Edgemont Firehouse

Our Fightin "Thirty-First of Edgemont"

The first all African-American fire company & the oldest fire company in Susquehanna Township.

Edgemont Fire Co #31

1407 N 25th Street

Harrisburg, PA 17109

Phone: 717 236-7463

edgemontfirehouse31@gmail.com

Fires in Edgemont started around August 11, 1913.  

On June 8, 1920 the Edgemont Steam Fire Company of Susquehanna Township was created, and is now called the Edgemont Volunteer Fire Company #31

In 1921 a charter for the Company, despite the fact that their only fire fighting equipment was created as a "Bucket Brigade"  Money raised in the form of suppers, fairs, and donations enabled them to purchase a fire truck

Telegraph Press Thurs

In 1925 

• Their first fire truck an old hand drawn chemical wagon from the Pleasant View Fire Company in the City of Harrisburg.  This antique equipment had a 500 gallon capacity and was to be the largest of its kind in the country.  

• Later this hand drawn tank was mounted on motorized chassis.  Practice runs were made, usually on Saturday and Holidays.

A firehouse was built in 1925, on Highland Avenue  to house the hand drawn equipment, after it was mounted on a motorized chassis.

Items of fire fighting equipment: such as axes, fire hooks, hoses, helmets, coats, and boots were contributed by surrounding fire companies.  In order to qualify for financial help from the governmental sources, training classes were set up. 

In 1943: Qualified fire fighters classes were set up. Qualified fire fighters received diplomas upon completion of the courses at which time the township began paying their company a larger share of financial aid.

The Evening News  Monday November 1, 1943

• • The second truck an old American La France pumper, was purchased from Middletown Fire Company.

When a fire occurred in the community, a creek running through the community was dammed and fire hydrants in the nearby area of Penbrook were opened.  Water was pumped from those impromptu dams.

Harrisburg Telegraph Press May 25, 1944

Edgemont new Elected Officers and Apparatus after Fire School Training.

     Edgemont wanted Fire Hydrants added into the community for the years of:

In 1965 a new firehouse was built at 1407 N 25th Street.  A few of the fire company members organized a club which attracted more members and aided the company financially.  A Ladies Auxiliary carried on diversified programs including membership drives to create greater community interest.  Meanwhile more and better equipment was secured. 

In 1969 to 1973 The Edgemont Drillettes was a youth group from 13 to 18 years old, under the leadership Of Fireman Roy Hamm.

 Names and Positions of the Faithful Founders of the Edgemont Fire Company

First Officers:

President: John Hetterman

Secretary and Treasurer: Clyde DeHart

Trustee: Benjamin F Smith, Robert L Hodge Sr, Harvey Clark

By-Laws Committee:

Chairman: Harvey Clark, John Fox Sr, James Walker

Members: Clifford Lester, Thomas Lester, A C Johnson, Perry Braxton, Rev Donaldson Banks, Rev Phillip Banks, Lee Malone

• • In 2002 the third fire truck was purchased, at KME Rescue Pumper

•  Today:

From humble beginnings as a "Bucket Brigade", the Edgemont Fire Company provides full protection Edgemont and the rest of Susquehanna Township and the surrounding areas.