History

Two engines parked outside the garage on the current site.  Note the orchard in the background.

A Short History of Highland
--by Firefighter Mardie Baldo

    The first meeting of what was to become Highland Firemen’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.

Note the state of Perry Highway, visible in the background over land now occupied by CCAC.  The white objects hanging from the truck are helmets.

    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 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 public 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 station were 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 cappuccino-there, but for $200, goes Highland VFD!

Some early uniforms.

The first fire call of which there is a record was on August 26, 1927 at 2AM.  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 area to just jump on the truck when they heard the fire bell-whether 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 of a garden hose.  Allow one end of the hose to remain in the open air, place the other end in the mouth, inhale through the mouth and exhale through the nose.  The patient may be revived by artificial 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 nozzle; to this end, let us adopt as our slogan, "No empty water buckets."  

Three in a row outside old Espe School.

Fund raising was a very high priority in those days.  Money was extremely tight and many methods of obtaining funds 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 over a period of time. Construction on the original building started 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 received $300.00 trade in on the old truck.  In 1942, they added a second truck, a 1 ½ ton Indiana truck 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

One of the earliest known photographs in the Highland archives, we see four unidentified members relaxing during what we presume to be the great flood in downtown Pittsburgh, apparently on Smithfield Street, in 1936.

cat is on fire, or the cat is trying to light 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 a lot.  The building has been remodeled.  There are now  female firefighters in our department, and  junior members.  We have 4 vehicles with which to

This photo appears to have been taken at the old Espe School on Highland Road.

respond to various types of calls.  We have many opportunities for training at the fire academy, on our own on Tuesday drill nights, or with the other McCandless companies (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!