Fire Company History

The Berwyn Fire Company was formally Organized in July of 1894, upon adoption of a constitution and Bylaws which noted "Danger from fire prompts unified action." Several Years before, men from Berwyn had joined together in order to fight danger of fire.

Fire equipment was provided by each volunteer. Every man kept a bucket and sectional ladder ready at all times, and brought the equipment with him when he answered an alarm. The buckets formed a brigade, and the ladder sections were joined at the scene of a fire. The alarm was sounded by banging a sledge hammer against the iron tire of a locomotive drive wheel.

Soon after, a drawn hook and ladder was purchased. The supposedly horse drawn, but often hand drawn, wagon carried six five-gallon chemical tanks, leather buckets and several ladder sections. To replace the sledge and wheel, a bell was purchased at a total cost of $67.00 from the Fairmount Fire Association. The decision to purchase the bell was made after receiving several other prices. The bell still hangs in the fire tower of the current building.

A 1908 horse Drawn wagon used local horses to respond to calls.

In 1906, a horse drawn Waterous 350-gallon pumper was obtained. In order to guarantee prompt attention of the fire bell by local livery stables, a five dollar prize was offered to the first liveryman to arrive with a pair of horses. Berwyn's three liveryman entered into spirited competition, and many a stirring race was seen by townspeople when the fire bell was sounded.

In 1917, a giant step forward was taken when the first motorized equipment was purchased. The efficiency of fire protection was improved but the stirring horse race competition was eliminated.

A 1917 LaFrance Pumper seen in front of the first Berwyn Fire Company fire house.

A Model T chemical tankwagon was purchased in 1920 to keep pace with the growing community. Ground was broken in 1920 for the present fire house. Enlargements have been made for a game room, sleeping quarters, offices, garage space, and parking.

In 1951, the Ladies Auxiliary raised money to purchase the companies first Ambulance. This much needed addition to the community was presented to the fire company and immediately put into service. Ambulance service, just like fire suppression, began around the clock, 365 days per year service.

This 1951 Cadillac Ambulance served as the first ambulance for the Berwyn Fire Company. In its first 10 years, it averaged 50 calls per month. Annually, over 10,000 miles were added to the history of this classic vehicle.

In the early 1950's, a home alerting system was placed into members homes. The direct voice communication reduced average response time to less then 4 minutes; a number proudly upheld today.

Our Current statistics are unimaginable to our members from the early 1900's. Now in the 21st Century, Berwyn's coverage area is filled with highways, 5-7 story office buildings, and virtually no open areas. Today the Berwyn Fire Company responds to over 800 fire calls per year and over 2000 emergency ambulance calls per year. Making us not only one of the busiest fire companies in Chester County, but one of the busiest volunteer fire companies in all of Pennsylvania.