Mountain Top Hose Co.

About

Our History Located midway between Wilkes-Barre and Hazleton, the community of Mountaintop has always been an attractive getaway from the city offering fresh air, numerous streams and beautiful views. Early in its development, the occupations were mostly railroad, farming, lumber and/or ice harvesting. The Mountaintop area is comprised of five townships and one borough. In the beginning and into the 1940s. Fairview Township was the hub of the community due to its proximity to the railroads and the transportation it offered. In the 1940s, the area began to become a suburban community to Wilkes-Barre with a new highway Route 309 built through the center of Mountaintop making the automobile a friendly mode of transportation. In the mid 1950s, the first industrial park to be built in Luzerne County was located in Mountaintop, which greatly influenced its growth and attractiveness. As the Mountaintop area was growing, in the late 1930s, the need for a Fire Department became obvious. The first Fire Department in Mountaintop was formed in 1939, which was located in Fairview Township and was named the Mountaintop Hose Co. No. 1. The Fire Company initially served the entire Mountaintop area until the other townships formed their own fire departments by the mid 1950s. The first fire truck was a 1939 Ford with a Buffalo Hale Body. The fire truck was housed at the Municipal Buildings of the Township. In the late 1950?s a new municipal building was purchased and the fire truck was relocated to the basement garage in the building. In 1963 the Ford was replaced with an America LaFrance T50GPM/500 GWT pumper. In the early 1970s, the Hose Company recognized the need for its own building. The new building would provide more space for vehicles and equipment. A two-acre parcel was purchased which overlooked the entire Mountaintop area and also eliminated any major uphill grades or railroad crossings in the response routes. An industrious building campaign was conducted and the new building was dedicated on February 23, 1975, finally providing the Fire Company with its own home, providing a modern 4 bay building, meeting room and kitchen. With the completion of the new building, the space was created for more vehicles. Two open cab 1940s pumpers were purchased, one a Seagraves and one a Ward. These trucks served the Hose Company until a new Ford/Grumman pumper late in 1979. In 1980, the Hose Company was "loaned" a Jeep Mash truck through the State that converted to an equipment truck. As the community was growing, the Hose Company recognized the need to provide a rescue service. In 1982 a Chevrolet utility body Wheeled Coach rescue was purchased to carry the Jaws of Life and other rescue tools. In 1984 a community wide fund drive was conducted to replace the 63 American LaFrance. A goal of $10,000 was set and over $25,000 was raised with well over an 80% participation rate. A 1985 Kenworth FMC 1250 GPM/1000GWT Pumper was purchased. In 1988, in an effort to meet ISO recommendations and in response to provide for a rapidly growing community, the Fire Company undertook another truck campaign to add a third pumper. A goal of $25,000 was set. Over $41,000 was raised, again with over 80% participation.