[two_third]Bucket brigades were the mode of fire fighting until 1916, when a group of industrious men organized the Bridgeville Volunteer Fire Company. They secured a hose cart, which the firemen pulled to fires for eight years. Then, in 1924, the volunteers bought their first motorized piece of fire apparatus. It was a brand new open cab American LaFrance, chain-drive pumper. It was early 1929 when they were chartered as a non-profit charitable corporation by the Commonwealth courts. In 1945, the volunteers purchased the Bonosky property on Bower Hill Road and donated it to the Borough, on which land, the present Borough Building was built. This building housed the fire department and all other functions of the borough. The firemen moved into their new quarters on December 15, 1948, where they remained until 1997, when the firemen moved into their new fire station and social hall on Commercial Street. Click here to visit the Bridgeville Volunteer Fire Department’s own site.
This new fire station and social hall was built completely without using any tax dollars. A building committee met frequently over many months with architect Richard Hamil, designing the new station and social hall. The station has four spacious bays to house the company’s five vehicles: an ’88 KME heavy pumper, a 77 American LaFrance heavy pumper, a 2003 American LaFrance/Salisbury heavy rescue truck, ’97 Dodge Pickup and an ’82 Pierce 100-foot ladder tower.
The fire station also has a meeting room, administrative and line officers’ offices, lockers for turnout gear, a training and work area. The social hall, which the firemen named, “The Chartiers Room” is spacious and can comfortably accommodate up to 300 people for wedding receptions, banquets, corporate meetings or holiday parties. The hall is fully carpeted outside of the oak parquet dance floor, holds a large wet bar, roomy kitchen, big restrooms and a spacious foyer. The entire facility is handicapped accessible. The Chartiers Room is “Bridgeville’s Best Kept Secret”. For more information, please click here to be directed to their own website!
The board officials currently include the following members: President Fred Ayres; Vice President Rick Fagan; Secretary Bill Davis; and Treasurer Bill Mills. Line officers consist of: Chief William Chilleo; 1st Assistant Chief Jeff Lakes; 2nd Assistant Chief Mike Kauer; Captain Jim Corrins; 1st Lt. Dave Martinek; and 2nd Lt. Greg Johnston. The board of trustees is Bill Mills, Tom Ursitz, Moe Brown, Mike Kauer, and Jeff Lakes. The department also receives a lot of help and support from its Ladies Auxiliary Group: Deborah Ayres, Betty Biringer, Lorrie Biringer, Deb Colosimo, Dolores Davis, Louise Durkalski, Marilyn Lesko, Donna May, Nancy Mills, Vevette McCaskey, Diana O’Mahoney, Theresa Pennetti, Diane Shaffer, Kathi Sharp and Bella Sullivan.
The department currently has close to 50 active members. Today, this department and many surrounding departments also have women firefighters. They go through the same extensive training and testing as their male counterparts.
BVFD is always looking for new members and volunteer firefighters. For more information on becoming a member or volunteer, please call 412.221.1711, stop down the station, or visit the website here for more information.BVFD relies on the fundraising efforts of its firemen to fund their state of the art equipment and apparatus purchases. The cost of both equipment and apparatus continues to climb. Besides the fish frys, weekly Monday Night Bingo, membership dues and occasional events hosted, they sincerely appreciate the donations made by the community.
The department always mails out requests for donations yearly, but of course, donations at any time are greatly needed and appreciated. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE NO ONE FROM THE DEPARTMENT WILL EVER CALL YOUR HOME TO SOLICIT MONEY. IF THIS SHOULD OCCUR, PLEASE NOTIFY THE BOROUGH IMMEDIATELY! In the meantime, if you would like to send a donation, please do so to: The Bridgeville Volunteer Fire Department, 370 Commercial Street, Bridgeville PA 15017.[/two_third]
Bridgeville Volunteer Fire Department
370 Commercial St.
Bridgeville, PA 15017
412-221-1711
BridgevilleVFD.com