On January 9, 1812, the Manheim Fire Department was organized and Articles of
Association were formulated. Thus, the first fire company was organized 26 years
before Manheim was incorporated as a Borough on April 16, 1838. At this meeting, a
small hand engine was purchased from the Union Fire Company of Lancaster, Pa.,
which in turn had been imported from England in 1754. The inscription "January 9,
1812, Manheim, Pa., Hope No. 1" was placed on this new piece of fire fighting
equipment. This piece had been on loan for over fifty years to the Hershey Museum in
Hershey, PA., until 1997, when it was returned to Manheim. It is now on display in the
firehouse in our museum. This engine was equipped with leather hose in 1812.

In 1836, Manheim Fire Company, No. 2 was organized, and another hand engine
was purchased. By August 1836, an engine house was built on Market Square,
sufficiently large enough to house both of the engines. The two companies became
known as the "Active" and the "Union" fire companies. It was decided by the Borough
Council that the "Active" Company should have the part of the engine house which
opens towards Prussian Street, and the "Union" Company the part which opens
towards Charlotte Street. In 1845, both of the fire companies of the town, "Active"
and "Union", disbanded.

In 1847, a committee from Borough Council "procured at Philadelphia, a second hand
engine, made in good order and repair and of ample power for working through hose
with 133 feet of new leather hose, all warranted at a cost together, including expense
of procuring and freight of $525.37". This engine was known as the Globe Engine. A
new fire company with a new constitution was now formed and was approved by the
Council and took the name "The Globe Engine Company."

The old water engine that was purchased by the citizens in 1836 was sold to the
village of New Ephrata (Lincoln). Because citizens objected to the location of the
engine house on Market Square, Council selected as a better location for the building,
the lot of the Central School House (old German School House).

In June of 1861, the Globe Engine Company disbanded, however, a new company was
formed and took the same name.

In September of 1861, an engine house and council chamber was built on North
Prussian Street (presently 20 North Main Street).

The Globe Company was not flourishing well in the middle 1860's. At a meeting of
citizens on February 26, 1869, Star Fire Engine Company No. 1 of Manheim was
organized. All previous engines and equipment belonging to the past departments were
then transferred to the Star Fire Engine Company No. 1.

In 1870, the office of foreman (fire chief) was created. George W. Fisher was the first
man to hold this office and was given four assistants.

On July 4, 1871, the first Manheim Fireman's Parade was held in Manheim.

On June 25, 1874, The Hope Fire Engine and Hose Company, No. 1 was chartered.

In December 1871, the Borough purchased a hose carriage for $450. The carriage bore
the word "Hope" and the figures "1805". Two weeks later, the Star Fire Engine
Company was changed to Hope Fire Engine and Hose Company No. 1, the name that is
still recognized today.

O­n July 4, 1873, the company went to Lancaster to participate in a parade hosted by
Sun Engine and Hose Company. This was first time that the Manheim Company went
away from home to a parade.

On June 25, 1874, The Hope Fire Engine and Hose Company No. 1 was chartered.

In 1879, a 400-pound bell was purchased for a fire alarm.

In 1880, a fire company was organized in the lower part of town and took the name of
"Union Fire Company". The Hope Company turned over to them the Globe Engine and
some leather hose.

In October of 1885, the Manheim Water Company began service. Forty-eight
fireplugs were placed in the borough at a cost to the town council of $2,827.50.

In 1886, an engine and hose house was built by the borough on Stiegel Street and was
named the Union Hose House. The Union Fire Engine and Hose Company, which had
been dormant for some years, was reorganized and received from the Hope Company a
proportionate share of the fire equipment. Borough Council also at this time purchased
another hose carriage, which was placed in the Union Hose House. The Union Fire
Engine Company then went out of existence in 1894.

On January 6, 1897, the members of Hope Fire Company voted to purchase a lot of
ground on the corner of East High and Wolf Streets. The purpose of this lot was for
building an engine house. In 1901, the members deeded this lot to the borough for the
purpose of building a council chamber and the hose house. In 1904, the public building
and fire station on East High Street was dedicated.

