Mountain Top Hose Co. 1's history

The Mountaintop Hose Company No.1 has a history that pre-dates the second World War.

Recognizing the need for fire protection in Mountain Top, a group of residents in 1939 applied for and received a charter to provide fire protection for the entire Mountain Top area. Its first fire truck, a 1939 Ford with a Buffaloe Hale body, was housed in the first township  building located at the upper end of North Main Street, a building which now houses the Mountain Top Machine Shop. In the 1950's the township acquired a building at 140 North Main Street and the hose company relocated to the ground floor of the building. In 1964 an American LaFrance pumper was purchased to replace the Ford and this truck served the hose company until 1985. 

In the early 1970's the hose company recognized the need for additional space and equipment and a committee was formed to erect a firehouse building. A two-acre site situated at the intersection of Woodlawn Avenue and Lehigh Street was acquired from the Lehigh Valley Railroad at a cost of $6,500. This site was selected as it provided easy access to all points in the township and eliminated the need for the firemen to traverse any railroads.

 In 1974 ground was broken for the firehouse building which contains a four bay apparatus room, meeting room, kitchen, utility room and lavatories. The dedication of the newly completed building was held on February 23, 1975. Shortly after the firehouse was completed, two fire trucks were acquired from other fire companies. In 1979 these trucks were replaced when the organization purchased a new 1979 Grumman 1000 GPM pumper constructed on a Ford Chassis.  

In 1980 a Jeep utility truck was acquired from the state and this truck was converted to an equipment truck by the members. This truck was 

replaced a few years later with a light duty rescue truck which housed the first Jaws of Life in the Mountaintop area. Starting in the 1980's, Mountain Top Hose Company began the process of expanding and modernizing its fleet adding a rescue company and adding a third engine. The hose company embarked on an aggressive vehicle replacement plan replacing the apparatus every 12 to 13  years.

Over the years, the Hose Company greatly expanded its rescue functions and equipment. The Hose Company now operates a 2018 Pierce Tandem Axel heavy duty rescue carrying a full compartment of tools and equipment that enables the fire company to be prepared for whatever functions it may face.  In addition to the rescue, the fire company maintains a 2012 and 2014 Pierce, 1750 GPM pumpers with 1,000 gallon water tanks and a CAFS system, a utility truck carrying tools for less challenging jobs such as portable pumps for flooded basements, saws for tree clearing and traffic control devises.

During the span of 2014 to 2015, a new metal roof was installed on the fire house. Inside, old lockers were replaced with new metal ones. New flooring was installed throughout the building with an epoxy-finished floor in bay area and new color scheme for interior paint throughout.

In 2017 a Utility Task Vehicle (UTV) was acquired to provide for off road rescues/incidents/lost person searches. The vehicle can accommodate 3 firefighters and a patient on a stretcher. A transportation trailer for the vehicle was made at the Look Trailer plant in Mountaintop and the cost was paid by a donation from the F.M  Kirby Foundation, Inc.

A Wildland crew consisting of eight members was established in 2022 and in 2024 a 2004 Ford F350 Brush Truck was transferred from the Department of Forestry to the fire company. The Wildland crew the entire Mountaintop Area and has been called to major brush fires throughout the County.Throughout its history, sources of funding for the operation of the fire company came from three sources: the annual bazaar, the annual fund drive and an allocation of funds from Fairview Township. Recognizing the need to property fund the fire company, the Fairview Supervisors enacted a fire tax in 2017 which went into effect in 2018. This tax replaced annual fund drive, bazaar and township allocation to the department. A small tax increase was enacted in 2025 to fund the driver’s position.

In 2017, the department’s 44th  annual bazaar was its final bazaar. Over the years, the number of volunteers needed to conduct the bazaar dwindled and it became very difficult to staff the event. This along with government regulations with regard to conducting the bazaar, dwindled available suppliers for the bazaar and an approaching loss of parking for the grounds also contributed to the decision to end the popular event. The fire company has conducted numerous fund raisers to supplement its income. A very popular purse Bingo / purse raffle is the single largest fund raiser. Other activities have been Christmas related events, Potato Pancake sales, and Community Days. The hose company applies to various foundations on an annual basis and has been successful in obtaining numerous grants.

In 2022 a grant writer was hired as the hose company was facing mandatory replacement of its radio system, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus and turnout gear. Applications were submitted to the Federal Assistance to Fire Fighters Program in 2022, 2023 and 2024 for these needed items with all three applications being successful.Due to the dwindling number of volunteers, particularly in the week day, day time hours the hose company hired a daytime driver to guarantee a responding vehicle would be on the road when there was a call. In order to do this, the annual fund drive was reinitiated in 2023 with the funds received paying most of the cost of the drivers wages and benefits.