The Republic Volunteer Fire Company

The Republic Volunteer Fire Department

Founded March 16th, 1926 and incorporated under Judge Thomas H. Hudson.The First board of directors were John P. Bryne, Samuel Jubelirer, G.E. Markle, Tony Tassone, and H.J. Blielevens. Other members W.C.Reilly, James W. Keith, Phillip Peril, Sam Canistra, Mike DeLuke, Orton Ryan, James McQuiggan, Daniel Rosenshein, John Farro, John Kupets, Ralph McQuiggan, Ralph Bill, Domenico Pascle, Phillip Rossi, Placido Manoli, Bernard Benucci, Harry Rosenweig, and Ralph A. Marietta.

In the 1920's thru the 1940's Republic Volunteer Fire Company served the Republic areas as well as East Millsboro, Allison #1 and #2, Penn Craft, Isabella, Hopewell Church, Keeny Row, and Labelle.

In the early 40's till the late 50's  the Republic Volunteer Fire Company policed all the Redstone High School football games.

On Febuary 7th 1946, Mike Trocheck applied to be a firemen at the Republic Volunteer Fire Company. On March 7th  1946 Mike Trocheck was inducted as a new member of the Republic Volunteer Fire Company. On June 5th 1947. Mike was voted, by his fellow firemen as a Captian. Mike would go on to serve four years and three months as a captian for the Republic Volunteer Fire Company. On June 21st 1951 Mike responded to a house fire on Union St, Republic, PA. The call came in as a structure fire with possible entrapment. As Mike climbed the ladder to extinguish the fire, shots rang out, and Mike was hit. Mike is the first and only member to be killed in the line of duty for the fire company.

The Relief Association:

Founded Dec 3rd 1943. First Officers were John Depcrymski, Mike DeFigio, Pete Marucci, John Degregory, and Peter Calveresi.

The Band:

June 13th 1938, the Western Pennsylvania Firemen Association helped Republic Volunteer Fire Company form a band. The Band would perform at parades, carnivals, and other social events. The Bands purpose was to help raise money for the fire company, by providing entertainment at local events. The band was directed by Mr. Donnelly. About September of 1938, the fire department purchased a bus from Redstone School District. They would paint the bus blue and gold, to display the color of the firemen's uniforms. The bus served many purposes, which included transporting supplies, and material for the carnivals. Back in the early 30's carnivals played a big part in fund raising for all fire companies. The games and rides provided entertainment for the young ones, while the band and alcohol provided entertainment for the older ones. June 13th 1938 to June 18th 1938 R.V..FC. held it's first ever street fair carnival. June 1943 the bus was sold to the First Christian Church for $75.00.

Ralph Bill (Chief at the time), Pete Calvaressi,(assistant chief), Herold Keberly, Nick Verbanic, and Louis Gaggiani(Treasurer) were the committee apointed by the fire department to purchase a new truck. On April 25th 1947, the department would buy a 1947 American LaFrance fire truck, with an open cab and 750 gallon pumper. The truck was equiped with a 204 horse power engine, with additional connections on the rear, for suction hose. Additions that they added to the truck when purchased was a 200 gallon booster tank, and aluminum ladders. The total purchase price was $13,265.00. This truck would soon go on to replace the 1927 Studebaker. The first donation for the new truck, was given by Frank Magazine, on July 1st 1943 ($68.85). The 1927 Studebaker was sold to the Footdale Volunteer Fire Department.

We will have some more History as soon as it becomes available. Below is a picture of our first Engine a 1927 Studebaker. the guy at the bottom right is Ed McLucky. Maybe you can help with who the rest of the firemen are.  Further down the page is the 1947 LaFrance.

Volunteer Fire departments have been around for a long time. Where did they originate and who started them?

The man who established the first volunteer fire department also invented bifocals, wrote and printed Poor Richards Almanack, studied electricity and helped draft the Declaration of Independence. His name was Benjamin Franklin. The first volunteer fire department began in Philadelphia in1736.

Ben Franklin moved to Philadelphia from Boston at the age of eighteen. Boston had been greatly effected by fire. The city of Boston experienced major fires in 1653 and 1676. After the fire in 1676, Boston purchased a London pumper. The city then hired Thomas Atkins and twelve other men to fight fires. These were the first paid firefighters in the United States. In 1711, another major fire occured in Boston. One hundred ten families lost their homes. At the age of six Benjamin Franklin witnessed this fire.Concerned citizens banded together and formed The Mutual fire Societies in 1711. When fire struck a member of the Mutual Fire Society, other members of the club rushed to help battle the blaze. Each society had approximately twenty members. Dennis Smith stated the following: "The Mutual Fire Societies became social as well as protective associations, setting a pattern for organized volunteer firefighting groups, which would one day be the backbone of firefighting in America and would dominate it for a centry and a half."

In 1682, the city of Philadelphia was founded by William Penn. when determining where to locate the city Penn gave careful thought to the dangers of fire. He had witnessed the London fire in 1666 and did not want Philadelphia to suffer the same fate. To reduce the possibility of fire, a fire ordinance in Philadelphia in 1696 required chimney cleaning. Philadelphia also had a large number of brick buildings that made it less susceptible to fire.

In 1733, Ben Franklin often wrote the dangers of fire and the need for organized fire protection in his newspapers The Pennsylvania Gazette. Ben Franklin was familiar with Boston's Mutual Fire Societies which were also known as "Fire Clubs."  But the Fire Clubs existed for the protection of it's members, not the community at large. Collins wrote that [Ben Franklin] "wanted organizations that would battle all fires, regardless of whose property was burning."

After an extensive fire in Philadelphia in 1736, Franklin created a fire brigade called 'The Union Fire Company 'with 30 volunteers. The first full-fledged volunteer firefighter in America was Isaac Paschall. The idea of volunteer fire brigades gained popularity.Not wanting more than 30-40 men per company, additional companies were formed in Philadelphia. Each of the companies paid for their own equipment and located it throughout town at strategic places. Most early fire companies had professionals, wealthier merchants and tradespeople serving in the volunteer fire departments. These citizens were able to afford to purchase equipment and pay fines for missing meetings and fires.

In 1818, women began serving as volunteer firefighters. The first recorded female volunteer was Molly Williams, a black slave who belonged to New Youk merchant, Benjamin Aymar of Oceanus Company No.11.

Before 1850 no city in the United States had fully paid, full time firefighters. Volunteer firefighters played and continue to play an invaluable role in protecting lives and property.

Below are some old photos of the Republic Volunteer Fire Company

Above- This is the first known fire truck of the Republic Volunteer Fire Company a 1927 Studebaker. Tony Tassone is the person in the front of the truck. Notice the little girl on the porch in back. I believe it would be safe to assume that this picture was from 1927, when the truck was first purchased.

Above- This is a 1947 American LaFrance Pictured from left to right; Oresto DeCarlo former chief and president, David DeCarlo current chief, John Chuma and Andrew Kacijancic

Above- a 1960 American LaFrance

Above- a 1974 Dodge Power Wagon This truck is still in service today. If you look at the current photos page you will see it has been painted. The Truck is still in service.