FIRE DEPARTMENT
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The volunteer fire service serves the community for fire & rescue emergencies. Volunteers respond 24 hours each day. NBVFD is the primary fire service for North Braddock and Braddock Hills annually contracts the service to provide fire services in the neighboring borough.
"SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1900"
CREATION
The first meeting to organize a fire department came on August 10, 1900. On September 29 ,1900 council accepted the idea of the fire department favorably. Then in December of 1900, the Pennsylvania Water Company installed 63 fire hydrants for water supply around the borough.
THREE STATIONS
The first fire station was located in the original Borough Building located at the intersection of Spring Street and Jones Avenue. Property was bought on Seddon Avenue for the second fire department that was organized in 1901. That department opened as the Third Ward Hose Company on Seddon Avenue in February 1902. The borough was divided into three wards by January 1902. The Joseph Wolf Land Company donated land on Wolfe Avenue for another fire station in first ward. On September 11, 1902, the First Ward Hose Company was organized in the home of a resident. By September 23, 1902, the department was recognized as the newest department by council. The borough purchased a hose cart and equipment to be housed in a shed near Pallas Street & Evans Way, until the Wolfe Avenue station was completed. The three companies were all named for their respective voting wards, North Braddock Hose Company #1, North Braddock Hose Company #2, and North Braddock Hose Company #3.
LADIES AUXILIARY HISTORY
Each company also created ladies auxiliary units that assisted the firefighters with meals after fires, and with fundraising activities. Most ladies auxiliary members were wives of the firefighters.
FUNDRAISING - SOCIAL CLUBS
The three companies became known for their bar and social hall activities for members' recreational needs. Each company established their own means for income. Street fairs, bingo nights, ticket sales, dances, and other activities became a source of income. Currently the department operates a popular fish fry every lenten season, a community days event is held every August, and Club 206 is a source of income as a social bar inside the Wolfe Avenue station.
ONE DEPARTMENT - THREE COMPANIES
Each of the three stations had their own by-laws and officers, but after 1927 the companies worked together more closely with department meetings. The companies working together lead to the North Braddock Fire Department and the North Braddock Fire Department Relief Association. The North Braddock Fire Department was a means of settling station level grievances that were not able to be resolved and a means of establishing borough wide policies. It also created a Borough Fire Chief that would assist the three company chiefs as needed.
AMBULANCE SERVICE
First Ward Hose Company founded an ambulance service for residents. The firefighters became trained and answered medical calls for help with the ambulance housed at the Wolfe Avenue station. Residents were able to buy a subscription plan for the ambulance service. With rising costs and training becoming more advanced, the First Ward Hose Company gave up the ambulance service. North Braddock EMS would eventually take over the ambulance service in North Braddock.
PAID DRIVERS
Firefighters were always volunteers, but the borough did fund paid fire engine drivers for many years. The fire truck drivers answered phone calls to the station, monitored the gamewell box alarms, and drove the fire engine to all calls. Paid drivers were eventually eliminated from the borough budget after tax income continued to decrease.
FIRE DISPATCH
The fire companies were dispatched by borough dispatchers and police officers for many years. The dispatch center eventually closed and all calls are placed and dispatched thru Allegheny County 911 now.
MERGER
With a decrease in membership, community support, and government funding, the three companies merged in September of 2005 to create the North Braddock Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. and the North Braddock Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. Relief Association. The first step in the new merger was to consolidate resources causing the closure of the Hose Company #3 on Stokes Avenue.
PRESENT OPERATIONS
Today, the North Braddock VFD Inc. operates one active fire station on Wolfe Avenue with four apparatus trucks. The department is led by a chief, assistant chief, and two captains. The borough fire service has come a long way since the days of fire carts and horses. Firefighters are highly trained for fire and rescue services at the Allegheny County Fire Academy.
1901 HOBIE FIRE CART
The original fire cart for Hose Company #3 on Seddon Avenue. The aging fire cart was rehabbed and restored in 2013. Firefighter life members Peanuts Monroe & Pat Sloan poured a lot of time and love into the restoration. The fire cart looks like new and is featured as a historic antique in parades and displays.
FIRE ALARM BOXES
Fire boxes were pulled by residents for help, the code then was transmitted to the fire station gamewell box. Firefighters read the code to find the nearest location of the fire.
CURRENT STATIONS
1318 Wolfe Avenue - Houses Engine 1, Rescue, Service, & Squad
600 Anderson Street - Used for storage & backup station
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
The North Braddock VFD reaches out to the community with fire prevention and career day demonstrations. Fire prevention demonstrations and station tours can be arranged by calling 412.824.7791.
FIRE PREVENTION WEEK
Firefighters talk with day-care children about their role in the fire service, the equipment they use, and discuss fire prevention.
SCHOOL CAREER DAY
Firefighters have talked with local Woodland Hills students about their role in firefighting and the equipment they use.
ANNUAL FIREMAN'S PARADE
North Braddock was known for great firemen parades throughout the borough's history. A new tradition began in 2011 with the Annual Firemen Parade with the North Braddock Community Days. Every summer, the firemen organize a large parade that travels on Wolfe Avenue.
