 
The Sadsburyville Fire Company was organized on March 15th, 1918, during the troubled days of the First World War. It has every right to call itself “Company No. 1” because it was the first fire company in Chester County, and perhaps in the state of Pennsylvania, to be organized in a small rural village.
Two disastrous fires early in 1918, one of which could have destroyed much of the town had it not been for the Parkesburg and Coatesville Fire Departments, alerted the residents that the need for some form of local fire protection. A Meeting of the leading residents of the village was held on March 15th at the home of Norman G. Martin at which time $300.00 was raised and a decision made to proceed with the organization of a fire company.
At another meeting at the home of Mr. Martin on March 26th, a permanent organization was effected with John C. Schober as President; Ivan S. Morris as Secretary and Harry J. Marsh as Treasurer. At the same time it was decided to purchase a 1923 Ford Model-T chemical fire engine consisting of two 35 gallon chemical tanks on a two-wheel cart to cost approximately $425.00. At a later meeting arrangements were made to house the new apparatus in Mr. Schober’s Barn.
At a meeting held at the Sadsbury Grange Hall on May 7, 1918, a constitution and by-laws were adopted for the Sadsburyville Fire Company No. 1. They provided that anyone over 16 years of age was eligible for membership and dues were fixed at 50 cents a year for male members and 25 cents a year for female members. Wilson E. Toland was elected Vice-President, Wade H. Berry, Fire Chief and Frank C. Johnson Assistant Chief.
The new engine arrived in early September and it was formally housed in the Schober barn with appropriate ceremonies. Fire drills were started at once to teach the members of the company how to use the new machine. A fire alarm consisting of a large round iron gong was set up on the lot at the southeast corner of Lincoln Highway and Wilmington Road. Unfortunately the gong sounded, and the company was called out to a fire at the home of Mrs. Margarette Rice before the training drills were completed.
The President of the company, Mr. Schober, attempted to recharge a chemical tank without first relieving the pressure of the former charge, with the result that his eyebrows were singed and his derby hat was blown twenty feet up in the air. The experience gained of improper operations of the chemical tank, but also demonstrated that some other means of transporting the engine on long distance was desirable.
During the next few years the company continued its pioneer development. The transportation problem was solved by hooking the apparatus to Chief Beery’s automobile for long distance runs. The fire alarm system was improved by placing a telephone in Chief Berry’s bed room. The lady members of the company made themselves very useful at regular meetings of the company, and sending cards and flowers to the sick. Within less then a year the company had 153 active members.
Early 1919 the younger members of the company organized a baseball team which the company was asked to sponsor. Ivan S. Morris was appointed manager and a fund of $90.00 was raised to buy suits for the team. The shirts contained the initials “S. F. Co. No. 1”. The team proved to be a winner, and for several years made baseball history in this area.
In 1922 the Chester County Firemen’s Association was organized and the Sadsburyville Fire Company became a charter member. Attendance at the meetings of the association enabled members of the Sadsburyville Fire Company to see how fire companies in other places operated and soon there was talk among the members of buying motorized apparatus. They had already found that they could not transport ladders on their hand drawn engine and they were greatly handicapped at fires when ladders were not readily available.
At a meeting of the company on August 7, 1923, a committee was authorized to enter into an agreement to purchase a Ford one-ton truck fully equipped with two chemical tanks, ladders, hose and other accessories at a total cost of $2,284.39. A committee was appointed to raise funds and seven members of the company agreed to become guarantors for the payment of the bill. They were: John G Schober, Wilson E. Toland, Sudney E. Irons, Norman G. Martin, W.E. Hoopes and C.K. Paxson.
At the same meeting Cleland Robinson offered to provide space for the new apparatus in his paint shop, the old hotel barn, and Mr. Toland was authorized to proceed to incorporate the company.
