HISTORY

Fire departments are steeped in honor and tradition. They have always been the critical hub of any town as a stable and reliable institution, called on when danger strikes. It is today little appreciated that in the era of the American Revolution, fire companies comprised a ready pillar against the forces that threatened Colonists property and domestic security. These were sacred belongings, and every early American firefighter was sworn to protect them, “for the better preservation of our own and our Fellow Citizens’ Houses Goods & Effects.”

The progressive nature of the Wyndmoor Hose Company has been evidenced from the very beginning. The men who comprised this fire company have consistently strived to provide the finest most up-to-date equipment and strategies available. The sole and overriding concern has been to provide our neighbors with a safe and reliable fire service.

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ABOUT THE CURRENT DAY DEPARTMENT

Wyndmoor Hose Company is a 100% volunteer department. The fifty-plus members who make up the working force are notified by digital paging systems, day and night, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Beyond fire supression activites, WHCo is active in the community in many other ways. Fire prevention programs have always been a primary focus. The company keeps a busy schedule with weekend birthday parties held at the station, sometimes multiple parties each day. The parties often include a 15-30 minute presentation on fire safety. Throughout the year WHCo presents fire prevention programs to local schools, camps, day-care facilities, and other businesses and organizations. Annual demonstrations are made to The Boy Scouts of America to display not only safety messages, but also drunk-driving warnings.

Equally important, WHCo has forged a relationship, approaching almost a decade long, with UCP - United Cerebral Palsy. UCP is an organization in Wyndmoor who provides direct services to over 2,400 adults, children and their families with a variety of disabilities including cerebral palsy, head trauma, stroke and spinal cord injury. Groups of Wyndmoor firefighters can be found at any one of UCP's six annual fundraising events.

Monday nights are busy nights for Wyndmoor volunteers. Almost fifty weeks a year, Wyndmoor firefighters meet Mondays from 6:45PM through 9:30PM to maintain, test, practice, discuss, and plan for fire and rescue-related events. Beyond these evenings, special joint training sessions might be scheduled for weekends or other evenings throughout the year. While all firefighters must engage in no less than eighty hours of academy training before stepping foot on a fireground, the reality holds true that the training never ends.

In the late 90's it was decided that the fire company would add emergency medical services to its already expanded list of rescue operations. The company purchased the QRS (Quick Response Service) unit that houses enough basic life support and first-aid equipment to compliment the Springfield Ambulance Association's arrival.

Shortly after WHCo sent a crew to Ground Zero following September 11, 2001's terrorist activities, the Hazardous Materials operation also expanded. Wyndmoor teamed with HazMat 919 as Eastern Montgomery County's primary decontamination service. A larger environmental response trailer was purchased to accomodate the increased quanitity of equipment needed. A much more in-depth training program was enforced and all WHCo members were required to complete advanced levels of hazardous materials training.

Today Wyndmoor Hose Company, No. 1 is equipped to respond to virtually any emergency. From building fire to vehicle rescue, from hazardous material to emergency medical situations, Wyndmoor has personnel that are well-trained and highly-skilled prepared to act.

Stop by our station on a Monday night to learn more about what we do, or how you can get involved.