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Independent Hose Co #5 of Stowe Twp. Pennsylvania

Allegheny County Station No. 277

Located at  369 Helen St.    McKees Rocks, PA 15136

 

Making a Difference

 

Organized by charter members Frank L. Gillet, Nicholas J. Evans, and David Simon on February 11, 1905, the first firehouse, funded by public donations, was built on Helen Street in the McKees Rocks bottoms area.  Stowe Township commissioners provided the fire department with a two-wheel fire cart and miscellaneous equipment.  With the firehouse and equipment established, volunteers were sought and a membership drive began which practically brought every eligible man in the vicinity to volunteer their services.

 

By the time 1917 came, the hand-drawn cart became inadequate.  With help from

the Pressed Steel Car Co., the fire department was able to provide the area its first “Fire Truck”,  an American LaFrance Brockway.

 

Caption in picture above Reads:

Pictured in 1917 in front of the old Pressed Steel Car Co. office building in Presston Village with their new fire truck, the first in the area, are, reading left to right, first row: Mike Jedmack, Mr. Tate (Pressed Steel Co. purchasing agent), name unknown and Francis Tucker (Constable then).  Back Row: David Simon, James Ryder (deceased and president of Pressed Steel Car Co. at the time) at the wheel, Irving Cohen (now deceased), John Herrick and Chris Berger.

 

 

In 1926, a Winton Chassis was obtained and equipped with the latest fire equipment of that era.  The Winton served the town until 1938 when it was replaced with a White fire truck featuring a 500 gallon per minute pump and a 150 gallon booster tank.  These purchases were made possible because of the generous contributions from the businesses and citizens of Stowe Township and McKees Rocks.

   

With the increase in size of newer engines, the original firehouse was becoming too small.  With the help of Harrison Vending Company, who provided the fire department a loan, ground breaking began on June 2, 1948 at 369 Helen Street for the new home of the Independent Hose Co. No. 5.  This new location was directly across the street from the original firehouse. 

Pictured at the June 2, 1948 ground breaking (left to right): John Timchak, Robert S. Roth, Michael Bachkor, Thomas Harrison, William Duffy President, Walter Kuzma Secretary

Four years later in June of 1952, the dream of the membership was realized when the engine, equipment and records were moved to their new home.  The completion of a new building built exclusively by the members, was a major accomplishment.  It was a proud moment for the company.  The grand opening was celebrated on July 27, 1952!

Pictured below are the members and their spouses at the 50 year celebration

 

In the mid 1960s, the White fire truck was retired and replaced with a 1956 Ford American Pumper.  This engine featured a three-stage 750 gallon per minute pump with a 350 gallon tank.  Purchase price, $7500. 

Back in the day, firefighters would ride on the tailboard and/or the side running boards to the fires.   Firefighter equipment is kept on the engine as firefighters would meet the engine at the fire.  An increasing need to get more people and additional equipment to the fire scene safely became a concern the company received a donated 1965 van that was put in service in the early 1970s.

 

The equipment owned by the company at this time consisted of a 1956 Ford (engine 51), a 1976 FMC (engine 52), a 1977 Ford Van (Squad 53) along with the 20 foot Jon Boat (Boat 5).  This would be the first time the engine room needed remodeled to accommodate the equipment.  The rear wall of the engine room leading to the hose area was removed creating a longer bay.  A wench was used to raise the boat above the squad, and the two engines rested one in front of the other.

 

During the 1980’s, with a full house of equipment and the advancements made in personal protection the day boots were replaced with state-of-the-art bunker gear.  The racks where the gear was hung needed modified and lengthened to accommodate the new gear. 

 

As the 1956 Ford aged, nearing 35 years of service, the company once again looked at replacing an engine.  After much discussions on whether to continue with two pumpers, it was decided that a 1993 KME should be purchased.  This would be the second new engine purchased by the company.  Since the last purchase of the 1976 FMC, costs more than doubled. 

Pictured christening the engine dedicated in the name of our late Chief Teddy Dobbs are lifetime members, left to right: Teddy Schubert, Joe Mack, John Kocak, and John Conrad

        

For two decades during the 1980s and 1990s the Presston VFD enjoyed much success with the softball team winning many leagues and tournaments.  The membership chose to adopt official colors of the company and painting the 1993 KME orange and white with a blue strip.  Engine 52 was then refurbished and painted to match.  Pictured below is the 1976 FMC along side the 1993 KME.  

 

The 1993 KME featured an enclosed six person cab, 1250 Gallon Per Minute pump, and a 50 gallon foam tank.  The era of riding the tailboard had ended.  Concerns for the safety of the firefighters mandated all personnel to be seated or safety belted on the tailboard.  Purchase price $192,000.  Half the money was put down and the other half financed with the help of the Volunteer Loan Assistance Program through the state of Pennsylvania over a 15 year period.

