"The Baden Volunteer Fire Department is an organization dedicated to serving and protecting the lives and property of our community. Their constant state of readiness shall be accomplished through prevention, education, and emergency operations provided by a team of professional volunteers, who are constantly improving through technology, open communication, and training. The members of the Baden Volunteer Fire Department will carry on the traditions reflected in the fire service, and will render all necessary assistance during any emergency or situation when called upon."

The Baden Volunteer Fire Department

Original Charter Members

THOSE GOLDEN YEARS

On September 21, 1908, council appropriated the sum of $360 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.

Officers of the department during the year 1910 were as follows:

President: G. L. Black
Vice President: Knox Mellon
Secretary: J. E. Baughman
Treasurer: L. D. Machesney
Chief: John Landers
Captain (Co. #1): John Fielding
Captain (Co. #2): Albert Davis
Lieutenant (Co. #1): Robert Ferguson
Lieutenant (Co. #2): Frank Neely
Captain (Ladder Truck): F. S. Donley
Directors, Company #1 - Z. Hanson, L. Rittleman, L. F. Northrop, L. Hannigan
Directors, Company #2 - G. Kruest, H. Young, F. Donley, C. Rose

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.  At the reorganization meeting, the following men were elected to office:

President: Edward Parks
Vice President: Calvin Blazier, Jr.
Secretary: E. M. McKee
Treasurer: James A. Jones

This newly organized Fire Department carried on until January, 1921 at which time a complete new set of officers were duly elected:

President: S. A. McKee
Vice President: Clen Donley
Secretary: E. M. McKee
Treasurer: James A. Jones
Fire Chief: Daniel F. Scobie
Assistant Chief: E. M. McKee
Captains - William Fisher, Herbert Davis, Edward Parks
Lieutenants - Calvin Blazier, Arch West, James A. Jones

This newly organized Fire Department functioned until 1936.

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 of 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, Fire Chief Curtis Welling 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.

Messrs. John L. Skeehan and Paul Wheeler procured the material 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.

On November 22, 1930, Council passed an ordinance covering the pay of a volunteer fireman while actively engaged in the fire fighting.  The rate being $1.00 for the first hour and $.50 for each succeeding hour.

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.

All running expenses and the purchase of minor equipment of this Fire Department has been provided through proceeds derived from benefits held by the department for which the Firemen were thankful.

During the month of December, 1927, the Ladies Auxiliary of the Fire Department was formed.  The following are charter members:

Mrs. Byron Blackford
Mrs. C. M. Bryan
Mrs. C. A. Campbell
Mrs. James Corbett
Mrs. C. J. Dunmeyer
Mrs. W. J. Fett
Mrs. P. J. Fisher
Mrs. H. L. Guthrie
Mrs. Grant Peters
Mrs. W. C. Ramer
Mrs. Ruth R Harpster
Mrs. C. Welling

Mrs. W. C. Ramer served as president.  This organization added greatly to the activities of the Fire Department.

After originally being turned down for lack of bylaws, on September 4, 1934, through the action of the Borough Council, the Baden Volunteer Firemen's Relief Association was formed.  A percentage of all foreign fire insurance written within the state is distrubuted to Volunteer Firemen's Relief Associations for the relief of it's members on active fire duty.  The Fire Department itself had it's members insured with the Etna Life Insurance Company, covering injury or death while actively engaged as a Volunteer Fireman.

1936 was a year of changes for the Fire Department, but not nearly as famous as the change Mother Nature made on the areas around the Ohio River.  The year of the flood kept all the Fire Departments along the riverbanks busy trying to hold water back off roads and out of cellars.

When the Thirty's came to an end, we find the Fire Department moving into their new station in 1938.  The new building located at the corner of Linmore and State Street would be a big improvement from the fire house on Phillips Street.  The two concrete and masonry bays gave the department much needed room.

On April 18, 1940, President McKee appointed sixteen men for the dedication of the new borough building and fire department.  Later in the year, the Baden firemen answered one of the mst unusual calls in their history.  On August 15, 1940, Chief Floyd Farquar reported an airplane fire on Straube Avenue.

The October meeting of 1940 found the Fire Department making two significant changes, which would still be in effect in this our anniversary year of 1983.  Mutual aid was accepted by Baden and its four surrounding communities, and a six month probation period to be served by all new members was started in the Baden Fire Department.  That December meeting had the Fire Department keeping with the upcoming holiday, by buying themselves a Christmas present consisting of a pool table, tennis table, and all accessories for $67.18.