In 1907, the Stiegel Fire Company was organized by citizens living in the lower end of
Manheim. After a short, but active, life, during which a chemical fire engine was
purchased, the company disbanded.

A hook and ladder truck was purchased in 1910, for $600.00.

From June 30th to July 4th in 1912, a grand celebration, known as "Old Home Week
and Hope Hose Company Centennial" was held. The last day of Old Home Week was
designated as Firemen's Day and featured a parade and reception to visiting firemen.
As a souvenir of Manheim's Old Home Week, the committee, headed by fire company
President, A.K. Kauffman, published a booklet of 180 pages.

In 1920, at a borough election, the citizens voted to give Borough Council authority to
purchase an American LaFrance engine for $12,500. This was the beginning of our
motor-drawn fire fighting equipment. During this same year, an electric fire siren was
placed in the tower of the public building. Also, in July, permission was granted by the
Borough Council to the fire department to answer fire calls beyond the borough limits.
The first "mutual-aid" response was to Lititz.

On July 17, 1921, the first meeting was called in Manheim, by Hope Fire Engine and
Hose Co. No. 1, to organize the Lancaster County Fireman's Association. Fourteen fire
companies took part in this. This count has grown from year to year, numbering now
over eighty fire companies. O­n September 21, 1921, the Lancaster County Volunteer's
Firemen's Association held its first annual convention in Manheim. Mr. H.H. Shenck, of
Manheim, was the first president of the Association, and Mr. Ira Brosey, also a member
of Hope Company, was the first secretary.

In 1924, a Kearns fire engine was purchased for $7,800. The cost was met by a
contribution of $1,000 from the Borough Council and donations of $6,800 by Manheim
citizens and farmers, who would benefit most by this piece of apparatus.

In 1926, a fire alarm switch was installed in the local phone exchange, in order to help
citizens to report fires faster.

In 1930, Fire Chief Paul Z. Knier of the Hope Fire Engine and Hose Company, No.1, was
elected Lancaster County Fire Marshall by the LCFA. He held this position for fifty
years, until 1980, when he retired at the County's Firemen's Convention in Quarryville.

The Fireman's Relief Association of the Hope Fire Engine and Hose Company, No. 1,
was organized in 1930, which provides substantial payments to firemen injured while
o­n active duty. Today, we have six directors in our Relief Association.

In 1932, a Reo fire truck was purchased by the fire company with a 250-gallon booster
tank and capable of pumping 500 gallons per minute (gpm).

In 1946, the Fire Police of the company was organized.

In 1947, another Reo fire truck was purchased, with a modern 7-man cab installation,
capable of pumping 500 gpm, and an 800-gallon water tank.

In 1954, a Seagrave 750 gpm pump was purchased for $18,000.00 to replace the 1932
Reo fire truck.

In 1958, a Metro walk-in truck was purchased for $4,000.00 to carry men and extra
equipment to the scene of a fire. This truck was known as the "Squad" truck.

In 1959, the fire department purchased for $46,000.00 and put in to service in 1960 a
new Seagrave "Quint”, combination 750-gpm pump and 85-foot aerial ladder. The
"Quint" carried 500 feet of 3-inch hose, 600 feet of 2 ½ inch hose, 400 feet of 1-inch
hose, and has a 250-gallon water tank. This piece of apparatus was the first
cab-ahead-engine in the eastern United States. In February 1976, this truck had the
gas engine changed to a Detroit Diesel engine. The aerial truck was purchased in order
to better respond to the expanding industry, business districts, the residential areas
that consisted of more than two stories dwellings and other buildings. In addition, this
unit helped to serve several neighboring communities,

In 1965, another Seagrave pump was purchased for $28,000.00. This was a 1,000 gpm
pump with a 500 gallon booster tank, 1,000 feet of 3 inch hose, 1,200 feet of 2 ½ inch
hose, 600 feet of 1 ½ inch hose, and 500 feet of 1 inch hose. This piece of apparatus
replaced the 1948 Reo truck.

