About Us
The History of the Southside Fire Company#1
The Southside Fire Company #1 is located on Avenue D in the Borough of Riverside and has served the residents of Riverside Borough and surrounding areas for over 94 years. From humble and difficult beginnings the Company has emerged as a strong, well-equipped and well-trained firefighting unit.
The first meeting of the Southside Chemical Company #1 (The original name of the Company) was held on July 8, 1914 when plans were made to purchase a "Champion Chemical Engine #11 from the American LaFrance Co. of Elmira New York. This Unit was a hand drawn cart with soda acid tanks mounted on top. However, due to some internal problems, all actions ceased rather abruptly.
Early in 1920 meetings were resumed and members looked for suitable place for a fire station. The Company Building Committee leased a parcel of land at the corner of 5th and Line Streets from the Patriotic Sons of America (P.O.S.A.) for $1.00 per year providing the Company put a building on a foundation and paint it.
In May of 1923 the Southside Chemical Company was reorganized and in July it was decided to build a two story, 18' X 28' wood structure. A Contract in the amount of $736.50 was awarded to the South Danville Planning Mill for the building construction (This building was later sold and moved two blocks north on Ave F where it still stands as a private residence).
In September 1923 a charter was granted to the new company. The newly organized company was renamed The Southside Chemical Company. Names on the document were Norman Krum, I. C. Yeager, R. B. Bird, W. J. Nuss and David Spotts.
In February of 1938 a resolution was adopted officially recognizing the Volunteer Firemen's Relief Association of Riverside Borough and Gearhart Twp, Pennsylvania.
Very early in 1924 an electric fire alarm was purchased and installed at a cost of $32.00. In April of that same year the Company voted to purchase a fully equipped 1924 chemical truck from American LaFrance Company of Elmira, New York, which would be mounted on a Chevrolet chassis, form Kindt Chevrolet of Danville at a cost of $2,600. This Vehicle would have two chemical tanks mounted. Hence, both of their vehicles would extinguish fires with chemicals. The new unit was delivered and placed in service in November of 1924.
Early in 1928 the company continued to grow; by-laws were established, as well as other regulations pertaining to officers and engine usage were put into place. A new alarm system was established concerning fire locations. Also built were three special fire roads providing access to the river.
In late 1936 a committee was formed to purchase a new fire engine. Subsequently an order was placed with the Howe Fire Apparatus Company of Anderson Indiana at a cost of $3,100 the chassis was again a Chevrolet, purchased from Kindt Chevrolet of Danville. Total cost of the new vehicle $4,100.00
In February of 1938 a resolution was adopted officially recognizing the Volunteer Firemen's Relief Association of Riverside Borough and Gearhart Twp, Pennsylvania.
The company was beginning to feel growth pangs and began looking for added space and in August of 1948 it was voted to sell the present building and then in October, a decision was made to Construct a new building on the same site. Plans called for the construction of a 40' X 80' with a cinder block foundation under a steel shaped Quonset hut shaped top. Material was made by the Great Lakes Steel Corp. and constructed by the Shawda Metal & Roofing Co. of Shamokin.
Also, in 1948 the name of the company was changed from the Southside Chemical Company #1 to its present name, Southside Fire Company #1
A unique fire alarm system was established with in the Borough. The new fire-phone system was developed utilizing a special phone system using the homes of Don Burkland, W. R. Lynn and Sam's service station. Each place had a designated phone line (275-4151) upon receipt of a fire call, a button could be pushed thus setting off the fire alarm. A fireman, upon reaching the fire station would answer the same phone line and get directions.
Growth at the present station continued with the purchase of a 1969. 1,500-gallon tanker at a cost of $15,631.65 from Howe Fire Apparatus Company of Anderson, Indiana
With the opening of Interstate 80 and with much increased traffic and related accidents Southside Fire Company answered the call and responded with the purchase of a Chevrolet 4 wheel drive suburban panel truck equipped it, and then trained its members in heavy rescue procedures. Along with the rescue truck, it was decided to purchase a 1971 3.4 ton Chevrolet truck with 350 gal. Pump. All compartmentation, tanks, etc were constructed locally. The Company continues to provide vehicle rescue service.
In August of 1971 the Company embarked on an ambitious project with the purchase of Paul Bridy property consisting of 7 acres of land at the corner of Avenue D and 3rd Street s at a cost of $30,000.00. The piece of land had on it a very large roller skating rink, which served as a local attraction for many years. It was demolished in 1995. The Company members erected a 5 bay fire station complete with meeting rooms and a bar at a cost of $30,000.00. (The floor was poured using 85 cubic yards of concrete and was finished in one day while taking time out to fight two grass fires).
June of 1972 was a disaster time for the entire area with the advent of Hurricane Agnes. Southside was in the midst of completing the new fire station but was still using the old facilities. The older station became the hub for all activities for the entire community, as Riverside was completely isolated for several days.
Other Milestones:
- 1983 - When approval was given by the voters of Riverside to grant the Fire Company a liquor license
- 1991 - Amanda Boyer was accepted as the Company's first active female
member
- 1995 - A new dispatching system was established thus terminating all
dispatching from Montour County and establishing all communications
through Northumberland County 911 Center
1995 - The Company purchased a 1,800 gal tank truck from 4-Guys Fire
Equipment in Myersdale, PA for $138,494.00
2001 - A 1998 Chevrolet Silverado Brush truck was purchased from Halls FD Clinton N.C at a cost of $49,000.00
2005 - A Incident Command Truck, a 1995 Chevrolet Tahoe was purchased for 6000.00 The Vehicle is being used at all calls and a moving recruitment billboard.
2006 - The computer age came to the Southside Fire Company, 2 laptop computers were installed in the command unit and Main engine (773) the computers have road maps and directions of call locations.
2007 - The Southside Fire Company received a grant for $300,000.00 from the Federal Government for the purchase of a Kidde Training Trailer. This Trailer is only the second of it kind in PA. It will be available to all area firefighter.
Currently, the Company utilizes a 1999, 1,500 GPM pumper, a 1996 1800 gal. Tanker truck, a 1980 500 GPM pumper, a 1995 brush truck and a 1995 Incident Command truck
Today, the Southside Fire Company, Station 7-7, is a modern, up-to-date fire station utilizing the latest in technology and equipment. Its fire personnel are knowledgeable, well trained, dedicated and committed to serving the needs of our community and surrounding area.
Today, the Southside Fire Company #1 continues to serve the residents of Riverside and the surrounding Townships in the highest traditions of the Volunteer Fire Service. It also serves as a Mutual Aid fire station to the Danville and Mahoning Township Fire Departments in neighboring Montour County located just across the Susquehanna River from Riverside. In addition to a large membership, the Company has five pieces of fire apparatus. In addition to its 1941 pumper, which has been restored, there are also two pumpers, one being a newly purchased 1999 American LaFrance 1,500 GPM (gallons per minute) pumper, a 1996 1,800 gallon tanker truck and a Brush Truck.