 

The new engine provided additional compartment space, so the existing van was no longer needed.  The boat was relocated to the West Park Fire Station in Stowe Twp. 

 

By 2002, the members realized the equipment had once again become to large for the facilities.  The older apartment buildings adjacent to the firehouse was purchased and demolished in hopes of one day expanding the company with a new set of bays to house the apparatus. 

 

In 2003, as the 1976 FMC was nearing 30 years of service, we had an opportunity to purchase a 1999 Eone Cyclone pumper.  Faced with the decision to go back to one pumper or continue with the two, it was decided having two engines was no longer a luxury but a necessity.  The capability the two engines provide the department was unsurpassed.  The decision was made to purchase in August 2003.  This would mark the first time the company had two modern, first-class pumpers under its roof.  Purchase price for the 1999 E-One was $125,000.

Engine 52 is dedicated in honor of all those who walked through our fire department and who afforded us the opportunity to provide the community with the best possible equipment, service and dedication we possibly can.  

 

Above: Retired members pictured from left to right (Teddy Schubert, John Kocak, Red Skalyo, and Micho Stepek christen the engine 

 

Pictured to the left, Fire Chief Mike Stepek, Sr. making a toast after Father Peter Natishan gave a ceremonial prayer. 

In 2005, a Centennial celebration was held.  All members were called upon to rejoice in this moment, looking back through the years of continued growth and success of our company.  We were honored to have Lt. Governor Catherine Baker Knoll present us with a proclamation and a video message from Governor Edward Rendell delivered by House Representative Nick Kotik.  Also in attendance were local Commissioners Dom DiMichele, Bob Medwid and Fire  Commissioner Amy Kochirka who presented a plaque from the Board of Stowe Township Commissioners.  In addition, various other neighboring departments honored us with plaques.  County Executive Dan Onorato also sent a proclamation from Allegheny County.

 

Since our inception we continued to grow and overcome each obstacle.  The road we have traveled has been rough and winding.  Nonetheless, we have stayed the course and continued to provide our best to the community of Stowe Township.  Beginning in a small firehouse with less than a handful of people, the ambition to provide a fire service developed and continued for more than a century.  While compiling the history of the company, each decade presented its own challenges.  Each time, the company persevered.  At the centennial, “Pride and Perseverance” was adopted as our motto.  Along the way, friendships were made and many, many people contributed to the success of the Independent Hose Co. #5.  If you, your family, or someone you know has helped our organization achieve its continued success, we extend our gratitude, Thank you!

 

In 2009, we are faced with new challenges.  The equipment has increased in size once again and the need of expanding the building must be met.   We will begin a discussion amongst the members to decide how to proceed with the addition of a new garage area and necessary renovations needed within the building. 

 

In addition to our own challenges, we are also faced with the assault by the two other stations in Stowe Township to consolidate all three companies into one department.  Beginning in 2007, the two voted to break the general fire department which was intact for more than 50 years the three companies belonged to.  The two formed a new organization of their own called the Stowe Township Fire Department and excluded us.  We fought to remain Stowe Twp No. 5 as formed by our founding fathers more than a century ago.  With the support of the commissioners in 2009, the relief association provided our insurance, which they had not done in 2008. 

 

There have been numerous points of discussion over the past 18 months which are too many to mention here.  As things progress, we’ll keep you updated on our website.  Our reluctance to participate in this consolidation isn’t to negate their effort on their quest for a new firehouse or combining into one company as they wish.  After all, we’ve had the pleasure of owning our fire department since 1905.  It was our membership who purchased and built our current firehouse in 1952.

 

To save the township money, consolidating the two municipally owned buildings into one building and ownership by the fire department lessens the cost to taxpayers.  This has been the statement of belief the Independent Hose Co. #5 has functioned under, that is, to provide a fire service to the citizens of Stowe Township with as little cost to the taxpayers as possible.  When looking at the history trend of spending, our fire department by far has received the least amount of tax dollars. 

 

We wish the two the best in their merger.  We only ask, “Why are we affected by it?”

 

Correspondence regarding the history of the Independent Hose Co. #5, aka: Stowe Twp No. 5, Presston VFD, or Allegheny County Station 277 can be sent to presstonvfd277@gmail.com.  We also welcome any pictures or other historic items of the department you may have.  For larger volumes of material please put on a CD and mail.

 

Our mailing address is:

Stowe Twp. No. 5 Volunteer Fire Department

369 Helen St.

McKees Rocks, PA 15136