Taking Pride In Protecting Our Community Since 1955

Prior to 1955, firefighting in East Brandywine, West Brandywine, and Upper Uwchlan Townships was frequently a confusing task. It took two major fires in particular to accentuate the urgent need for adequate fire prevention facilities to insure the safety of the increased number of homes in the area. Because of a mix-up over what fire company to call, McFarland's Farm burned to the ground. Suitable equipment was not on hand to save the Bryant Grocery store when it went up in flames.
In the spring of 1955, a group of 20 men met to discuss what could be done to remedy the situation. It was decided since the area is approximately four miles from Downingtown and six miles from Coatesville, there should be a fire fighting force in East Brandywine Township. By the end of the year a charter was drawn up.

East Brandywine Fire Company Charter Members

The first monthly meeting of the East Brandywine Fire Company was held at the Guthrieville School House on April 12, 1956. The treasury reported a total of $118.00.  Of this total, $100.00 was from donations and $18.00 was from membership dues. 

In March 1957, the New Jersey Fire Equipment delivered a new 1956 Chevrolet/ Oren 500 gallons of water per minute pump and holds 500 gallons of water. The chassis was purchased from Ray G. Sheeler Chevrolet of Downingtown. The total cost of the engine was $15,173. Through cooperation of members sponsoring horse shows, chicken barbecues and other various events, combined with a donations letter that was sent out to residents in the community and surrounding area, the debt was paid off in three years.

The company then, officially went into service, operating from Ed Russel's Garage, an old machine shop that is still standing in the Village of Guthrieville, now Gary's Auto Body. It served as headquarters until October 20, 1962, with the fire emergency calls directed to Frazer Feed Store.

The first annual banquet of the East Brandywine Fire Company was held on Saturday, January 24, 1959 at Zinn's Ingleside Diner. Looking over the program Bill Hart (left) radio and TV personality, Gilbert "Gib" Stauffer, a Pennsylvania State Fire instructor, Helen Frazer president of the Ladies Auxiliary and Walter M. Crandall President.

During the period the company was operating from the garage, the members in 1960 bought two acres of land from John T. Frazer as the site of a new firehouse. Late in 1961 an architect was hired to draw plans for a new building along Bondsville Road.

In June 1962 ground was broken for construction. October 20, 1962 the move was made to the 76 foot x 48 foot building, which includes engine room, kitchen, and storerooms, also meeting and lounging rooms. Cost of the project was approximately $35,000.

Building dedication, parade and housing ceremony was held on Saturday afternoon of October 20, 1962. The parade one of the largest ever held in the township drew 42 fire units from all parts of Chester County. Pomeroy Fire Company was awarded first prize in the parade. Harold Jones served as Parade Marshal. The members of Boy Scout Troop 8 Hopewell, led the pledge of allegiance. The 1956 Chevrolet/ Oren pumper was housed in special ceremonies conducted by Lionville, Thorndale and Martin's Corner Fire Companies.

1) Principal speakers at the housing ceremonies from left they are State Police Fire Marshal Sergeant James F. Updyke, Ninth Congressman Paul B. Dague of Downingtown, and Bill Hart, Philadelphia radio and TV personality.

2) Members of the East Brandywine Fire Company step down from their new piece of equipment that was housed.

November 1963 Mr. Leonard Mygatt donated a 1948 Jeep Willys CJ-2A to the Fire Company. A committee was appointed to make the Jeep into a field piece. The committee consisted of Robert Zynn - chairman, Tom McClintock, Frank Watters, John Piersol and Bill Laird. Members spent their free time after work and on weekends assembling the jeep, mounting a PTO pump and a 100- gallon tank on it.

April 9, 1964 monthly meeting a Tank Truck was proposed to the Fire Company. The Truck was a 1941 Mack with a 1275-gallon tank capacity. Purchased from a oil company in Honey Brook at a cost of $250.00.

UP IN FLAMES: Members of the East Brandywine Fire Co. burned it $21,000 mortgage on its building which was taken out 3 1/2 years ago, on Saturday April 23, 1966 night's annual banquet held at Honey Brook Fire Hall. Setting fire to the document is Charles Thomas (left) who received a watch after being named fireman of the year. Others from left are Ronald Rambo, secretary, Michael Filoromo, vice president, and Walter M. Crandall, president. The Fire Company is considering construction of a banquet hall at the firehouse and purchase a new piece of firefighting apparatus.

July 6, 1967 monthly meeting under old business the matter of a other tanker truck was brought up and President John Piersol appointed the following committee. Chairman- Chester Smith, Bill Laird, Spencer Miller, Ronald Rambo and Walt Crandall. The chassis was a 1953 Mack B-85 purchased from John Ewell for $800. The 2750-gallon tank came from Warner Lime, and was painted by Q& R Auto Body of Glenmoore for $175. The truck was placed in service in March 1968 with a cost approximately $1500. The 1941 Mack Tanker Truck was sold to a sewage company for $50. In 1973 the Tanker rolled onto its side while going around a corner responding to a barn fire. It was only slightly damaged.

East Brandywine Fire Company in November 1969 purchased from the Alert Fire Company of Downingtown a 1948 Seagrave pumper for $250. The Seagrave was a sedan cab with a 750 gallon per minute pump and a 350- gallon water tank. It was sold to Cohen's Junkyard of Thorndale after the pump was damaged with rocks when drafting without a strainer in 1972 while assisting Oaks Fire Company during Hurricane Agnes.

