The Strasburg Fire Department first started in 1906 with the formation of a hose reel team known as the Massanutten Hose Company. This team was housed on present day Holliday Street. It was noted that there were two major factors a man had to possess which were a strong back and long legs for running and pulling. In 1908 the Massanutten Hose Company won first place and became World Champions in a hose team race held in Harrisonburg, VA.
In 1921, with the birth of motorized vehicles, the organization changed. The hose reel was replaced with motorized fire equipment and the name was also changed to Citizens Fire Company. Shortly after their formation, the department placed motorized fire trucks in service. Two of these were homemade. During this time the department also purchased their first coats, boots and helmets. Other equipment bought in this era included a generator, portable pump, and respirator.
In 1938 the organization changed its name again to the Strasburg Fire Department. The fire department constructed a building in 1952 which was completed and dedicated debt free on April 26, 1953. This building remains the headquarters for the Strasburg Fire Department today. The building is in memory to “the soldiers of all foreign wars from Strasburg and the Davis district residents.”
In March of 1940, the Ladies Auxiliary was formed. This group of women was formed to assist the firefighters, by helping to raise money and supplying food and drinks on the scene of major fires. This organization is part of the Virginia State and Northern Ladies Auxiliaries. The Ladies currently have 25 members on roll. The firefighters are very proud to have these women assist them. Enough cannot be said nor can’t they be thanked enough for the assistance that they have given us over the past years.
In the later part of 1974, the junior organization was formed that consisted of teens from ages 16 to 18. This group was organized to assist the senior firefighters on the scene of fires and routine duties around the station. Although they actively run fire calls, they are not permitted to enter burning structures nor work in hazardous situations where harm may exist.
Rolling Equipment
The Strasburg Fire Department, since organizing, has owned and used many different pieces of motorized equipment.The first was a 1934 Ford pumper. It is still owned by the department, and after sitting, out of service from 1971-1981; the “Antique” fire truck received a face lift and was restored as much as possible to its original condition. This pumper attends many parades and has appeared on the White House lawn in Washington D.C. for the annual Easter egg hunt given by the president of the U.S. Most of all the restoration was done by members of the department.
The second pumper owned was a 1939 Ford built by Oren Roanoke Corp. In 1971, with the addition of the new ford pumper, this piece of equipment was donated to men in the Star Tannery area who soon formed the Star Tannery Fire Dept. In 1983 the pumper was returned to its original owner and is presently in storage.
The third pumper owned was a 1953 International pumper built also by Ore Roanoke Corp. This pumper was sold to South Warren Fire Department in Bentonville, VA.
The Strasburg Fire Department has in service 4 pieces of apparatus at this time era. The oldest being a 1964 Ford tanker. This Piece carries 1200 gallons of water and has a 300 gallon per minute pump. The tanker first started out as a 1937 Chevy and has a 1500 gallon oil tank. In 1964 the chassis was replaced with a Ford and in 1974 the tank was replaced with a 1200 gallon tank. The tank work was done by Broadway Sheet Metal, which also built cabinets around the tank for storage of equipment. With technological Advances in firefighting the tanker soon became outdated. In 1978, instead of replacing the Tanker, the department once again did a refurbish job. This time the truck was sent to Clearbrook Welding, where it had extensive pump and tank work done. Additions at this time included a 10’’ quick dump valve and portable tank which allows the truck to dump its 1200 gallons of water in a portable tank in less than 1 minute. Then the truck can seek out an addition source of water.
The tanker is a vital piece of apparatus which used to runs all out of town fires and most large commercial fires both in and out of town. The second oldest piece of apparatus is a 1966 Ford Pumper. This piece has a 500 gallon per minute front mount pump and carries 500 gallons of water. This pumper was bought new in 1966 from Marion Body Works in Wisconsin. The department had the same problem with this piece as the tanker. So in 1978 this piece was sent to Clearbrook Welding where it too was completely refurbished. New Cabinets were added and extensive pump overhaul and piping was done. This pumper is known as Engine 51. It ran all grass and most auto fires. It was the second pumper to be dispatched in town and usually hooks up to the hydrant to supply the other equipment.
In the early part of 1971 the department ordered another pumper. Built by Oren Corp. near Roanoke, VA. The pumper cost $47,000 new, when it was delivered in December of ’71. Due to its age, this piece of apparatus also needed repairs. In 1982 the pumper was sent to Clearbrook Welding for tank repairs and an addition of 4500 watt generator. This pumper also received several new items shortly there after. A 1000 gallon per minute deluge gun, quartz scene lights, emergency horns and foam equipment was added. This pumper known as Wagon 51 has a 750 gallon per minute pump and a 500 gallon tank. It is first dispatched on all Structure related fires, all truck fires, Industrial accidents and mutual aid calls. It is equipped with a Frederick County radio for communication with Middletown units during mutual aid calls. The pumper is designed so firefighters can don breathing apparatus on the way to fire calls.
The latest addition to Strasburg fleet is a 1978 Chevy step van. This truck was purchased for $9000. It was the first of the equipment to receive a Red/White paint job as opposed to the traditional all red equipment. The unit was designed by the department and all compartmentation was done by members. Known as Salvage 51, the unit is designed to lighten the load on all other apparatus by carrying the extra equipment needed on the fire scene. This unit runs all fire calls and is the last unit to leave the station. This enables the Dept. to transport manpower to the scene and alleviates firefighters from taking their personal vehicles to the fire. It handles most public service jobs such as pumping basements, which allows all firefighting apparatus to stay in quarters.
Over the past five years, much of the department’s equipment has been redone, in one form or another. Until 1978 all apparatus was the traditional red color. Salvage 51 was the first to break this tradition with the white over red color scheme. The wagon was next to receiving a white top on its cab and both the engine and tanker were completely repainted after being refurbished. All this equipment was repainted by Bills Service Center. Mr. Ray Stokes was the painter, Spikes Supply was the supplier and Al Sonner did the lettering, on all equipment
In 1985 the Strasburg Fire Department bought its first completely custom pumper Manufactured by Seagrave. This piece carries 1000 gallons of water and has a 1250 gallon per minute pump. It was SFD's first unit to have a diesel engine and automatic transmission. The unit was purchased new at a cost of $145,000. It has served as Wagon 51 since being placed in service in June of 1985. This engine underwent a rehab in 2004-2005 at LSI of purcellville, Va. During the rehab the cab was enclosed and emergency lights upgraded. This unit is still in service and is one of the Front line pieces today.
In 1988 the Strasburg Fire Department purchased a 1973 Ford Oren Engine from Middlletown Va. VFD For a cost of $30,000. After an "in station" rehab the unit was assigned as a reserve engine 51. In 1996 when is was decommissioned and sold to an apparatus dealer for $19,000.
In 1989 the Strasburg Fire Department purchased a 1989 Seagrave Engine. This engine was SFD's second completely custom piece of fire apparatus.This unit was purchased new at a cost of $174,000. This unit eventually replaced the 1971 Ford/ Oren and the 1964 Ford/ Broadway Metal Works Tanker. The unit has a 1250 GPM pump and carries 1250 gallons of water. This unit was SFD's first fully enclosed cab. This unit has served as Pumper 51 since being placed in service in October of 1989. This unit is one of the front line pieces today and gives mutual aid to Fredrick and Warren County.
Also In 1989 Onley, Va.VFD donated a 1966 Seagrave 100 Ft. Tractor Drawn Aerial.
Onley, Va. VFD had received the truck from Fairfax county Fire and Rescue where it served as Truck 8 stationed in Annandale, Va. After an $8,000 "in station" rehab, the unit served as Truck 51 until September of 2002 when it was sold to an antique collector in Ontario Canada for $10,000.
In early 1992 the Stasburg Fire Department Purchased its first heavy rescue squad. The unit was purchased new at a of $131,000. This unit received an upgrade by LSI in 2000 which included a 25KW PTO driven generator, 9000 Watt light tower, and many "in station" upgrades. The unit was placed in service in May of 1992. This unit is one of the front line pieces today. This unit is Dispatched for every wreck in the Strasburg area and give mutual aid to Fredrick and Warren county.
In 1995 the Strasburg Fire Department Purchased a 1980 seagrave engine from Springfield, Va. VFD For $35,000. After an "in station" rehab at a cost of $4,000 the unit was placed in service in early 1996 as Engine 51. the unit has a 1250 pump and carries 750 gallons of water. This unit is not in service today.
In 1997 the Strasburg Fire Department purchased a 1986 Ford Bronco sport utility vehicle second hand from the Strasburg Vol. Rescue Squad. The unit received an "in station" rehab and equipped as a command unit and utility vehicle. The unit was placed in service in 1997 as SERV 51. This unit has been sold and is no longer in service.
In 2001 The Strasburg Fire Department purchased a 1995 Ford Brush unit. This unit was SFD's first brush firefighting vehicle. The chassis was purchased used at G& M Auto Sales in Front Royal. Va. The bed was installed by Shade Equipment Co. of Winchester Va. The members of SFD completed the manufacturing process "in house" by installing a 100 GPM hi pressure /medium volume pump, 200 gallon water tank, A booster reel and compartments. The unit was placed in service in 2001 and has served as Brush 51 since being dispatched for all brush related fires in the Strasburg area.
In 2002 the latest Piece of apparatus purchased by the Strasburg Fire Department was an E-one 100 Ft. ladder Truck. This unit was purchased new. This unit was SFD's second fully enclosed cab apparatus. Te unit features a 100 Ft. 500 pound tip load ladder, pre-piped 1000 GPM waterway, 10 KW generator and a 4 bottle hi cascade system. The unit cost slightly over half a million dollars and was place in service in December of 2002 as truck 51 where it is one of the front line pieces and this unit is still in service today. This unit is dispatched for all structure typed calls and is dispatched mutual aid to Warren and Fredrick county.
Specialized Equipment
With the addition of the Ladder Truck unit, the department invested in some specialized equipment. A 4 bottle cascade system was placed in service. The system, is capable of refilling up to 26 air bottles on the scene of a fire.
In 1983 the department changed breathing apparatus. Before, the organization used Survivair equipment, but due to high cost of parts on these units, the co chose to change to MSA units. These units were purchased second hand from Alexandria Fire Department. After overhauling the units and extensive training the units were placed in service. The department has about 25 complete SCBAs. The department also owns 2 explosimeter, a metering device which measures the amount of gas in a certain area. This is used on gas leaks to determine the percentage of gas and its chance of explosion. These
units are carried on Truck 51 and Wagon 51.
