A short history of Highland by:
Associate Member Mardie Baldo

    The first meeting of what was to become the Highland Fireman's Association, (and later Highland Volunteer Fire Department) was held on March 17, 1927 (St. Patrick's Day) at the Highland Community United Presbyterian Church. This church, now called Northmont United Presbyterian Church, is located on Perry Highway about half a mile from our fire station. At this first meeting, 43 people were in attendance and a President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer were elected.

    A committee of two was appointed to investigate the possibility of obtaining discarded fire apparatus from the City of Pittsburgh. At the second meeting on April 21, 1927, a motion was made to purchase of a Dodge chassis with LaFrance fire equipment from East McKeesport for $1000.00 and the organization was officially named Highland Firemen's Association. The fire truck was presented to the pubilc in a parade prior to the June 20, 1927 meeting at which the first Chief, John Huch, was elected. Two possible sites for the fire stationwere discussed: one was on Perry Highway where the "Sheetz" convenience store is now located, at a cost of $1000.00. The other was a 100' x 100' piece of property owned by Mrs. Margaret Espe on the Beaver Road (now called Highland Road) for $800.00. On August 4, 1927, our thrifty forebears voted to purchase Mrs. Espe's lot, which is where the fire station now sits to this day on the corner of Harold Place and Highland Road. Think about that next time you stop at Sheetz for gas and cappuccion-there, but for $200, goes Highland VFD!

    The first fire call of which there is record was on August 26, 1927 at 2 AM. It was a house fire on Three Degree Road. Highland's truck responded with ten "firefighters" on it. It was common in those days for anyone in the are to just jump on the truck when they heard the fire bell-wether they were a firefighter or member or not! (A far different situation exists today; unfortunately, volunteer fire companies are hard pressed to recruit willing individuals. You can HELP remedy that situation by clicking HERE) This resulted in the membership eventually voting to place a "members only" sign on the truck to deter this practice. Concern was also expressed that too many people were riding on the truck, thereby creating a safety hazard.

This is from the September 1930 Fire Officer's Report, how to handle a Carbon Monoxide call (DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME!):

            "In the event of being called to rescue any person overcome by carbon monoxide gas-automobile fumes, you may safely enter a garage by the use
            garden hose. Allow one end of the hose to remain in the ipen air, place the other end in mouth, inhale through the mouth and exhale through the
            nose. The patient may be revived by artifical respiration, being kept warm but not hot. Do not permit patient to exercise after consciousness is
            regained."

Another 1930 tidbit from the minutes:

            " Let us endeavor to keep a steady stream on the fire, and so back up the boys at the nozzel; to this end, let us adopt as our slogan, "No
            empty water buckets.""  

    Fundraising was a very high priority in those days. Money was extremely tight and many methods of obtaining finds were attempted--some with more success than others. Among the methods used were monthly dances, raffles of various items (including a bicycle, cars, a freezer, turkeys for Thanksgiving, and a pony), yearly carnivals, sauerkraut suppers, and weekly bingos. They even sold peaches from the trees on the property for a profit of $21!. The fund raising enabled them to pay for trucks, equipment, the property, and the building paid over a period of time. Construction on the original building started in July 1929 and was completed in November of the same year. The one-story building was 32' x 60' and very basic. In 1933 they bought a new truck for $2800.00, a Diamond T. They recieved $300.00 trade in on the old truck. In 1942, they added a secondtruck, a 1/2 ton Indiana trck for $325.00 to which they added a special body for $815.00. In 1943, they got a third vehicle, a 1932 White.

    These were interesting times: the membership meeting minutes note a dispute over the pony raffle (one of the members submitted a bill to the association for $11.00 for boarding the pony until the raffle; it was voted not to pay the bill--the other members felt that for the good of the association, he should have done it for free-so he quit!). In 1942 and 1943, the sauerkraut suppers were cancelled due to war rationing on pork, coffee, and sugar (all essential ingredients for a sauerkraut supper).

    Fire school started in 1943. The ladies auxiliary was formed in 1949 and helped a great deal with fundraising efforts; enabling the association to purchase many needed items.

    In 1966, it was noted that they were rescuing cats from trees. ( We only do that now if the tree is on fire, the cat is on fire, or if the cat is lighting the tree on fire!). A report from September 1969 indicated that a painting detail was held and that "30-35 gallons of paint were used on walls and personnel." In 1982, it was noted that female visitors were not permitted after 10 PM. I guess they had to change that, since the first female firefighter was sworn in shortly thereafter in April 1983.

    From its beginnings to the present day, Highland has grown and changed alot. The building has been remodeled. There are now female fiefighter in our department, and junior members. We have 4 vehicles with which to respnd to various types of calls. We have many opportunities for training at the fire
academy, on our own Tuesday drill nights, or with the other McCandless comapanies ( Ingomar and Peebles). All we need are a "few good
men (and women!)". Please consider becoming a part of Highland's future history, Step Up and volunteer, and become part of the history of Highland!.

Some Historic Pictures of the Highland Fire Department: