The citizens of Williamsport have enjoyed the fire protection and emergency services of the Williamsport Bureau of Fire for a very long time — since the time of President Ulysses S. Grant, the 18th President of the United States, in 1874.
They have performed their duties with pride and professionalism. With this in mind, they will be celebrating their 150th anniversary this year. We at Webb Weekly believe that this milestone should be noted and celebrated.
We asked officials from the Williamsport Bureau of Fire to assemble a history of this proud department. They have done so through the auspices of Deputy Chief Keith Lucas with the full concurrence of Fire Chief Sam Aungst. What follows is that history.
One hundred and fifty years of progress and of continuing service to the City of Williamsport. Such is the heritage of the Williamsport Fire Department, known today as the Williamsport Bureau of Fire. It has been said that the growth of every city is reflected in the development of its civic services, including its fire department. The Williamsport Fire Department is a prime example, beginning with a single piece of equipment and adding men and equipment through 1874, when the professional department was organized through City Council resolution and the next 150 years.
The first “fire department” consisted of every man, woman, and child who could carry a bucket. When an alarm sounded, two lines would form, one for full buckets moving toward the fire and the other for empty buckets moving back to the water source. The city received its first piece of equipment, affectionately known as “Sassy Sal,” in 1835. It was a primitive, hand-pumped device.
After the city was incorporated in 1866, the fire companies were governed by a fire board comprised of elected members of the individual companies and under the jurisdiction of City Council.
Another reason for developing a paid department was the May 9, 1874, election of fire board members. The Washington Company, in a dispute with the board, withdrew. To add to the problems, the Hibernia Company refused to vote at all. Tensions mounted, and a huge brawl broke out. It was so bad that city police had to be called to stop it.
In June, Mayor Martin Powell submitted two petitions to City Council asking for a paid, full-time fire department. The effect was that a resolution organizing such a department was passed by council on Aug. 1, 1874.
Five firemen have lost their lives in the line of duty during the department’s 150 years:
Charles T. Mahoney died while fighting the fire that destroyed the Link Block in the 700 block of West Fourth Street early Feb. 16, 1927, in addition to Charles Mahoney. In the early 1900s, James Spellisy of Co. 3 died when he was thrown under the horse team while responding to a fire. Sometime later, Capt. C. F. O’Dea, of the same company, was killed when the engine he was driving overturned, pinning him underneath. On June 13, 1937, John Bordinger of Co. 1 suffered severe injuries when he fell through the skylight of the Swift Co. meat packing plant on Lycoming Street. He died several days later of his injuries. On Oct 7, 2011, Platoon Chief Jeff Cole died of cancer he got from all his years of working in the Fire Service.
A word is in order about one of the greatest challenges faced by the fire department. It came in March 1936, during the height of the famous 1936 flood. An explosion ripped through the Wakenhut Building on William Street south of West Third Street. The resulting fire burned that building and several other nearby buildings to the water line, while firemen, their apparatus kept blocks away by the water, could do little more than watch. Eighteen persons were rescued from the burning buildings, largely through the efforts of some firemen, staff, and inmates of the Lycoming County Prison.
Manpower also increased for many years. Records show that in 1930, the department had 58 full-time and 26 part-time firemen. By 1940, the total number of full-time men had increased to 60. Part-time men had been deleted from the payrolls. By 1964, the number of full-time men had grown to 75.
In 1972, several cutbacks were announced, including the closing of three firehouses. Four firehouses were in use, with 61 full-time firefighters.
Throughout, the prime objective has been to make optimum use of the department’s manpower.
Between 1976 and 1978, more personnel were laid off, bringing the total down to 52 firefighters. Call volume for the 70s was around 500 calls per year.
During the 1970s, manmade materials started to be used for furnished goods in homes. This created even more challenges for the fire department. Ordinary furniture made with natural materials was now being replaced with couches and chairs that were covered in synthetic materials, and they burned much faster and hotter. The conventional “air pack” firefighters use today were rather expensive, bulky, and not widely used.
In the 1980s, the Bureau of Fire maintained a complement of 52 personnel, and it became apparent that the fire service was changing.
Household items made of synthetics are now found in most homes because they have become more affordable. Therefore, the toxins and heat experienced at a house fire were much greater. This required the use of an air pack and better gear that is worn while fighting a fire. “Turnout gear” was now made to withstand the severe heat, and air packs made it possible to battle extreme temperatures and retrieve victims who were trapped. Calls for service in the 80s were about 1,000 per year.
The 1990s were some of the most difficult years for the Bureau of Fire. The fires were much greater, more frequent, and getting harder to extinguish. The use of plastic and rubber for our everyday lives was found in all homes and made firefighting more of a challenge.
In 1996, it was decided to reduce the size of the Bureau by laying off eight personnel. In 1997, another eight members were laid off. Their complement was down to 36 firefighters. The daytime population for the city in those times was figured to be around 100,000 people working, studying, and living in the city. The strains of the manpower shortage were felt immediately and are still felt today.
In 1999, an alliance was formed with Old Lycoming Township Volunteer Fire Company. The alliance was formed to increase staffing for the residents of Old Lycoming Township and provide the City of Williamsport with another piece of apparatus, a sub-station to house the truck, and a partnership for joint training and purchasing possibilities. The average call volume for the 90s was around 1500.
The 2000s came with more calls for assistance and began the era of mutual aid responsibilities. As the sole paid department in Lycoming County, the Bureau started building relationships with other departments and responding more frequently to areas outside the area. The Bureau of Fire has relied on volunteer departments to assist for many years, but with the manpower deficit, they were relied on more than ever. While the department was recovering and figuring out how to do more with less, many challenges arose, and it became apparent that we needed more personnel to fulfill the duties that the Bureau is responsible for. After many meetings and negotiations, the complement of personnel stayed relatively the same; as someone retired, they were replaced by a new hire. The 2000’s call volume was close to 2,000 calls per.
From 2010 to 2020, the Bureau was able to start building up the complement and adding a few more personnel. The City of Williamsport adopted a Rental Ordinance, and this dramatically reduced the number of fires to which the Bureau of Fire responded. The ordinance proved that inspections were vital, and many lives have been saved due to working smoke detectors; hardwired smoke alarms in rental properties and buildings were brought up to code standards. While the volume of fire calls diminished, other calls for service were on the rise. Call volume rose to 2,500 calls for service per year.
2020-2024 has provided challenges for the Bureau. The prominent volunteer organizations they relied on for many years face what all volunteer organizations face all over the country — low recruitment and older members stepping away. This is a huge problem for everyone in the area and, realistically, nationally. It has been said that the City of Williamsport would have burned down a long time ago if it hadn’t been for the help of volunteers.
Aungst noted, “This is a true statement, and we are currently trying to figure out how to face the dire situation we are in right now. We have been actively working with our mutual aid departments to try to find a solution. The last few years have proven that more personnel are needed, and we have begun to up our staffing slowly but surely. We currently have 37 firefighters, with hopes to get the number above 40 in the next few years. Our call volume keeps climbing at an alarming rate. The volunteer organizations around the area are requesting our services more frequently, and the hazards of being a firefighter are more significant than ever. We are now averaging 3,000 calls per year.”
You can join the WBF in celebrating their 150th anniversary at the Williamsport Crosscutters baseball game on Tuesday, July 30th. You can see their new Tower 1 truck and enjoy the game with friends and family!
