/99, new building plans are received from the architect.
2000- A 5 way manifold for water supply is ordered. In August of 2000, tradition is broken as the first sets of khaki colored firefighting gear are purchased, instead of the traditional black. It would take until March 2007 to replace 98% of the black gear. In September 2000, 2 thermal imaging cameras are purchased by Salisbury Township. One goes to Gap, one goes to White Horse.
2001- The 9/11/01 tragedies occur. This throws us and all fire departments into new training requirements to deal with terrorism and command structure. The new building addition is commenced in the summer, and finishes in the fall.
2002- Salisbury Twp. installs lights on the apparatus that will change red lights to green for us in an emergency.
2003- New announcement signs are ordered for in front of the fire hall and on Route 340. On 9/8/03, the company approves to buy a new 2004 Pierce pumper to replace the ’89 E-One.
2004- A updated water purification system is purchased for the station. In December 2004 we get our non profit organization status. In June of ‘04 new requirements for members to drive the trucks are instituted.
2005- Lancaster county commences with digital paging as a secondary means of notification to the traditional tone and voice pagers
2006- On 2/13/06 the company approves purchase of a new Tempest TB 400 16” bar chain saw. In 3/06, a Pyrocap foam system is added to Engine 4-9-1. On 6/12/06, the company approves a 2nd thermal imaging camera. In 7/06, received 500 feet of hose and a manifold from Kinzers Fire Co., but they wanted nothing for it. In August 2006, the fire company’s first website goes online. On 12/11, the company decides to buy rescue struts and rescue cribbing for Engine 4-9-1. On 9/11/06 it was approved to get two electrical hot sticks 1 for each engine. On 10/2/06 the ambulance assists at the Nickel Mines School Shooting Tragedy in Bart Township.
2007- On 1/7/07, The Ambulance and Fire Company approve Firehouse Solutions for a new and improved new website, after the previous website company goes out of business. On May 14th at 6:45 PM, the new website is launched to the public.
2008- After one year in operation the updated website had recieved over 73,000 visitors. In March, White Horse EMS celebrates 50 years of service to the community. In October, the company commences with production of a new squad/brush truck to be named Squad 4-9. The company loses two long time members. Ladies Auxiliary President Nancy Wallace passes away on November 8, while Fire Chief Emeritus Ross Parmer passes away on December 26. Squad 4-9 is dedicated to both members by the Company at the annual Christmas Banquet on December 10. Also in 2008, a state grant in the the amount of $19,000.00 is awarded for the purchase and construction of the new squad truck. An industrial-grade washing machine is purchased so that turnout gear can be washed in the firehouse, instaed of it being taken out to be done. The new Life Member designation is approved, to take affect on 1/1/09.
2009- Squad 4-9 is placed into service on January 1st. It is announced at the January meeting that additional state grants in the amounts of $9500.00 and $4900.00 are recieved, for Squad 4-9's brushfire skid unit, and AED's for Squad 4-9 and Ambulance 4-9, respectively. Also in January, In memory of Ross Parmer, the company votes to retire the "FP4-9-1" call sign. Later in the year, the Fire Chief mandates that ALL members wear refective safety vests while operating on ALL highway incidents, unless engaged in active fire supression.
2010- Due to a large influx of new Junior Firefighters, new Junior Firefighter guidelines are created and instituted. New MSA self contained breathing apparatus are purchased to replace all of the 12 year old Scott air-packs at the cost of $65,500.00. A new self contained breathing air compressor/cascade filling station system is purchased for the firehouse at the cost of $41,000.00.
2011- The new Salisbury Township burning ordinance is placed into effect by the Township Supervisors. This increases the Company's dispatches to trash fires, as open burning is now greatly reduced. The Federal Communications Commission approves the frequencies for Lancaster County's new public safety radio system. The previously mentioned airpacks and compressor all arrive and are placed in service.
2012- Squad 4-9 will now respond on all Cardiac Arrest calls. The committee is formed to look into and ultimately replace the 1994 Engine 4-9-2 pumper. Effective August 1, Lancaster County 911 revamps all Fire Company identification numbers in the county. We go from Station 4-9 to Station 49.
2013- The January meeting marks the induction of the new Board of Directors system of adminstration for the Company. Also the former Trustees are now called the Facilities Committee. In March, the committee to oversee our 100th Anniversary celebration in 2014 is formed. In August, it is approved to replace the 1994 pumper with a new 2014 Pierce pumper, to be designated Engine 49-2, at a cost of $571,000.00. In September it is announced that Salisbury Townships new ISO rating is 7.
2014- On January 1, the new EMS station numbers for Lancaster County go in service. Our ambulance goes from Ambulance 4-9 to Ambulance 49-1. In February, the Fire Company celebrates 100 years of service to the community. In early June the 1994 pumper leaves White Horse for its new home in Arkansas. The new 2014 pumper arrives in early July. On July 12th we host a 100th Anniversary celebration at the firehouse. We were fortunate enough to blessed with wonderful weather, and it was well attended. The 2014 pumper is also housed in traditional fashion that day.
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