Elysburg Fire Company No. 1
Fire Department History
The Elysburg Fire Company No. 1 is probably the oldest community oriented organization
still in existence.  It was early in the Twentieth Century that a group of men banded together
to protect against the common evil of fire.  These men purchased a pumper cart that could be
pulled by hand or by horse -- water, to be supplied by bucket brigade people.  In 1917 a
motorized Model T Pumper was purchased and stored in Walter Snyder's garage, as he was
then the Fire Chief.  The truck is now privately owned and has been seen in the 1976
Bi-Centennial parades.  Generous benefactors have since donated the bells and ladders to the
Fire Company.

In 1919 the Elysburg fire Co. No. 1 became a chartered organization.  The original
incorporators were; Harry Fahringer, W.C. Burns, G.K. Knepka, Thomas M. Reed, J.R.
Lynn, Simon Vought, G.F. Herb, H.C. Kase and Preston Crowl.  Officers were Harry
Fahringer - President, W.C. Burns - Vice President, G. Knepka - Secretary and Simon
Vought - Treasurer.  The charter was notarized on June 2, 1919 by Virginia Vought and
approved on July 14, 1919 by Judge Fred Moser, Judge of Courts of Northumberland County.

In 1934 land the Knoebel family donated land and a new firehouse was constructed on west
Mill Street.  The building had room for two trucks, meeting rooms and a kitchen in the rear.  
For thirty years this structure was  a veritable community center.  In the fall of 1966 funds
were solicited for a new Firehouse.  Construction began in 1967 on North Market Street.  It
was approximately the geographical center of Elysburg.  An addition was added in 1969
which then functioned as a meeting / social room.

In 1965 the company received a generous donation and was able to buy their first
ambulance, a 1952 Cadillac.  It needed extensive repairs and was traded on for a 1955 model.

The company has grown over the years and has had many changes in its apparatus.  
Currently there is in operation - Tanker 176, Engine 174, Engine 175, Rescue 177, Brush
173, Command 170, Ambulance / MICU 170, Ambulance / MICU 171.

Though still mainly a volunteer organization, Elysburg Fire Company Ambulance has added
paid staff members to help meet the growing need for its emergency services.  The medical
end of the service is now staffed 24 hrs / day, 7 days / wk and volunteers still play a very
important role.

If you would be interested in serving your community as a volunteer with either the Fire
Service, the Ambulance, or both, you may contact the Elysburg Fire Company for an
application.
Coverage Area
The Village of Elysburg is located approximatley 50 miles north of
Harrisburg in Ralpho Township, Northumberland County.  Our response
area is also quite unique, we border two other counties, those being Montour
and Columbia Counties.  Within these three counties we assist with other
fire companies to provide primary coverage to six townships.  These being
Ralpho, Shamokin and Rush which are located in Northumberland County,  
Cleveland and Franklin which are located in Columbia and Mayberry
which is located in Montour County.  Our primary coverage area ranges
from agricultural, residential, recreational and industrial.  The majority of
our fire protection is rural operations requiring the use of tankers.

Included in our protection area are two industrial parks, which combined
employ over 1500 people and manufactor things from paper products to
motor homes.  Knoebels Grove Amusement Park that entertains thousands
of customers yearly. Also located in our area are two sewage treatment
facilities and one water treatment plant.

Currently the Fire Department operates a total of 8 vehicles. We have 1
Engine, 1 Tanker, 1 Rescue, 1 Brush Truck, 1 Squad and 2 Ambulances.
[History]