The new apparatus arrived and was housed in the Robinson paint shop with appropriate ceremonies on September 29th, 1923, and on December 4th of the same year. Mr. Toland presented the company with its charter and it became a corporate entity. The old fire alarm gong was replaced by a bell erected in front of the paint shop. The old apparatus was sold for $275.00.
Even before the apparatus was purchased, the members of the company began talking about finding a suitable building for a fire house. At a Meeting of the company on December 11, 1923, Levi B. Dowlin reported that acting for the company he had entered into an agreement for the purchase of the Wilson Brother’s store property in the center of the village for $2,450.00. Since the company still owed $600.00 on its recently purchased apparatus, President Schober volunteered to advance the money needed for the purchase of the property.
On November 30, 1935, the debt on the fire house was paid off, and being free of debt was so uncomfortable a situation for the company that it decided to replace the chemical engine with a pumper. A Hale engine mounted on a ford chassis was purchased for $3,130.00. It was delivered in July of 1938. The debt incurred was finally liquidated in July, 1941, and almost immediately the company began considering the erection of a new fire house.
Work on the present building was started during the summer of 1954. It was completed at a cost of $26,000.00 and dedicated on July 4th, 1955. The women’s auxiliary furnished the kitchen with all modern equipment. It consists of an engine room with space for two fire engines, a large auditorium, a large well equipped kitchen, and the domain of a very active ladies auxiliary which was organized in 1928, a small meeting room and a large cistern for water storage, an up-to-date alarm siren and other necessary equipment.
In 1957, a purchase was made from the Po-Mar-Lin Fire Company, Unionville, of a 1934 Hahn open cab pumper with 150 gallons of water. The Po-Mar-Lin Fire Company originally purchased this item from the West End Fire Company of Coatesville in 1950. A bigger water tank of 1000 gallons of water and dual rear wheels were installed onto this piece of apparatus to make it a tanker.
In 1958, and being free of debt from time to time, a second pumper was purchased and several important improvements took place. First, a hard paved parking area now encircled the building at a cost of $5,200.00. The entire banquet hall was insulated and re-done at a cost of over $5,000.00 which included a mid-hall draw curtain for making two rooms of one. The company was also newly equipped with brand new radios; both mobile base and remote, at a cost of over $2,200.00, which included a radio room.
At 1960’s banquet, the ladies auxiliary presented $500.00 to the fire company. Also Chief Charles William Funk presented gold hat badges and helmets to Charles Cairns, Chief Engineer; Clement Smith, Deputy Chief; Stephen Devereux Jr., First Assistant Chief; Dale Bowers, Second Assistant Chief; and Claude Reynolds, Captain of the Junior Firemen. William Winters presented a pair of hip boots and a large flashlight to Chief C. William Funk on behalf of the Junior Firemen.
In a 1961 meeting arrangements were made for a mortgage burning ceremony after the company decided to pay off its $2,000.00 fire hall renovation mortgage. The company had $34,000.00 paid off within 6 years of beginning their renovations. During this meeting the company also decided to attend parades in Thorndale, Honey Brook, and West Chester within the next 6 months.
In November of 1964 Autocar Hahn 78 with a canopy cab 750 gallon per minute pump, 1000 gallon tank, 60 gallon foam tank at the cost of $30,000.00. This apparatus was fully equipped to give the community the best fire protection money can produce. This unit was placed into service on January 1st, 1965. To this day, this piece of apparatus is still in service responding to emergencies.
On Saturday, August 7th, 1965 The Sadsburyville Fire Company conducted a parade and housing ceremony for their new state of the art Hahn pumper, under the command of Chief Charles William Funk. Earl Supplee was president at the time of the ceremonies. The unit was house by the Westwood, Parkesburg, Pomeroy, Wagontown, and Martin’s Corner Fire Companies. On the apparatus committee was Earl Supplee, C. William Funk, Dale Bowers, Alvin Supplee, Joseph Coblentz, Clement Smith, S. Devereux Sr., William Supplee, and Claude Reynolds. At the time there were only 4 living charter members of the company: A. Wayne Morris, Robert Ottey, Norman Martin, and Ivan Morris.
