NTFD HISTORY
![RICHBORO](https://ntfd.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/RICHBORO.jpg)
Long before the housing development and the shopping centers, Northampton Township was a community of farmers, with the village of Richboro as its hub. The potential for property loss or death from fire was low.
Even so, a group of concerned residents gathered in 1914 to charter a fire company to serve the township. They called it the Richboro Fire Company No. 1.
One hundred years later, the Company has grown into the Northampton Township Volunteer Fire Company that serves a population of over 40,000 people. Today, the company responds to 1000 Fire, Rescue and EMS calls a year.
![NTFD OLD TRUCKS](https://ntfd.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/NTFD-OLD-TRUCKS.jpg)
Many of the early history records have been lost though time, however, we do know that before 1914, the Southampton Fire Company (now Bucks County Station 2), formed in 1909, provided the Richboro area with fire protection. When residents needed assistance, Walter Yerkes and Walter Finny of Southampton would hitch two horses to their pumper and rush it to the township line at Bristol Road and Second Street Pike.
There, Stephen Gill and J. Milton Luff would meet them with a fresh team of horses, then drive the pump to the fire. There it would take several men to hand operate the pump.
By 1913, a series of bad fires made the Richboro residents realize that they needed a fire company of their own. Lloyd Wilson’s farmhouse on Second Street Pike had been on fire and so had John Gill’s in the center of the village.
![STATION 73 1966](https://ntfd.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/STATION-73-1966.jpg)
The residents really became aroused when a fire broke out in the chimney of McCool’s White Bear Hotel. Walter Yerkes rushed the pump to Bristol Road where Milton Luff met him. Miraculously, the hotel was saved.
Soon after, a group of men met above the horse shed beside the Black Bear Hotel, the usual meeting place for village affairs. J. Milton Luff, Fred Turner, William Nolan, Will and Joseph Cramer, Thomas Bubeck, George Cramer, Neal Knorr, Howard Hunter, John Bell and William Wendig, Jr. were the first to organize a fire company for Northampton Township.
On June 3, 1914, the Bucks County Court of Common Pleas approved the incorporation of Richboro Fire Company No. 1. The first firehouse was the old Richboro Schoolhouse purchased for $750.00
In 1918, the fire company had its first motor driven apparatus with the purchase of a Ford chassis. Members mounted the kerosene pump on it. By the early twenties, a Hahn chassis with a motor drive Hahn pump replaced it.
![RICHBORO 1964](https://ntfd.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/RICHBORO-1964.jpg)
The first fire company carnival was organized in 1924. It was a huge success, raising over $1,100. This was a fund-raising tradition which lasted for many years, although after several years it was decided not to hold it in lieu of other events.
The fire company purchased the corner lot on Second Street Pike and Newtown-Richboro Road from Mrs. Ellen Cornell for $500. In June of 1927 bids were formally being taken for construction of the new firehouse.
During the war years, members rounded up 10 buckets and filled them with sand to protect the firehouse in the event of a raid. Citizens also acquired funds to purchase a louder siren for the roof of the firehouse. The company placed the old siren in Churchville. This siren no longer operates.
![old truck ntfd](https://ntfd.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/old-truck-ntfd.jpg)
Fire company ties to the Richboro School continued. On March 29, 1948, a fire broke out at the Richboro Elementary School. Eighteen fire companies fought the fire, some of which had to draft out of the creek on Almshouse Road near Second Street Pike. The fire hall was offered to the school for class space at a rent of $7.50 per week.
As the population began to rise in the 1950’s, so did the number of fires. The fire company had 18 calls in 1958, the total jumped to 46 in 1959. By 1960, it was becoming evident that a new firehouse was needed on a bigger site. Also, a station in Holland was needed to keep up with the population growth.
In 1963, George Noe’s barn at 169 Rocksville Road became available, and the fire company rented it for $1.00 per year as temporary housing for a field truck. In May of 1963, the fire company changed its name to Northampton Township Volunteer Fire Company. By now the company was responding to over 100 calls per year.
Plans moved along in Holland and in September of 1966, the current Holland Firehouse (Station 73) at East Holland and Old Jordan Roads was dedicated. An engine and a field truck were housed there.
