Glassport, Pennsylvania

History

This history is taken from the "History of Reliance Hose Company No. 2 GLASSPORT, PENNSYLVANIA, written by Michael J. Danko and dated October 14, 1978"

This book is dedicated to all the volunteer firemen who have served Glassport by their membership and work through Reliance Hose Company Number 2 and

It is especially dedicated to the original thirteen men, who, for reasons known only to themselves, banded together in 1903 to become Reliance Hose Company Number 2.

For 75 years, these volunteers have lived up to the original motto, "Ever on the Alert."

None of the original members are living today so it is difficult to explain why they organized a volunteer fire company when there already was one in Glassport. It could not have been easy to organize as a fire company, purchase equipment and service the community. But it was done ... these men laid the foundation for Reliance Hose Company Number 2.

Since its organization in 1903, the company has continued to expand. There are now 65 members and the original piece of equipment has been replaced by six.

This booklet is about the founding and growth of Reliance Hose Company Number 2. Some of the minutes have been lost but, hopefully you will enjoy this history of Reliance Hose Company Number 2 and the men who volunteered their time to the protection, safety and betterment of the Boro of Glassport.

Michael J. Danko October 14, 1978

Reliance Hose Company Number 2 was organized on October 13, 1903 by thirteen members. The members chose the motto "Ever on the Alert." The original members were Patrick Kelley, Charles Tamoursaux, Joseph Boquet, Harlow Benedict, Emil Charron, Thomas Roberts, Elwood Valentine, Freman Young, George Grillis, Darwin Vannatta, Harry Scoville, John Willis and Max Pflugar.

The first piece of equipment was a hose reel which was pulled by the men.

The records from 1903 to 1906 were lost. Patrick Kelley was the first President of Reliance Hose Company Number 2. At the January meeting an invitation from Citizen's Volunteer Fire Company Number 1 was received by Reliance Hose Company Number 2 to attend a ball to be held at the Temperance Hall on Ninth Street. The Foreman, Harlow Benedict, requested that all members who could attend the Ball were to wear their full uniforms.

PATRICK J. KELLEY President 1905 - 1906

Also at this meeting the trustees were instructed to buy furniture for the station.

At the next meeting it was decided to subscribe to four newspapers: The Pittsburgh Sunday Dispatch, the Chronicle Telegraph, McKeesport Daily News and Ballston Daily News. After the meeting was adjourned they went to the cellar to partake of refreshments.

The Company held a fair and the committee reported a total of $457.26 received and expenses of $221.62. The balance of $235.64 was turned over to the Company. The Company also formed a Band at this time.

The Company received an invitation from the East McKeesport Fire Department to attend a lawn fete. The Company accepted and the members were to leave in a body with each member paying his own expenses.

At the August meeting the Company gave the Band permission to go to the Convention and gave them $40.00 for expenses. They took the 8:24 A.M. train for McDonald. At this time the Company rented the Tanney Building as its quarters.

In April of 1907, the Company moved to new quarters at the Jackson building, although they later moved back to the Tanney building. The rooms were rented on a month-to-month basis. At this time they had trouble with the Boro Council. The Council wanted to disband the Company. A lawyer was hired to look into the matter, and the matter was taken to court. Although the minutes do not say if the case was won or lost, it is noted that the men were "jubilant" when they returned from court.

In May 1908 an inventory of the fire equipment was taken. The equipment was one hose cart, 500 feet of fire hose, 2 hose clamps, 2 spanner wrenches, 5 hose straps, 1 short nozzle shut off, 2 rubber nozzle shut offs, I fire axe, 5 lanterns, 8 fire helmets, 15 rubber coats, 7 rubber hats, 12 pairs of boots, and one pinch bar. Also at this time all members who did not go to fires were fined 25c for each fire missed.

Plans were made for Memorial Day. New uniforms were purchased from Radens, Glassport, and red, white and blue umbrellas were donated. A committee was appointed to place markers on the graves of deceased members. After the parade a ballgame was played with Number 1. The report of the ballgame was that Number 2 gave Number 1 a "good licking."

Plans were made to hold a dance in July. New military type uniforms were purchased from the Klein Co. for $10.00 each. The Finlander Band of Glassport bought the old uniforms.

Plans were also made to go to the convention at Beaver Falls.

The following year, 1910, a committee was appointed to go to Carnegie to get rates for room and board for the convention. The committee reported room and board would be $2.06 per man. The company held a carnival to help pay for a new set of uniforms and the expenses for the convention. Net profit from the carnival was $282.90.

The Boro Council gave the firemen a little more trouble in 1912. In January a committee was appointed to ask the Boro Council for a permit to hold a carnival in June. The committee reported that Council refused but would give the Company $100.00 instead. The Company accepted this offer.

