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HISTORY
of
RELIANCE FIRE COMPANY
Jan. 28, 1827 - First Fire Company organized in Woodstown. It was called
the "Woodstown Fire Company". Original Articles of Association are on
display in the firehouse.
Circa 1827 - Eldridges Hill Fire Company
formed - Pumper "Water Witch" in 1845. Fire at Alms House (Old County
Home), engine was hauled by wagon.
1828 "Water Witch" Pumper
Early 1800's - Friends Fire Company formed -
Their old "Discipline" Pumper was last used in 1861. This fire company
was located near the present day meeting house driveway.
1868 - Perserverance Fire Company - They
organized and a pumper was bought from a Philadelphia Company for
$475.00. It was housed in various barns and wagon sheds, due to lack of
a firehouse.
1882 - "The Reliance" pumper and hose cart
sold to Perserverance by the City of Salem. Around this time, $2.00 was
paid to whoever used their team to pull the engine to and from fires.
July 25, 1884 - Perserverance dissolved and a
new company was formed taking the name of their engine -thus, Reliance
Fire Company was born.
March 1887 - After a barn burned in the
center of town (near the corner of Bowen Avenue and North Main),a call
went out from council and citizens to purchase a hook and ladder wagon.
Nov 1893 - A hook and ladder wagon was
purchased from Gleason & Bailey. Ladders and equipment included for
"$300.00 cash".
Gleason & Bailey Ladder Wagon
June 1895 - The first parade uniforms were
purchased - 2 1/2 dozen blue caps and 2 1/2 dozen red belts.
Jan 1896 - Council ordered Reliance to move
apparatus to the new hall.
Feb 1896 - A 1,000 pound fire bell was
purchased from McShane Foundry in Baltimore for $156.75. It was
installed on top of the Borough Hall. The bell was last used in the
early 1960's when the electric was out due to storms.
Jan 1922 - The first motorized equipment was
purchased at this time. It was a Childs Double Tank Chemical Engine
mounted on Kearns Chassis.
Feb 1923 - A second piece of motorized
equipment was purchased. It was a Foamite Childs Pump and Hose Car.
March 1923 - First alarm answered by both
motorized pieces. The fire was a chicken house at the Richard Flitcraft
dairy.
Nov 1928 - Contract was awarded to install an
electric siren in the Borough.
1939 - A Ford 300 gallon pumper was
purchased.
1941 - A Diamond T 500 gallon pumper was
purchased.
1953 - A Ward La France 1,000 gallon pumper
was bought for $15,722.50 (This truck is remembered by all who drove her
for the poor to no brakes at all)
1959 - An International Pumper was bought for
$7,854.52.
1962 International Pumper
1966 - *"Reliance 3"- Ford-Great Eastern was
purchased.
1971 - "Plectron" home alert system was
purchased.
1972 - Reliance joined Salem County Callboard
replacing local operators.
1974 - *"Reliance 2" GMC -Bruco was purchased
for approximately $75,000. "Reliance 4" GMC 2,700 gallon tanker was
purchased. "Reliance 7" used milk van was purchased and converted by the
Company to an equipment air pack vehicle.
"Reliance 5" 7,100 gallon tanker was
purchased. This was reconditioned by the company.
1977 - *"Reliance 1" GMC/Emergency 750 gallon
pumper was purchased.
Jan 1979 - Ground was purchased on Broad
Street from Freeman Loveland by the Fire Company for future site of a
new firehouse. Ground was sold to the borough for $1.
March 6,1982 - Reliance Fire Company moved
from Borough Hall to their new firehouse on Broad St.
1982 - Chevrolet step van was purchased by
the Company to replace old "Reliance 7"
May 21, 1983 - Today, we are proud to
dedicate our new building and house our equipment.
Sept. 1984 - Company moved to construct a
monument to house the old bell from the tower of the Borough Hall.
July 1986 - Purchased a 1977 Mack Tractor to
replace tractor for Reliance 5
Sept 1986 - Dedicated the bell monument
installed in front of firehouse.
March 19,1989 - Special ceremony for second
floor hall of Firehouse dedicated in the name of Joseph Casper.
Aug 1989 - Company inplementing LZ program
for Helicopter landings.
Jan 1990 - Reliance Fire Company designated
as Station 12 by Salem County.
May 1991 - New 6500 gallon tank trailer
placed in service
March 1992 - Rear bay was converted to an
administrative office.
Mar 1993 - E-911 phone system in service in
Salem County.
Sept 1993 - Received new Seagrave 1500 GPM
Telesquirt Pumper at a cost of $350,000.00
Feb 1994 - Replaced tank on tanker "12-5A".
July 1996 - Borough council donates company
car to Reliance. Vehicle designated as "Car 12"
Feb. 1997 - Station Generator is complete
with lighting and electrical outlets operational.
April 1997 - Received Safest Small Town Fire
Company Award and received $500.00.
Dec. 1998 - 500 mhz radios are operational.
May 1999 - Company installs dry-hydrant.
Oct. 2000 - Receives Suburban "12-7a" donated
by PECO. Thermal imagining camera is also received.
Dec. 2000 - Reliance receives new 12-1 from
Central States.
June 2001 - New flagpole donated by the
Rotary Club is installed.
Feb. 2002 - Memorial plaque for bell monument
arrives.
March 2002 - New tanker 12-5a bid to S & S
Fire Apparatus.
May 18, 2002 - Reliance Fire Company
Celebrates 175 years of service to the communities of Woodstown and
Pilesgrove
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