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History
1922: The matter of organizing a County Firemen's Association was discussed at the April meeting. The committee chose delegates H.B. Wills, Clarence Brown, William Huber and Frank Finegan to attend the meeting later in the month. Three delegates were appointed to meet with Borough Council Fire Committee to elect a new Chief of Department. They were instructed to vote for the candidate from West Chester Fire Company No. 1, Charles Frame, to fill the unexpired term of Chief Woodward. 1923: The following report was given by the Chief Engineer for the year: 52 calls answered, 22 tanks of chemicals used, 17 hand extinguishers, 5,700 feet of hose laid, 217 gallons of gas used and 15 gallons of oil. 1925: William Huber, of Good Will Fire Company, was elected to serve as Chief of the Fire Department with Joseph Cassidy to fill the vacancy of Assistant Chief caused by Huber's resignation. On behalf of the Company, William Huber was presented a gold badge by President Andress. 1926: This proved to be a good year for the "Goodies." Chief Engineer Adams reported all apparatus in good working condition and had responded to 50 calls for the year. 1927: The Good Will Fire Company has been notified by Borough Council that their new truck should be available by the middle of December. Herbert Andress is serving as Chairman of the Apparatus Committee. On December 22nd the new apparatus arrived at Good Will Fire Company and was tested and approved by its members. 1930: A committee was appointed to elect a new Department Chief, George Moses, of Fame Fire Company, was elected. 1931: On March 9th a motion was passed to accept the Bell Telephone Fire Alarm System. 1932: On November 14th a purchase of 2 card tables and 8 chairs were purchased from Goldberg's for $92.00. 1933: The 100th Anniversary Banquet and Jubilee of the Good Will Fire Company No. 2 was held on Wednesday evening, January 25th, with much éclat and unlimited pleasure by 265 officers and members and their guests, who gathered at 4 long tables spread in the dining room of the New Century Club House. Among the honored guests were Burgess George J. Brinton, Chief Fire Marshall George J. Moses and Mrs. Moses, former President of the Good Will Fire Company Harry B. Wills and Mrs. Wills, Dr. and Mrs. Charles W. Heathercote, Frank Heed, President of Fame Fire Company No. 3, President Percy H. McCormick of the West Chester No. 1 and Mrs. McCormick. Henry B. Wills, who was President of the Company from 1912 to 1925, congratulated the Company and lauded the firemen for their valor and heroism. He spoke of the work of the firemen at the Lipkin Overall Factory, the McLaughlin Livery Stable and the Buckwalter Apartment sin years gone by. Percy McCormick, of the First West Chester, presented to the Good Will Fire Co. a large, silver loving cup filled with beautiful red roses and sprays of ferns. President Frank D. Heed, of Fame Company No. 3, presented a large, silver column, surmounted by a fireman responding to a call on duty as a token of esteem. Dancing concluded the Anniversary celebration. 1934: On April 8th, at a recommendation of Borough Council, it was suggested that the position of Fire Chief be shortened from 5 years to 3 years. IT was moved and seconded by the members at Good Will. 1935: William Ingram, from West Chester Fire Company No. 1, was elected Chief of the West Chester Department. Aside from the everyday duties of a fireman, much of these years were spent planning extensive renovations. They also had to find a solution on the moving of the stairway to the second floor to the rear of the Fire House. Blueprints are being drawn up and as much of the work that can be done will be taken on by the members themselves. Several committees have been assigned and work will commence as soon as possible. 1936: William Finegan, a member so the Company, was awarded the contract for remodeling the cellar for a recreation room. There would be 18 inches of soil dug out which would allow for an 8-foot ceiling. The finished project would measure 35'x22'x8'. 1937: Good Will's Annual Fair, held in June, showed a net profit of $1,901.72. A good time was had by all and President Herb Andres expressed his thanks to everyone who contributed to its success. These fairs, conducted yearly by the boys from Goodies, have been most instrumental in keeping the Company in a good monetary status. 1938: William Finegan's resignation for 3 years was accepted as he has been elected to fill the post of Chief of Department. A state law has also been passed this year stating Fire Stations shall install red lights outside their building. These were installed at Good Will at a cost of $35.00. 1939: In February Borough Council met and awarded a contract to American LaFrance Company of New York for a triple combination engine for Good Will Fire Co. The bid was for $8,495.37 and will be delivered at an early date. On April 13th the West Chester Borough Council in session last night approved the sale of a 20-year-old piece of fire apparatus used by the Good Will Company to the Community Fire Company of Seven Valleys, York County, for $500.00. On May 19th, led by Burgess George B. Dewees and Council President Thomas Hoopes, Jr., the new American LaFrance pumper was housed at Good Will Fire Company. After the official ceremonies open house was conducted to members of other companies and motion pictures of the new pumper's first test at Brinton's Quarry were shown. 