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Several years prior to this, citizens of Hickory Township had formed an all volunteer
need for a volunteer fire department in their own area. And so it was in September of
1944, that they organized as Hickory Township Volunteer Fire Department Number 2.
First fire chief was O. Seiple, assisted by C. Marshall. Glen Wilson served as
President, P.O'Neil as Vice President, James Barker as Secretary and S. August as
Treasurer.
Of course, forming a fire department required capital, and true to the volunteer spirit, a
number of the residents in Patagonia dug deep into their own pockets to finance this
new endeavor. In addition to the first officers noted, some of the well known residents
that made up this early department included: Dominic Albanese, Anthony "Tony"
Bogolin, Pete Cabbage, Joe DeJulia, Howard Ferguson, Mike Grantoski, Albert Kopen,
Ernest Kopen, Dominic Maffei, Sam Mistretta, J.Mihalcin, Joe Noga, Elmer Reiter,
George Roman, Marion Russo, Steven Stupensky and William Wilson.
In May of 1947, the members filed with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for
incorporation as a non-profit corporation and in September of that year became
Patagonia Volunteer Fire Company and Relief Association. That Charter is
maintained to this day, even though we function and respond to all calls in the City of
Hermitage as a part of the fire protection system.
The first building for the department was an old garage on Marshall Street and on of
the first pieces of fire equipment was a surplus Army half-track - not real efficient at
structure fires but a terrific brush fire unit. The old garage was heated by a wood
burning stove and during the winter months the volunteers would take turns to
maintain a fire around the clock.
As the department grew, plans were made for a permanent building and in 1949
construction began on a $9,000.00 building on Superior Street. Again the volunteers
pitched in by donating their labor to lay block and finish the building. A local
company, Sharpsville Steel Fabricators, Inc, of Sharpsville, Pa. built the first new fire
truck purchased by the department, at an approximate cost of $4,000.00 It was built
on a 1950 GMC Model FC 455 chassis with a 197" wheelbase, 800 gallon water tank
and a Darley Model JMS - 300 pump. A fancy piece of equipment at the time, it became
something of a showpiece in the area.
In 1979, Patagonia completed an addition to its building that included a new bay,
offices and lounge area for its members. To replace the aging equipment, a new 1979
Seagraves engine was purchased. Today, the list of equipment also includes a 1993
Pierce Dash, a 1997 Dodge Brush Unit, a 1968 Ford van utility unit and a water rescue
unit.
While our active membership is less today than in days gone by, our first responders
are well trained, with the majority of them being certified by The Office of the State
Firefighters in at least FireFighter I certifications. Most of our Firefighters hold medical
certifications also, ranging from First Responders through Paramedics.
As we look to the future, the men and women of Patagonia Volunteer Fire Department
will continue to strive for excellence and professionalism in all that they do.
need for a volunteer fire department in their own area. And so it was in September of
1944, that they organized as Hickory Township Volunteer Fire Department Number 2.
First fire chief was O. Seiple, assisted by C. Marshall. Glen Wilson served as
President, P.O'Neil as Vice President, James Barker as Secretary and S. August as
Treasurer.
Of course, forming a fire department required capital, and true to the volunteer spirit, a
number of the residents in Patagonia dug deep into their own pockets to finance this
new endeavor. In addition to the first officers noted, some of the well known residents
that made up this early department included: Dominic Albanese, Anthony "Tony"
Bogolin, Pete Cabbage, Joe DeJulia, Howard Ferguson, Mike Grantoski, Albert Kopen,
Ernest Kopen, Dominic Maffei, Sam Mistretta, J.Mihalcin, Joe Noga, Elmer Reiter,
George Roman, Marion Russo, Steven Stupensky and William Wilson.
In May of 1947, the members filed with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for
incorporation as a non-profit corporation and in September of that year became
Patagonia Volunteer Fire Company and Relief Association. That Charter is
maintained to this day, even though we function and respond to all calls in the City of
Hermitage as a part of the fire protection system.
The first building for the department was an old garage on Marshall Street and on of
the first pieces of fire equipment was a surplus Army half-track - not real efficient at
structure fires but a terrific brush fire unit. The old garage was heated by a wood
burning stove and during the winter months the volunteers would take turns to
maintain a fire around the clock.
As the department grew, plans were made for a permanent building and in 1949
construction began on a $9,000.00 building on Superior Street. Again the volunteers
pitched in by donating their labor to lay block and finish the building. A local
company, Sharpsville Steel Fabricators, Inc, of Sharpsville, Pa. built the first new fire
truck purchased by the department, at an approximate cost of $4,000.00 It was built
on a 1950 GMC Model FC 455 chassis with a 197" wheelbase, 800 gallon water tank
and a Darley Model JMS - 300 pump. A fancy piece of equipment at the time, it became
something of a showpiece in the area.
In 1979, Patagonia completed an addition to its building that included a new bay,
offices and lounge area for its members. To replace the aging equipment, a new 1979
Seagraves engine was purchased. Today, the list of equipment also includes a 1993
Pierce Dash, a 1997 Dodge Brush Unit, a 1968 Ford van utility unit and a water rescue
unit.
While our active membership is less today than in days gone by, our first responders
are well trained, with the majority of them being certified by The Office of the State
Firefighters in at least FireFighter I certifications. Most of our Firefighters hold medical
certifications also, ranging from First Responders through Paramedics.
As we look to the future, the men and women of Patagonia Volunteer Fire Department
will continue to strive for excellence and professionalism in all that they do.
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