:: Central VFC of Elizabeth Twp

March 2005's Company of the Month is Central Volunteer Fire Company, located on Scenery Drive in Elizabeth Twp.

I met with the officers and some other members in February for this article. Central has a new chief in Jason Bindus for 2005, and the company is continuing to be progressive in their ideas and procedures. They average around 330 calls a year, and average about 7 members per call. They respond to all the communities in Elizabeth Township, and also provide assistance to Elizabeth Boro, Lincoln, Forward Township, Sutersville, Collinsburg, and other area communities when requested.

Their apparatus includes an engine, a rescue, a tower, a SOV, a support, and a squad.

They hold a Bingo weekly on Friday nights, have an annual Palm Sunday Pancake Breakfast, will be starting a kids dance, have a July parade/fair, and hold other fundraising events throughout the year.

A brief rundown of their history:

The Central civic organization of Elizabeth Twp. was chartered on July 5, 1950. At a meeting of the organization on March 3, 1954 an open discussion on having a volunteer fire comppny was held. A questionnaire was distributed to the residents of the Central area to find out if they were in favor of a new company. The response was favorable, so Central VFC of Elizabeth Twp. was started and chartered on July 28, 1954. Charter members were Albert McKenery, Thomas Russell Jr., Willim Beatty, Clair Hays, Ed Wetzler, Paul Gleditsch, Arthur Aultman, John Bire, Paul Jones, Walter Jory, Frank Santone, and A. Ventura.

The first truck was a 1927 Mack 500 g.p.m. pumper donated by the Duquesne Annex VFD, ladders were donated by the Homeville VFD. In 1955, Central purchased a 1950 GMC chasis and Wunderley company of Liberty Boro donated a 1800 gallon rubber lined tank. On Sept 23 1955, Central's president William McHenry died in the line of duty due to a rollover of the truck he was driving. In October of 1955 the junior fireman were organized and a new International Howe pumper was purchased.

The trucks were house in a barn for free on Rock Run Rd owned by Albert Greenawald. In 1954 a building committee was established and plans were approved for the building on Sept 6 1955. In November of 1957, the new building and grounds were approved to be put in the name of Central VFC. Dedication ceremonies took place on January 29, 1958 and a marble plaque was installed in memory of Albert McHenry, first line of duty death. Throughout the years the company continued to update their equipment and eventually purchased an ambulance. The department provided ALS Care until Elizabeth Twp. EMS was founded. The fire company continues to grow today providing Fire, Rescue, Truck and Technical Rescue services to Elizabeth Township and surrounding communities. Continue -->

Go to: Start --> Station --> Officers --> Engine --> Rescue --> Tower --> SOV --> Conclusion