1941 was best remembered for the train wreck of March 16th.  On this date, the Buckeye Limited, number 316, derailed, and became the first recorded disaster call of the Baden Fire Department.

On April 21, 1942, a $5.00 initiation fee was established for new members.  On November 8th of 1942, the dedication of the honor roll in front of the Fire Department took place.  Tributes were paid to the veterans of World War 1, and those entering World War !!.

Between February and MArch of 1944, the Baden Volunteer Fire Department, along with the American Legion, and the Womens Club, met with the intentions of starting the Baden Memorial Association.  The Fire Department donated one hundred dollars, plus half of the cost of the old honor roll.  The new honor roll was completed on October 24, 1944, and to this date, is still located between Holmes Avenue and Linmore Avenue on State Street.

On January 16, 1945, members of the Borough Fire Department approached council with a request for a new pumper truck and a room above the truck room.  Council assured the firemen that they would take into consideration their request.

As the Fire Department was growing and progressing, so was the Relief Assocation, which was becoming an important part of the Fire Department, as time would prove.  In order to qualify for the two percent dividends on fire insurance, the department had to have an acceptable set of bylaws.  The firemen requested Borough Solicitor, Attorney Schermerhorn to draw up the type of Bylaws needed.  The first check was on a partial payment of $29.19, due to the deduction of the insurance premium of $106.25 with Providence Insurance Company.

On January 20, 1945, the Baden Fire Department recorded its first investment under the relief association.  Three one hundred dollar defense bonds were bought.  The department received a commendation from the Beaver County Relief Association on May 1, 1945 for having one hundred percent of its members registered in joining the County organization.  The first dues payment for the Department came to $31.15.  The department paid out of its relief fund the first recorded sick benefit to fireman A. (Gus) Weil, in the sum of $15.00 on August 6, 1946.

On August 28, 1946, the Baden Volunteer Fire Department hosted the Beaver County Relief Association meeting for the first time.

At the January 7, 1947 meeting, a motion by Moe Hartswick, and seconded by Robert Coleman, to borrow $75.00 from the general fund, to pay outstanding bills till the yearly relief assocation check is received.  This practice later became nonexistant since the dividends increased from year to year.

As the year drew to a close, the fire department experienced its first official audit on December 19, 1947.

The first death benefit from the relief fund of $50.00, was paid to the wife of fireman William Ramier, December 17, 1950.

The spring and summer months of 1945 could be classified as mystery months of the Baden Fire Department.  Examination of the minute books disclosed that the minutes for the April meeting were never completed or signed.  Adding to the mystery, the same book shows no minutes for the July meeting, yet at the August 7th meeting, the minutes for July were approved.

February 5, 1946, D. C. (Curly) Wolz was appointed by the president, Marlin (Moe) Hartswick to represent the Fire Department in starting the first Baden Public Library.

On February 19, 1946, council asked the Fire Department to draw up specifications and estimated cost for a new pumper fire truck.  Council also informed the membership that a telephone would be installed in the truck room.

On May 21, 1946, Stephen Permerko was gven ten dollars to attend fire school, thus becoming the first fireman in the Baden department to go to fire school.

At a special meeting on September 8, 1946, for the purpose of purchasing a new fire truck, bids and specifications were discussed.  The two truck compnaies and their bids were:  Ahrens Fox, $11,300.00, plus $500.00 worth of equipment for the department.  Mack Truck bid $11,253.00 for a new pumper fire truck.  After a long discussion by all the parties involved, it was decided not to accept any bids until further research and information were obtained.  In hopes of reaching a decision that would satisfy all concerned, Coouncil would send three members to Salem, Ohio to obtain information from Mack Truck, while the fire department would send Sam McKee Jr to Coraopolis and Frank Storar to Leetsdale for information about the Ahrens Fox apparatus.

At the October 15th meeting, all the information was again discussed, and a ballot was cast showing that the majority favored give the order to Ahrens Fox.  Besides all the decision making on a new fire truck, the firemen were approached by a salesman who tried in vain to sell them a Cadillac bus.  His first price was $1,845.00 and then he lowered his offer to $1,700 with no further luck.  A bus for the fire department was out of the question at the time.

As the Fire Department was growing and progressing so was the Relief Association, which was becoming an increasingly important part of the Fire Department, as time would prove.  In order to qualify for the two percent dividends on fire insurance, the department had to have an acceptable set of By-Laws.  The firemen requested Borough Solicitor, Attorney Schermerhorn to draw up the type of By-Laws needed.  The first check which was only a partial payment of $29.19 due to the deduction of the premium of $106.25 with Providence Insurance Company.

