The Twin District Volunteer Fire Company began in the early 1940's when several men in the area reacted to the unsatisfactory performance of a former local Fire Company. Among the first members, those listed on the original incorporation documents, were Arthur Peters, Lester Moore, Albert Snyder, John Olsen, Joseph Hoerner, Norman Pfeil, Jerome Radamacher, Emery Cardinal, Walter Samulski and Norman Petri.

Original meetings were held to discuss the future of the new fire hall and the dissatisfaction of the other local fire company (which disbanded in the early 1950's). The first meetings were held in Norm Petri's service station located at the corner of William and Aurora Street. The members voted for incorporation in 1942, and made arrangements with the Town of Lancaster to begin a fire company that would protect the area located between Bowen Road on the East, Hall Road on the South, and Como Park Boulevard to the North. In that same year the first officers were elected, and an account was opened at the Citizen's National Bank of Lancaster, and the members retained legal advisement.

The company needed to secure land for their firehouse. Three sites were considered, all of them located on William Street. Mr. Norm Petri, a Twin District Fireman, offered to lease a portion of his land, Mr. John Jerge, also a fireman, proposed to donate one acre to the fire company and Mr. Bippert offered the largest piece of land but the terms of obtaining said land were unknown. Southeast Lancaster was farmland and most residents struggled to maintain a minimum standard of living. For obvious economic reasons, Mr. Jerge's generous donation was accepted.

The original structure was a small wooden building that was moved to the present site from the premises of Mr. Arthur Peters. Mr. Joe Lorentz transported the structure with his steamer (both men were original firefighters). The telephone and electric wires had to be lifted to accommodate the barn. The building had one stall and no heat! In fact, the water in the tank of the 1936 Chevrolet pumper froze one winter.

The firefighters began raising funds for a new building. They collected loans and donations, held picnics, card parties and dances. By July 7, 1943, the foundation was excavated for the new building. Money was also raised for other necessities, such as a siren, and a truck. The picnics raised the largest amounts of money for the fire hall, and an equally proportional amounts of time went into planning them. The minutes of a meeting from 1944 contains this passage: "A lengthy discussion of the price of hot dogs, it was finally placed at fifteen cents for good wieners, charcoal broiled." Twin District also gained a reputation for "one of the best clam chowders in the country." Twin District chowder was a part of every picnic.

As early as 1943, the firefighters had the operation running smoothly. They built a hall, acquired a truck, and were responding to calls. The first truck was a 1936 Chevrolet which was assembled piece meal by the members. The engine and chassis were purchased for $150 and the body for $25. Several firefighters built the wooden tank, and years later it was lined with sheet metal. The truck was an open cab, and in 1948, a firefighter nearly lost his scalp when the truck crashed while in route to an Elma fire as the brakes failed. The firefighters also dug a water hole on the premises, and from it water was drawn to fill the truck tank. There was no running water from the town out into the country. A fence was erected around the water hole; they were worried about lawsuits even in the 1940's.

The company's first major fire was a disaster. The fire report on May 6, 1946 read, "Fire at Depew Airport. Police notified. No water at scene. Traffic situation terrible and no Police control to control it." The fireman had to push cars off the road in order to get to the fire because Transit Road was only a double lane.

On June 3, 1946, the firefighters extended a hand by inviting women to use the hall, and donated $100 to start the Ladies Auxiliary. The ladies and the fireman had a symbiotic relationship, donating money back and forth whenever the other party needed it. Boy Scout Troop 545 had their first meeting May 12, 1948, with George Schultz as the Scoutmaster. The company's first benevolent gesture was the donation of a flag, and in 1952, Roy Meutal and George Schultz built the Scout's log cabin that still stands on the Southwest corner of the property. In 1955 it was voted unanimously to award surviving families of deceased firemen monetary benefits. At the time, the company provided $160. In 1950, the Sunshine Club was formed to take care of sick members with fruit baskets and flowers.

MORE TDVFC HISTORY TO FOLLOW… PLEASE STOP BACK IN A WHILE!

"VOLUNTEER":
A person who of his own free will offers himself for a service or duty, to give of one's own accord, to offer without constraint or compulsion, acting from choice and free will.

We dedicate this web site to those who have given timeless energy and effort to the service of our community. They are always there when needed, "on call", unaware of what awaits, in all situations; the coldest and darkest of nights, the hottest days; willing to face the risk, "volunteering" to help those in need.

"VOLUNTEERS" are those that make every effort to safely, "make the first truck out", regardless of the time of day or night, weather conditions, severity of the call, etc., in order to help those in need. Volunteering in Firefighter / EMS service is truly all about providing the best service possible to those in need by making, "DRILLS & CALLS".

All Twin District Volunteers help in his or her own way by fighting fires, responding to Motor Vehicle Accidents, administering First Aid and Life Support, serving as Fire Police and sustaining the company through participation in fund raising activities, holding offices, participating on committees or assisting in work details.

We need your help! No experience is necessary. Do not hesitate…join today!!

Research and some excerpts provided by Michael Pijanowski.