1940: Chief Engineer Jesse Huber reported the results of the test performed on Sunday, September 8th, with the new pump. The engine pumped 1,070 gallons per minute through the lines at 120lbs of pressure. A letter was received from the Homeopathic Hospital and read by the President. The letter congratulated the Company for the fine way in which the fire was put out at the Hospital on July 31. The letter also stated that an organization like this was a credit to the Community. 1941: The new Chief of the Department, Ralph Watson, Sr., was elected to office from the Fame Fire Company. 1942: Mr. Andrew Simmler is now serving in the U.S. Navy. Joseph DiBlaio was voted to replace him as Assistant Engineer of the Company. IT was suggested that fellows now serving in the Armed Forces be sent a carton of cigarettes. 1943: There are 63 active members of Good Will Fire Company now serving in the Armed Forces. 1944: J. Herbert Chambers of the First West Chester Fire Company was voted in as Chief of the West Chester Fire Department. 1945: J. McAnulla, Chief Engineer, reports the white engine is in Gibson's Garage for repair of a burnt out clutch. The red engine appears to be in good shape. 1946: Two members have lost their lives in the line of duty. Their pictures will be mounted on the wall of the meeting room. 1947: Herbert Andress, a dedicated member of the Good Will Fire Company, was elected Department Chief of the West Chester Fire Companies. On March 21st members of the Good Will Fire Company No. 2 who served in World War II were honored with a pork and sauerkraut dinner at the Knights of Columbus Hall. Jesse E. Huber acted as toastmaster. Mr. Gibbon Logue reported a shuffleboard league will be formed and start the first of the year. Each team will put up $10 at the start of the season and the winner of the league will take all. 1948: Deep appreciation was sent out to the Salvation Army and BPOE for their "open house" following the fire at the Rialto Theater in January. The coffee and sandwiches really hit the spot and probably staved off more than one bad cold. 1950: Mr. Winfield Slaughter, a member of the Fame Fire Company, was elected Chief of the West Chester Fire Department. During this year the Company initiated a sports program for its members. There would be softball teams in the spring and bowling teams for the winter months. 1951: A new pumper has been ordered by Borough Council from American LaFrance. It is a 750-gallon triple combination pumper with a 400-gallon booster tank at a cost of $16,500.80. It is to be delivered in the beginning of 1952. A committee of Herb Andress, Jesse Huber, Nick Mastrangelo, Herb Ammon and Charlie Rutherford were appointed to check the condition of the engine room floor for the new pumper. 1952: Members saw work get started this week on a new concrete floor for the engine room to replace the old wooden floor, which has been in service for many years. It was also approved to concrete the cellar from front to rear. On Saturday, March 29th, at 3:00pm, the American LaFrance was housed. Leading the housing committee was Jesse Huber, with Ashton B.T. Smith, former Burgess of West Chester, as Master of Ceremonies and Gibbons C. Cornwell as guest speaker. 1953: Edmund Cosgriff, from the First West Chester Fire Company, has been elected Department Chief. 1956: Herb Ammon, of this Company, was elected as chief of the Department. President James Forwood has signed a contract with Finegan and Higgins Contracting firm for $18,500 general remodeling of the firehouse. The renovations will provide for more space and a more modern interior. Space will permit future addition of at least one more piece of apparatus. During these renovations, the Company will also install a two-way radio system to enable them to better serve the community. 1957: A fund raising committee was appointed to raise $20,000 to renovate and repair the present building: A Charles Biscotti, Building Fund Chairman; Thomas Hoopes, Jr., Drive Chairman, with the help of Dewees Mosteller and Ashton B. T. Smith. The membership has proposed to hold an "open house" to celebrate the completion of the remodeling. A party was held on September 14th with Goshen, Lionville, West Bradford, East and West Whiteland and the West Chester Companies being invited. A new shuffleboard has been purchased from Penn Shuffleboard Company. 1958: Members of the Company celebrated their 125th Anniversary on January 20th with a dinner serviced by Fame Ladies Auxiliary. A good time was held by all. A first place prize was won by Goodies at the Pomeroy parade on Saturday, July 22nd for best appearing company. 1959: President Pete McCool appointed three men to represent the Company at Borough Council to elect a new Chief of the Department. Frank H. Still, from the Fame Fire Company, was elected. 