On February 3rd, 1976, Fire Chief James Supplee and President Ronald Supplee submitted plans to the township for expansion of the fire company’s property. The company proposed to buy 4 acres of land across the street from their current location, on the former Hoffman’s Farm.
On April 15th, 1976 firemen responded to a reported fire at the former Hoffman Farm. Firemen arrived and found the house fully engulfed with flames. Chief James Supplee was admitted to the Coatesville Hospital with second degree burns on his back and first degree burns on his hands when he was fighting the fire and burning timbers struck him.
Another engine was purchased in the late 70’s and did not go out of service until 1998. This unit was a demonstrator model 1978 Ford F-700 Hahn with 500 gallons of water and a 5 speed manual transmission.
When 1979 approached the company decided to sell one piece of apparatus and rebuild their state of the art Hahn pumper. The pumper was rebuilt to keep up with the times and power steering was not budgeted.
In the early 80's the company sold their 1970 International 4x4 field piece. It was replaced with a 1973 CJ3 which was known county wide as a little demon. The new field piece would go anywhere in the woods where nobody else’s would go. This brush truck was taken out of service in 2004 and was stored in a barn at the Grossman Farm.
On July 4th 1980, at the Sadsburyville Fire Company Firefighter Olympics, a bell that was mounted on the front bumper of Engine 31-1 (the 1964 Hahn) was dedicated to Alvin "Boots" Supplee. The bell was inscribed for his years of service and was fixed to the truck by his wife and sons Jim and Ron.
On April 17th, 1982, past Fire Chief Charles William Funk, passed away after a prolonged illness at his home in Kinzers, PA. Chief Funk served as the company’s Chief for 17 years and was a steelworker his whole life.
In 1989 Fire Chief James Supplee of 14 years retired from his position and the newly elected Fire Chief Kevin Supplee began his term in 1990. Chief Kevin Supplee has been serving the company as the rank of Fire Chief since then.
The company also had yet another unique truck. This was a 1978 L9000 5000 gallon tanker. It was unique because there was no place to store it inside so it would have to be outside. During winter months the tanker would be drained so the water would not freeze. When a fire came in, firefighters would respond to the station and have to fill it with water, which took approximately 15 minutes. In 1995 this unit was finally put up for sale but was unable to be sold. In return, along with the Kennet Fire Company and their tanker, it was donated to the town of Reynosa, Mexico in 1997, which lies on the Texas/Mexico border.
In 1998 the company approved the purchase of another demonstrator model, a 1998 Ferrara Freightliner for the sum of $148,000. This unit was a big step up for the company. Housing ceremonies took place on August 14th, 1999 and the unit was dedicated to Past Fire Chief James Supplee for his numerous years and continuous service to the company.
After the purchases of a new piece of apparatus, President Jay Groce decided it was necessary to begin some sort of fundraiser to keep the money flowing. In 1998 the Sadsburyville Fire Company began a weekly bingo in their hall on Wednesday nights. Shortly after a year or two bingo transferred to Thursday nights and is still a continuous fundraiser to the company to this date.
In 1999 Deputy Chief Dave Reynolds was responding to a trash fire in the Quarry Ridge section of Sadsbury Township. While responding Deputy Reynolds accidentally lost 1000 feet of supply line off of Engine 31-2. A stranger approached Deputy Reynolds to give him assistance with repacking the hose that he lost. The stranger was John Rich, a veteran of Fire and EMS throughout ChesterCounty. Deputy Reynold's vision came true about providing emergency medical services and he found the right guy for the job.
In December of 2000 the company began providing emergency medical services to the citizens of Sadsbury township. In doing this they purchased a 1994 Chevrolet Suburban full of medical supplies. The new suburban responds to all medical calls in Sadsbury and portions of West Caln Townships. In 2000, John Rich of Sadsbury Township was appointed the first ever QRS Captain of the company. In March of 2004 quick response services were such a success that a motion was made to purchase a new 2005 Chevrolet Suburban, due to the age and abilities of the old Suburban. Due to the lack of engine room space, these units are both placed on the side of the firehouse in a hut for protection.
