About

Firefighting in Dushore began shortly after the borough's incorporation in 1859, with the formation of a bucket brigade in 1868.  Following a number of serious fires, a resolution in the Borough charter was passed in 1873 regarding how controlled burning should be conducted.

 

​On the 11th of July, 1892 the Dushore Fire Co. No. 1 was legally chartered. A picnic was held by the newly formed fire company on July 16th, 1892 and a sum of $250 was collected. The first President was Fred Newell; and the first Foreman (fire chief) was B. Ackley.

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In 1941 an American LaFrance Engine was ordered and was delivered the week that Pearl Harbor was attacked on December 7th 1941.  It was the last American LaFrance apparatus built and delivered in 1941 with any chrome trimming until after the conclusion of

World War 2.  The “41” served the community and area with distinction for many years.   It was taken out of service in 1979 and stored locally for many years by the Fitzpatrick and Lambert Ford dealership who acted as caretakers of the apparatus for the Fire Department.  In 2014 Kody Wells then a 14 year old Junior Dushore Firefighter purchased the “41” and began a long process of restoring it to original condition.  Now the Fire Chief of Station 52 and a Captain with DFD Kody continues to own and maintain the fully restored “41” and it can be seen at local parades on occasion during the summer.

 

A new fire station was built in 1955 at the intersection of Julia St. and Center St.  The fire       station was renovated in 1975 and again in 2003 to accommodate newer and larger   apparatus. 

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  Ambulance service was begun in 1967, volunteer from that time until 2012.  Today our EMS service is a combination of professional and volunteer staff.  The ambulance provides primary EMS (BLS) service to ten townships in northern Sullivan and southern Bradford Counties.  The coverage response area is approximately 357.3 square miles.  Last year the ambulance was dispatched 572 times for calls for assistance in parts of four counties.

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​The first Aerial Quint in Sullivan County, Ladder 57 was put into service in 2005 by the Fire Department.   In 2009 a Heavy Rescue apparatus, Rescue 57 was placed in service.  The remainder of the current apparatus in service includes; Two class A Engines, a Utility Truck, a tracked UTV, and a Specialty Rescue Trailer. 

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When operating at fires and emergencies, members of the Fire Department wear a traditional fire helmet as part of their their personal protective equipment.  These helmets link back to the original black leather helmets worn by the founders of the department.  Known as       "The Black Hats" they proudly serve the community and provide mutual aid to all of

Sullivan County and parts of Bradford County.

 

The department motto is “in omnia paratus”; latin for “prepared for all things”.

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Information provided by Chris Kelley, Historian.