By SUSAN EVANS
The Tribune-Democrat
NORTHERN CAMBRIA
May 17, 2009 11:35 pm
—
Whether rescuing a cow from a manure pit or putting out a fire in a downtown business, Hope Fire Company has been helping residents of northern Cambria County for 100 years.
It is a sturdy band of volunteers.
So far this year, Hope’s firefighters have responded to 41 calls, ranging from an animal rescue when a German shepherd caught its head in the spokes of a wheelchair to a fire in the basement of Freedom Chrysler Dodge building.
This month as they celebrate a century of service, members are remembering the past and looking to the future from their headquarters on Philadelphia Avenue in Northern Cambria.
“It’s been a way of life for me,” said President Fred Nastasi.
“I’ve been there for 40 years, and I’ve been an officer for 35 years,” he said.
Matt Barczak, treasurer, said the fire company’s 80 living members have a lot to celebrate.
“I’m really proud of our department,” he said.
“It’s a growing department, and we have a lot of junior members involved in firefighting and fundraising.”
The group officially began in 1909, when Hope Fire Company and the Barnesboro Fire Department combined. Before that, Barnesboro protected the north end of the borough, while Hope protected the central business district.
Once combined and incorporated, Hope Fire Company moved each decade to add more “firsts” and to raise funds to improve, including building and operating a roller skating rink.
In 1918, their first apparatus, a horse-drawn cart, was placed in service. By 1923, Hope bought its first motorized apparatus – a Stutz pumper.
“We’ve always been there to help anyone who needs it,” said Nastasi.
“Like the cow stuck in the manure pit – that’s the guy’s livelihood,” he said.
“We have new recruits, trainees who are showing an interest, and I’m optimistic about the future. As long as the public helps support the volunteer fire departments, they will stick together,” he said.
Hope Fire Company boasts several “firsts” in its century of service.
In 1948, it was the first fire company in Cambria County to have a heavy rescue, and in 1969, the first local company to have a 3,000-gallon tanker.
In the late 1970’s, Hope was the first fire company in northern Cambria County to offer Jaws of Life vehicle rescue tools, and it is one of only five Rapid Intervention Crew teams in the county.
In 2003, Hope became the first fire company to train and use compressed air foam firefighting.
Whether fighting hazardous materials, terrorism, or a dog with a head to big to fit through wheelchair spokes, Hope’s members are already looking toward the next century.
“If it’s not the volunteer firefighters doing the work, who would do it? They are the ultimate source of security,” said Barczak.
“As a society, we have to raise the money to keep the volunteer fire departments working. Look at the members, they don’t get paid,” he said.
“At Hope, we’re very fortunate to have a strong core membership, with older members who have a lot of experience and training that they will pass on to the younger members,” he said.
“That’s just one of the things that makes us proud.”
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