Aristes Fire, Station 350

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Aristes Fire Company #1 Station 350

The Aristes Fire Company #1 was originally organized by residents from the village of Aristes in 1923. Since this time a lot has changed within the department. There have been several moves of the firehouse and lots of different apparatus. The Company suffered a lull in operation coming through the early 1970's and was re-organized in 1975. Since then the company has seen large amounts of growth both in call volume and in apparatus. The first vehicle to respond for the company after the re-organization was a Diamond "T" 500 gpm engine that was acquired from the then Fernville Fire Company just outside Bloomsburg (PA). A 1950's Hahn was then acquired to accompany the previous vehicle. During the re-organization the department moved its quarters to land that was formerly the Conyngham Twp. High School located at 500 Columbia Ave or the corner of Columbia Ave. and 5th St. A quanset hut was purchased from a local coal company. Inside both vehicles were stored as well as all the companies supplies, gear, stoves, tables, chairs and anything else you can imagine that would be needed for a fire company to exist. The small quarters required the vehicle to be parked outside during events. The company then was able to recieve what amounts to a great gift. They were given a 1947 Maxim 750 gpm deisel powered engine by the Harmonville Fire Company (PA). We cannot say thank you enough for their donation and generosity, in addition to the vehicle and equipment Harmonville also donated a check in the amount of $1000 for the purchase of additional equipment for the vehicle. This vehicle replaced the Hahn. After a couple of years the company replaced the Diamond T as it reached a point of disrepair. A 1956 GMC/Pirsch 750 gpm engine was purchsed from the Shamokin Fire Bureau (Rescue Fire Company) (PA). Rapidly this vehicle became the companies pride and joy having brass intakes and discharges and jump seats. In the late 1970's the company acquired its first tanker, which was a Department of Forestry army 6x6. This vehicle was modified with a 2000 gallon tank and thus began our time as a tanker company in addition to our engine company duties. Around 1980 the department signed on with the Columbia County Communications Center for dispatching purposes. Our new truck room was constructed in 1980-81 with the dedication being held in 1981. Prior to this the tanker had sat outside or was stored in a members garage during inclement weather. A different tanker was purchsed from the Cedar Top (Berks County, PA) Fire Company. This 1951 REO had a fire body on it that allowed more equipment to be stored. In 1992, the company replaced this vehicle with a 1969 Dodge purchased from Centralia Fire Company (PA). The early 1990's found the company designing plans for a new social hall. This was constructed in 1993 and has served as the location for our breakfasts as well as many other fund-raisers since its inception. 1998 found the tank on the 1956 GMC leaking and in need of replacement. After much looking and leg work the company purchsed a 1979 Ward LaFrance 1000 gpm engine from Summit Station Fire Company (PA). The GMC was sold to a private collector. In 1999 a Federal Surplus 1987 Chevy pick-up truck was acquired. The 1947 Maxim was then sold to a seperate private collector. The Chevy truck box was removed and a former NYPD ESU box was placed on the vehicle to act as a support vehicle and carry extra equipment. 2001 found the company getting another vehicle donated. This one, a 1971 Ford 1000 gpm engine from Trumbauersville Fire Company (PA) was modified by members into the current Tanker 353. A 1250 gallon tank was added w/ dump valve and porta-pond storage was added along w/ all the engine company equipment. Thanks again for this donation. FEMA and the OSFC allowed our department to make upgrades to our equipment in the end of 2004 and the early part of 2005. The spring of 2005 found the company needing to make apparatus changes again. While returning from a mutual aid call the Ward LaFrance suffered serious engine problems. After searching and acquiring funds a 1982 Hahn 1250 gpm engine was purchased from Sheppton-Onieda Volunteer Fire Company (PA). This vehicle now acts as Engine 352. Through the 2006 AFG grant program we were able to obtain funding to allow for the purchase of a new pumper/tanker. After much time and thought as well as hard work this vehicle was ordered from Kovatch Mobile Equipment (KME). During construction members made many trips to Nesquehoning to see it under production. Finally it arrived in November 2007. This marked the first ever brand NEW firetruck for us. Our new pumper-tanker is now in service and ready to respond to emergencies in our area as well as those of surrounding ours. Hopefully there will not be a need for us to use this vehicle in near future. It is all ready and we want to thank all of those who have helped us obtain this vehicle and to those who have worked so hard for us to get it into service.

aristesfirecompany@hotmail.com

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           570-875-0777             

If you live in Aristes or are just driving through and need to report any type of emergency, DIAL 911. Due to cellular phone tower positions, your call may be transferred from either Schuylkill or Luzerne county to Columbia County for dispatching purposes. If this happens and your call is lost please call again to ensure the emergency is reported. Stay on the phone until the dispatcher ends the call they need to get as much information as they can from you to ensure the proper dispatch and response.

Speaking of dispatch and response we are dispatched by Columbia County 911 Center. Our primary dispatch frequency is 46.120 and our station number is 350. The county uses 5 other "working frequencies" for radio traffic. EMS is dispatched on 156.015 and PD is on 154.890.

On Saturday May 24th with beautiful weather we housed our 2007 KME Pumper/Tanker.

We would like to THANK all of the companies who attended this event and came to show their support. This was a great day for everyone and we thank you...

Check out more photos in the photo gallery.

We are slowly uploading video from our day.  Check back soon for updates!