HIGHLIGHTS OF FIFTY YEARS 1960 - 2012

1960-1961 Several men from Monaghan Township who wanted to improve the township’s fire protection joined Lisburn Community Fire Company.  Lisburn agreed to station one of their trucks (an army surplus truck with a tank built by Lisburn members) at the Monaghan Township building.  The members from Monaghan Township used this truck to respond to calls with Lisburn.  They also collected donations for Lisburn from Monaghan Township residents.  Lester Graham was president of Lisburn Fire Company and Harold Turbett was fire chief.

March 1962 With the encouragement of numerous township residents, the group of firefighters from Monaghan Township decided it would be best to have their own fire company.  They began planning to create the company and solicited township residents for donations and members.

Mar. 26, 1962 Organizational meeting held.

Apr. 11, 1962 Purchased Dodge truck from Doug O’Handley.

Apr. 25, 1962 Charter and incorporation approved.  The company used  the  township building for meetings and to house the fire truck.   Lisburn continued to provide support by loaning  equipment to  the company and providing valuable guidance and advice.   Dale  Dentler was Lisburn president and Harold Turbett was fire chief.   Lloyd Sultzbaugh also assisted.

Jun. 16, 1962 First fire company fund-raiser.  Car wash and bake sale at 

Donson’s Garage raised $68.

Jul. 21, 1962 First festival at Donson’s Garage.  $858.69 profit

Sep. 15, 1962 First ham dinner at Donson’s Garage

Oct. 26, 1962 First block shoot at Donson’s Garage

Dec. 1962 Santa Claus rode the fire truck to three churches in the 

township and visited with 150 children.

Feb. 1, 1963 Published first edition of “Hose Line”

Feb. 5, 1963 Joined Cumberland County fire radio network

Mar. 1, 1963 Ladies Auxiliary purchased new siren

May 3, 1966 Voted to purchase 11 ¼ acres from M.W. Sowers

Jun. 4, 1966 Began construction of pavilion

Jul. 23, 1966 First festival on company property

Nov. 1966 “Block Building” engine house built

Jan. 3, 1967 First company meeting in pavilion

Jan. 23, 1969 Train wreck at Grantham

March 1969 Accepted first Carroll Township contract.  Fire company 

received $40 and Firemen’s Relief received $29.06.

June 1972 Hurricane Agnes.   

Aug. 5, 1972 Tenth Anniversary Celebration

Feb. 1973 First fire company banquet

Mar. 6, 1973 Softball team started.

1973  Fire report: Total calls-41, Monaghan-22, Upper Allen-9,  

Carroll-6, Warrington-1, Monroe-1, Dillsburg-1,

Lewisberry-1

Jan. 8, 1974 Minimum age for membership lowered to sixteen.  It was later  lowered to fourteen and a Junior Firefighter program was  started.

Apr 1, 1975 New building construction authorized.

Jul. 18, 1975 Friday night added to festival.

Aug. 1975 Block shoots ended.

Sep. 1975 Hurricane Eloise.  Members used a boat to rescue three residents from a house surrounded by water.

May 1, 1976 First event in new building. (Haring wedding reception)

Mar. 28 - Three Mile Island accident.  Members and ladies auxiliary

 Apr. 5, 1979  staffed the station, prepared to take emergency action, 

 monitored radiation levels, and distributed information

 sheets to every home.

Jun. 5, 1979 First female (Alice Hartman) joined the fire company. 

Jul. 20, 1979 First festival in new building

May 1981 Soup house / barbecue pit construction started.

Sep. 1982 Started construction of kitchen addition to accommodate new walk-in freezer.

Sep. 4, 1984 Began bingo games.

Dec. 1984 Betty Jo Hanshaw (first female officer) elected assistant  

recording secretary.  

Aug. 1985 Building mortgage paid off.

Nov. 5, 1988 Airplane crash on Nell’s Hill

Oct. 25-27, Engine and Rescue 67 responded to riot and fires at State     1989  Correctional Institution at Camp Hill.

1994 First Fishing Show and Flea Market

May 31, 1997 Elicker house fire

Aug. 15, 1997 Firefighter’s funeral for Chief Sylvester Fletcher Jr.

Jul. 16, 2005 Last festival

Aug. 12, 2010 Christ Lutheran (Filey’s) Church fire

2011 Fire report:  Total calls-180, Monaghan Township-45, 

Carroll-74, Warrington-15, Franklin-13, Upper Allen-12, Fairview-8, Dillsburg-6, Wellsville-2, Lower Allen-2, Washington Twp-2, Lower Allen-2, Dover Twp-1

May 19, 2012 Fiftieth Anniversary Celebration