HFC History

HAYCOCK FIRE CO. HISTORY

On July 11, 1954 a group of interested citizens gathered at the old Haycock School to discuss the idea of forming a fire company. On November 10, 1954 the charter meeting was held at Stover School. This was the start of something great, something which is still present in our community today. These men met monthly at the Stover School until January 15, 1955 when the meetings were moved to the Old Church.

Money was raised by selling advertisements that would be placed on card tables. This money was used towards the purchase of our first fire truck. In the fall of 1955 we bought Plumsteadville's 1930 Hahn pumper for 500 dollars. It came equipped with a 165 gallon storage tank, a 500 GPM pump, 100 feet of 2-inch cotton hose and 200 feet of 1-1/2 inch booster line. The truck was housed in Esser's Barn and was the fire station for almost 3 years.

A special meeting was held on March 26, 1955 to elect our first officers, they were:

Fire Chief- Herbert Graham

President- William Schmell

Treasurer- L. Drarbaugh

Secretary- Karl Marx

Trustees- Robert Pope, Carl Nice, and Mike Knapp

In July 1955 a second piece of equipment was purchased, a 1947 Dodge tanker with a 1000 gallon tank for the price of $275, but this truck needed much repair and was put into service in August 1958.

In 1956 a lot was found that was to be used for our present fire house. Work started in March 1957 and on November 19, 1957 the first meeting was held in the newly completed building, most of which was built by the volunteers. The fire house was officially dedicated on March 18, 1958 at 3 PM.

In February 1961 we purchased a 1930 Autocar from Southampton to replace the Hahn. the Hahn was sold to the Bucks County Fire School. A 1953 GMC oil tank truck was also purchased to replace the Dodge tanker.

On April 5, 1960 a 1938 Chevy Utility truck was purchased from Perkasie Fire Co.

Our first new truck was a 1967 Hahn pumper ordered in June 1966 and placed in service on January 30, 1967. It had a 750 gallon tank and 750 GPM pump.

On April 16, 1969 we held an open house to dedicate our next new truck, our current Field 63, a 1969 Ford F-250.

In 1970 a Ford chassis was purchased to replace the GMC chassis on the tanker.

In May 1972 a Ford Utility van was purchased to replace the 1938 Chevy and is currently retired. It was used to pull the boat and haul personnel and supplies.

In June 1976 we purchased a 1958 Mack N-60 with a 1200 gallon tank and 750 GPM pump from Quakertown Fire Co #1 for $7000. It became Engine 63-1.

Between 1976 and 2000 we added the current Engine 63 and Tanker 63, both of which can be seen in the equipment page of this site.

In 2002 the 1989 Ford F250 utility known as SS63 was retired in favor for a new crew cab F350 utility.

In 2002 we took delivery of the present Special Services 63 which is a 2002 Ford Crew Cab (4 door) F-550 4WD utility bed. The SS63 as it is known now Replace the aging 1989 Ford f250 utility and was outfitted and painted before entering into service. It is used for Marine duties to trailer the boat, Emergency Medical Response and in support of Engine 63. This vehicle is displayed on the equipment page of this site.

In 2003 we purchased an Old Grumman bread truck and rebuilt the Ford 360ci in order to put it into service as Dive 63 and to be used as the platform to transport our underwater rescue and recovery team. It subsequently was retired in December, 2004, due to failure in the drive train, and deemed too costly to maintain.

Between 2002 and 2004 we have done extensive restorative work and upgrades to our station. Some of the work that has been done are the following:

The exterior of the building had stucco installed as well as a new roof put on.
The truck bay floor was repaired and covered with a rustoleum acrylic floor paint to protect it from the elements as well as from the daily usage and chemicals such as oil dripping from the trucks.
The electrical panel, service main line, and all supportive wires were renovated to keep up with the demand placed on the electrical system.
A Nextel/AT&T cell phone tower was installed behind the fire station to help us with funding the station and its equipment. The fire siren was moved from on top of the building to mounted on the cell tower.
The parking lot around three quarters of the station has been repaved due to the deterioration of existing pavement.
A new roadside sign identifying the station has currently replaced the old sign.

In July of 2004 we were able to purchase a new holding tank and pump by means of a state grant for the Field and brush truck. As of December 2005, it is being installed at the station.

In October 2004 we held our 50th anniversary banquet.

In January of 2005 we took delivery of a new engine at the cost of $262,000.00

Check back for updates on our history from 1979 to the present-much has changed, but one thing that hasn't is the dedication and tight-knit family of our members and hopefully never will.

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Autocar Pumper