Rendell
Administration Announces Ninth Round of Federal Fire Grants
July, 29th 2004
Cambria Township Volunteer Fire Company, Colver: $166,500 for a firefighting
vehicle.
This money will be used too purchase a new tanker truck. Details to
follow soon.
The Colver
Fire Company 
was originally owned, manned, and operated by the coal operators
of Colver. The earliest photograph of the fire company archives is dated 1922.
Ebensburg
Coal Company operated the Fire Company until 1956. In August 1956,
the Coal Mine in Colver was sold to Eastern Gas and Fuel Associates.
Residents of the Colver area realized that the new owners 
would not provide
the manpower necessary too operate a viable fire department. Even before
the organization of a volunteer service in Colver, local citizens
volunteered their services to the coal company operated fire company.
Those local volunteers remember being paid a small sum of money by the coal
operator for their services during times of need.
Discussions
started in 1955 among residents of Colver about the need for a local Fire
Department. Spurring these discussions, was the Coal Company
machine shop fire of 1955. The second meeting of the still unorganized
Fire Company was held on July 11, 1955. The members were at that time
investigating what support could be expected from the Ebensburg Coal company
and the Cambria & Indiana Railroad.
The
third meeting held on August 25th, 1956 was important because the
membership officially named the fire company, the " Cambria
Township Volunteer Fire Company" and also elected the first
Fire Chief, Basil Cameron. Discussions at this meeting also
focused on methods of raising operating funds and just how much money would be
needed. It was determined at that meeting to purchase another fire truck
and that the cost of the truck would determine the monetary goal. The
Cambria Township Volunteer Fire Company was
officially incorporated on December 12, 1956. The earliest days
saw the firemen responding to emergencies in street clothes, having no turnout
gear available. Vone Jones of the Dauntless Fire Company provided
training for the Colver Volunteers.
The
Coal Company donated the fire station (community hall) and the 1929 American
La France Fire Engine. The records show that the Fire Company submitted
a bid of $10.00 in December 1956 to Eastern Gas & Fuel Company for the
purchase of the 1929. The Fire
Company purchased its second piece of fire fighting equipment in October 1956.
The 1941 American La France Pumper with a 600 GPM pump and a 150 gallon water
tank was purchased from Cannonsburg for $4783.00 including some equipment.
The
first full year of operation was 1957 with Richard Grazier - President,
and Robert Raymond - Fire Chief. On April 26, 1957 there
was a fire at the W. S. Graham home on 7th street, making that the first
official fire run made by the Fire Company. That year the Company
responded to 24 calls. Also in 1957, was the first mention of the Ladies
Auxiliary.
Other
Important dates and events:
1962 -
First oxygen masks purchased.
1964 -
Purchase " old smokey " from Gallitzin ($8,500),
750GPM, 300 Gallon water tank.
1970 -
First Colver Reunion held.
1971 -
First Engine 401, 1970 GMC (January
23, 1971).
1972 -
Fire Hall Renovation Project. (24,500) Camillus Long Contractor with much
work done by volunteers.
1977 -
First 6 members certified as EMT's by state of Pennsylvania.
1978 -
Purchase of first Rescue Van - Birth of "40 Tech and
Rescue" 
1979 -
Purchase of Howe Defender, 1250GPM pump, 750 gallon water tank.
(Purchase price was $78,000).
1985
- Purchase of current Rescue
404 ($42,000).
1997 -
Purchase and renovation of Engine402, Ward LaFrance, 
1000GPM with 500
gallon water tank. Purchased from Federal Surplus in Harrisburg for $15,000
and renovated for a total cost of $40,000.
1998 - New
Building Addition - ($180,000), 
Blososky Construction.
2003-
Purchase of New Engine 401.$328,626
Not
pertaining to Station 40, but I thought it was interesting.
Click on the picture too enlarge it and read about the Americas First
Volunteer Fire Company. 
