| Fire Department History |
The Lancaster Fire Department was organized in 1908 and consisted of thirteen
members and a horse drawn wagon. Members of the department, along with help from
the community by way of "the bucket brigade" developed methods of controlling and
extinguishing fires. The fire alarm consisted of a shotgun blast to alert firemen that they
were needed to respond to a fire in the community.
The department's equipment was housed in two sheds attached to the rear of the
Lancaster Police Department, located in the 100 block of North Main Street. In 1935, the
City of Lancaster purchased three pieces of motorized fire apparatus and a structure
was needed to house the new apparatus. This structure was the first firehouse in
Lancaster and was built of block, brick, and mortar by workers of the WPA (Workers
Progress Administration). The structure was attached to the north side of the Lancaster
Police Department at the same location. This structure served as the Lancaster Fire
Department until 1971, when a second fire station was erected at 401 East Arch Street
and the old station was closed. A third station was erected in 1985 at 453 Hubbard Drive
directly across from USC-L and is referred to as The University Station.
The fire department was all volunteer until 1969, at which time the City of Lancaster
hired career members to man the station and assist volunteer firefighters on the fire
ground.
members and a horse drawn wagon. Members of the department, along with help from
the community by way of "the bucket brigade" developed methods of controlling and
extinguishing fires. The fire alarm consisted of a shotgun blast to alert firemen that they
were needed to respond to a fire in the community.
The department's equipment was housed in two sheds attached to the rear of the
Lancaster Police Department, located in the 100 block of North Main Street. In 1935, the
City of Lancaster purchased three pieces of motorized fire apparatus and a structure
was needed to house the new apparatus. This structure was the first firehouse in
Lancaster and was built of block, brick, and mortar by workers of the WPA (Workers
Progress Administration). The structure was attached to the north side of the Lancaster
Police Department at the same location. This structure served as the Lancaster Fire
Department until 1971, when a second fire station was erected at 401 East Arch Street
and the old station was closed. A third station was erected in 1985 at 453 Hubbard Drive
directly across from USC-L and is referred to as The University Station.
The fire department was all volunteer until 1969, at which time the City of Lancaster
hired career members to man the station and assist volunteer firefighters on the fire
ground.