RECRUITMENT
New members are always being recruited. Stop by the station for an application if interested in serving the community.
CREATION
The first meeting to organize a fire department came on August 10, 1900. On September 29 ,1900 council accepted the idea of the fire department favorably. Then in December of 1900, the Pennsylvania Water Company installed 63 fire hydrants for water supply around the borough.
THREE STATIONS
The first fire station was located in the original Borough Building located at the intersection of Spring Street and Jones Avenue. Property was bought on Seddon Avenue for the second fire department that was organized in 1901. That department opened as the Third Ward Hose Company on Seddon Avenue in February 1902. The borough was divided into three wards by January 1902. The Joseph Wolf Land Company donated land on Wolfe Avenue for another fire station in first ward. On September 11, 1902, the First Ward Hose Company was organized in the home of a resident. By September 23, 1902, the department was recognized as the newest department by council. The borough purchased a hose cart and equipment to be housed in a shed near Pallas Street & Evans Way, until the Wolfe Avenue station was completed. The three companies were all named for their respective voting wards, North Braddock Hose Company #1, North Braddock Hose Company #2, and North Braddock Hose Company #3.
LADIES AUXILIARY HISTORY
Each company also created ladies auxiliary units that assisted the firefighters with meals after fires, and with fundraising activities. Most ladies auxiliary members were wives of the firefighters.
FUNDRAISING - SOCIAL CLUBS
The three companies became known for their bar and social hall activities for members' recreational needs. Each company established their own means for income. Street fairs, bingo nights, ticket sales, dances, and other activities became a source of income. Currently the department operates a popular fish fry every lenten season, a community days event is held every August, and Club 206 is a source of income as a social bar inside the Wolfe Avenue station.
ONE DEPARTMENT - THREE COMPANIES
Each of the three stations had their own by-laws and officers, but after 1927 the companies worked together more closely with department meetings. The companies working together lead to the North Braddock Fire Department and the North Braddock Fire Department Relief Association. The North Braddock Fire Department was a means of settling station level grievances that were not able to be resolved and a means of establishing borough wide policies. It also created a Borough Fire Chief that would assist the three company chiefs as needed.
AMBULANCE SERVICE
First Ward Hose Company founded an ambulance service for residents. The firefighters became trained and answered medical calls for help with the ambulance housed at the Wolfe Avenue station. Residents were able to buy a subscription plan for the ambulance service. With rising costs and training becoming more advanced, the First Ward Hose Company gave up the ambulance service. North Braddock EMS would eventually take over the ambulance service in North Braddock.
PAID DRIVERS
Firefighters were always volunteers, but the borough did fund paid fire engine drivers for many years. The fire truck drivers answered phone calls to the station, monitored the gamewell box alarms, and drove the fire engine to all calls. Paid drivers were eventually eliminated from the borough budget after tax income continued to decrease.
FIRE DISPATCH
The fire companies were dispatched by borough dispatchers and police officers for many years. The dispatch center eventually closed and all calls are placed and dispatched thru Allegheny County 911 now.
MERGER
With a decrease in membership, community support, and government funding, the three companies merged in September of 2005 to create the North Braddock Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. and the North Braddock Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. Relief Association. The first step in the new merger was to consolidate resources causing the closure of the Hose Company #3 on Stokes Avenue.
PRESENT OPERATIONS
Today, the North Braddock VFD Inc. operates one active fire station on Wolfe Avenue with four apparatus trucks. The department is led by a chief, assistant chief, and two captains. The borough fire service has come a long way since the days of fire carts and horses. Firefighters are highly trained for fire and rescue services at the Allegheny County Fire Academy.
1901 HOBIE FIRE CART
The original fire cart for Hose Company #3 on Seddon Avenue. The aging fire cart was rehabbed and restored in 2013. Firefighter life members Peanuts Monroe & Pat Sloan poured a lot of time and love into the restoration. The fire cart looks like new and is featured as a historic antique in parades and displays.
FIRE ALARM BOXES
Fire boxes were pulled by residents for help, the code then was transmitted to the fire station gamewell box. Firefighters read the code to find the nearest location of the fire.
CURRENT STATIONS
1318 Wolfe Avenue - Houses Engine 1, Rescue, Service, & Squad
600 Anderson Street - Used for storage & backup station
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
The North Braddock VFD reaches out to the community with fire prevention and career day demonstrations. Fire prevention demonstrations and station tours can be arranged by calling 412.824.7791.
FIRE PREVENTION WEEK
Firefighters talk with day-care children about their role in the fire service, the equipment they use, and discuss fire prevention.
SCHOOL CAREER DAY
Firefighters have talked with local Woodland Hills students about their role in firefighting and the equipment they use.
ANNUAL FIREMAN'S PARADE
North Braddock was known for great firemen parades throughout the borough's history. A new tradition began in 2011 with the Annual Firemen Parade with the North Braddock Community Days. Every summer, the firemen organize a large parade that travels on Wolfe Avenue.
RECRUITMENT
New members are always being recruited. Stop by the station for an application if interested in serving the community.