A check for $10,000 is hidden inside the small ceramic fireman at the company’s annual banquet Saturday evening April 15, 1972 at the Glen Moore Fire Hall. Beverly McCarty past president of the Ladies Auxiliary giving to John Piersol president of the company, also presented a bronze memorial plaque. It will contain names of deceased members and be placed outside the East Brandywine Fire House.

A 1972 Jeep CJ-5 was purchased new from Weaver Motors of Coatesville for $2,500. To be used as a field piece. It is a V-8 304 CI 4x4-gas motor and a 3-speed manual transmission. A skid unit with a 60 - gallon water tank and a horsepower pump was mounted on it. A roll cage was added at a later date. It was totally refurbed starting in August of 1994 which included body work, repainted lime yellow and white, pump rebuilt, new emergency lighting and a large brush guard that was built by Todd Shaffer for the front. It was placed back into service on March 29, 1995.

New fire truck nicknamed "The Yellow Bird"

East Brandywine Fire Company new 1973 Ford C-900 1,000 gallon Pierce pumper was the guest of honor in the 17 mile parade through the township June 8, 1974. The parade marked the housing of the new yellow truck and involved 35 pieces of fire fighting equipment from fire companies around the county. Nicknamed the "The Yellow Bird" the pumper was dedicated to the Ladies Auxiliary in appreciation for their continuing support. The Glen Moore, Lionville, Martins Corner, Thorndale and Wagontown Fire Companies performed the actual housing of the pumper. Awards presented at the housing and dedication went to: Wagontown Fire Company for best appearing pumper, West End Fire Company for best appearing ladder truck, Downingtown Fire Company for best appearing rescue and alert vehicle and Oxford Fire Company for coming the most distance.

Dr. Brent Follweiler (left), East Brandywine Fire Co. Chief, and Assistant Chief Harold Thompson, inspect the equipment on their new fire truck which cost about $45,000 and come in lime yellow- the latest in emergency equipment color. The pumper has a 1000-gallon per minute pump and a 1000- gallon water tank. It was a gas motor 534 CI 5-speed/ 2-speed rear manual transmission.

n 1975 a plaque inscribed with the fireman’s prayer presented to the company by the Ladies Auxiliary. Edward Pierce, John Piersol left and Jim Baker, Beverly McCarty right.

These are some of the East Brandywine Fire Company firefighter and ladies auxiliary members who helped worked at the companies fifth annual antique show held on October 15,16 1976 at the firehall.

1950 American LaFrance, 700 series, semi -cab, 85 foot steel mid- mount ladder, model #7-85-AJO. It was purchase from the Brandywine Fire Company of Coatesville City in 1976 for $7,500. It was placed out of service in February 1983 because it would have cost $8,685. to fix the ladder so it would pass certification. It was finally sold in October 1985 to a collector in Acre Pond (Susquehanna County, PA) for $6,000.

In 1977 the company decided to replace the aging Mack tanker with a Ford L/ 4-Guys, manual transmission and gas motor for $44,000. The tanker was equipped with a 750 gpm Darley Champion front- mount pump and a 3000- gallon water tank. It was originally delivered with a painted tank- stainless steel skin was added at a later date. The1953 Mack tanker was sold to a local individual.

QRS 49

EMS calls were increasing in the township. The company did not want to start an ambulance service- so they went with a Quick Response Service (QRS). The 1960 Dodge milk delivery truck could not handle the volume, so the company went looking for a used piece. They found a 1978 Ford F350/EVF squad unit that the Fort Myers Fire Department was selling.

John Piersol center accepts a check for $1,800 from Bud Bruton, right chairman of the Run For Life Committee. John Schmidt, left is captain of East Brandywine’s recently- formed Mobile Ambulance Support Team which will put its new squad truck into service about a week. (November 1979). It was sold in 1990 to Sharver (Butler County) for $10,000.

The 1956 Chevrolet/ Oren was totally rehabbed in early 1979 when it was sent to 4-Guys Mfg. to have extensive diamond plate put on in the rear body area, and a complete repaint to match the other vehicles.

In 1984 it was decided to purchase a new engine to replace the 1956 Chevrolet / Oren. 4-Guys was chosen to build a Ford L-8000 canopy cab with a top-mount 1000 GPM pump and 1000 GVT tank. The chassis came from New Holland Ford and was the first diesel in the company 225 horsepower with a 5-speed manual transmission. Total cost for this engine $84,480 and housed on June 9, 1985. It was used as an attack pumper. The engine was sold through Custom Tech Fire Apparatus (a dealer) to the Broadview Fire Department in Saskatchewan, Canada for $37,500. It was taken out of service on November 23, 1998 and left for Canada on a lowboy the next bay.

In 1987 a matching engine to the 1984 model was built again by 4-Guys on a Ford L800 chassis. This engine had a 1250 GPM pump and 1000 GVT tank. 250 diesel engine and a 5-speed with a 2-speed rear. It was delivered in April 1988 and a total cost $81,000. The engine was a supply pumper. This was sold to Jon’s Mid America Fire Apparatus in June 23, 2004 for $15,860. The engine was resold to the West Republic Fire Department – Greene County MO.