History

The Heidelberg Volunteer Fire Department (HVFD) was established on June 13, 1909. Mr. Phillip Hillen was the chairmen of the first meeting. With sixteen Heidelberg residents in attendance he proclaimed “This meeting was called for the purpose of establishing a new fire department in The Borough of Heidelberg;” and so it began. Through the over 100 years of the HVFD, members have seen many changes, but have always worked to maintain the mission of neighbors helping neighbors.

In the beginning the primary purpose of HVFD was to protect the homes in Heidelberg and a large Coal Mine (the primary employer of most men in the community). This was initially accomplished by means of a bucket brigade prior to hydrants being installed in town; thus the original equipment inventory only included a stack of metal buckets and twelve fire helmets. In 1911 the department received a hose cart that was hand pulled through town when needed. In 1927 with financial support from the Bowman Steel Company the department was able to purchase a 1927 American Lafrance motorized pumper. The new fire truck was stored in the rear of the Borough Building located on East Railroad St. During the 1930’s the Great Depression hit Heidelberg hard. To help, the members of HVFD would donate funds to one firemen’s family each year so he could provide Christmas gifts to his children. In 1934 the department faced its largest challenged to date when multiple large underground fuel storage tanks exploded near Bowman Steel. The fire raged for weeks and help was brought in from other departments as far away as McKees Rocks.

In 1947 HVFD purchased one of the first post World War II fire trucks made available. The new fire truck was state of art advanced for its time. This 1947 International fire engine has been the pride of our department ever since. In February of 1970 HVFD established a committee to research the construction of a new fire station. May 1971 the department broke ground at 456 First St. and a new fire station was constructed. The new station (current location) was opened in March of 1972. This station was equipped with a four bay garage, a spacious 400 person capacity social hall, and a fully equipped kitchen.

December 7, 2002 is the saddest day in our department’s history. On December 7, 2002 at 7:40 a.m. HVFD was alerted for a working structure fire at L. Thomas Towing, a large building approximately a half-block long in Heidelberg. Chief Henry James Wissel left his home (located across from L. Thomas towing) and immediately notified for a second alarm to be dispatched, because the structure was well involved and endangering adjacent buildings. A third alarm was struck immediately on arrival of 170 Engine and as those units were arriving, a message was broadcast for a firefighter down in the street. The firefighter down was Chief Wissel. Everyone knew HVFD Chief Henry James Wissel as “HJ”. EMS crew’s on scene exhausted all efforts in resuscitation and transport Chief Wissel to St. Clair Hospital were he had passed. Chief Wissel was laid to rest with full firefighter honors, with over 500 firefighters from 150 fire companies paying their respects. In March of 2003 H.J. Wissel was honored for his sacrifice at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Emmitsburg, Maryland. HJ Wissel was a 38 year member of HVFD and one of the greatest firefighters our department has ever had the privilege of calling our own. His legacy lives on through the revitalization of our department.

95 years of work was washed away in September of 2004 as flood waters from hurricane Ivan rose to levels not scene in over 50 years. The HVFD building located on First St. is over 600 feet from the banks of Chartiers Creek. Water levels inside the building were over 7 feet high and destroyed everything in their path. HVFD members were able to remove all the vehicles and most of the firefighter’s protective equipment. The aftermath of the flood was devastating with structural damage to the building exceeding the $750,000 mark. HVFD members were unsure of the fate of the department. Then, like a miracle, a life time member thought he remembered that the insurance agent included flood coverage in the department policy over 30 years prior. HVFD operated in a makeshift fire station that consisted of two tents and a mobile office trailer in the parking lot behind the building for 12 months as renovations were underway. The department moved into the newly renovated station in June of 2005. The improved building is on the same foot print as it previously was but was upgraded to include brick exterior construction, new kitchen facilities, state of the art heating and air conditioning, emergency generator, wireless internet access, and a beautiful social hall with a new layout. (Hall at Heidelberg)

The department currently has 54 members, of which 22 are lifetime members. The department’s members provide fire protection and BLS ambulance service to the residents of Heidelberg and surrounding communities when called upon. Our department has received over $400,000 in state and federal grants over the past three years. These grants have been used to replace personnel protective equipment, and purchase a new fire engine. (replaced 1976 fire engine)

In June of 2009 HVFD will celebrate its 100th Anniversary. To commemorate this occasion, the HVFD will host the 95^th Annual Allegheny County Firefighters Convention. Convention events will take place from June 7, 2009 and will come to an end with a Parade and street fair on June 13, 2009. HVFD looks forward to hosting departments from all over Allegheny County and neighboring counties during this celebration. We encourage families from the local area to come out on June 13 and support your local firefighters by cheering them on in the parade.