1960: A new Truck Committee was appointed consisting of Ray Street, Phil Giunta, Jack Townsend, Norman Sheller, Louis Davis, James Wilgis and Herbert Ammon. Cost of the new truck will be $23,900. 1961: On June 27th at about 12:55 am, a new 750 American LaFrance fire truck was backed into the Good Will Fire Company by Dave Turner of the American LaFrance Company. The truck was escorted to town by Asst. Chief Ray Street, Phil Giunta, Louis Davis, John Howe and James Wilgis after being driven from Elmira, New York. Housing of the new pumper was held on Saturday, September 16th at 2:00 pm, with Ashton B. T. Smith as Master of Ceremonies and Alexander Hemphill, Controller of the City of Philadelphia, as guest speaker. Mayor Charles Lucas addressed the gathering followed by a welcome by Frank "Bud" Still, Chief of the West Chester Department. 1962: John McClain, from the First West Chester Fire Company, was elected as Chief of the Department. Joe and Bill Mason were app9inted to go to the State Fire School in Lewistown, PA. 1963: In July a short discussion was given by Frank Huber concerning the pros and cons of purchasing an air compressor; the Company giving its approval to buy the same and the unit to be housed at Good Will at all times. In August, a second hand truck was purchased to make an air compressor a mobile unit. It proved its capability by filling 43 tanks in its first two months of operation. 1964: On February 10th Virgil Brown was appointed in charge of the new Air Unit Truck. In March, the Good Will Underwater Rescue Unit was initiated into the Company consisting of five members of the Keystone Diving Association. The Company has sent one truck and 9 men to Valley Forge Boy Scout Jamboree for standby. Assistant Chief Ray Street was appointed by Borough Council to fill the unexpired term of John McClain, Chief of Department, who has resigned. 1965: Ray Street was elected as Chief of the Department for 3 years. Air Compressor has been turned over to Borough of West Chester for one dollar with a stipulation that it remains housed at Good Will Fire Company. 1966: On May 9th a new pool table was ordered from Brunswick Company for $742 complete. At the regular Company meeting held on November 14th a motion was voted upon proposing a new Company line officer, being that of Air Unit Crew Chief. 1967: James Ferguson was voted in officially as the first Air Unit Crew Chief on January 9th. A ham and cabbage dinner was served on Saturday, March 18th, at a charge of $1.25 per person. A stationary Air Compressor Unit was purchased to help take the workload off the mobile unit. 1968: Ralph Watson, Jr., of Fame Fire Company No.3, was elected as Chief of the Department. 1970: Apprentice firemen were accepted into the Fire Company. They must be 16 years of age to join. 1971: J. Herbert Chambers, Jr., was sworn in as Chief of the Department from First West Chester Fire Company. The Company housed a new air truck on August 1st. The official housing team consisted of Lenni Osborne, Assistant Chief of Good Will; Dick Brosius, President of the Company and Jim Scott, of the Southern Chester County Rescue Unit. Forty-four new uniforms have been purchased from Mitchell's Men's Store consisting of light blue coats, black pants, navy blue tie and white gloves. They were first worn in September at the Oxford Fire Company 100th Anniversary with the Good Will acting as Honor Company. 1972: A new truck committee was appointed consisting of Lenni Osborne, Bob Barraclough and Hugh Purnell. 1974: Phil Giunta was elected Chief of the Department. The Good Will members helped the First West Chester Fire Company celebrate their 175th Anniversary Parade. 1975: On June 14th the members attended a housing and parade held at the Fame Fire Company. On August 23rd the housing of the new Hahn Pumper took place at 3:00pm. It was a joint housing with First West Chester Fire Company who also purchased a Hahn pumper. 1976: Chuck Purnell has been appointed to start a letter drive to raise money for improvements to the building. Assistant Chief Robert Doan praised the Apprentice Firemen for a good job and appearance which contributed to their first place win at Atglen and third place win at Downingtown for best appearing company. A letter received from Mose Cornwell prasing the Good Will Fire Company for their assistance at a car fire and especially to Don Suckstorf for his assistance in transporting his wife and him to their destination. Good work, Don. 1977: Steve Conway was elected new Chief of the Department from the Fame Fire Company No. 3. The front of the Fire Company has received a new aluminum door installed by Howell Door. 1978: A new siren has been installed on the Bell Tower at the Company. Be it known that on September 13th the Underwater Recovery Unit is no longer an official unit of this Company. 1979: Assistant Chief Robert Doan reported there were 304 calls answered during this year, and the Air Unit answering 93 calls. 