History - Citizens' Hose Company NO. 1

THE NEXT 50 YEARS

1940- Long time member and leader of the CHC, J. Fletcher Truax is elected President of the counties Firemen's association
1940's with the onset of World War Two, the fire department takes many steps to ensure the well being of it's community
12/7/1941-The bombing of Pearl Harbor Naval Base in Hawaii

Fire House Mid-Thirties

12/15/1941- the CHC issues a statement regarding it's readiness to serve and protect, "…the great emergency in our Country this company offers our facilities, equipment and services."
1944- The first "Probies" are allowed into the fire company, in a response to a shortage of service caused by the war, young men 16 or older will now be able to apply for membership
1945- "Scout" is retired
1946- With victory in the European and Asian theaters the CHC moves it's membership requirements to the age of 21.
1946- A V12 B-550-CO American La France pumper is purchased and placed into service
1948 purchase of Dodge B3J 500gpm pumper
1949 CHC hosts Del-Mar-Va convention
First fire police appointed
1950 Ladies Auxiliary is formed
1951 "Radio Room" is set up


Fire House	Parade 1925

1953 purchase of 700 series American La France "Spartan Special" this truck unique in the fact that is was the first to display to company logo
1954 firehouse is expanded 8.20.1954 housing of equipment
1958 first "modern" pumper purchased American La France 1000GPM 800 series pumper with booster reel and 750 gallon tank
Decision made by company members never to sell "old mom"
1960 First Governors Cup victory
1961 Citizens' Hose celebrates 75 years of service
1962 Second cup victory
Third Governors cup victory retiring the first of many cups
1964 purchase of the "Weed Wagon" a Dodge power wagon
1966 purchase of a 1955 Mack B-42 tractor and a 5,000 gallon tank to create the companies first tanker
1967 purchase of a 17' rescue boat used for local water emergencies
1968 CHC sells the 1946 pumper and 1958 panel truck, the replacement a Ford Hahn 1,000 GPM pumper
1969 more building additions made to house the tractor tailor, all trucks to be moved into new bays, older side of the firehouse converted into current social hall
1971 construction completed - all units moved
purchase of the company's portable power unit

Equipment 1958

1972 purchase of the departments first aerial unit a 1948 American La France 85ft ladder
purchase of the first Hurst tool or Jaws of life
1973 second Hahn pumper ordered
1974Kent Center takes emergency calls
1975 purchase of a 1970 Mack Tractor to be used for tanker operations
1977 third Hahn pumper is ordered
1978 21' Boston Whaler rescue boat purchased
1981 Bruce C. Ennis elected Fireman of the Year by the Delaware State Firemen's Assoc.
August 22, 1982 Sadly the Citizen's Hose Company loses is first and only fireman while in the line of duty. H. Thomas Tucker falls from an engine while responding to an alarm
1983 purchase of the departments second aerial truck a 1970 Maxim 100 ft ladder and second Hurst tool
1984 original aerial is sold
1985 expansion of the building allowing for offices and storage areas
1986 Citizens' Hose Co. No. 1 Inc. celebrates 100 years of service to the people of Smyrna and Delaware