The History of Ickesburg Fire Company
Ickesburg Fire Company was officially organized on January 19, 1953, when company president Donald E. Kerr called the first meeting to order. Forty-seven members were in attendance.
Among the company’s early officers were W.E. Hoffman, vice president; Thomas N. Rice, secretary; Stanley Shiffer, financial secretary; L.C. Dobyns, treasurer; and Ted Shiffer, the company’s first fire chief.
The first item of business at that meeting was the appointment of Roy Kline as the company’s first assistant fire chief. Soon after, the members began the important work of outfitting the company’s first fire truck, a 1946 Chevrolet. A fundraising committee was appointed to help obtain protective equipment for the new department. That effort was later supported by William America, who donated coats, boots, and helmets.
In March 1953, the company purchased its first tanker, a 1959 Ford. That tanker served the community for many years and remained an important part of the company’s early operations. The original truck and tanker continued in service until 1965, when a 1965 Chevrolet tanker was placed into service. The booster tank and pump were removed from the 1946 Chevrolet and installed on the Ford, which was then converted to serve as the company’s primary pumper. The Chevrolet chassis was later sold.
In 1967, a committee was appointed to study pumper design in preparation for the purchase of a new piece of apparatus. The Ford/Howe pumper was placed into service in November 1977 under the designation P-31. The older Ford was renumbered as Auxiliary Pumper P-31A.
The company’s rescue truck, P-33, was donated by the Saville Township Supervisors in 1977. The 1953 Dodge military ambulance was equipped to perform a variety of support functions and became a valuable resource at fire and accident scenes, especially in rural and off-road conditions.
Throughout its history, Ickesburg Fire Company has continued to upgrade its facilities, improve its equipment, and strengthen its operations. The firehouse has long served not only as an emergency services facility, but also as a gathering place and focal point for many community activities in and around Ickesburg.
Ickesburg Fire Company remains committed to protecting lives and property through continued training, equipment improvements, and dedicated volunteer service. Since the company’s 30th anniversary celebration in July 1983, the fire service has changed significantly. Call volume has increased, training requirements have expanded, and the types of incidents handled by the company have grown to include trees and wires down, EMS assistance, vehicle fires, automatic alarms, landing zone operations, carbon monoxide and gas emergencies, hazardous materials incidents, out-of-county responses, and other emergency calls.
Today, Ickesburg Fire Company continues to move forward while honoring the work of those who built the organization. Staffed by volunteers, the company remains guided by its motto:
Intrepid. Faithful. Compassionate.
To continue serving Ickesburg and neighboring communities, the company remains in need of volunteers. There are many ways to help, both on emergency scenes and behind the scenes. Anyone interested in serving their community is encouraged to learn more about joining Ickesburg Fire Company.