|
|
|
White Mills Fire Department marked their first 100 years this past weekend with a grand parade and playing host to the 81st annual convention of the Northeast PA Volunteer Firemen’s Federation.
Sunshine greeted the parade Saturday, which lasted nearly an hour as at least 23 fire companies and three high school marching bands headed down Route 6 through the village, ending at the ball field.
Crowds clapped and waved as units went by, and special groups such as “future firefighters,” children carrying an orange hose. White Mills firefighters, smartly dressed, marched; other long time servants rode in honor. White Mills United Methodist Church had a float, as did the Wayne County Dairy Princess. The Federation Ladies’ Auxiliary marched. Texas Township brought their trucks. Hawley Ambulance came, as did DCNR’s forest fire vehicle.
Fire companies represented, as told by the writing on their trucks, were from White Mills, Jermyn, Prompton, Hawley, Lake Ariel, Shawnee, Beach Lake, Blooming Grove, Narrowsburg, Greeley, Lakeville, Blakely, Covington Twp., Welcome Lake, Honesdale, Fell Twp., Coolbaugh Twp., Seelyville, Uniondale, Waymart, Forest City, Jessup and Equinunk.
A special historical highlight was observed, although not announced in any way. Always a treat to the crowds as well as fire company members is the horse-drawn Silsby steamer, owned by Protection Engine Company 3, Honesdale Fire Department.
The carefully restored steamer, fully capable of being put into action, was actually in service by Protection Engine Co. 3 beginning in 1874 and was in use into the 1930’s. As it rounded the corner to the White Mills ball field, the Dorflinger & Sons Glass Company cutting shop, also being restored, was in the background.
On May 24, 1892, one of Honesdale Fire Department’s Silsby steamers was called into action to help save the Dorflinger factory complex which was fast going up in flames. Once Honesdale councilmen were awakened in the middle of the night and approval granted to take it out of the Borough, the horses brought the engine in a record 50 minutes to White Mills. As crowds cheered, the Silsby and its firemen succeeded in stopping the fire.
This event helped lead to the eventual formation of their own fire company, which came about in 1911.
A Federation memorial service was held at noon Saturday at the White Mills United Methodist Church, honoring firefighters who have died. There was also judging of fire company apparatus in various categories. Trucks were set up at the Route 6 Mall parking lot.
White Mills Fire Department marked their first 100 years this past weekend with a grand parade and playing host to the 81st annual convention of the Northeast PA Volunteer Firemen’s Federation.
Sunshine greeted the parade Saturday, which lasted nearly an hour as at least 23 fire companies and three high school marching bands headed down Route 6 through the village, ending at the ball field.
Crowds clapped and waved as units went by, and special groups such as “future firefighters,” children carrying an orange hose. White Mills firefighters, smartly dressed, marched; other long time servants rode in honor. White Mills United Methodist Church had a float, as did the Wayne County Dairy Princess. The Federation Ladies’ Auxiliary marched. Texas Township brought their trucks. Hawley Ambulance came, as did DCNR’s forest fire vehicle.
Fire companies represented, as told by the writing on their trucks, were from White Mills, Jermyn, Prompton, Hawley, Lake Ariel, Shawnee, Beach Lake, Blooming Grove, Narrowsburg, Greeley, Lakeville, Blakely, Covington Twp., Welcome Lake, Honesdale, Fell Twp., Coolbaugh Twp., Seelyville, Uniondale, Waymart, Forest City, Jessup and Equinunk.
A special historical highlight was observed, although not announced in any way. Always a treat to the crowds as well as fire company members is the horse-drawn Silsby steamer, owned by Protection Engine Company 3, Honesdale Fire Department.
The carefully restored steamer, fully capable of being put into action, was actually in service by Protection Engine Co. 3 beginning in 1874 and was in use into the 1930’s. As it rounded the corner to the White Mills ball field, the Dorflinger & Sons Glass Company cutting shop, also being restored, was in the background.
On May 24, 1892, one of Honesdale Fire Department’s Silsby steamers was called into action to help save the Dorflinger factory complex which was fast going up in flames. Once Honesdale councilmen were awakened in the middle of the night and approval granted to take it out of the Borough, the horses brought the engine in a record 50 minutes to White Mills. As crowds cheered, the Silsby and its firemen succeeded in stopping the fire.
This event helped lead to the eventual formation of their own fire company, which came about in 1911.
A Federation memorial service was held at noon Saturday at the White Mills United Methodist Church, honoring firefighters who have died. There was also judging of fire company apparatus in various categories. Trucks were set up at the Route 6 Mall parking lot.
A ceremony was held Friday night at the White Mills Fire Dept. Community Hall. Company President John Haggarty gave a brief account of their history. PA Senator Lisa Baker presented a resolution congratulating and thanking the fire company.
Baker noted that it was not only at 9/11 that we recognized our firefighters as heroes. Volunteer fire companies throughout northeast Pennsylvania showed their tireless commitment to serve in the wake of massive flooding brought by Tropical Storm Lee.
The 100th anniversary of a volunteer fire companies a milestone, she noted. As an institution, the fire company is the backbone of the town, with many generations of the same families typically serving.
County Commissioners Tony Herzog and Brian Smith also offered remarks.
Smith called our volunteer firefighters “unsung heroes” who serve 24/7, putting their lives at risk for others. Without the volunteers, he said, he doubted communities could afford the services they give.
This was also a convention meeting for the Federation. Some said that the ongoing recovery from the flood in the Susquehanna River valley may have kept back some fire companies from attending the convention and parade.
Gerald Dulay, Honesdale Fire Department, serves as president of the Federation. He said that he was among the volunteers from neighboring companies that responded to assist in the flood recovery. He said that the devastation he saw in Duryea was “horrible.” The residents were still in shock. To hear the thank yous, he said, was well worth the effort to be there to help.
