History of Midway Volunteer Fire Company No.1

The Midway Volunteer Fire Company No.1 was organized on January 12, 1956.

The first two meetings took place in the basement of the Linden House House Cafe.

The meetings from March through August of that year were held in the Old Midway

Elementary School on S. Jefferson Street. In September of that year, the meetings

were transferred to Mr. Roscoe Hoffacker's building at the rear of 202 Linden

Avenue. This became the permit site of the expanded Social Hall. This property

was purchased for $3,500.

The following officers were elected to office on a temporary basis at the

organization meeting to obtain a Charter:

President..........................................................................................Charles Criswell

Vice President..................................................................................L.J. Busby

Secretary..........................................................................................Charles F. Zeigler

Treasurer..........................................................................................Earl Krepps

The Charter was granted on April 20,1956. After the Charter was granted,

another election was held for permanent officers. The officers were as follows:

President..........................................................................................Arville Blouse

1st Vice President.............................................................................Gene Basford

2nd Vice President............................................................................Raymond Becker

Treasurer..........................................................................................Dan Spangler

Secretary..........................................................................................Charles Zeigler

Fire Chief.........................................................................................George Miller

1st Assistant Chief...........................................................................Charles Doll, SR

2nd Assistant Chief..........................................................................Jerry Lynch

Chief Plugman.................................................................................Charles Groft

1st Assistant Plugman......................................................................Ed Donnelly

2nd Assistant Plugman.....................................................................Donald Brown

In May of 1956, a 1927 International truck was purchased from Arendtsville Fire

Company for $300.00. The truck was subsequently overhauled and painted the

adopted colors of white and black. The truck was then equipped with all new gear and

fighting equipment at a cost of $3,500.00.

Midway's first Fire Police were appointed in May of 1956, which George

"Woodie" Miller as their first Captain of the Fire Police.

In September of 1956, Midway was admitted to the Adams County Firemen's

Association.

In November of 1956, Midway held its first Fire Prevention School in

Fundamentals of Fire Fighting. The instructor was Robert Little, Jr of York PA

and at that present time was the Assistant Fire Chief in the City of York. On April of

1957, the class completed its instruction and 23 men were awarded certificates in the

"Fundamentals of Fire Fighting". The Midway Volunteer Fire Company No.1 went

into active service on February 15,1957.

In 1959, at the present site of the fire company today, a new cement block Fire

Hall was erected with brick facing on the front on the building. The cost was

approximately $16,000. Much of the labor was donated by members of the Fire

Company. In May of 1960, the Ambulance Service was inaugurated by members of

the Ambulance Club. On August 12, 1961, this new Fire Hall was dedicated.