1980: In February Assistant Chief Walter Mitchell was sworn in as Department Chief form the First West Chester Fire Company. The meeting room has been remodeled and is now used as a recreation room. 1981: Approval has been given by the executive board to build a bar with showcases to be used for horns and trophies. The Anniversary banquet was held at the Italian Social Club on April 11th at 6:00pm. New wrought iron racks have been installed in the engine room to house equipment of each fireman. 1982: During construction of the new West Chester Mall a new 1 ½' water line was installed into the Company. A new Sutphen Custom pumper has been officially backed into the house. The Good Will by-passed the Departmental Chief's position for three years. This would revert to Good Will after one term. New uniforms were purchased for parades. They consist of dark blue pants with light blue stripe, and light blue shirts. A committee was appointed to purchase the rear building adjoining the existing building. The committee consisted of James D. Petrondi, William Moyer, Raymond Street. In October the building was purchased for $15,000. Building plans were drawn up by James B. Petrondi, Raymond Street, William Moyer, James D. Petrondi. Plans were approved to start the new addition. The Good Will donated $4,500 to the new West Chester Fire Department Training Center. The Good Will Ladies Auxiliary donated $500. 1983: In February, a new custom Air Unit was purchased by Borough of West Chester and is now in service. Assistant Chief Robert Brice, from the Fame Fire Company, has been sworn in as the Department Chief.
Saturday, June 4, Good Will won three second place trophies at a parade in Downingtown celebrating Minquas Fire Company 75th Anniversary.
Good Will boys traveled to Kimberton Fire Company Fair to participate in a softball tournament and came home with first place trophy.
Saturday, July 30, Good Will attended a dedication and housing at Thorndale Fire Company and won two first place trophies for Best Appearing Company and Best Appearing Pumper 1979 or older, and a second place trophy for Best Appearing Pumper 1980 or newer.
Construction on the new addition has been started.
Saturday, September 10, Good Will celebrated our 150th Anniversary and housed our new 1982 Sutphen Custom Pumper and our 1982 Reading/Ford Air Unit. Over 75 pieces of apparatus attended the parade and competed for $8,000 in cash and trophies. The Sutphen Engine was dedicated to Phil Giunta for his many years of service to the Good Will, past and present.
1984: October, the company held our first meeting in our new addition to the rear of the present station. The two-story addition was competed by members and housed a meeting room and office on the second floor and the air unit on the first floor.
December, the company has a fire alarm system installed. The system included rate to rise and hard-wired smoke alarms as well as an automatic phone dialing system that went directly into the West Chester Police station.
1985: The Good Will responded to responded to 427 alarms in this year.
1986: Assistant Chief Jim Petrondi from the Good Will was elected as Fire Chief of the Department. March, the company purchased its first computer to be used for company business.
1988: Don Herb from the First West Chester Fire Company was elected at Fire Chief of the Department. April, the company approved to have automatic door openers installed for the bay doors.
1989: Captain Jim McDermott instituted top policy that no longer allowed firefighters to ride the "rear step" or tail board of any apparatus. This policy occurred after several accidents across the country involving firefighters having serious injuries from riding the rear of apparatus and being involved in accidents.
August, the company purchased a used 1984 Horton Ambulance from Walker Emergency Vehicles in Coatesville to convert to a Squad vehicle. This vehicle was from East Lampeter Township and was purchased to carry additional personnel safely. The vehicle was painted white and lettered by the company and turned over to the Borough for $1 to provide maintenance and insurance.
November 5, the Good Will became the "only fire company in West Chester" after the First West Chester moved to their new location at Bradford and Miner Streets in East Bradford Township.
1990: A sleeping quarters was made for the active crew to use. This facility included tow sets of bunk beds that were donated by Sears Outlet in the West Goshen Shopping Center.
1991: Jim Higgins of the Fame Fire Company was elected at Fire Chief of the Department.
1992: The Good Will approved Kenco Fabrications of Scotdale, Pa to build our new Air/Light unit. The cost of the new unit was $180,000. The unit included a 20.4 CFM Baur breathing air compressor, a PTO driven 45Kw generator, 22,000 watts of portable and stationary quartz lights and it was to be mounted on an International Chassis.
March, the company purchased weight room equipment and designed a portion of the basement as a "weight room". July, 1,000 feet of 5-inch supply hose was added to Engine-3. This replaced 2,000 feet of 3-inch hose with 2.5" couplings. August, It was decided that a green scotchlite stripe be added to all apparatus for visibility.
