Chartered September 24, 1946

Organized fire protection came to Bart Township in 1946 when 38 residents met at the Bart High School to organize a fire company. It was March 5, and William Bland presided as temporary chairman. Dorothy Beyer served as Secretary. Before the night was over, Thomas Matthews was elected president and Bland was chosen as the first fire Chief. The company launched its first fund drive. Postage was only one and one half cents on each of the 300 letters mailed to residents. The response was great and the company went shopping for its first truck. The company purchased a 1937 Reo chemical truck from the Intercourse Fire Company for $830.00. On July 2, 1946, twenty eight people had shown active interest in the fire company. These members became the charter members of the company when it was chartered on September 24, 1946. The company purchased a lot in Georgetown for $100.00. Construction of the firehouse began. The Bart Post Office now stands on the original lot. The company purchased its first new piece of equipment in August of 1954. They purchased a 1954 GMC 500 gallon pumper with a front end pump and a 500 gallon booster tank. The cost of the brand new piece was $6,458.50 and still serves us as a reserve piece today. The community began to grow rapidly and the future expansions were to be considered. in 1946, the company bought another piece of land in Georgetown where the firehouse stands today. Money was needed to pay for the new land and building. So in 1964, the company held its first annual all day sale which still continues today the 1st and 3rd Saturday in March. The company took some sale profit and purchased a 1951 Ford tank truck. Initial construction started on the new firehouse by Steve Esh and Company in 1966. It was completed in May 1967. The company purchased a new 1969 Ford 1,000 gallon pumper to better serve the community in its time of growing need. In 1974, the company purchased a new Ford squad truck to carry men and rescue equipment. The community continued to grow and another piece of apparatus was purchased. In 1979, the company took delivery of a new Ford/Pierce tanker that carries 2500 gallons of water. In 1982, the Special Division (Ladies Auxiliary) came up with a new fundraiser. The engine bay of the firehouse had been enlarged and in 1983, our first all-you-can-eat breakfast was held. The breakfast was so successful, that the kitchen was enlarged and remodeled to accommodate our needs. The company also began to hold an annual festival on the 3rd Friday and Saturday nights in June to help raise money. The community began to rapidly grow during the late 1980's. A new 1985 Pierce Lance Rescue/Pumper was purchased to help better serve the community with a compliment of advanced rescue and firefighting equipment. In 1988, a new Chevrolet Suburban was purchased to carry manpower to calls and our QRS equipment. In 1990, the company purchased a new E-One pumper to replace the 1969 Ford Pumper. In May of 2001, we sold the 1985 Pierce Lance rescue/pumper and purchased a new rescue/pumper. The unit designation was Engine 5-1-1. The new engine was a 2001 Pierce Dash 2000 rescue/pumper. The unit had a 8 person enclosed cab. In July 2005, the company started an engine bay addition into the existing firehouse and kitchen renovation. The new engine bay addition allowed for the apparatus to come back in from the tin pole barn at the rear of the property. The new addition also housed a lounge, offices, work room, and is set up to accommodate the flow of people during our annual sales. The kitchen was expanded to allow for more cooking, food preparation, and clean up areas. The kitchen cabinets and appliances were updated as well. The project was completed in January 2006. On October 2, 2006, the Bart Township Fire Company faced its greatest challenge. The Nickel Mines Amish School Shooting struck our community. Five girls were hospitalized, five girls were laid to rest, and family's lives were shattered. Our whole community was shocked and is grieving since that fateful day. Our company and our community had been tested and tried. Together we were able to work our way through these difficult times. Our fire company was able to meet our responsibilities to the community during this tragic event and in the months that followed due to the support we received from our neighboring fire companies, emergency medical services, law enforcement services, and the South-Central Pennsylvania Counter-Terrorism Task Force. The Bart Township Fire Company supplied the facility and leadership for the response to this event. As the world watched, fire , EMS and law enforcement worked hand in hand with the Amish Community. In fact, many volunteer members of our fire company are Amish. However, without the support of our community, this tragic event may have been worse. Counseling sessions were held at the firehouse for months following the incident. Separate sessions were offered for the families, fire/EMS, and the community. The Nickel Mines accountability committee that was established to receive and disburse funds contributed in response to this held its meetings in the firehouse. Hundreds of packages and thousands of letters flowed through the firehouse. All packages and letters were sorted and checked before being distributed to the families. Fire company volunteers sorted and distributed as many as 900 letters a day during those first weeks. The Special Division (Ladies Auxiliary) of the Bart Township Fire Company, with help from the community and local businesses, provided three meals a day to all fire, EMS, law enforcement and the Amish families during the time of the funerals. We as a fire company have learned that life will never return to what it was before. At the February 2007 monthly company meeting, an apparatus committee was formed to replace our aging 1979 tanker. In January 2008, a new 2008 Kenworth T800 Pierce Tanker pulled into the station. The new tanker has a Hale 2,000 gpm pump and a 3,000 gallon elliptical water tanker. The tanker is designated as Tanker 51. In 2014, the company prepared to replace the 1990 E-one Pumper. In May 2015, a new 2015 Pierce Enforcer Pumper arrived. The new Engine, designated as Engine 51-2, has a 1,750 gpm Waterous Pump and 1,000 gallon water tank. The new Engine 51-2 is our primary suppression engine, running as the first out piece on all of our first due structure fire boxes, as well as on numerous mutual aid structure fire boxes. In the summer of 2018, the company worked to begin the process of replacing the 2001 Pierce Dash Rescue Pumper. A new 2020 Pierce Enforcer Rescue Pumper arrived during the summer of 2020. The engine is designated as Engine 51-1, has a 2000 gpm Waterous pump, and a 750 gallon water tank. This engine also features all battery-operated vehicle rescue tools, eliminating the need for a hydraulic system on the engine and freeing up more compartment space as compared to our previous rescue engines. The company holds two Mud Sales the first Saturday in March and the 3rd Saturday in March, an annual fund drive, Spring Egg Hunt, Chicken BBQ, Turkey Shoot and Christmas Craft Show to help fund each year's operating expenses. One of the unique features of the Bart Township Fire Company is its volunteers. The company currently has about 170 members, with about 65 of them being life members. There is a heavy concentration of Amish in the community and approximately 50 percent of our members are Amish. The fire company also has provided an extensive fire prevention program for the Bart-Colerain Elementary School since 1966. In recent years, the fire company has also been providing fire prevention programs for Amish schools is our first due area. The company has been fortunate to receive numerous federal, state, local, and foundation grants. The grants assisted with the purchase of new SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatus) , turn out gear, vehicle extraction system, fire prevention safety house, and miscellaneous fire equipment, tools, and hose. The company serves all of the residents of Bart Township, as well as portions of Sadsbury, Colerain, Eden, and Paradise Townships.