On February 24,1977, a twin engine aircraft crashed into a house at 799 High st., Bressler,killing the home’s occupant and the plane’s eight passengers. within moments, firefighters from friendship fire company of bressler were on the scene of what was to be the town’s worst disaster.
Friendship fire company that day lived up to its motto, “expect anything.” The origin of our town dates back to 1856. At that time it was known as New Benton. In 1908 It was changed to Bressler, named after one of the oldest residents. The ever present need for fire protection was on the minds of the residents after disastrous fires in the neighboring communities. It was decided to form a local volunteer fire company. The company received its charter on March 30,1920 and started out in a shed with a combination horse and hand-drawn apparatus acquired from a nearby fire company. In 1921 a one story frame building was constructed .
Bressler’s present firehouse was built in 1936, The same year the company bought a new fire engine. The Ladies Auxiliary was formed in 1937, and helped pay for the new equipment. Then in 1945, Friendship Fire Co. bought a one story frame building a block up from the firehouse. Eleven years later, the company dedicated its social club there.
In 1956 we purchased our first ambulance, to add to our engine. It was used until 1963 when a new one was purchased.
In 1959 the company appointed a committee to travel to Elmira, N.Y. and bought an American LaFrance pumper, which a member painted with a colorful insignia symbolic of bressler: a red and white square, the croatian coat of arms for the people of croatian heritage who founded the company: a triangle and eye for god-fearing citizens: an eel for swatara township: a keystone for Pennsylvania: a muscular arm and ax for firefighters: and an old horsecart to show how far the company has come.
In 1964 , we undertook two very large projects. The interior of the social quarters was completely renovated. At the same time an addition was put on to the firehouse.
Then in 1966 the land situated at Center and Penn streets was acquired, This land was filled in and made into two baseball fields for the community to use. It was also the land which was built into the Fire company picnic grounds. The fire company is always willing to give back to the community. We still maintain the fields today. Friendship Fire Company has become known over the years for it willingness to help neighboring companies.
Early in 1975, We purchased a truck from Penn. Power & Light Co. The company set out to paint it and equip it. This truck was to give aerial support to there engine. It was called aerial 41 better known as the “The Bucket Truck”. This piece went out of service in 1982, since it couldn’t compete with modern tower trucks.
In 1984, the company put into service a new 1984 Sutphen custom pumper.This piece still serves the community today. Also sometime in the eighties, with the help donations the company used an old bread truck and converted it into mobile cascade system (air 41). This was done by the companies members and a local vo-tech school. Then in 1995 Swatara Township purchased a new Lexington Air / Light Unit. Threw the townships fire tax, that was put in place to help the fire companies protect the township.
The worst fire in Bressler during that time involved the deaths of three people during a house fire on High st.
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