The first Fire Chief was J.T. Campbell. The board of
directors were Chris Lare, Charles R. Shank Sr, R.J.
Haggerty, S.W. Hyawthorne, George Clark, W.W.
Briggs, J.E. Shank, Charles BT Gallagher and B.J.
Brandt. Garling served as president for 20 years.
The first meeting place was a small framed office
building of the Folsom Land Co, located at
MacDade Blvd. And Springfield Ave.
In 1909 the fire company purchased property at 4th
and Sutton Ave. A one story brick building was
erected by the firemen at that time.
The fire companies first piece of equipment was
purchased for $30 from the Berwyn Fire Company.
At that time, the fire company was one of the first in
the area to have a motorized vehicle.
In February 1912 the fire company purchased a
Columbia touring car for $200. In 1912, the roof of
the fire company was raised to build a second floor.
Until 1962, the Ridley Township Municipal building
was located on that second floor with its
administration office. Next to the engine room,
where the trucks were kept, was the working
quarters of the Ridley Township Police Department
unit their new building was constructed at Morton
Ave. And MacDade Blvd.
IN the later part of 2005, the fire company
demolished its fire station for a new and modern
one. The price tag of over a million dollars, was
paid for by the hard working members of the
company throughout the years, who had various
fund raisers. Some had collected newspapers and
scrap iron, to recycle and would travel to
Philadelphia and Chester to collect a few dollars for
those items. Throughout the years, members
invested their funds so the company would collect
interest on their investments, so today's members
would have the funds to construct their new station.
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NO tax money from the residents was used for the
construction of the new station which is located on
site of the original fire station. One of the features
in the new fire station is that each room has been
dedicated to a past or present member. The
meeting room is in honor of the late President,
Hugh Maginnis; the chief's office is dedicated to
Burt Blackburn; the lounge honors Bill Urian.
The Peter Maginnis Banquet room, named after
current president Peter Maginnis is available for
rent and the engine room is name after past and
present members of the fire company.
Today the fire company operates with three
engines and a chief's vehicle which was donated to
the company by PECO in 2001. On September
8,2008, the fire company will celebrate its 100th
anniversary.
The men and women of the Folsom Fire Company
would like to thank everyone for all their support
over the years.
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