On November 14, 1913 the record book begins, "Twenty-seven men interested in the welfare of Horsham and the surrounding country met in Benjamin Webster's barn" with Ervin Ambler and George Dungan, who were the Chief and the Assistant Chief of the Enterprise Fire Company of Hatboro. The object was to lay the foundation for forming the Horsham Fire Company and elect its first officers. Clarence Geatrell was elected President and Forest Corson became the Company's first Fire Chief. The only compensation the members were to receive "...besides the general excitement, is the knowledge, (and) the feeling that they are doing something worthwhile." At the same meeting, a membership fee was placed at one dollar.

On December 2, 1913, the first piece of firefighting apparatus, a large hand pump on loan from the Enterprise Fire Company, was housed by the Company and a steel locomotive tire was hung up to serve as a fire alarm. The Company's formal charter was granted on June 12, 1914 in Montgomery County Court.

A special meeting was held on January 20, 1914, at which time Mr. O.P. Smith donated ground for the firehouse. This was adjacent to our present Battalion 1 main station building. Donations of materials, including building stone and teams to haul it from the quarry, were eagerly offered. Fundraisers were held including a play, a dinner and a horse race at the Hallowell Race Track.

By June 1, 1914, our first "Fire Wagon" was delivered and readied for use. The cost was $272.12. Since such an expensive piece of equipment containing "...the latest firefighting devices" could not be stored outside, Benjamin Webster's shed became the first firehouse. The Auxiliary has recreated this 1914 building in a Hometowne Collectible wooden figure. It may be purchased for $15.00 through any Auxiliary member or by calling the firehouse at 675-9859. The proceeds from this fundraiser goes to help purchase items for the fire company which are not part of its general operating budget.

Today, Horsham Fire Company has an inventory of 4 pumpers, a 105' ladder, rescue truck, 3 ambulances, and 3 command vehicles. We operate out of 2 stations, one located on Meetinghouse Road and one located on Horsham Road next to the Township Building. Our most recent additions to our Fire Company apparatus was the purchase of a 105' Pierce Dash Ladder at a cost of over $500,000.00.

Horsham Fire Company completed its 87th year of operation in 2001. This was the busiest year in our history with a record 682 alarms being answered.

Malfunctioning residential and business fire alarm systems account for 10% of all our calls. This rate is at an all time low, but malfunctioning alarm systems still present a burden for our volunteers, in terms of time spent away from jobs, families and interrupted sleep. The need to properly maintain your alarm system can not be emphasized enough.

Horsham Fire Company lists 45 members responding from Battalion 1, located on Meetinghouse Road. Another 15 members are listed on the rolls at Battalion 2, located on Horsham Road, next to the Township Building. In addition, Horsham Fire Company Ambulance Corps lists 20 members on its roster, with another 10 people belong to the Special Fire Police, and approximately 12 mambers of the Auxiliary.

A career staff of 2 Firefighter/EMT's and 4 firefighter/Paramedics supplement the volunteers of Horsham Fire Company. This is to ensure, during weekday daytime hours, that Firefighters are available to respond to fire emergencies. This staffing policy also ensures that Paramedics are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to respond to medical emergencies. These personnel are Fire Company employees (not employees of Horsham Township) and are paid from our 3.00 mill fire tax. Although this staffing is needed to better serve our residents, it drains our resources and limits the amount of money left for building maintenance, operations and capital purchases.

The Horsham Fire Company Ambulance Corps Division has been serving the residents of Horsham Township and surrounding communities for over 50 years. We respond to over 1,400 ambulance and 30 rescue calls per year. This is done with a combination of volunteer & career staff of over 35 Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT's), Paramedics and rescue workers. Unfortunately, our volunteer staff is dwindling. We are finding it difficult to staff our ambulance with volunteers to answer the rising needs of the community.

Currently, the Horsham Fire Company Ambulance Corps Division is seeking individuals to volunteer to help provide ambulance service to our community. The commitment will only be four to eight hours per week, and will give the individual a rewarding life saving experience. The Corps will provide the training and the knowledge to help a person in need, or to save a child's life. Your community is counting on you.

For information, or to receive an application for membershipas a member of the Fire Department, Ambulance Corps, Special Fire Police or Auxiliary, stop by the Horsham Fire Company at 315 Meetinghouse Road in Horsham, or call (215) 675-9859.