On January 23rd, 2005, the Sadsburyville Fire Company was alerted of a reported house fire in the Lincoln Crest section of Sadsbury Township. Upon the arrival of Engine 31-2 under the command of Deputy Chief Dave Reynolds and staffed with Captain Mike Trader and Lieutenant Tony Profeto, Chester County Fire Radio advised there is a possibility of the resident still trapped inside. Without hesitation Deputy Reynolds and Captain Trader entered the structure and knocked down the small fire in the living room. After the fire was out the crew did a quick search of the residence to search for the homeowner who was supposedly inside. The homeowner was located and drug out of the structure to awaiting emergency medical crews. The homeowner was flown out by helicopter to a local burn center for treatment. The victim is alive and well now currently living in Florida.
In September of 2005 Deputy Chief Dave Reynolds and Captain Mike Trader were awarded for their heroic actions by receiving the William H. "Pop" Winters Medal of Valor Award from the Chester County Board of Commissioners. They both received a plaque and a pin for their uniform and were recognized for performance "Above and Beyond the Call of Duty".
In 2005 the company responded to 414 EMS calls, this is the most calls it has responded to since the QRS was started in 2000.
On Thursday April 5th, 2007 the Sadsburyville Fire Company was alerted for an engine to assist the Westwood Fire Company for the reports of heavy fire showing to the rear of a residence in the Quiet Village section of Valley Township. Engine 31-2 responded within 4 minutes of dispatch with Past Chief James Supplee chauffeuring, Deputy Chief Dave Reynolds in the officer's seat and Firefighter/EMT Bill Dill aboard. Additional reports gave the fire to be a working fire and a possibility of a person trapped inside. Engine 31-2 was the first arriving unit and went into service with an 1-3/4" hand line. Firefighter/EMT Dill and Deputy Reynolds entered the structure and not more then ten feet inside the front door, Firefighter/EMT Dill felt a bodily figure lying on the ground. Both men immediately grabbed the body and carried him out to safety. Awaiting Emergency Medical Crews began cardiopulmonary resuscitation but unfortunately the patient had expired on scene. Good job to both men for their heroic acts for performance "Above and Beyond the Call of Duty".
In the year of era of 2007 and 2008 the Sadsburyville Fire Company began providing light rescue services. Initially we we received a Hurst O Cutter and Power Unit from the Atglen Fire Department free of charge. From there the company decided to purchase a Hurst Omni tool which is capable of spreading and cutting in the time of vehicle crashes. Cribbing was made by Assistant Chief Trader and Lieutenant Grossman and a saws all was purchased from the Home Depot.
In 2008 the company responded to 176 fire calls and 245 EMS calls. This is the most calls the fire company responded to in 1 year in its history. A lot of this was due to the numerous arson fires in Pomeroy and Coatesville.
In January of 2009 the company secured a grant from PEMA through the State Fire Commissioner's Office for the purchase of a replacement Squad. In addition the vehicle would be used as a command vehicle that would be giving to the Fire Chief to respond to emergencies. The vehicle was furnished with numerous radios, commanding equipment and emergency medical supplies. The vehicle also responds as a secondary QRS unit.
In February of 2010 the company purchased $4500.00 worth of Hurst Rescue equipment from the Wagontown Fire Company. This equipment included a full size Hurst Spreader, 2 Hurst Rams and a Simo Power Unit which is capable of running to Hurst Tools simultaneously. This was a big step in the rescue division of the Sadsburyville Fire Company
In June of 2010 the members unanimously voted to build a new fire engine for the sum of $353,491.00 manufactured by Sutphen. This pumper would be replacing our aging 1964 Hahn pumper. Expected delivery was sometime in November of 2010.
