Proudly Serving Pocono Township since 1940

About Us

Pocono Township Volunteer Fire Company

     The Pocono Township Volunteer Fire Company was organized on May 13, 1940 in order to establish a defense against the terrible damage and destruction caused by fire.  Prior to 1940, Pocono Township was dependent on both the Stroudsburg Fire Department and the Pocono Mountain Fire Company from Mt. Pocono for fire protection.  A group of citizens felt that the Tannersville area was in need of its own fire company.

     George Raish was elected as the Company’s first President and Edward Metzger was elected the Company’s first Chief, in which he faithfully served from 1940 until 1963.

     Though the company was formed in May 1940, it did not receive its first piece of apparatus until September of 1940.  This was a used 1931 Dodge pumper.  Originally a chemical wagon, the current water tank was added by the fire company members.  The total cost of the truck was $600.00.  Old Number 1 had seen many fires in both Pocono and Jackson Township which was also covered by the Pocono Township Volunteer Fire Company until the Mid-1950’s, when Jackson Township started their own Fire Company.  This truck still serves us well in the various parades and events that it attends throughout the year.

     The following is a time line of the Pocono Township Volunteer Fire Company’s apparatus purchases.

1940 – purchased used 1931 Dodge Pumper, which handled all the company’s fires.

1942 – purchased used pick-up truck to carry various tools and equipment.

1949 – Both above pieces of equipment were moved from the garage at the Alpine Inn to a brand new stone firehouse on route 611, which currently houses Boy Scout Troop 85 and is used for Hall Rentals.

1951 – February of ’51 received a 1950 700 series American La France “open cab” pumper which was a very big deal to have in Tannersville in the early 1950’s it was considered the best of the best at the time.  It had a 750 gpm pump and a 300 gallon booster tank.

1953 – Purchased an new Chevy chassis to mount a 1000 gallon water tank on, which was our first tanker.

1954 – Purchased a new Ford pumper with a 500 gpm pump and a 500 gallon water tank, replacing the 1929 Dodge pumper.

1959 – Purchased a new Chevy 1-ton utility bodied truck to carry various tools and equipment the growing company needed.  It also included a portable pump and generator for lighting.  This replaced the 1942 pick-up.

1966 – Purchased a new Dodge Power Wagon, which was converted into the company’s first brush truck.  This truck still serves us today as one of the best brush rigs in all of Monroe County .

1970 – Purchased a new International/Howe tanker which was equipped with a 400 gpm pump and 1250 gallons of water.

1972 – Built a three bay addition off the original building due to the growth the company was going through.  This also included a meeting room and a larger kitchen for the Hall located below the truck bays.

1975 – Purchased a GMC step-van to replace the 1959 Chevy 1-ton.  The new unit was also equipped with the Jaws of Life rescue system which was purchased shortly after the truck was.

1977 – Added a new Ford/Howe pumper tanker which had a 1000 gpm pump and hauled 1000 gallons of water which was later upgraded to 1500 gallons of water.

1981 – Replaced the 1954 Ford pumper with a new American La France Century Series custom pumper.  It has a 1500 gpm pump and carries 1000 gallons of water.  This unit was refurbished in 1990.

1989 – Replaced the 1977 Ford pumper with a new Mack/FMC pumper that has a 1250 gpm pump and carries 1000 gallons of water.  Also that year we replaced the 1975 GMC with a Hahn/Saulsbury custom rescue truck.

1994 – Replaced the 1970 International with a new Mack/S&S pumper-tanker which has a 1250 gpm pump and carries 2000 gallons of water.

1999 – Replace the “Can’t kill it” 1951 American La France pumper with a new Pierce Dash 2000 pumper which has a 2000 gpm pump and carries 1000 gallons of water.

2001 – Placed into service a 1997 Ford Crown Victoria , donated by the Pocono Twp. Supervisors.

2003 – Moved into new 9500 sq. ft. Station located to the rear of the original station

2004 – Sold the 1981 American LaFrance pumper to be replaced with an aerial apparatus.

2005– Replaced the 1997 Ford Crown Victoria with a 2001 Chevy Impala, donated by the Pocono Twp. Supervisors.

2006—Entered into a cooperative agreement for a 5/4 ton surplus Chevy Pick Up with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). Fitted truck with a new skid mounted pump and tank.

2008—Restrored the 1931 Dodge pumper. Pride of the department as being its first piece of apparatus. The truck is available for special events and parades. The truck is dedicated to our past members to recognize their dedication and efforts to bring the company to where it is today.

2008– Refurbished the 1966 Dodge Power Wagon with a new skid mounted pump and tank, new warning lights and paint. This truck still responds to brush and woods fires and can virtually get in where no other trucks can go.

2009– Took delivery and placed in-service a new 104’ Seagrave Tower.

2010- Placed 2010 Ford Explorer Chief’s Command unit in service

2011- Purchased a 2006 GMS Savana 18’ box van to serve as a new Fire Police / Traffic unit, replacing the 1999 GMC step van.

     In the last 62 years the company has seen its fair share of fires. In the 1984 there was the big Pocono forest fire that burned over 400 acres in the Hipsy gap area.  The Bartonsville inn, (now Big Daddy’s) burned beyond repair with a near lost of life to the residents.  Then there was the main lodge at Camelback Ski area where not only did we battle the fire but also had to deal with the “die hard” skier skiing over our hoses.  Our most spectacular fires occurred within the last couple of years.  Starting with the Alpine Inn,  once a beautiful landmark burned in June of 1999.  The most tragic loss, was the Tannersville Learning Center (aka Pocono Township High School ) burned in the early morning hours on a cold winter morning in February 2000.