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On January 4th the new Spartan/New Lexington Engine was put in service. In January also, the Fireman’s Relief Association purchased twenty new Scott Air packs and forty spare cylinders. We also loaned the Sutphen engine to Paxtang Fire Co. while their engine was out of service. The Ambulance committee purchased a C.O. monitor for use by the fire company. The company also purchased an Amkus rescue tool “Jaws of Life” in January. The Middletown rescue truck was taken off of all accidents unless a report of entrapment. This was a great change, for many years the rescue truck was dispatched for accidents in Londonderry Township. In February, we accepted a bid of $200.00 from Carl Runion to purchase the 1942 brush truck. On June 14th the housing of the new 1997 Spartan Engine took place at the firehouse. The engine was dedicated to Emory “Dusty” Fernback and David “Scotty” Gardner, passed members of the fire company. In August the 1984 Sutphen Engine was sold for $38,500.00 to Panama Fire Apparatus and is now in service at Rehobeth, Alabama.
The beginning of the year was quiet. In April, a motion was made to sell the old house siren and tower to Halifax Fire Co. for $100.00 with a stipulation that they must disassemble. In August, Senator Jeffrey Piccola presented the fire company with a check for $15,000.00 for the new boat. A motion was made at this meeting to buy the boat and trailer from the Harrisburg Seaplane Base for $8,100.00. The rest of the money will be used to buy equipment for the boat. September, a motion was made to submit a bid of $1,554.00 to Community Life Team for a 1987 Chevrolet Blazer to be used as a chief’s vehicle. The bid was accepted and the purchase was made that month.
In the beginning of the year, a few fire company members met with the members of the Middletown Fire Stations to co-host the Dauphin County Fireman’s Convention in June of 2002. The plans were on there way with many hours spent to prepare for this big event! In April, the new boat was delivered. Much more work needed to be done before it was put in service. We also received a check for $2,750.00 from the PA Bureau of Forestry for much needed forestry equipment. In June, we sold the old boat to Paul Sload for $2,000.00 and decided to house the Dauphin County Hazmat unit at our station. July, a motion was made to award the bid to Easy Siders in the amount of $56,200.00 to do the new addition by the social hall side of the firehouse. In September, a motion was made to purchase a 2001 PL Custom Ambulance by the dealer Wolfington to replace the old 1994 Horton ambulance. The total price was $93,717.00 with the old ambulance as trade-in. In October, the township paid $13,754.00 on the emergency pre-emption devices for the red lights in the township.
In January, the fire company auxiliary donated $11,000.00 towards the total of $22,320.00 for stone facing and vinyl siding to be put on the entire building. March was a very busy month with the fire company submitting a bid for $14,554.00 to buy a 1993 Chevy Blazer from the Elizabethtown Fire Company. The fire police purchased a 1978 Chevy step van from the Linglestown Fire Company for $3,000.00. The fire police received a grant from the Dauphin County Economic and Development for $12,500.00 in which they used to buy traffic control equipment for their vehicle. They put their FIRST new vehicle in service and called it Utility 54. In August, the fire company started a new committee called the “Capitol Improvements Committee.” The chairman is Dr. Edward Swartz. The company also sold the 1987 Chevy Blazer to Stephen Goho. September was a very tragic month due to the World Trade Center Disaster on September 11th.
The fire company started a truck committee to compile specifications for a new engine (Engine 54-1). The Capital Improvement Committee is working on several projects. A new phone system for the firehouse, a computer networking system and a major renovation of a possible second floor on the existing firehouse above the engine room bays and rear offices. This second floor will include a male/female bunkroom and several different offices. Lot’s of plan’s and financial options are needed for this project. And the work goes on! In June, for the first time, the fire company hosted with the three Middletown Fire companies the 2002 Dauphin County Convention. Hundreds of hours were spent planning and pulling off a massive amount of fire equipment. The committee and helpers were commended for such a great job. A FABULOUS time was had by all who attended! The Fireman’s Relief Association purchased a new Eagle air station for use in filling the air packs. This was done with help of donations and a fundraiser.
