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Until the mid 1960's Southern Fulton County's fire and ambulance
services came from McConnellsburg to the north and Hancock, MD
from the south. As the community grew so did the need for a
local fire company. A small group of people decided to establish
the Company in Needmore, a small village in the middle of
Southern Fulton area in the last few months of 1964. The charter
was approved by the State, the constitution and by-laws were
written and the first official meeting was held on April 7th,
1964. Meetings were held in Local Ledge Hall and at the Boy
Scout grounds for the first few months. The company purchased a
1939 Diamond-T fire truck from the Hancock Fire Company. The
truck was parked in a local residents garage until the fire hall
was finished.. The first bays of the fire hall are still in use
today as we have added onto that building. The Civil Defense
donated a tanker during the summer of 1965. By the end of 1965
the Company had grown to a membership of 80.
In early 1966 Sipes' Funeral Home, in Harrisonville, PA donated
a Cadillac hearse, which was converted to an ambulance. In 1968
the Company purchased an International tanker to replace the
unit donated by the Civil Defense. In 1970 the ambulance was
replaced with another Cadillac. The same year a third bay was
called the ambulance room. The fire hall now with a banquet room
and kitchen became a center for community activities. In 1974
they purchased a new Dodge mini pumper built by Stinebaughs' in
Great Cacapon, WV and used as both a brush unit and a rescue
unit. The Company replaced the Cadillac ambulance with a custom
ordered Dodge van type from J&J Emergency Vehicles. The fire
hall was increased in size with two more bays and increased in
seating capacity in the banquet hall. A custom ordered Pierce
engine on a Ford chassis was delivered in 1980. A kitchen supply
room was added to the banquet hall with a lounge to the
upstairs, and a new Ford van type ambulance, also purchased from
J&J was delivered in a 1984. In 1989 they purchased an
International straight truck. Some of the members shortened the
frame and sent the chassis to Four guys, who equipped it with
a1500 gallon tank and a pump. This unit replaced the 1968
tanker, which was sold to a fire company in Jackson, MI.
In 1993 they purchased a Rescue Unit built by Four Guys and
equipped it with a full compliment of Hormatro rescue tools, an
air cascade system, and medical equipment so the unit can
respond as a Quick Response Unit for medical emergencies.
A second building, erected by Southern Fulton School District
Building Trades class, to the rear of the property has two bays
and a kitchen. The bays are used for storage of the 1939
Diamond-T. The area is also used for summer months fund raising
activities, such as ice cream socials (with real home made ice
cream), and the annual Boy Scout festival. 1994 found the
Company short an engine and the tanker, both involved in an
accident. McConnellsburg Fire Co. loaned Needmore a 1968
American LaFrance engine. This unit remained in service as a
second engine after the primary unit returned to service. In
1995 an ambulance purchasing policy was established. The
ambulance will be replaced every three years. A Dodge pickup
truck, donated by the State Forestry Department was put in
service as a brush unit.
2001 brought the delivery of a custom ordered E-One engine at a
cost of $250,000.00. the American LaFrance was given back to
McConnellsburg Fire Co. and the 1980 Pierce engine was retired.
In 2004 a Ford F-350 1 ton pick up was purchased to replace the
Dodge pick up as the brush unit.
The membership of the Needmore Volunteer Fire Company, greatly
appreciate the support of both McConnellsburg and Hancock Fire
Companies to help make our Company a success. We also thank the
residents and businesses of the Southern Fulton area, without
their continued support we would not be able to provide fire and
EMS services. We currently operate from donations. The EMS
operates from finances generated by insurance billing.
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