Everyday Brookhaven Fire Company firefighters and EMT's will at a moments notice, set aside their personal interests to respond to a variety of calls, not to mention the countless hours spent training and fund raising.

Back in 1922 realizing the need for fire protection, a group of residents met at the Brookhaven schoolhouse located at what used to be called “Sneads Corner”, presently the intersection of Brookhaven Road and Edgmont Avenue. The result of these meetings was the formation of the Brookhaven Volunteer Fire Company which was chartered on June 7^th 1922. Today some of the names of the charter members can be seen on street signs throughout the borough. The Brookhaven Fire Company became the second fire company in Chester Township since Brookhaven was not a borough at that time. On that day in 1922 Brookhaven Fire Company started on it's future for the pursuit of excellence and continued service to the community.

The names of the original chartered members:

The following two years were a struggle to raise enough money to purchase a fire truck. The company was finally able to purchase a used truck from the City of Chester for $500. The members actually donated $250, half the cost, out of their own pockets.

In 1928 the first new truck was purchased from Hahn for $5000 and a siren system was established to alert the members. The siren system consisted of one long blast for the initial alert then followed by a specific number of blasts that gave the approximate location of the alarm. That alerting system is a far cry of the radio paging system of today, which not only alerts the members of an alarm, but also gives the exact location and other pertinent details either by voice or text.

As the needs of the community grew, so did the fire company's, but not without major setbacks. In the early 1930’s the fire company suffered many financial burdens. Unable to make payments on the new truck and barely able to keep up with the bills, it began to look as though the fledgling organization would not see its 15^th anniversary. However through hard work and dedication of the membership and support of other fire companies, Brookhaven Fire Company was able to get back on its feet.

When it seemed the Fire Company had put their problems behind them, disaster struck. In the early afternoon of February 13,1938, the Brookhaven Firehouse was destroyed by the very thing it was dedicated to combat. The members and residents alike seeing the product of their hard work and dreams being consumed by fire struggled to save anything they could. After the trucks were pushed out of the building, efforts turned to a vain attempt to save the firehouse.

Once again the members met at the Brookhaven schoolhouse to discuss the fate of the fire company. Although the firehouse was destroyed the members never forgot their promise to provide fire protection to the community. The fire company would have been dealt a mortal blow if it were not for the members' dedication once again. Meeting at the schoolhouse the members planned the reconstruction of the firehouse, and again were forced to dig into their own pockets. A fund drive was also established to help rebuild the devastated firehouse. The community and the members pulled together to help keep the company alive. The new one-room building was constructed at Virginia and Barlow Avenues for a cost of $4500.

The late 30’s and 40’s were a time of change for the community, separating from Chester Township to form the borough of Brookhaven and establishing the Brookhaven Police Department. With a growing community the fire company also had to find ways to bring in the additional revenue needed for the increasing costs of fire protection and operational expenses. Today the cost to equip a single firefighter is over $3500.

In the 50's the fire company witnessed an increase in the number of alarms, going from twenty alarms in 1952 to eighty-one in 1959. The company purchased two new trucks in that decade, a 1954 Ahrens Fox Pumper and a 1955 Ward LaFrance Pumper. As the community grew, so did the firehouse. An addition which was to be the new engine bay was added to the existing structure that eventually would see the housing of four pieces of apparatus. In 1963 the company purchased a new  Hahn Pumper, which was refurbished in 1983 and was in service til the late 90's. In 1965 Brookhaven became the South District’s airbank, first installed in the hose bed of the older pumper. A used 1956 Chevy rescue truck was purchased later that would serve as the airbank. The company will still provide that service today as requested. In 1968 a new custom Hahn engine was purchased which replaced the 1954 pumper.

The Brookhaven Fire Company participated in two serious incidents in the 1970’s. In the early 70’s heavy rains blanketed the entire state of Pennsylvania. The company was called to help with the overflowing waters of the Chester Creek, which threatened nearby homes. The activities of the fire company were not limited to the Brookhaven area during this catastrophe. The fire company responded to the Wilkes Barre/Kingston area to assist the fire companies who were overwhelmed by the disaster. On January 13^th, 1975 the S.S.Corinthos exploded in the Delaware River at a Marcus Hook refinery after being struck by another vessel. The ordeal lasted for days and as the call for assistance sounded throughout the county, Brookhaven responded to the scene.  Several apparatus changes also took place during this decade.  In 1974 a new Chevy/Swab rescue truck was obtained replacing the older unit.  In 1977 a new custom Hahn engine was purchased replacing the 55 Ward.  The Ward was eventually donated to the Duryea Fire Co. in Pennsylvania who experienced a devestating fire that destroyed their firehouse and apparatus.

In the 80's, the company rechassied the rescue with a new 1985 Chevy and added to the fleet a 1988 Chevy/KME 1250 gpm pumper.  To accommodate the ever growing need for space, a new four bay addition was made to the existing structure with the older engine bay being converted into an updated rental hall.  Unfortunately the company lost two prominent members in 1989.  Linn Wheeler was the 2nd Assistant Chief when he suddenly passed away and Vernon Thompson held several positions and was instrumental in keeping the sixth district airbank functioning.  Later new apparatus purchased in the 90's would be dedicated to these individuals.   

 TO BE CONTINUED................