West Earl Fire Co.
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Fire protection for the communities of Brownstown, Talmage, Farmersville and West Earl Township was initially provided since the early 1900's by the Brownstown Improvement Association utilizing a hand drawn chemical cart. In 1932, the association purchased a 1920 Ford Model T chassis and had the chemical tanks transferred over in the garage of the future fire company's first president (which also served as the first fire station as well). Upon the organization of the West Earl Fire Co. No. 1 in late 1936, the apparatus was transferred to their possession where it operated until 1938 when transferred to the Farmersville District (also known as the West Earl Fire Co. No. 2) when a used Seagrave pumper was purchased from the Lititz Fire Company. The Model T was remounted in 1939 on a 1.5 ton Chevrolet chassis and remained in service until 1948 when Farmersville formed their own fire company. Present day, the company operates from one station providing Fire, Rescue and Quick Response Service (EMS first response for high priority medicals) answering 200-250 alarms annually.
Lancaster County Station 29
When the original hand drawn chemical cart was transferred to a 1920 Ford Model T chassis, the work was performed in the G.M. Ziest Garage which served as the company's first station. Following their incorporation in 1937, the company took possession of the Model T and moved it to the Farmersville district while a used Seagrave pumper purchased from the Lititz Fire Co. in 1938 operated out of the M.C. Strauss Building as the second station until 1951.
When a new International pumper was received in 1950, it was housed in the chief's garage until a new station was constructed in 1954. Originally a one bay station, it was later upgraded with an additional apparatus bay and engineers
room in 1983 followed by a major expansion in 2002 including two bays, meeting room, upgraded kitchen and handicapped accessible restrooms. As the company's third home, present day it houses the entire fleet of a rescue engine,
engine tanker as well as utility, traffic control and command support vehicles.
Engine 29-1 - 2021 KME Predator XLFD 1750 gpm/750 gal.
Having replaced a 2000 Seagrave Marauder rescue engine, Engine 29-1 seats seven and is outfitted with a generator and light tower. Its' hose complement includes a 150' 1-3/4" front bumper line, two 300' 1-3/4" pre-connects, 200' of 2-1/2" attack line and 1,600' of 5" LDH supply line. For rescue operations, it is equipped with Holmatro® Pentheon series battery powered extrication tools (spreader/cutter/combi-tool and rams),
Junkyard Dog® struts, high pressure airbags, DeWalt® battery powered hand tools, water rescue equipment, BLS level medical gear, a Stokes basket and assorted gas meters.
Tanker 29 - 2011 KME Predator XLFD 1750 gpm/2500 gal.
Having received an LED lighting upgrade (scene and Mars/Roto-Ray warning) in 2023, it features a 15 kw hydraulic generator and a total of 11,000 watts of scene lighting including a 4,000 watt light tower. It is equipped with six pre-connected hand lines, a 200' booster reel, 400' of 3" and 1,500' of 5" LDH supply line as well as a 3,000 gallon portable dump tank.
Squad 29-1 - 2008 Ford F550 4x4/Reading
Squad 29-1 is outfitted with Genesis® hydraulic extrication tools, water rescue gear, spill control supplies, SCBA with spare cylinders and portable lighting. It features a directional arrow board that was transferred from a former ambulance that was previously utilized for traffic control.
Traffic 29 - 2018 Ford F550 4x4/Reading
Featuring a custom height aluminum body with an electric roll-up cover and slide-out tray, it is outfitted with both fixed and portable telescoping floodlights, a 3,000 watt inverter and a 180 degree rotational arrow board. Its' equipment complement includes two 3,000 watt Honda® portable generators and assorted traffic control devices.