Be sure to stop by our main station at 2360 Rochester Road between 1:30 and 4:30 Saturday October 2nd for our Founders Day Open House as we kick off our centennial anniversary celebrations. Our centennial celebration will conclude in summer 2022 with a traditional parade and festivities at the Borough Festival in the Park as we celebrate the 100th anniversary of our charter received on June 22, 1922.

Until 1921, there was no local fire company, however, after fire destroyed the home of one of our early families in October 1921 a group of concerned neighbors rallied in the single room Neely Public School on November 4, 1921. There it was determined the community needed to secure a charter to legally form and operate a volunteer fire company. Many in attendance pledged $50 to start the company -- a sum in those days equal to or better than a month's wages. Soon after, yet another farmhouse was destroyed by fire. The community met again on November 18, 1921, nearly one-hundred members of the community were now participating in the formation of our volunteer fire company. On June 22, 1922, the charter for the Ingomar Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 of Franklin Township was received, filed, and recorded. We were officially a Fire Company!

As we celebrate our centennial, we reflect on many dramatic changes our community has undergone transitioning from a small rural farming community to a busy suburban borough. Though the names of our community and our Fire Company have changed over the years, with the support of our community the Franklin Park Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 has remained in continuous operation through the Great Depression, two World Wars, and a pandemic.

Today we remain the single appointed fire emergency and rescue response provider for the Borough of Franklin Park. Our 68 members operate 2 stations, 2 Engines, 1 Truck, 1 Rescue, 1-Tanker, 1 Squad, 1 off-road UTV, 1 Fire Police Unit, and 3 command vehicles. We continue the tradition of being an all-volunteer organization supported by donations from our community. Our membership stands proudly on the shoulders of the countless men and women who came before us to help make this Fire Company what it is today. Most importantly, we remember each has so selflessly given the greatest personal gift of all… some of the all too little time each are granted on this earth.

If you would like to contribute memorabilia, stories or in any other way to our centennial celebration, feel free to reach out to the Centennial Committee Co-Chairpersons Andy Nock, Brian Marriner, and Luke Myslinski by calling our main station at 412-364-5670 and leaving a message in the general voicemail. You may also email Co-Chairperson Andy Nock at treasurer@franklinparkvfc158.org.

See you Saturday, and hopefully again at the next Festival in the Park!