The first fire company in Perkasie was called the Hope Fire Co. and there were 32 charter members. On September 8, 1890, the company met in rooms furnished by William H. Groover at 517 Chestnut Street. They adopted a constitution and by-laws of the company. Borough Council turned over a used hand engine, hose cart, and 800 feet of hose; water was taken from wells for fires. In 1892 the name was changed to Perkasie Fire Co No.I. Meetings were held in barns and a livery stable for the first ten years. In 1895 the Water Company was established and fire plugs were installed on the streets. This was a major improvement for getting needed water to the fire scene with proper pressure. To sound the alarm the rim of a locomotive wheel was struck with a sledge hammer. In 1900 the Perkasie Power Plant installed a steam whistle on the roof and this sound became the first fire "whistle" used for 48 years.

A hook and ladder truck was purchased in 1903; it was pulled along the streets of town to fires. On July 27, 1907 a new building at Seventh & Arch streets was dedicated and became the home of the Perkasie Fire Company for 60 years. The second floor of the building was made into a movie hall (which served as a source of income) for the Perkasie Fire Company.

1908	1909
Approximately 19??	Scale Co today in former Perkasie Fire Company building.

In 1919 the Perkasie Fire Company had their first motorized truck, a Seagraves Triple Combination Pumper (600 gallon capacity) bought by Borough Council. During the next ten years three additional fire trucks were put into service. On August 19, 1920 the company purchased a Nash Hose and Chemical Motor Apparatus. On February 5, 1925, the Perkasie Fire Company purchased an Emergency Car. On February 7, 1927, the Borough Council and Perkasie Fire Company purchased a 400 -gallon Segrave Triple Combination Suburbanite Motor Apparatus. On March 12,1929 the Perkasie Fire Company authorized Mrs. Rose Crouthamel to purchase a Ford Emergency Car to be dedicated as a Memorial to Jacob C. Crouthamel and Willis Sames, who lost their lives in Quakertown in 1926. There were 74 water plugs for fire purposes maintained by Borough Council in 1929.

In June 1940, the Perkasie Fire Company celebrated its Fiftieth birthday. They had a huge parade to celebrate which included 4000 people with 53 companies, 22 auxiliaries, and 23 bands. During the same year, alterations were made to the Fire House to make room for the increasing number of fire units. In 1940, an Auto Car of 750 gallon capacity and in 1948, a new $12,000 500 gallon Mack Pumper were added. Two more trucks were added between 1950 and 1960 with two way radios installed on them to communicate with the base station.

In 1946 a drive was conducted for public subscriptions for an ambulance. A new ambulance mounted on a Chrysler chassis was purchased and put into service. In 1953 a new Cadillac ambulance was purchased. Volunteer registered nurses were also available as an added service whenever needed.

Perkasie Fire Company in 2000 Fifth and Arch Streets).	Perkasie Fire Company East Rockhill Station #76 (next to the East Rockhill Township building). A special service 76 apparatus medium duty truck will be purchased for this building.

On October 2, 1971, a new fire station was dedicated at Fifth and Arch Streets. The building was built on the site of the former site of Arch Street School (closed in 1965). The Perkasie Rotary Club financed the razing of the building and the Perkasie Borough Council funded the cost of the project with a bond issue. The building cost $300,000 and featured four large bays for the fire equipment, banquet hall, and kitchen. A new Ford pumper was also added in 1971. Additional equipment added in the 1970's included:

1972 - Cadillac Ambulance

1974 - Mack Aerialscope and matching Mack Pumper, Hearst Jaws-of-Life Tool

1975- Dodge Van Ambulance

June 1977 - Mack 1000 GPM Mack Pumper, pocket pages for ambulance crews

In 1974 a training program was instituted for all new firemen and in 1977 the first women were admitted to the company; they were Barbara Hollenbach (ambulance) and Jean Jacob (firefighting).

Recently purchased new equipment included:

• 1997 - Pierce Fire Truck
• Laser gun (reads temperature through walls)

AUXILIARY

In 1913 the Ladies Auxiliary of the Perkasie Fire Department was organized by Mrs. Flora Smith of Sellerville, PA. There were 12 charter members at that time. The auxiliary traditionally assisted the firemen in all their activities by catering events and providing other support services. The membership has resently become inactive in 2001.

MAJOR FIRES & EMERGENCY EVENTS

• 1890 - John Harr Hotel, sheds, and other buildings (need for fire protection established by Borough Council) - loss unknown
• 1900 - Perkasie Park - 19 cottages -loss unknown
• 1915 M. Keller & Co. Department Store- $10,500 loss
• 1918 Perkasie Forge Works - $7,500 loss
• 1918 J.G. Moyer Building - $31,653 loss
• 1921 Royal Trouser and Relief Circle - $35,210 loss
• 1922 Perkasie Steam Laundry - $3,500 loss
• 1922 Crescent Ice Cream plant - $32,000 loss

The Crescent Ice Cream Plant Explosion and fire took the life of Leon Maurer (center), a milkman passing by the building in 1922. Mrs. John Rosenberger and her son John (left) escaped ; firemen carried them down a ladder as they were fighting the flames after the explosion.

• 1922 Cressman Block Building (at Seventh & Arch Streets) including livery stables, lodge hall, hardware store and furniture store - $94,341 loss
• 1926 Muth Garage- $51,500 loss
• 1926 Neff Ice Cream Plant - $21,000 loss
• 1950 Plaza Theatre - $27,500 loss
• August 11, 1950 - a fuel tank ruptured and leaked from Sine's Coal Yard ( to the sewers & the East Branch of the Perkiomen Creek). The oil was ignited under the supervision of the Bucks County Fire Marshall.
• 1988 - Great Perkasie Fire - 1 1/2 blocks at Seventh and Market Streets - $9,000,000 loss