The Pleasant Valley Community Fire Company will be celebrating its 75^th anniversary on March 18, 2006 with a special evening of activities at Martin’s Westminster. The evening will include dinner, dancing and a program with several speakers emphasizing past years of service to the community. Memorabilia will be on display and there will be special presentations throughout the evening. The annual banquet is usually held at the Pleasant Valley Fire Company Social Hall but this years event will be held at Martin’s to allow the membership to enjoy a relaxing evening in celebration of all that has been accomplished over the last 75 years.                   

A small group of citizen’s met in early 1931 and decided to form a fire company to protect the surrounding community. It was felt that existing fire companies were too great a distance away to properly protect the immediate community. Rumor has it that after forming and buying its first piece of equipment, the early members were disqualified from a parade and this caused them to formally organize the company on March 20, 1931 and become incorporated. On April 13, 1931 a public meeting was held at the “Patriotic Order of Sons of America” Lodge Hall located in the small town of Pleasant Valley. Forty six members joined the original company and paid dues of $1.20 per year. Charles Geiman and M. Clingnan were elected as marshals. The first officers were: President, Daniel Leister; Vice President, Edward Wantz; Secretary/Treasurer, Harry Myers; Assistant Secretary/Treasurer, Guy Myers and Keith Myers.

The first piece of apparatus was built by Charles Geiman. It was a hand-pulled ladder wagon and carried three ladders and twenty four buckets. The first piece of motorized equipment was a 1933 GMC/LaFrance, 350 gallon per minute pumper purchased for $3,000.25. The monies for this were borrowed from the local bank and paid off in 1936.

In the early years, fund raising consisted of donations, a carnival and public dinners. In 1937 Carroll County started giving funds in the amount of $700.00 per year. Emphasis on fundraising has become more important as the cost to operate has increased dramatically over the years. Fundraising now consists of weekly bingo, public suppers, a golf tournament and various other events. The company also rents their facility to other organizations.

 Over the years, the fire company has had several interesting pieces of apparatus. Utility/Engine 62 was a 1953 Chevrolet Panel truck with a 300 gallon per minute pump mounted on the front. The unit carried suction sleeves and a ladder on the roof and other firefighting gear was carried inside. This unit remained in service until 1969. Other apparatus was a 1939 Diamond T with a 300 gallon per minute pump and a 1954 Chevrolet with a 500 gallon per minute pump. 

 The Lodge Hall served as the original firehall, with its one large bay door on the ground floor and meeting area on the second floor. In January 1946, the building was purchased from the “Patriotic Order of Sons of America” Lodge – Washington Camp #7 for $2,800.00. A room on the second floor was rented as a barber shop for $3.00 per month. In February 1960, the company borrowed $25,000.00 and raised the hall, installed a new kitchen and purchased a new fire engine. The company operated out of this building until March 18, 1983 when the new station was officially dedicated. The construction of this new building, beginning in 1982, with the exception of the steel and brick exterior, was primarily done by volunteer members. The building consists of four drive through equipment bays, various office spaces, along with a bunk room, recreation and fitness area with an attached banquet facility with a modern commercial kitchen that is instrumental in fund raising activities.

Today, the fire company has grown into a state of the art emergency services organization utilizing all aspects of fire, rescue and medical service. The company operates 2 engines, a specially designed drafting unit for ponds etc. due to the lack of hydrants in the first due area, a heavy duty rescue squad, and various utility vehicles. The company also operates a fully equipped advanced life support medic unit and utility vehicle. The emergency medical service formally began in 1978 when the company purchased their first ambulance. The company boasts a membership list totaling 195 members with 79 of those listed as active emergency providers. Twenty four hour/seven day week coverage by the volunteers is supplemented by a Carroll County funded employee program which places emergency medical and driver operator personnel manning the station at various times. 

The fire company has one of the largest coverage areas in Carroll County consisting of approximately 70 square miles. Mutual aid is provided in many areas including the county seat of Westminster and Adams and York counties of Pennsylvania.

The company responded to 414 fire/rescue and 508 emergency medical incidents in 2005.  In addition to these responses the company houses the Advanced Tactical Rescue equipment for Carroll County and has several members who are involved with this team. The challenge of continuous training and equipment upgrades to meet the demands of today’s emergency services along with numerous fund raising activities to supplement these demands and administrative work that insures a continuing operation of all the above is a time consuming venture that the membership proudly continues in the volunteer tradition.