The first equpitment for fire-fighting purposes purchased in Punxsutaweny consisted of a number of grapple-hooks, buckets, and ladders. The date of purchase cannot be given, but it seems that this equpitment served the need for better equiptment. A Babcock Chemical Extinguisher was then purchased for the borough. William Torrence, who was chosen chief in 1879, served until 1886. At that time all citizens were a part of the company. In the fall of 1888, the Punxsutawney Water Company completed the lying of its lines and the town had 15 fire plugs. It was now necessary to purchase a hose cart and a reel of hose. This apparatus furnished excellent service for the town.
A new company was orginized with Harry Evans, chief, in charge and L.R. Huth as assistant. The company fought two of our great fires, those of I-J and 1903, and served until March 17, 1903, when Clayville was incorporated with Punxsutawney, bringing with it the Lindsey Fire Company. It was at this time that the name "Central Fire Department" was adopted. On January 30, 1908, under the influence of Cloy Duff and John S. Thomas, the first secretary to keep correct minutes, Carl Jordan was elected Cheif and Carl Rowan, treasurer.
The earliest recorded ordinance regaring the Fire Departments of the borough is ordinance No. 140, which provides for the organization and government of the Fire Department. An Amendment to the ordinance was passed on March 10, 1919 stating that a salary of fifty cents per hour was to be paid to each fireman for his services. His times were to be recorded at the Municipal Building, from the time he left, to the time he returned from the call.
Prior to the 1970's the Central Fire Department was housed in a building on Torrence Ave, which I believe also contained the police department. In the 1970's Central was moved to the newly constructed Civic Center. The Civic Center sits at the east end of Barcaly Square, on the corner of East Mahoning Street, and Front Street. Central Fire Department's truck room faces Front Street, and the Mahoning Creek.
Currently Central has over 30 active members, with Arnie Dunmire and Pete Smith being the oldest. Central Fire Department has one Paramedic, Rod Doughty and four EMT's Josie Kalus, Kevin Wineberg, Tami Ott and Wanda Thomas along with numerous people trained as First Responders, or in CPR and First Aid. We also have one Borough police officer, Jeff Winfield, and a State Trooper Matt Powell. Bill Clement is a former Borough Police Chief. Henry Braunns is a Constible.
Some of the large fires in the last 20 years in the Punxsutawney Area that the Central Fire Department has responded to include: Billy Boyz (1999), Kieb's Place (1997), Charlie Chen's (1988), Polly's (198?), First English Lutheran Church (2003), Conrad's 119 (2002), Sandy's Beverages (Easter 2004), Thermal Guard (2005) along with numberous house fires, car fires, car accidents, activated alarms, and false alarms. (Thanks to Matt Powell for helping with some of the dates.)
If you have any history to add to this page E-MAIL ME!!!
A Family Affair
Firefighting at Central is a Family affair. If you read the members list, you know that we have a lot of brothers who really are related.
The Depps: father the late Leroy "Cookie" Depp, and son Chief Scott "Crumb" Depp.
The Bosaks: father the late J. Don Bosak; sons Dan Bosak life member; Don Bosak, and Rick Bosak; daughter Mary Ann Biesinger; son-in-law Fred Biesinger.
The Biesingers: Husband and Wife Fred and Mary Ann and son Brandon.
The Doughtys' father Rod Doughty, and son Paul Doughty.
The Clements': father Bill Clement and daughter Elise Clement
McFarland/Kalus:Member Tami McFarland is the mother of member Josie Kalus (me).
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