Plans were made to go to Swissvale for the county convention. Walter Adams was to go to New Kensington to see about room and board for the Western Pennsylvania convention. Later a new committee was appointed. Rooms were reserved for fifteen members for two nights.

It was suggested the two fire companies hold a celebration together. The banquet was to be held on Wednesday, November 13. It was reported at the next meeting the banquet was a huge success.

The Boro had purchased a new fire whistle in October. In February 1913 a committee was appointed with Number 1 to see if the fire whistle system could be changed so it would be easier understoo . The committee met with Council an a new

system was devised. The whistle was used to report where the fire was. The long blast was for the avenue and the short blast was the street. Example, five long blasts meant Indiana Avenue, four short meant the fire was at Ninth and Indiana.

At the May meeting a committee was appointed to look for new quarters as the present owner Mr. Tanney would not make repairs to the building. The committee was discharged at the June meeting after an agreement was reached with Mr. Tanney.

In August a committee met with Number 1 to go to a parade in Pittsburgh. Number 1 suggested that both Fire Companies combine as one marching unit at all parades to make a better showing. Both Companies were to march in the parade. The occasion for the parade in Pittsburgh was the 125th anniversary of the founding of Allegheny County.

In 1916 a club was formed within the Fire Company. The purpose of the club was to hold a picnic. The dues were to be $1.00 per week. A name was finally voted on for the club, and it was called the Vacation Club of Glassport. Also 1916 was the year that the Western Pennsylvania Fireman's Association convention was held in Glassport, hosted by Number 1.

In September 1920 the Reliance Hose Company Number 2 football team was formed. Barney Morrow was named coach. In April of 1922 the Company formed a baseball team.

In September a truck committee was appointed to find ways and means to purchase a small auto truck for fire purposes. Walter Adams was appointed Chairman of the fire truck committee. Adams later resigned as chairman and H. C. Freyer was appointed chairman. In October Number 2 allotted the com-

mittee $30.00 to advertise for the truck. The following month $45.00 more was allotted. At the next meeting a representative of H@owe-Reo addressed the company on a truck. The Company decided to buy a Prospect Fire Truck to be delivered about October 15, 1924. It was also decided to hold a bazaar when the truck was delivered. The truck was delivered in October, passed the Fire Underwriters test and was accepted by the Company.

The records were lost from 1928 to 1948, but some of the older members recall some of the events that took place.

After moving from place to place the Company purchased a lot at 720 Monongahela Avenue to put up a building of their own.

The previous places of Company headquarters were the Tanney building and the Jackson stable at the rear of what is now Joe's Auto Store. They then moved to the old Anthony Building, previously the Tanney Building, which is now a part of Gross Furniture, then to 723 Monongahela Avenue next to Goshio's Grocery Store. They again moved back to the Anthony Building and then to the Belesuar Building where the tird Haven now exists.

Finally in 1938 the members constructed a building at 720 Monongahela Avenue. The members did all the work themselves. This building is still standing. Currently it is used as a recreation center.

Later the Company decided to buy another new truck. The 1924 Prospect was in need of repairs, and had seen better days. Several times when returning from the many dump fires, people would be waiting to return the generator that had fallen off the truck.

In 1941 a new American LaFrance truck was purchased for $7,500.00. The original truck that Number 2 was to receive was taken by the U.S. Government for an army base and the one delivered was a wartime model with no chrome on it. In order to get the truck, a priority had to be obtained. With

the aid of local citizens, Number 2 got an "Apriority" and was able to receive the truck.

In October 1948 the Fire Department went to th State Convention at Reading, Pennsylvania. In orde to go to Reading, the firemen made a pipe fram for the truck and a tarpaulin was laid over the fram The truck was then called the Conestoga Wagon. Th members rode in the back of the truck to Readin They received a prize for the longest distance. On th return trip they stopped at Hershey and took a to of the Hershey Chocolate Plant.

In March of 1949 the Company decided to pan their hall with knotty pine. Stewart Cabinet Company was awarded the job.

The Company held a fair in June and Arth Wilks, chairman, reported a profit of $1,313.71. The Company made plans for a picnic to be held in Clairton Park.

The Pennsylvania State Firemen's convention was held in Greensburg. Permission was granted to take the Glassport High School Band to the convention.

In October the Company decided to purchase Squad Car. Once more a committee was appointed seek ways and means to make money to purchase the car. A wrestling match was held at the Hi School Gym.

A hose tower was added to the building in October 1951. Copperweld donated men and materials for the hose tower.

In December of 1953 the Company decided to buy a new truck as the old truck needed costly repairs. The new truck, another American La France was delivered in August, 1954.

More equipment was purchased in June, 1956. Company bought a G.M.C. panel truck, which is being used today. The building had to be remodeled to house the new truck. The rear of the building was changed to hold the panel truck. The rear of the hall was shortened to accommodate the panel truck. The rear wall was removed and truck doors were added.

