Claire Doll
MSMU Class of 2024
In any town, a sense of community is greatly desired to progress and ultimately thrive as a society. For Fountaindale, a small township in Pennsylvania, this goal is no different. In November 2021, the Fountaindale Volunteer Fire Department celebrated its 75th anniversary, honoring an ordinal milestone in the company’s history. However, for there to be a continuously successful future of fighting fires and serving the public, it is important to reflect upon the past of the department.
Organized on November 25th, 1946, and later incorporated on May 3rd, 1947, the Fountaindale Fire Department was established. The initial incorporators were J.E. Seiford, Francis Benchoff, Charles Shindledecker, Earl W. Shindledecker, Albert Warren, Ed Weaver, Ellis Hardman, and Ray Fitz. Just one month after the department was incorporated on June 6th, 1947, the company bought their first piece of apparatus, a 1942 Mack fire truck, which carried 500 gallons of water and was housed, along with other apparatus, at the former Nagle’s Garage. Earl and Melva Shindledecker owned and operated Nagle’s Garage, and in 1975, the new station was built on land donated by the Shindledeckers.
The members had contracted with Morton Buildings to construct a 42 x 60 engine house on this very property, with the open house ceremony being held on July 13th, 1975. While there is no old apparatus remaining at the fire department, David Martin, fire chief of the Fountaindale Fire Department, owns the department’s 1942 Mack firetruck and hopes to restore it soon. "I was fortunate enough to purchase our first firetruck that we operated," Chief Martin says about the 1942 Mack pumper from the Bel Air Fire Company in Maryland, which was in operation until the early 80’s. "I still own this truck and it is stored locally." Martin has been chief of the fire department for the last 40 years and has been a member for 44 years.
Over the 75 years of the Fountaindale Fire Department, the types of emergencies as well as technology used has greatly changed in order to respond to the needs of society. Sarah Ginn, department secretary and lieutenant of the fire department, says that being involved in the fire company "is an everchanging service and takes dedication to make sure the responders and community remain safe." The number of calls has increased throughout the years as well, and Fountaindale takes great pride in partnering with surrounding fire departments of Franklin County in Pennsylvania and sections of Washington and Frederick Counties in Maryland.
Additionally, training requirements for members have changed in response to the times. In any fire department, technology changes daily. "There is always a new product being designed to be used by firefighters," Lieutenant Ginn says. "From the way we receive emergency alerts to the thermal imaging camera on our self-contained breathing apparatus, the technology is constantly changing. Also, with new technology comes a higher price tag." For 75 years, the fire department has seen several changes in responding to citizens. One of the most memorable events was in 1998, when a forest fire spanning over 90 acres spread wildly through Jack’s Mountain in Adams County, which required not only Fountaindale but also surrounding fire departments to assist and contain the fire. Emergencies like these show the "strong mutual aid relationship with our neighboring departments," says Chief Martin. "They come to our aid, and we provide aid to them when
needed."
Before the beginning of Adams County’s central telephone system, Mr. and Mrs. Shindledecker would take emergency calls at the garage or at their residence just across the street. Chief Martin says, "While the types of calls we respond to have changed greatly over the years, some basic calls for structure fire, wildland fires, and vehicle fires remain unchanged." In order to acclimate to the changing world, the Fountaindale Fire Department has added hazardous material calls, medical assists, automatic alarms, vehicle rescues, traffic controls, and other types of calls. Fire trucks have grown in size and are equipped with appropriate safety features.
For example, the pumps have a higher capacity of gallons per minute they can flow, and the trucks have automatic transmissions, more power, better visibility, anti-lock brakes, seat belts, and overall better lighting. In addition, the emergency responders do not ride the rear step anymore to ensure their own safety. In areas like Fountaindale where there are virtually no fire hydrants, water supply is much more effective due to larger water capacity tankers that are able to transport more water with the ability to dump water into portable tanks for an engine to draft out of. In order to make vehicle entrapment more effective, rescue equipment with hydraulic capability is provided to cut, spread, and push metal. Saws and fans make ventilation of structure both easier and faster, as well as task-specific, improved hand tools.
Chief Martin says, "Not only on the operations side of the fire service, but also on the administrative side with the computer technology and media capabilities, the work becomes less time-consuming with lots of information available at our fingertips." Training classes are utilized for the firefighters to learn and make sense of the department’s technological advancements. "A firefighter spends more of his time in training and fundraising than ever before," says Chief Martin. "It’s harder to get members to want to spend that much time to learn the job." It is because of reasons like these why it is a struggle for the Fountaindale Fire Department to recruit new members.
The community of Fountaindale plays a large role in the success and functioning of the fire department. Members used to congregate at the department, playing cards and exchanging conversation. The social life of the fire department, however, has changed over the years. Members used to be able to leave their own work and jobs at the well-known sound of the fire whistle. Now, "the social life of the department has changed because everyone is so limited on any extra time they have," says Lieutenant Ginn.