![ntfd 1966](https://ntfd.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/ntfd-1966.jpg)
In early 1974, Kathy Kay became Northampton’s, first female firefighter. Daughter of member Jack Kay, she had helped with fire communications since she was 14.
By 1975, minstrel shows and carnivals were no longer effective to meet the cost of protecting the growing township. In 1976, the Township passed a referendum to charge a fire tax on Northampton residents for fire protection. The State of Pennsylvania also stepped in by providing funds for firefighter safety equipment.
As the population continued to grow, the number of rescue type calls grew as well. In 1996, the fire company retired the 1976 Ford F-600 rescue truck and purchased an E-One Heavy Rescue truck that served the community until 2022. This truck had multiple pieces of rescue equipment including the Jaws of Life.
In 1998, the fire company was proud to open a brand-new fire station (Station 83) to serve the Churchville and Ivyland sections of Northampton Township. Station 83, located at Hatboro and New Roads, was dedicated in June 1998. This property was obtained from the U.S. Navy and was part of the closed U.S. Naval Air Development Center.
![ntfd 1980](https://ntfd.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/ntfd-1980-1.jpg)
With a growing demand for Emergency Medical Services in the Township, in 2009 the fire company trained and qualified approximately 20 members as Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT’s). The Pennsylvania Department of Health certified the fire company as a Quick Response Service (QRS). When the service is logged up, you may see a fire truck responding with an ambulance to a medical emergency.
Daytime responses have always been a challenge due to the fact that many volunteer members leave the township during the day to work. In 2009, Northampton Township in partnership with the fire company applied for and received a 5-year federal grant to hire the Township’s first 4 career firefighters. The firefighters worked during the day and supplemented the volunteer firefighting force Monday through Friday.
With the growing need for weekend coverage, and the help of another federal grant, 5 more full time firefighters were hired, and the staffing was extended to 7 days a week, 12 hours a day (6am to 6pm). Along with fire, rescue, and medical responses, these firefighters also perform fire safety inspections, fire prevention, fire safety training, and a variety of other tasks necessary to daily department operations.
![ntfd 1963](https://ntfd.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/ntfd-1963.jpg)
In response to the shortage of volunteers, which is a national dilemma, an additional 10 career firefighters and a career Fire Chief were hired in February of 2023, with 24/7 coverage beginning in March of the same year.
In 2022, the Richboro and Holland firehouses were both demolished to make way for new, modern fire stations properly equipped to handle modern fire apparatus, career fire and administrative staffs, and incorporate safety standards not present in the previous buildings. Both buildings will open in 2024.
We have made progress much progress in 100 years due to the dedication of the citizens of Northampton Township past and present. The fire company strives to keep up with emergency service technology. Hazardous Materials Response, Marine Rescue, High Angle Rescue, Confined Space Rescue are just a few of the specialties the fire company handles.
In addition to the fire and rescue responsibilities, the Fire Company has a group of members known as Fire Police. The Fire Police provide scene security and access control to all types of emergency incidents. The Fire Police may be the first responder you see when approaching an incident. Take their direction as they strive to keep you and the responders safe.
![RICHBORO](https://ntfd.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/RICHBORO.jpg)
Volunteers are always needed. It’s a job that requires skill and training. The fire company provides all the necessary training (180 hours to start), protective equipment and a great atmosphere of camaraderie. The fire company is a great place to find the satisfaction of serving your neighbors and friends in a very important way.
Training continues in station. Northampton Township firefighters drill every Monday night, maintaining a level of proficiency that ranks among the best in the county.
A Northampton firefighter gives upward of 50 hours of time in a typical month. The only reward they receive is the satisfaction of a job well down and the challenge of helping others in their moment of need.
In 2014, we have approximately 30 active firefighters in 3 stations, with 6 Fire Police officers, and 5 support service members responding to Fire, Rescue and EMS calls. Volunteers are a commodity in short supply. If you feel the challenge, come out and join us.
History updated by:
Adam Selisker-Fire Chief (member since 1980)
Matt Sklodowski-President (member since 1990)
Some friends of the Fire Company
February, 2024
NORTHAMPTON FIRE DEPARTMENT
50 Newtown-Richboro Rd,
Richboro, PA 18954
Phone:
Emergency: 911
Non-emergency: 215-357-8277