1993: The Good Will responded to 485 alarms in 1993 with a total of 267.75 man-hours in service.
1994:
F. David Smiley from the Good Will Fire Company was elected as Fire Chief
of the Department.
Saturday, September 24, 1994 the Good Will housed the new Air/Light unit. Eight surrounding stations attended the ceremony. The apparatus was dedicated to the memory of Jesse Huber. Mr. Huber was a life member of the Good Will and held the positions of President, Assistant Fire Chief, Secretary, and Chief Engineers.
1995: March 8, the company approved the slogan: Pride, Dedication, Valor, since 1833. This was picked out of twenty suggestions. New company letterhead was to be designed to show our slogan.
April, The Fire Department started to have the Hepatitis-B vaccine issued to all active firefighters. Firemen's Relief approved to pay for the three-injection vaccine.
June 23, Good Will received our new Saulsbury/Spartan Custom Engine. This apparatus included a 400 horse power Detroit Engine, a Hale 2,000 gpm top mounted pump, 750 gallon water tank, a foam system with 40 gallons of class A and B foam and a 12kw generator. The cost was $358,000 and it replaced the 1975 Hahn.
1996: August, the entire second floor received central heating and air conditioning. The engine room also received a new natural gas heating system. This replaced to old steam boiler and window air conditioners.
The engine room floor was re-surfaced by Criterion Floors at a cost of approximately $12,000. The company chose a bluish-gray color with a maltese cross added in the rear of the main engine room near the gear lockers.
October 5, the Good Will housed the new engine to make a triple housing parade. This housing included the First West Chester housing their new Sutphen engine and Fame housing their new Saulsbury heavy rescue.
November, the Good Will voted and accepted to upgrade the Scott Air Packs from the 2.2 low-pressure 30-minute packs to the 4.5 high-pressure 45-minute packs. The new packs were less weight an included a PASS (Personal Safety Device) device intergraded with the cylinder valve.
1997: Fred Criscoulo from the First West Chester Fire Company was elected at Fire Chief for the Department. April, the company approved the purchase of a used 1991 Chevy Blazer from Good Fellowship Ambulance to be used as a Squad. The cost of the vehicle was $6000 and the vehicle was turned over to the Borough for $1 to insure and maintain. June, Fox News network went live in front of the Good Will Fire Company, using the station as a backdrop for their morning show and interviewing many active members.
September 19, the first ever Good Will Fire Company golf tournament was held at the Kimberton Golf Club.
1998: Kevin Corcoran from Fame Fire Company was elected as Fire Chief of the Department.
The West Chester Fire Training Center broke ground on their new burn building which was to include burn rooms, a maze, store front, and a garage front training scenarios.
1999: The Good Will purchased the property at 38 East Gay Street for approximately $165,000. This was in hopes of expanding our operations to the east.
The company re-designed and started the purchase of new uniforms. The design included a traditional blue fire department uniform blazer with blue pants and a white uniform shirt with patches.
2000: Jon Brill from he Good Will Fire Company was elected as Fire Chief of the Fire Department.
2001: The Good Will starts our web site at www.goodwillfireco.org.
Good Will received the new 2000 KME/Spartan Custom Engine. The truck includes a Cummins 430 horse power engine, a Hale Q-Max 2,250 gpm top mount pump, 750 gallon water tank, 30 gallon class A and 20 gallon class B foam tanks with a Hale Foam Pro System, and a 12k generator. This engine replaced the 1982 Sutphen engine.
September, the Good Will approved the purchase of a 1.9-acre lot at 510 East Union Street. This lot was once the property of Wythe Laboratories and was sold to Alliance Environmental Systems Inc. Alliance sold this corner lot to the Good Will for $350,000.
September 11, our country began the "fight against terrorism" with many of our fellow firefighters losing their lives in the terrorist's attacks in New York and Washington, DC. Good Will Firefighter and trustee Brian Ackerman was called to active duty on October 9th.
2002: April, Good Will purchases back our 1952 American LaFrance for $1,500. The company spent an additional $1,500 to have it shipped back to West Chester. The unit was an active piece of apparatus in Good Will from 1952 to 1975.
2003: Sean Mitchell of the First West Chester Fire Company is elected chief of the department.
June, The Good Will starts the Cadet Firefighter program. The program allows 14 and 15 olds to be active members.
December, The Good Will moves into there brand new building located at 552 E. Union Street.
2004: June 5, Good Will Fire Company Held a parade and dedication ceremony for our new station.
October 3, Former NYC Mayor Rudolph Giuliani visits Good Will.
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