Fire-Company

Harding Volunteer Fire Company

   The Exeter Township Fire Company was established in 1934. Some of the founding member's were: Pkilip Morgan, Mark Foley, Justy Cosgrove, Eugene Drane, Andrew Simko Sr., Andrew Simko Jr., James Norton, Len Potoski, Joe Oliver, Anthony Doble, Francis Brown, John Carpenter, Howard Perry, Alex Sherinski Sr., Howard Bates, and Tony Musloski. The company's first truck was a 1931 Model A Ford. It was not only used for fire's, but was also pressed into service after the 1936 flood to assist in pumping out buildings.

    The record's from the inception of the fire company to 1950 are missing, and most of the original members have passed on so not much is remembered about the company's early history. By 1950 the membership had dwindled. There were no meeting's held until November of 1954. At this time the fire company reorganized, and had an attendance of 31 members at their meeting's. Joe Clifford was elected as president with Joseph Panzitta for vice-president, George Swetts as recording secretary. Joseph Panzitta as financial secretary and Steve Bellanco served as Treasurer. Fire Chief was Leo Potoski Sr., first assistant, Andy Soska, Second assistant, George Mehal. Meeting's were held the first Tuesday of each month at Drane's store on Route 92.

    In 1955 the members were working on various projects for the improvement of the company. A 1944 International truck with Bean fire fighting equipment was purchased for $600.00. A committee was set up to procure land for the purpose of builging a Hose House. The group was then meeting at the Exeter Township School. Mr. Frank Yuscavage donated a plot of land on Route 92. The members agreed that the site offered ready access to all township roads. The Firemen's Relief Association was also organized in 1955.

    The By-Laws were adopted in 1956, and the group first began to sponsor the Boy Scouts and the Cub Scouts that year. In October of 1956 the name "Harding Fire Company" was adopted due to the confusion from the existence of several Exeter Township's in the state. The name was legally changed by Court Order in 1957.

    One of the most pressing problems of the company was funding. Ever since the reorganization in 1955 the Ladie's Auxiliary was a major contributor to the group. As the present House House was being built, citizens of the township showed their interest with cash donations and donations of building materials. The summer oicnics were begun in 1958, and by the end of that year most of the finishing touches were put on the building.

    Finances and at times lack of members, have always troubled the fire company, but there have always been enough money and members to carry on. In 1967 the company was receiving a one mill tax, and in 1968 the tax was raised to two mills, enabling the firemen to purchase a new GMC 750-gallon truck with a two stage pump.

    The company gained experience in all types of fire's over the year's, but one of the worst was on July 3, 1969 when the Winter's Nursing Home on Terrace Avenue exploded and burned. There were four fatalities and seven person's burned, some later expiring. Ten fire companies from the Mutual Aid Association responded.

    As the township has changed over the year's to a more suburban population, a problem has arisen over fire protection during daytime hour's. One solution to this is the admission of women member's to the company. Becki Potoski was the first woman to join the group in 1973, and since then she has been joined by Louis Wrubel, Pat Miles and Cyndi Wrubel. They train in the same manner as other member's of the group and are expected to do the same work as the men. At the present time the company has eighteen fully active member's and two Junior Firemen. It's been a long way from that 1931 Model A Ford, but the Harding Fire Company is now on a par with many fire companies from larger municipalities.