In 1967, the fire department purchased a new 1967 Divco squad truck for $8,000.00 to
replace the Metro squad truck. This truck was needed to carry the additional fire
fighting equipment that was purchased to improve fire-fighting abilities.

In 1968, the fire department installed the Plectron Alerting System, with 66 radio
receivers furnished to active firemen to help answer calls more quickly and more
effectively.

In 1969, the fire department saw a need for a larger fire station, and through the
cooperation of the Borough and a lot of good firemen, the fire department moved into
its present quarters, at the corner of South Main and East Ferdinand Streets. The cost
of this project was $133,000.00.

In 1970, a Howe 1,000 gpm pump was purchased to replace the 1954 Seagrave pump
for a cost of $33,000.00. This truck had a 500-gallon water tank, 2,000 feet of 2 ½
inch hose, 600 feet of 1 ½ inch hose, and 600 feet of 1-inch hose. This pump was
equipped with a Detroit Diesel engine with an automatic transmission, which was the
first of its kind in our county.

In 1974, the fire department purchased a 1974 GMC rescue truck to replace the
Divco squad truck. This truck carried miscellaneous firefighting equipment, a Hurst tool
and Porto-power tool (for vehicle accident extrications), a Stihl saw, medical
equipment, rescue ropes and an electrical generator. The total cost of this rescue
truck with all of its equipment was $40,000.00.

In 1976, the fire department took delivery of its first tanker truck. Local fuel dealer,
Worley & Obetz, donated a 2,600-gallon tank for this truck. The members of the fire
company and the maintenance department of Raybestos Manhattan made and installed
compartments and the tank o­n a 1976 GMC cab and chassis. Raybestos Manhattan
donated the compartments.

In 1976, the Hope Fire Engine and Hose Company, No.1 was responding to an average
of 90 fire alarms per year.

In 1983, the fire department held its first annual raffle of a vehicle at their summer
carnival. This first year saw a Chevrolet Chevette given away. The raffle still continues
today, with the prize typically a full size extended cab pickup. The raffle receives a lot
of support from the community, with the bearer of the last ticket drawn of 6,000
tickets taking home the grand prize.

Also in 1983, the fire chief and members saw a need for "large-diameter hose". The
company was introduced to 5-inch hose by purchasing 2,000 feet of it.

Late in 1983, the Lancaster County 911 dispatch system changed to its current
system of dispatching fire departments by their station number, not their name. This
fire department operates under the identification of "Station 2-6".

In June of 1984, the arrival of a new 1984 Pierce Arrow pump occurred. This engine
replaced the 1966 Seagrave pump, and cost approximately $143,000. Features of the
new engine include, a 5-man cab, 500-gallon tank, 1500 gpm pump, 3 pre-connected
hand lines, and 2,000 feet of 5-inch hose. This piece is known as Engine 2-6-2.

Also in 1984, the hydrants in Manheim were pressure tested by firemen and the tops of
the hydrants were painted different colors to show the various pressures.

In January 1985, the fire department purchased its first ever computer system, to aid
in recording the fire alarms, financial statistics and administrative notes, such as
minutes of the company meetings.

In April 1986, the purchase of a 1987 Pierce Lance pump was approved for
approximately $167,000. This engine which includes a six-man cab, 1,000-gallon
tank, 1,750 gpm, and 5 pre-connected hand lines was placed into service in August
1987. This piece is known as Engine 2-6-1.

At the same time, an opportunity to purchase a new ladder truck surfaced. A used
1971 GMC-Sutphen aerial truck was purchased for $135,000 and arrived in October.
The main feature of this truck is its 85-foot aerial device, which includes a bucket for
firefighters to operate from at the tip of it. This is in contrast to the ladder truck it
replaced, the 1959 Seagrave, which was an 85-foot straight ladder. The truck has a
1,250-gpm pump and carries equipment needed for ventilation and overhaul operations.
At this time, both the Howe pump and the Seagrave ladder were sold to the dealer of
the Sutphen for $18,000 and $30,000, respectively.

