On September 21, 19080, Council appropriated the sum of $360.00 for the construction of a building on Phillips Street to house the Fire Department's equipment consisting at that time of two hand hose carts, hose and other apparatus, also to serve the members of the department as a meeting place.
During the year 1909, a second-hand one-horse ladder truck was purchased from the Millvale Fire Department.
This Fire Department operated as a single unit until 1910, at which time the membership was divided into three companies known as company 1 and 2 and ladder truck company.
The original fire department functioned until the First World War in 1917. Through the years 1917, 1918 and 1919 interest was lagging until October 8, 1920, at which time the department was reorganized at the request of Council.
On April 5, 1921, the Fire Department purchased the first single head electric siren at the cost of $300.00. On the approval of the local school board, this siren was mounted in the belfry of the old school building. Prior to the purchase of this siren, the school bell was used as the fire alarm.
During the month of May 1921, the first equipment fund was started and the department raised $265.17.
According to the minutes taken in 1925, the first Bingo was started on February 26, 1925.
In May 1925, the Baden Volunteer Fire Department joined the Western Pensylvania Fireman's Association. At the end of that year, the first Christmas party for the town was held.
On July 18, 1927, the Fire Chief conducted the first fire drill held by the fire department.
On January 3, 1928, the first fire truck fund was started. It was known as the fire truck sinking fund at the end of the drive, the department netted $150.00.
On February 5, 1928, the Council and Fire Department purchased a second-hand American LaFrance, Ford Chassis Fire Truck from the Fair Oaks Fire Department at a cost of $800.00. This newly acquired fire truck replaced the original hose carts and ladder truck that had been in use up until this time.
This apparatus was a 1920 model. The engine number was 2926450 and the title number was 171859 with a license number of A826065. The owners card number was S-21-023.
On October 1, 1928, Council and the Fire Department purchased the 500 gallon, type 91, American LaFrance combination hose and ladder truck at a cost of $6,750.00. The old fire truck was traded in for an allowance of $700.00. Through popular subscriptions of the citizens, the firemen were able to raise $1000.00 which was turned over to council as part payment on this truck.
On October 13, 1930, the original single head fire siren which had been on the school building was traded in on an allowance of $60.00 on a new double head Sterling code siren at a cost of $696.00. Material was procured for a 30 foot steel tower on which the new siren was placed.
At this time one alarm box was purchased at the corner of Phillips and State Streets, thus making it possible to put in an alarm from the code box or the street box.
During the years 1936 and 1937, with the help of Council, the Fire Department had purchased new coats, boots and helmets which were placed on the fire truck.
More to come...
