Greenwood Volunteer Fire Company Inc.

HISTORY OF GREENWOOD VOLUNTEER FIRE CO. NO 1, INC.

The Greenwood Volunteer Fire Company was organized in 1923. The first officers were:

• President H.W. Pearson
• Vice President George W. Hawks
• Secretary and Treasure W.S. Lord

May 6, 1924 Greenwood Volunteer Fire Company had 20 active members and 18 associate members.

July 14, 1924 A decision' was made by the Town Council to drive an experimental well for fire use.

• August 1523, 1924 Held first Fireman's Carnival. The double Ferris wheel that was originally purchased for use in Greenwood Carnival was sold to Sharptown Volunteer Fire Company and is still in operation today at their annual Fireman's Carnival. Profits from the first annual Carnival were $1,621.75
• October 17, 1924 Purchased 12 complete rubber suits for the firemen, including the complete suit for the chief. Boots$4.65; Coats7.25; Hats$2.00; and two pair of rubber gloves to withstand 2300 volts of electricity.
• November 7, 1924 Purchased a fire siren at a cost of about $230.00. All emergency calls were routed to the firehouse and a resident that occupied an apartment over the firehouse manual activated the siren.
• November 14, 1924 Purchased a type "B" single electric siren with a 21/2 horse power motor.
• December 15, 1924 Adopted a motion to accept a 30day option on John A. Bradley property. Price named $2,000.00.
• January 19, 1925 Town Commissioners bought H.S. Taylor lot and will lease the front part of the building to Greenwood Volunteer Fire Company.
• May 14,1925 Members have responded to 10 alarms to date.
• June 19, 1925 Purchased a Hale, 250 gallon capacity pumping truck with a 100 gallon chemical tank and 100 feet of small hose and 500 feet of heavy hose. Purchase price was $2,875.00.
• December 4, 1925 Purchased Parker property or $1,750.00. Rented the rear of Cohee's garage at a rate of $2.50 per month except in the winter in which the rent would rise to $7.50 per month.
• January 15, 1927 Started serving annual dinners to the public to raise money. Members solicited townspeople prior to the dinner and collected donated goods such as canned foods and chickens to use for the dinners.
• 1927 The Firemen participated in a baseball tournament opposing a boy's team from the high school. A profit of $9.47 was submitted.
• August 4, 1927 Bill for digging out dirt under the shed for a concrete floor at the old fire house: 1 1/2 hours shoveling dirt; 5 1/2 hours shoveling dirt; 3 hours leveling dirt. 20 hours total labor at 30 cents per hour. Total bill $6.00.
• 1928 The firemen participated in a play named "That Path Across the Hill" along with community members.
• October 21, 1930 Greenwood Volunteer Fire Company No. l, Inc. joined the Relief Organization of the Delaware Volunteer Fireman's Association.
• 1950 Fire Company sponsored a stockcar race at Nanticoke Raceway.
• July 10, 1983 Members participated in a donkey ball game to raise money for the company.
• 1971 Robert Collins suggested painting the soon to be purchased 1971 Great Eastern Pumper green. After careful consideration, the body of the Greenwood Volunteer Fire Company voted to have their new engine painted green. Of course, a fire company cannot run just one green apparatus, so the trucks already in possession were painted green as well, with the exception of the Model T.
•  And so it goes, since 1971 Greenwood and surrounding communities have been served with pride by men and women on green fire trucks. So on days past, and forever more, we, the proud members of the Greenwood Volunteer Fire Company wilt raise the doors and serve our community with pride in our "Green Firetrucks".
• April 29, 1989 Moved out of the "Old Firehouse" on Market Street and into the new station between the dual highway (Route 13).

The Greenwood Volunteer Fire Company is extremely proud of the apparatus and equipment that has been acquired over the past seventyfive years. We have diligently worked hard to maintain and raise money to effectively operate a first class fleet of emergency vehicles and to provide our community with reliable and extensively trained members.

 Members are frequently involved in fundraisers such as the Annual Fund Drive, Chicken BBQ, Roast Beef Stands, and many other events. The proceeds received from these events often help to maintain equipment and upgrade the existing equipment to better serve our community.

 The Greenwood Volunteer Fire Company also has great pride in teaching the youngsters in the community. Our fire prevention program has expanded a great deal over the years and has become one of the best in the state.