In 1957 a fire radio was purchased for the trucks. Later that same year a base station was purchased. The Company held a picnic in September. A baR game between the single men and the married men was played. The married men won the game. After the game the members went to the Neidermyer farm for the picnic.

The Company to better serve the community in May, 1958 purchased a 1926 American LaFrance 1,000 gallon pumper to be used in emergencies.

The Rotary Club presented a boat to the Company. This boat is still being used for river rescue. It was decided to hold a fair jointly with Number 1. The fair was a huge success.

In July 1959 the Company purchased a Seagraves fire truck. The truck was to be made into a ladder truck. The ladders were purchased from the Holan Company in Cleveland. The Copperweld Steel Company donated their services by installing the ladders on the truck. Once again changes had to be made in order to house the new equipment. The front of the building was remodeled with the sitting room being made over to house this equipment.

In April of 1961 plans were made to obtain two lots at the corner of Ninth Street and Monongahela Avenue to erect a new building. President John Smith met with officials of the Copperweld Steel Company about the lots. The Copperweld Steel Company donated the lots to be used for a new fire hall. Bess Construction Company was awarded the bid of $78,600.00 for construction of a new fire building. The building was completed in 1962, and the formal dedication was held September 1, 1962.

On August 3, 1963 Paul Porter, Evan Richards and Ed Lostetter were in the new building. Paul Porter had his dog with him. They noticed the dog whining and then he ran under the truck. About ten minutes later a tornado struck the building. The second story of the fire hall was completely damaged. The upper story was blown off by the strong winds. Girders from the building were found by the ballfield fence, several hundred feet from the fire hall. None of the fire equipment was damaged. Fortunately no one in the building was injured. The Copperweld Steel Company office building was also damaged. After the fire hall was repaired Copperweld rented the upstairs till their building was repaired.

In May, 1966 the Company decided to buy an ambulance. The panel truck had been used in emergencies. A used Cadillac was bought and money donated by the business community paid for the ambulance.

In July, 1966 the mortgage on the building was paid and a mortgage burning banquet was held. Originally the mortgage burning was to be a private affair, but many people of the community were interested and it was opened to the public.

In September, 1967 Sidney Mendlowitz of Glassport donated one Mack and one American LaFrance fire truck to the Company. The ladders were taken off the Seagraves and put on the American LaFrance.

The Company decided to buy monitors for the members in June of 1969. Twenty monitors were purchased and the members who had attended the most fires during the previous year were awarded monitors for their service and dedication.

In October it was decided to buy a new ambulance as the old was in need of repairs. The ambulance was purchased from Superior Coach Ambulance for $11,700.00 plus the trade-in of the old ambulance.

In September of 1971 it was decided by the members to buy an American LaFrance fire truck. Th truck was delivered the following September, 1972.

The following February, 1973, it was decided to purchase a compressor to fill the air tanks and also to purchase six walkie talkies.

In July of 1974, the Company decided to buy new aerial truck. The present aerial truck was to be sold and an eighty-five foot to be purchased from Wilkinsburg. After the new aerial truck was received the old aerial would be purchased back by America LaFrance. The truck was delivered in November 1976.

The Mon-Yough Fire Defense Council was formed during the war. This was a Mutual Assistance Pact Since its formation the Company has assisted man of the surrounding communities. Some of the major fires that were assisted are: Noble Dick Bus Garage in Large, Clairton; Commercial Lumber, Elizabeth Milling and Marracini's Warehouse, Payday's in Elizabeth Township; the Chemical plant in Lincoln; a Hotel in Dravosburg; and several fires in McKeesport. Th latest was the fire in downtown McKeesport where large portion of the downtown area was burned out. By the same token Glassport was assisted by th neighboring Fire Departments at several major fires. Some of the major fires were the Lumber yard; Mazur's Hotel, Darling's Market, Hi Steve's, the Lutheran Church, St. Cecelia's Church, and the most tragic fire, the Case fire where five children lost the lives.

No firemen were seriously injured at any of the fires.

Many men have taken Red Cross First Aid courses. Also several men have become Emergency Medical Technicians. Many hours of class work were held at the McKeesport Hospital. Ten hours of training were

divided in the Emergency Room, Intensive Care and Recovery Room. After the training a State and County test had to be passed to be certified.

Presidents, Vice Presidents:

1929 to 1948 the records were lost. Some of the Presidents were Thomas Arthurs, and Seward Gross 1942 - 1947

75th Banquet Committee - Paul Porter Michael Michalovecz Michael Danko

Special thanks to Mrs. Ann Dzurko of the Glassport Public Library for lending me a copy of this history... R. Uher

Page last updated November 1, 1997