History of the Hershey Volunteer Fire Company

August 31, 1905 – The first organizational meeting was held in a car barn on East Chocolate Avenue across from the Chocolate factory, attended by 33 men.

February 4, 1906 – The Fire Company was permanently organized and moved into a building on East Chocolate Avenue next to the Chocolate Factory. This site later became the location of the Post Office and is now a vacant lot.

February 17, 1907 – The official charter was granted, listing 73 men, including Milton S. Hershey, who was a significant benefactor to the company.

May 2, 1911 – Imboden Barn Fire: Citizens at the Derry Church trolley stop noticed flames around noon. The steamer pumped from the creek on Chocolate Avenue, but the barn, built in 1803, was a total loss.

June 20, 1912 – Hershey Laundry Building Fire: Flames were discovered around 3:15 am. Firefighters quickly contained the fire, limiting damages to $20 for laundry, $250 for some equipment, and about $1,000 for the building.

April 23, 1914 – Hershey Chocolate Company Main Power Plant Fire: A blaze was discovered in the roof over the switchboard in the engine room at 5:20 pm. The factory alarm and town fire whistle were sounded. The fire was under control in 45 minutes, but six engines and the dynamos were badly damaged. Power for the Hershey Transit Company was affected, stalling three trolley cars. Lebanon's motor fire truck arrived in 27 minutes but was not needed.

May 30, 1914 – J.B. Curry Mill Fire: A shed and grain warehouse were destroyed by fire, damaging two coal cars and a boxcar on a siding. Firefighters prevented the flames from reaching two nearby homes. A chemical engine from Hummelstown assisted. The loss was estimated at $40,000.

June 23, 1928 – A new firehouse was dedicated, built on land donated by Mr. Hershey. This remains the center section of the current firehouse.

March 14, 1929 – The Ladies Auxiliary was formed and served for many years but is no longer active.

October 1952 – Two-way radios were introduced, the first used by any fire department in Dauphin County.

January 14, 1954 – The Hershey Ambulance Corps was organized as a subsidiary of the Fire Company, serving the community for over 40 years. The first vehicle was a 1954 Pontiac ambulance. It evolved into the Hershey Emergency Medical Service, a full-time staff operating four emergency vehicles, including the only fire company-operated paramedic unit in Dauphin County. In 1995, Derry Township took over its operation, and it now functions as University Hospital EMS.

February 1956 – A two-bay addition was added to the east side of the firehouse.

June 1963 – The Fire Company hosted the 45th annual Dauphin County Firemen’s Parade and Convention, having previously hosted in 1932 and 1949.

April 1968 – The first Rotary Auction to benefit the Fire Company was held, becoming an annual event.

July 1970 – Groundbreaking for a major addition on the west side of the firehouse, including additional bay space, offices, and a new canteen area (restaurant) in the basement.

May 1977 – The Fire Company hosted an Invitational Rescue Competition, continuing for three years.

May 1980 – The first annual Chocolatetown Firemen’s Parade was held, continuing for 12 years.

September 1981 – The first Chief’s car, a 1979 Chevy Malibu, was placed in service. The most recent Chief’s car is a 2008 GMC Yukon, with a similar vehicle used by the Fire Company duty officer.

July 1987 – The 1000th meeting was celebrated, including a housing ceremony for several pieces of apparatus.

August 1995 – A new rescue competition, hosted by the Fire Company and Hess Ford, was held annually but ended after three years when the dealership was sold and moved to Campbelltown.

November 9-16, 2002 – "The Guys," a play by the Hershey Area Playhouse, was performed in the west bay of the firehouse, depicting events following 9/11.

June 10-11, 2005 – The Dauphin County Convention & Parade was hosted by the Hershey Volunteer Fire Department, celebrating the company's 100th birthday.

July 5, 2006 – Eight cars of a 76-car Norfolk Southern train derailed east of the Derry Road crossing. Crews worked for three days to clean up, including a chlorine tanker. Various locations were closed, but the Chocolate Factory and Hersheypark were unaffected.

September 7, 2011 – Tropical Storm Lee caused record rainfall, resulting in record water marks on Spring and Swatara Creeks. The Department responded to 294 calls in five days. One man was killed on Grove Street. President Obama declared Dauphin County a disaster area.

July 5, 2012 – Engine 48 responded to a smoke in structure call at the Old Hersheypark Arena, escalating to a 5+ alarm fire with apparatus from five counties. Despite challenging conditions, damages were limited to $1,000.

The Hershey Volunteer Fire Company has a rich history marked by significant events and a strong community presence, continuing its dedication to protecting and serving the Hershey area.

