Pipeline 28's 1991 Seagrave - Photo by: Jack Wright
Pipeline 28 operating at the scene of a working fire at 3400 Allen Street in August 2000. 3 Firefighters suffered minor injuries, 2 of which were from Pipeline 28. Photo by: Chris Masi
Firefighters relax and take a breather after extinguishing a working fire at 3400 Allen Street. 3 Firefighters suffered minor injuries in this fire. The job occured in August 2000. Photo by: Chris Masi.
Apparatus: 1991 Seagrave 1500/500 (R)
Location: 2520 East Ontario Street
Housed with: Reserve Apparatus (Ladder 228, Rescue 228, Reserve Car 228)
When Pipeline 28 was first organized, it was only on a temporary basis. Back in 1876, the City of Philadelphia was having a Centennial Exposition in Fairmount Park. But, at the time of the Exposition, there had only been two engine companies in the area of Fairmount Park. Those two companies were Engine 5 and Engine 16. William Johnson, who was the Chief Engineer (old term for "Fire Commissioner"), was concerned with the lack of fire protection in the area west of the Schukyill River. But his main concern at this point, was the amount of people who would be gathering on the Exposition Grounds. Johnson made a proposition to City Council to organize atleast one more Engine company, but the City Council said no. However, City Council did do two small things. They gave Engine 16 a new hose carriage and organized a temporary Engine Company to be stationed in a temporary station on the Exposition Grounds during the festivities. After everything was over, Engine 28 was disbanded.
Only about two years later on April 1, 1878, Engine 28 was reorganized. This time they were a permanent Engine company in a permanent firehouse. The station was located at 3068 Belgrade Street, near Clearfield Street, in the Port Richmond section of the City. Chief Engineer Johnson had been fighting for a station in this section for awhile. The station was re-built in 1909.
After approximately 100 years in their station at 3068 Belgrade, they got a new station a few blocks north. The new station was located at Belgrade and Ontario Streets. They received that station on February 2, 1978 and are still housed there today.
On March 4, 1987, Engine 28 became a 5" company, better known as a "Pipeline." A regular Engine company carries 5 lengths of 5" Large-Diameter-Hoseline (LDH), whereas a Pipeline company carries 10 lengths of the 5" LDH. They then became known as "Pipeline 28."
Today, the firefighters of Pipeline 28 continue to remain dedicated to protecting the residents of the Port Richmond section of the City.
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