One of the biggest fires in Manheim history occurred on January 27, 1987 when the
J.H. Brubaker Lumber Yard lit up the early morning sky in the western part of town.
Several hundred thousand dollars of damage was suffered, as buildings, vehicles, and
inventory were all consumed by this devastating fire. The firefighters battled extremely
cold temperatures and inadequate water supply conditions, as they were able to
contain this fire from spreading to any adjoining properties.

Throughout the years, the members of the fire department went door to door in its
response district collecting coin cards to raise funds. In 1987, the department decided
to end this form of fund raising and started in 1988 a new way of raising funds. A fund
drive letter was mailed to all households and businesses asking for a donation to be
sent back to the fire department. This new method has generated a bigger return of
contributions and has saved many hours of work for the firefighters.

In January of 1990, the department took delivery of a new 1990 Autocar Tanker.
Tanker 2-6, as it is known, has a 500-gpm pump and a 3,000-gallon tank, and was
built by S&S in Indiana.

In February of 1990, the GMC tanker truck was sold for $21,000 to Northeast Fire
Apparatus.

Also in 1990, the fire department received the approval of the FCC to operate its own
private frequencies, 33.42 & 33.62, in the companies' fire radios. The addition of these
frequencies has been a tremendous asset to our company, allowing us to switch from
frequencies that are occupied by heavy radio traffic.

For years, the department always refueled its apparatus at fuel pumps located at the
rear of the station. However, due to environmental concerns, the underground fuel
tanks, some of which were located here when the property was purchased, were
removed in August of 1990.

In March 1991, the fire department purchased new Motorola Minitor II pagers to supply
to the active firefighters to alert them of fire alarms. These pagers have greatly
decreased the response time of the firefighters, and today, you'll hardly find a fireman
without one.

In January 1992, the company voted to have the cab of Engine 2-6-2, the Pierce
Arrow, fully enclosed to provide more safety for the firefighters. By doing this, there
will be no more riding on the tailboard of the apparatus for the firefighters. Pierce
Manufacturing enclosed the cab for $21,000, which increased the interior seating of
firefighters to six.

In February 1992, a timer was installed on the siren located at the firehouse. This
timer will not permit the siren to be sounded between the hours of 11PM and 6AM.
Also, the engine room garage doors will no longer automatically rise upon tone
activation, a tradition that has occurred for years. Also in this month, the company
formed a committee to purchase a new rescue truck.

In May 1992, the first Paul Z. Knier Volunteer Award was given to the high school
senior who has performed outstanding volunteer service to the community. This award
has been a $100 United States Savings Bond and is still given annually.

In May 1993, the company voted to purchase a Pierce Custom Dash Chassis with a
Pierce Heavy Duty Rescue Body for $294,000. The Rescue arrived in late February
1994, and was placed into service as Rescue 2-6 in April 1994. New features of this
rescue include seating for ten firefighters, pre-connected hydraulic and air lines for the
Amkus and other rescue equipment, a 6000 watt telescopic light tower, and a
command center in the walk-in box, complimented with two low band radios, one high
band radio, and a cellular phone. The 1974 GMC Rescue was sold for $38,000 to
Northeast Fire Apparatus.

In November 1993, "Pluggie", a robotic fire prevention assistant, was purchased from
Robotronics for approximately $4,500. Pluggie has been a great asset to the company's
fire safety program, being used mainly at the day care centers, and nursery and
elementary schools. Pluggie is about three feet tall and is painted to resemble a
firefighter, complete with fire gear. Pluggie was dedicated in memory of Captain Cary
T. Cantrell in April 1994.