On July 15th, 2010 the Sadsburyville Fire Company purchased 10 sets of turn out gear through a Assistance to Firefighter Grant received in the amount of $21,280. For the first time the company has purchased turn out gear manufactured by Globe. The 10 firefighters received full gear from head to toe including a black helmet, a coat and pants with orange trim, a black nomex, a pair of gloves and fire boots. At this point everyone in the company was furnished with gear manufactured within the past 5 years. For the first time the Sadsburyville Fire Company switched the color of their firefighter's helmets from red to black.
On July 27th, 2010 the Sadsburyville Fire Company purchased 18 gear racks from Ready Rack to furnish our Engine Room. The racks provided an up to date way of storing our fire gear in the station. It improves the quality of the gear by not collecting floor dirt on the pants and the coats are no longer hanging on nails.
On October 31st, 2010 the 1964 Hahn Autocar known as Engine 31-1 was placed out of service permanently. This unit was being replaced by a 2011 Sutphen Shield S2 Pumper that was being delivered in mid November 2010.
On November 16th, 2010 the new Sutphen arrived in Sadsburyville driven home from Columbus, Ohio by Assistant Chief Adam Grossman, Captain John Conroy, EMS Captain Mike Audette and Firefighter Marcos Piacentini.
On December 12th, 2010 the new Sutphen Shield S2 Engine was placed into service. The Engine carried state of the art firefighting, rescue and emergency medical equipment. This unit was designated as Engine 31-1 and ran its first call for an automatic fire alarm at The Fire Store a week later.
On January 1st, 2011 Adam Grossman began his 3 year term as the Fire Chief of the Sadsburyville Fire Company. Chief Kevin Supplee served from 1990 until 2010 for a total of 21 years. He was appointed as Deputy Chief under the new Chief Grossman. Also Debbie Supplee was elected as the first female EMS Captain of the Fire Company. In addition, Dave Reynolds stepped down after being Deputy Chief for 21 years under Chief Kevin Supplee and President for many of those.
On February 6th, 2011 the company ran its busiest day known in its 93 year history. On that date the new Sutphen responded to 5 fire calls in one day.
In 2012 after a series of training and purchasing of equipment, the company began responding as a RIT team for mutual aid fires. RIT meaning Rapid Intervention Team which would be deployed in the event of a firefighter emergency and would need extricated from a burning building. In our first year we had over 10 calls for service in this area.
On July 24th, 2012 Engine 31-1 with the crew of Chief Grossman as the officer, Firefighter Messner and Driver/Operator James Supplee, responded on a mutual aid fire to Saint George Street in Valley Township. Westwood Fire Chief Mike McWilliams arrived to find a working fire. Upon arrival of Engine 31-1, Chief Grossman and Firefighter Messner entered the structure for search and suppression when once in the front door crews encountered an unconscious male on the floor. Firefighters removed him from the building and began CPR. Unfortunately the person succumbed to his injuries.
On May 8th, 2015 the Sadsburyville Fire Company purchased new Hurst hydraulic rescue equipment through a Assistance to Firefighter Grant received in the amount of $26,000. The equipment included two new simo power units, a Defender spreader and the JL-500 cutter. This is the first time the company purchased brand new rescue equipment. The equipment was placed in service on the 2010 Sutphen, Engine 31-1, on October 30th, 2015.
In 2015 the company decided to discontinue its Quick Response Service (QRS). This was due to all ambulance companies in the area now being fully paid companies. With there now quick response times we felt the need for our service was not there. The 2005 Chevrolet Suburban was sold to the Glen Moore Fire Company for the sum of $10,000 and was converted to their Fire Chief Vehicle.
In 2015 the company ran its busiest year since 1918 responding to 191 fire calls. The second busiest year was in 2008 which was contributed by the arson fires in Pomeroy and Coatesville. However 2015 was far from malicious and all calls were attributed to the growth of our area and the need for our service in addition to fire stations closing in 3 different districts around us.
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