Brandywine Hundred Fire Co. No. 1
History
By 1923, residents of Brandywine
Hundred became so alarmed over the increasing number of fires and lack of fire
fighting equipment they took action.
Completing a series of meetings to discuss and plan for the establishment
of a volunteer fire company, the “Brandywine Hundred Fire Company No. 1” became
a reality on March 19, 1924.
The first fire engine was a 1924 Reo
built by U.S. Fire Apparatus Company in Kirkwood
Park, Wilmington.
This motorized engine cost $4,500.
For many years, the engine was housed in Chief Wigglesworth’s garage on Rosedale Avenue in
Bellefonte.
Until 1928 when Claymont and
Talleyville Fire Companies formed, Brandywine Hundred was the only volunteer
fire company covering New Castle
County north of the city.
In 1930, the company purchased the
Bellefonte Community Hall and added two engine bays providing the first
permanent house for our trucks. The hall
was located at our current site.
In the early years, holding carnivals
financed company operations. These
carnivals were held on an open field on the east side of Philadelphia Pike
between Bellefonte Avenue
to Schoolhouse Lane
to the north. It is said these were the
largest carnivals on the East Coast and the social event of the summer. Professional acts were hired as entertainment
and a new car was raffled off each evening.
“Free parking for 5,000 automobiles” was advertised.
During World War II, Ladies’ Auxiliary
members who volunteered were brought into membership for the fire company. They were trained and helped perform the fire
fighting tasks of the men, who were in short supply due to the war effort.
By 1948, the company had three
trucks: 1930, 1931, and 1948 Hahn
pumpers. In 1954, the Civil Defense
Agency provided the company with a Reo rescue truck. This was the start of the Rescue
Division. Population continued to grow
north of the city, and at the community’s request, the Ambulance Division began
in 1955. Profits from teenage dances
raised the $1,500 needed to purchase the first ambulance, a used 1948 Pontiac.
As the area continued to grow, the fire
station was just too small to accommodate the needed additional equipment. The company then built a new two-story fire
station in 1958, at a cost of $200,000.
To make room, the former Bellefonte Community Hall, the original
station, had to be demolished.
In 1959, the New Castle County
Fireboard (central emergency reporting center) began operations. No longer was there a need for the fire
telephone at the station or the extension in the Chief’s house that had been
manned 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
As in the years before, as improvements
to equipment and gear occur, upgrading continues. This is an ongoing necessity. In 1971, we
recognized the need in the district for an aerial truck, and acquired a 75 ft. Aerialscope
at a cost of $86,000. This truck was replaced in 1993 with a new 95 ft.
Aerialscope at a cost of $590,061 which is still is service
In 1994, our 1930 Hahn pumper returned
home. It had served our community well as an active fire truck from 1931
through 1965 when it was traded in for a new truck. Our “antique” is now a permanent engine room
showpiece when not taking part in parades and other activities. Youngsters who drop by with their families or
school classes to tour the station (this is .encouraged), enjoy sitting in the
front and ringing the bell.
IN 1998, needed renovations to the
building were completed. Among the
improvements was a major expansion to both engine bays and the upstairs of the
building including the hall. The total cost of this project was $1,700,000.
On March 5,
2005 U. S.
Representative Mike Castle presented Brandywine Hundred with a check for
$316,026 at a ceremony held in our engine bay which was a grant from the U. S.
Department of Homeland Security that we had applied for. The grant was from a package to improve the
effectiveness of firefighting operations, firefighter health and safety
programs, and to establish or expand fire prevention programs nationwide.
On December 29,
2006 the company received a new Emergency-One/Saulsbury 1,250 GPM fire pumper at
a cost of approximately $515,000. Engine
11-5
On December
20, 2007 we received delivery of a new 2008 Ford Expedition that is our new
Chief’s Vehicle.
On July 24, 2008 we received delivery
of a new ambulance A-11 It is an Osage Type III Warrior built on a Ford E350
super duty chassis. On July 28, 2009 we received B-11 a very similar Osage
ambulance continuing our efforts to provide the best ambulance service
possible.
On December 11, 2009 we received a new
Rosenbauer/DPC Brush Truck on a Ford F-550 chassis (unit 11-1) at a cost of
$103,641. It is also being used for other miscellaneous calls.
On March 1, 2010 we accepted delivery
of a new 2010 Ford Expedition to be know as U-11 for usage by our officers and
members.
The Brandywine Hundred District
encompasses 6.6 square miles and measures 13.5 miles around. From our station to the farthest point in the
district is 2.3 miles (intersection of Wilson and Shipley Roads).
In
2010 the men and women volunteers, who are residents of the community, responded
to approximately 787 fire and rescue calls. In addition, the company answered 2,059
ambulance calls. By comparison in 1964, there were 220 fire calls and 725
ambulance calls. The Brandywine Hundred
Fire Company, celebrating our 87th year in 2011, continues to be
ready and able to respond and serve as we go into the future.
Updated 3/25/2011
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