HVFC PRESIDENTS

* Frank Snavely 1905-1907
* A.W. Snavely 1907-1909 
* E.B. Cassady 1909-1911
*William Brinker 1911-1923
* Paul Shoop 1923-1924      
* Clarence Ulrich 1924-1928 
* John Sollenberger 1928-1929
* John Hossler 1929-1930
* John Zoll, Jr. 1930-1931
* Cyrus Garman 1931-1937
* Stewart Mahon 1937-193
* E.C. Black 1940-1941
* J.W. Dressler 1941-1946
* Samuel Strine 1946-1948
* John Lepperd 1948-1950
* Samuel Strine 1950-1951
* James Rice 1951-1953
* Felton Ebersole 1956-1958
* Percy Eckert 1958-1973
* Paul Willard 1973-1976
Richard B. Rudisill 1976-1988
Irvin James Hess 1988-1989
Russell Knapp III 1989-1990
* Richard B. Rudisill 1990-1996
* Jaymie Smolens 1997-1999
Joshua Holl 2000-2001
Scott A. Stein 2002-2011
David Stough 2012-

*- Denotes Deceased

 HVFC CHIEFS 

* C.V. Glynn 1905-1910
* John Conrad 1910-1925
* Harry Boyer 1925-1934
* Herman Seavers 1934-1942
* C.R. Balsbaugh 1942-1949
* Paul Hetrick, Sr. 1947-1949
* Walter Strine 1949-1951
* Paul Seavers 1951-1952
* George Trump 1952-1954
* Eugene Gray 1957-1960
* George Trump 1960-1962
* Robert Raffensperger 1962-1973
Todd Pagliarulo 1973-1977
Eugene A. Sajeski 1977-1979
John Payne 1979-1990
Russell Knapp III 1990-1992
Richard Lenker, Jr. 1992-1996
Patrick S. Leonard 1997-Present

* - Denotes Deceased
 

Apparatus History Notes of the Hershey Volunteer Fire Company

The first piece of apparatus was a two-wheel hand-drawn hose cart with 400 feet of 2 ½ inch hose.

1906 – A Button steam fire engine was delivered. Several years later a hook and ladder wagon was added.
~ VISIT THE STEAMER AT THE HERSHEY MUSEUM ~

1918 – Model T Ford Chemical truck.

1921 – V12 Packard with 750 gpm. Pump (still in Hershey)

1929 – Selden 500 gpm. Pumper with 55 foot ladder.

1938 – International 500 gpm. 250 gal. Pumper, the 55 foot ladder was transferred from the Selden.

1947 – Mack 750 gpm. 300 gal. – Later increased in size to 600 gallon by members of the company (sold to the Prescott Fire Company and now owned by a collector in Holland)

1951 – International ¾ ton panel truck equipped as an emergency squad unit (given to Derry Township Police for use as a special service unit)

1956 – Oren 750 gpm. 1000 gallon Pumper (sold to the Coudersport, PA Fire Company)

1958 – Ford/Bruco rescue truck equipped to handle various emergencies and could carry four litter patients (sold to the Snowshoe, PA Fire Company)

1965 – International/Pierce 75 foot Snorkel with 750 gpm. Pump, the first true aerial apparatus (sold to the Washington, PA Fire Company)

1969 – Hahn 1000 gpm. 750 gal. Pumper – in 1982 the Pumper received a new diesel engine andother modifications at Swab Wagon Co. and was repainted lime-green and white from the original red. (Sold to a dealer in the South and is now in service with a Fire Co. in Alabama.)

1972 – Ford stake body unit with a 250 gallon skid load for brush fires. This replaced a 1964 International that had been used for a short time. A few years later the Ford chassis had a custom made body installed by Swab and painted lime-green and white from the original red. (Sold to the Powells Valley, PA Fire Company)

1973 – a 5 cfm. Ingersoll-Rand air compressor was installed in the firehouse with a four-bottle cascade to fill air cylinders.

1976 – Ford/Swab Heavy rescue truck, first unit be delivered in the lime-green and white paint scheme. (Sold to the Ottsville, PA Fire Company and now in service "somewhere in Mexico")

1978 – Hendrickson/Pirsh 1500 gpm. 750 gal. Pumper – rebuilt in 1988 by Swab with a four-door cab extension, 185-gallon foam tank and a foam system with a roof mounted turret (Sold to the Lebanon County Hazmat Team, PA) .

1978 – a 1971 Mack tractor with a 4200 gallon trailer was donated to the Fire Company by Hershey Foods Corp. It was rebuilt by members of the Company and served as a tanker for a few years and was then sold.

1980 – Hendrickson/Pierce 85 foot Snorkel with 1250 gpm, pump. (sold to Lykens, PA Fire Company)

1982 – Ford/Swab lighting and air unit. (sold to the Coudersport, PA Fire Company)

1986 – Spartan Gladiator/Pierce 2000 gpm, 1000 gal, tank, 100 gal, foam Pumper. Rehabbed in 1999. Taken out of service and sold to Fairview Twp in 2011.

1991 – Spartan Gladiator/Swab heavy Rescue truck.

1993 – Spartan Gladiator/Darley 2000 gpm, 750 gal, tank.

1994 – Ford F/350 series crew-cab pick-up

1995 – Duplex/Saulsbury/Baker 95 foot aerial platform.

1998 – 1998 Freightliner/S&S 750 gpm, 500 gal, tank 4X4 Pumper.

1999 - International/New Lexington air unit 33 cfm compressor & a 20 kW Generator.

2003 - Scotty RV Fire ReventionTrailer

2004 - GMC crew cab chassis with a Stahl body.

2006 - Seagrave Pumper

2007 - Pierce rehab of 1995 Truck

2011 - Pierce Pumper & Pierce Rescue