Because the Fountaindale Fire Department runs on a volunteer-based system, citizens must balance family life and their own job before choosing to reach out and serve the community. Chief Martin adds, "While not an everyday happening, we do enjoy gatherings for our fundraisers, meetings, and banquets," which is one thing that has not changed much over the years. It is a struggle for the fire department, as the number of volunteers continually decreases as demand for members increases. Beginning fundraisers for the fire department once included gun drives, bake sales, weekly public auctions at the station, raffles, dinners, and shooting matches. Now, their funding comes from dinner drawings, monthly bingo, raffles, small games of chance, drive-thru dinners at Fairfield Fire Station, and an annual letter drive. Overall, community support is vital in maintaining the fire department. Chief Martin says, "Today we have about 70 members, of which
about 40 are still active in some way."
The Fountaindale Fire Department is strongly family-oriented, relying on values of community and companionship to ultimately serve the public. Generations of firefighters have served for the past 75 years; after all, the fire service area responds to over 600 homes, and it is because of the local community’s continuous support that these values of community are so strong. Chief Martin says, "The community has supported us very well which enables a small rural department like ours to continue providing this service. Together we work like a brotherhood with each of our members and the community."
Families of the Fountaindale Fire Department not only participate in activities of the departments, but also encourage members of the fire department in any way possible. In fact, when asked what is most worth recording about the fire department, Chief Martin proudly responds, "everyone has stories to tell about their experience…there are fun times with lots of laughter, times of frustration when [members] think maybe they could have done something different to make the outcome better, times of sadness for [those] who lose their home and possessions, those who injured in vehicle accidents… But nothing is harder to deal with emotionally than when children are involved."
Despite the hard times, the laughter, the tears, and the small yet monumental moments of appreciation for their service, "It is all worth it when a child looks up at us and smiles and says thank you, or when an adult thanks us for giving our best effort to help them out." Chief Martin expresses his great gratitude for all members of the fire department as well as the surrounding community of Fountaindale.
Ultimately, volunteerism is an important value to the Fountaindale Fire Department and is what keeps the department alive today. The station is run by volunteers, fulfilling their ultimate mission to provide emergency fire and rescue protection to the community. Isaac Lowe, an active junior firefighter at the Fountaindale Fire Department, is one of them. Lowe became an active member at age 14 but began volunteering with the fire department as early as age 12, when he helped serve food at a gun drawing. Lowe was drawn into serving with Fountaindale ever since he was a child. "I would attend activities like meeting Santa Claus and [going to] gun drawings," says Lowe. "All of the members were very friendly and made you feel like part of their fire family." On a daily basis, junior members do a multitude of tasks.
Lowe helps with social events like setting up for events, bingo, feeds, drawings, and recruiting new members. He also cleans equipment and attends training meetings. "Additionally, like firefighters, I put my communities’ needs above my own," Lowe says. "When there is a fire call, you have to be willing to go at a drop of a dime and go serve. It doesn’t matter if it is a holiday, if you are about to sit down for a meal, or if you are getting ready to go out with family and friends." Lowe lists that some core values of the fire department include integrity, trustworthiness, flexibility, dedication, and being a team player.
To fulfill these values, you must help in any way you can. However, what he enjoys most about volunteering with Fountaindale is serving the community. At a week-long fire camp held at the Adams County Junior Firefighter Academy, Lowe had the opportunity to enhance his ability to serve the community by working with instructors who provide individualized, hands-on experience that he can transfer to the Fountaindale Fire Department. Having received the Most Improved Cadet award, Lowe notes that "even though I did not have much experience, I went and was not afraid to try new skills and was willing to help others."
Chief Martin also stresses that, "Those who volunteer their time to help their community have the satisfaction of giving back to the residents and visitors of our area." Fountaindale owns a Facebook page that shares fundraising events and incidents to keep the community active and involved. The department is actively looking for additional members, and anyone wishing to join should contact 717-729-1998 for an application. "We have a junior firefighter program available for youth ages 14-17," says Lieutenant Ginn. "We provide all the training needed to become a certified firefighter."
Lowe – who started out serving at age 14 and has spent his youth participating with the fire department – says, "When you join a fire department, not only are you becoming part of a helpful organization, but you are also gaining friends who feel like family. There is not a single person at our fire department that I couldn’t count on if I need anything."
The volunteers of Fountaindale have made it possible for the fire department to celebrate 75 years, and in order to reach more milestones and continue to serve the public, the fire department relies on the community’s help. "If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to help with your local volunteer fire department, now is the time," reminds Lieutenant Ginn. "Help is needed now more than ever."
