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    Untitled document
    2010 Call Log
    Dwelling Fires (out of the Boro)
    Structure Fires (out of the Boro)
    Vehicle Fire
    Vehicle Accidents
    Brush Fires
    Mutual Aid Calls
    Search
    Rope Rescue
    False Alarms
    Public Service (Head Start)
    EMS Assists
    Wires Down
    Assist PD
    CO Detector Activations
    Equipment/Electrical FIre
    Heating Unit Malfunctions

    The Beginning
    Coaldale Volunteer Fire Company was organized April 26,1906. The meeting was held in the East Ward School Building which is now vacant. The seventy-five members elected the following officers: Alexander Murphy, President; William Evans, Vice-President; H.F. Blaney, Recording Secretary; Charles A. Melley, Financial Secretary; Neal J. Boyle, Treasurer; William Morrall, Peter McHugh and John Yemm, Investigating Committee; Thomas Minnick, Assistant Foreman; Neal McNelis, Sergeant-At-Arms; James D. Boyle, Assistant Foreman; and James L. Gallagher, Fire Chief.

    First Station & First Fire Truck
    In 1907 the Coaldale Borough Hall was built at the cost of $15,000.00. This was the First station for the company. In 1908, the Town Council bought its newly organized Fire Company its first fire truck, a Howe motor driven pumper and chemical engine for $5,000.00. It was one of the first of its kind in Pennsylvania and the first in Schuylkill County. After being in use for six years, it was discarded for it proved to be unsatisfactory.

    Horse Drawn Engine
    After discarding the motor driven engine, a horse-driven fire engine was purchased by Town Council. Two horses were purchased by the Fire Department. John (Buster) Hoben was the first driver of this team of horses. All equipment of the Howe engine was transferred to the horse drawn engine with the exception of the pump.

    1916 Hahn Combination Engine
    In 1916, the firemen purchased a motor driven combination pumper and chemical engine from the Hahn Motor Company of Hamburg. Motor driven fire apparatus was still an experiment in 1916 and the Hahn purchased at this time was proved to be unsatisfactory. The 1916 Hahn served its purpose until 1923.

    1923 REO Chemical Engine
    In 1923 REO chemical engine was purchased through Michael Domin. The firemen realized the necessity of a pumper that would give them enough pressure to fight any fire that might break out in the community.

    1928 Seagraves
    In 1928 the firemen purchased a new Seagraves at a cost of $12,500.00. It was equipped with a centrifugal pump which has the capacity of 1000 gallons per minute. This truck served the Fire Company until 1990.

    1941 Hahn Pumper
    In 1941 the firemen purchased a Hahn pumper with a 1000 gallon per minute pump and a full complement of wooden ground ladders ranging from 12 to 50 feet. For a period of twenty-three years, the 1928 Seagraves and the 1941 Hahn served as the community's source of fire protection.

    1960 Equipment Carrier
    In May of 1964, the firemen saw the need of a small truck to carry the protective and fire-fighting equipment owned by the Fire Department. The company then purchased a 1960 Chevrolet walk-in van for $1,595.00. The truck carried the boots, coats, helmets, smoke masks, and brush fire equipment owned by the company.

    1970 Mack CF-600 Pumper
    In August of 1965, the members of the company decided to look in to the purchase of a new pumper to replace the Hahn which was starting to have major mechanical problems. A five-year dream was finally realized in September of 1970 when a new Mack CF-600 1000 gallon per minute quad pumper was delivered to Coaldale for a price of $32,500.00.

    1972 GMC Rescue
    After the purchase of the Mack, the firemen worked to build up the treasury and in October of 1972 took delivery of a 1972 GMC Equipment carrier for the price of $9,000.00. This truck was equipped with a power supply for emergency lighting system, search and rescue equipment, and self-contained breathing apparatus.

    The LaFrance Disaster
    In October of 1975, the fire company entered into a contract with the American LaFrance Corp. of Elmira, New York to purchase a new "Century" model pumper, for the price of $58,382.00. The delivery on this truck was May of 1977. The American La France was in unsatisfactory condition on delivery, and returned to the manufacturer.

    New Station Work
    In 1977, the company moved into its new station at 121 West High Street. All of the inside work was done by members of the company. The station has three bays, full kitchen, bath rooms, and a social area for the members. This station is still where the CFD calls home.