On January 20, 1945, the Baden Fire Department recorded its first investment under the Relief Association.  Three one hundred dollar defense bonds were bought.  The department received an accommodation from the Beaver County Relief Association on May 1, 1945 for having one hundred percent of its members registered in joining the County organization.  The first dues payment for the department came to $31.15.  The department paid out of its relief fund for the first recorded sick benefit to fireman A. (Gus) Weil, in the sum of $15.00 on August 6, 1946.

On August 28, 1946 the Baden Volunteer Fire Department hosted the Beaver County Relief Association for the first time.

At the January 7, 1947 meeting, a motion by Moe Hartswick and second by Robert Coleman to borrow $75.00 from the general fund to pay outstanding bills until the yearly Relief Assocation check is received.  This practice later became non-existant since the dividends increased from year to year.  As the year drew to a close, the Fire Department experienced its first official audit on December 19, 1947.  The first death benefit was paid to the wife of William Ramer, December 17, 1950.

At the regular meeting on March 18, 1947, the Fire Department received a request for a twenty dollar donation from the Beaver County Fire Chief's Association for the purpose of buying an Amphibious Duck, at the cost of $350.00.  All other members of the Association were asked to contribute the same amount.  A motion was made and passed to send the Chief's Association the twenty dollars.

President Daniel C. Wolz called a special meeting on March 30, 1947 to act on the request by Council to cut the membership to twenty five active members and twenty five social members.  Council's plan was to immediately cut the fourty four man roster down to thirty men and close the roster until it had reached twenty five, as firemen left the department.  The request met with overall opposition.  After much discussion at the May meeting, the Fire Department offered council a counter proposal.  The Department was willing to let the roster go down as Firemen left the department to thirty active men, and no lower.  On May 20, 1947, Council agreed to the Fire Departments proposal.

With fal and the winter months of 1948 approaching, the Fire Department was faced with more than cold weather and snow problems.  Construction had started on the new four lane highway that would by=pass State Street and virtually cut the Virginia Terrace area off from the rest of the town temporarily.  It was reported at the October meeting that a hose cart was placed int he garage of Dan McClurei, and that the Conway Fire Department would be called for any fires in this area, as a safety procaution.

At the November 18th meeting, a letter from the Ladies Auxiliary was read, and the request for the use of the departments public address system was granted to them.  As one of their projects, the Auxiliary would like to start sponsoring teenage dances for the community, and they would need the PA system for the dances.

During the December 7th meeting, it was learned that the D. T. Watson Home in Leetsdale had a bus for sale.  After a discussion on the floor, a motion was made by Howard Reinard and second by Richard Smith to buy the bus for $600.00.  The motion was carried.

On January 6, 1948, Chief Farquhar reported that the Ahrens Fox Company would be willing to mount a larger type siren on the hood of the new truck if the department was willing to pay the extra cost from what the specification siren was.  It had already been agreed that the siren that the Ahrens Fox Company intended to install was not adequate, and the membership would like a larger Federal type.  The Chief also started that the difference in the two sirens was $75.00.  The new siren would cost $100.00 which the department accepted.

On May 17, 1948, approval was given by the membership, for the department to buy its first gas mask.  This mask was the latest design in a breathing apparatus and features a chest mount charcoal filtering system.  With this mask, the firemen were now able to make their attack on a structure fire quicker and more effective.

At this same meeting, final plans were discussed and completed on having Roger Brother Circus come to Baden on May 13, 1948.  This would be the first circus sponsored by the Fire Department and the show was held at the A. M. Byers trailer lot due to the lack of facilities in Baden.  With a proposal of a gaurenteed 15% of the gate or $100.00 offered by Roger Brothers, a motion was made by H. C. Hartswick and seconded by George Sewartz to sign a contract.  The motion carried.

More to come...

A Firefighters Prayer:

"When I am called to duty, God, wherever flames may rage;
Give me strength to save some life, whatever be its age.
 Help me embrace a little child, before it is too late,
Or save an older person, from the horror of that fate.
  Enable me to be alert, and hear the weakest shout,
And quickly and effectively, to put the fire out.
  I want to fill my calling, and to give the best in me,
To guard my every neighbor, and protect his property.
  And if, according to Your will, I am to lose my life;
Please bless with Your protecting hand, my children and my wife."