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.

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.

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.

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.