    1979 GMC/Darley Pumper
    In 1979, a new GMC/Darley 1000 GPM pumper was purchased from W.S. Darley and Co. Melrose Park Illinos for the price of $45,000.00.

    1988 KME Pumper
    In the Spring of 1987, the company looked into a bigger pumper to replace the Darley. The company entered into a contract with KME Fire Apparatus of Nesquehoning, PA and in November of 1988 a new KME Renagade 1500 gallon per minute pumper was delivered to Coaldale for the price of $145,000. Today, the KME serves as the second due Engine/Rescue for the firefighters as it carries 9 aluminum ladders ranging from 10 feet to 45 feet, a 1500 gallon per minute pump, 30 gallon foam tank, 1400 feet of 5 inch hose, 700 feet of 2 inch hose, 600 feet 3 inch hose, Scott Air-Pak 50 self-contained breathing apparatus, exhaust fans, a variety of vehicle extrication tools including the Amkus rescue system, a variety of forcible entry tools, an on-board power supply for lighting, our rope rescue equipment and an on-board cascade system.

    1982 Mack/Baker Aerialscope
    In the spring of 1996, the company started to look in to purchasing an aerial device. In September of 1996, the company purchased a 1982 Mack/Baker 75' aerial scope for $35,500.00. This truck originally saw duty as Ladder 84 of the FDNY. After a total of 8000 man hours of refurbishing the truck by the members of the company, the department had its first aerial truck in the company's history placed in service in August of 1997. Today, the tower carries Scott Air-Pak Fifty self-contained breathing apparatus, forcible entry tools, hi-powered exhaust fans, quick vent saws, 235 feet of ground ladders, on-board cascade system, and on-board generator for lighting. After the Tower was placed in full service the Department "retired" the 1972 G.M.C. Equipment Carrier with 25 years of service.

    1970 Wildland Services Brush Truck
    In the winter of 1998, the dept acquired a 1970 Kaiser/Jeep 6X6 1200 gallon tanker from the State Dept of Forestry. Once again the members were back at work, taking an old piece of apparatus, and turning it into a useful tool again. The tanker required paint, body work, and engine work. Today it serves as a brush truck and a tanker truck as needed. The truck and dept are in a cooperative mutual aid effort with the Dept of Forestry and Water, which allows the truck to assist the Forestry Dept in the event of a major brush fire.

    1979/1990 Mack CF-600 Pumper
    In January of 1999 the Department starting looking into a piece to replace the 1970 CF-600 Mack Pumper. In June of 1999 the Department purchased a 1979 CF-600 Mack 1000 G.P.M. Pumper from the Eastern Salisbury Fire Department for the price of $32,000. This piece of equipment was totally refurbished in 1990. Today this piece serves as the attack pumper. Equipment including: 2000' of 5" LDH, 725' of 2" attack line, 1000' of 3" supply line, Scott Air-Pak Fifty self-contained breathing apparatus, the ECHO Quick Vent Saw, High powered gas PPV fan, various forcible entry tools, 20 Gal. foam and a full complement of nozzles. After the '79 Mack was placed in service we "retired" the 1970 Mack, and its unit #4015, after 29 years of active service.

    1987 Dodge Dakota 4X4 Utility Unit
    In December 2004 Fire Police member Russ Woodward donated his 1987 Dodge Dakota 4X4 Pick-Up truck to the Department. We will be using this vehicle as a Utility unit. Brush Fires, Search and Rescue, Trees Down, Offroad Firefighter Transport, Hose Hauling and other Special Details are a few things this unit will be doing. It will also be the primary method to transport our Rope Rescue Equipment offroad.

    Untitled document

    Recent Calls
    Jan. 3rd
    Lift Assist
    Coaldale Borough
    Jan. 7th
    House Fire
    W. Snyder Ave lansford
    Jan. 8th
    MVA with Injuries
    Water & Bull Run St.
    Jan. 10th
    Chief Request
    248 E. High St.
    Jan. 11th
    MVA w/ Entrapment
    32 W. Water St.



    Radio Frequencies
    Dispatch: 46.50Mhz
    Department Comm: 46.40Mhz

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    Volunteer Fire Company #1 Coaldale
    121 W. High St.
    P.O. Box 80
    Coaldale, PA 18218
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    Phone: 570-645-3796
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