Mt.Holly Fire Dist.#1
I am a volunteer fireman for Mt.Holly Fire Dist #1.
There are three companys in Mount Holly,There is the oldest active fire company in the United States which is the Relief Fire Company No.1 1789 which is on Pine street.
This is the oldest continuously used active volunteer fire company in the United States.
It was organized in 1752 as Britannia Fire Company.
The original firehouse sits next to the present firehouse building which dates back to 1892.
There is also Union Fire Company No.2 which is on Washington street.
I am a member of this company.
I joind this company when I was 18yr old.
Know I am a life member and am the President of the company.
This fire company was the second company to be organized in Mt Holly.
We organized March 31, 1805.
I have two sons in the fire company,
Frank Jr. which is the second Asst. Fire Chief of the Mt. Holly Fire Dist.#1.
My other son James is a firefighter also.
I am very proud of both of them.
Then there is the Goodintent Fire Company No.3 Which is on Garden street.
They where the third Company to be organized in Mt.Holly.They where organized in 1850.
There will be more to come when I do more research.
On April 2,1995, 0030 hrs, the Mt. Holly Fire department was dispatched to a reported building fire at 65-69 Washington st,
the ODAT Club, a private drug/alcohol rehab facility.
The building was a three and one half story,woodframe structure built at the turn of the century as a hotel.
Upon arrival of the incident commander,the roof and entire attic area were well involved with fire,with apparent extension downward into the third floor.Occupants were observed hanging from the third floor windows on the front and the side with heavy smoke coming from the widows around them.
Ladder 5025 was ordered into the alleyway on the side.
I was the driver/operator,and Firefighter Gaskill,tillerman,immediately observed two individuals at seperate third floor windows,and recognized the seriouness of the situation.
As the only crew members on the ladder,we wasted no time in placing the unit in service without aid of a full crew.
I raised the ladder and firefighter Gaskill quickly ascended
same,where he aided the first victim onto the ladder and desended.
Firefighter Gaskill proceeded back up the ladder to the second victim,again aiding her onto and down the ladder to safety.
While this action was taking place,Engine 5022 poitioned at the front and observed a victim at the third floor window.
Retrieving a 35 foot ladder from ladder 5025,the crew raised it to the victim.
Upon doing so, Firefighter Gregory ascended it,brought the victim out of the window and carried same down to saftey,just as fire began to appear at the window.
The success of these rescues is the result of teamwork,dedication and training.
Firefighters Smith, Gaskill and Gregory demonstrated superior skills in the performance of their duties and therefore each are presented MERITORIOUS AWARDS for their actions of April 2, 1995.
We also recieved awards from the Mt.Holly Township Council and the Mt.Holly Board of fore Commissioners.
"FIREMANS PRAYER"
"FIRE SAFETY"