In August 1994, after several months of research, a new utility truck was voted upon
to be bought for the department. This new truck is a 1995 Ford 4WD Diesel pick-up
truck with a 4-door crew cab. Aluminum utility boxes were added to the bed of the
truck to store equipment without using the bed space. This truck was purchased from
Phillip's Ford for $26,688, and was received in November 1994, and is now known as
Squad 2-6. The squad is used to carry extra manpower and equipment to the fire
scenes and also for the firefighters to use when traveling to training classes out of the
area.

In February 1995, a committee was formed to look into the expansion of the firehouse.
In May 1995, the company agreed upon the bid from Penway Construction of $162,924
for the building expansion. The expansion of the firehouse was to the rear of the
building and included: a new engineer's room (maintenance shop), added storage
rooms, a handicapped-accessible bathroom, a new apparatus bay for the squad truck,
and a larger meeting / training room and undeclared room on the second floor. This
undeclared room later became the fire department's museum.

In June 1996, Mr. Joseph Young, owner of the property at 75 South Main Street
approached the department stating that he would like to sell his property. The
company approved of the purchase of the three-story house and yard for $142,000
and agreement papers were signed in August. After possession, the rear yard of the
property was converted into a parking lot for the fire department. The building houses
four apartments that are taken care of by a management company. Several
improvements have been made to the property since our purchase, mostly dealing with
heating, electrical, and plumbing. With the purchase of this property, we have been
able to solve our parking problem by adding approximately 20 new spaces.

In order to allow more space for the officers of the company to work in, the
department decided in 1997 to renovate the second floor of the original building
by creating two additional offices.

In February of 1997, the fund drive mailing of the department was revamped again.
The fund drive mailing is now handled by an outside company and includes a second
mailing so that more contributions are received. This has increased the number of
properties donating, however, the actual amount of those giving is still less than 40
percent.

In March of 1997, the Hershey Museum sent the department notice that they would
like the pieces of fire equipment o­n display there to be removed. They approved the
return of our fire equipment to our department, which includes a hand pump and a
hose cart. The fire department has also received a leather helmet and a leather
bucket. These pieces along with many other pieces of Manheim Firefighting history are
now on display in our museum, located on the second floor of the new addition.

In order to encourage more attendance at the annual firefighter's carnival, fireworks
were returned to this event in 1997. The response and enthusiasm of the crowd has
been well received.

In December of 1998, the Manheim area witnessed its biggest fire ever. On December
15th, four buildings were damaged or destroyed by fire on Market Square. Nearly
$1,500,000 of damage was encountered, along with 16 people left homeless and four
businesses temporarily shutdown. Over 200 firefighters from 40 fire companies assisted
with extinguishing the fire, in which the Manheim Fire Company spent nearly 16 hours
on the scene.

The number of fire responses is continuing to climb each year, as the Manheim area
continues to develop structurally and as population increases, creating more traffic.
The fire department protects all of Manheim Borough, and parts of Penn and Rapho
Townships. We provide approximately 50 square miles of fire protection, as well as
responding to assist neighboring communities.The Manheim Fire Department is an
all-volunteer company, operating on the donations and support of its community. The
demands on the firefighters go beyond the normal firefighting tactics for today's
firefighters. The members participate in fire training, perform repair and maintenance on
the equipment, teach fire prevention and safety in the community, and raise funds to
operate the department. Each year, more time is expected of these firefighters to
provide the firefighting service to the community. The most important thing that you
can do for these dedicated individuals is to offer your support. Financial help as well as
physical help are always needed. New members are encouraged and welcome to join.
Currently, there are 90 active members, of which nearly 50 are active firefighters and
fire police, 116 Honorary members and around 200 social members in the fire company.
The department needs the help of everyone to get the job done, not just the
firefighters. The year 2000 will mark 188 years of firefighting service provided to
citizens of Manheim. Protecting lives and properties has been and always will be the
purpose and duty of the Hope Fire Engine and Hose Company, Number 1!