About Us
The organizational meeting of the Upper Yoder Volunteer Fire Company was held on May 19, 1943 at the Berkley School, which is now the site of the Berkley Hills Professional Building. The Fire Company charter was recorded September 28, 1943. The original station quarters was located on Fairway Court which was an old Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) building which was leased from the City of Johnstown. This is the current site of the Giant Eagle Supermarket located on Goucher Street.
Although the Upper Yoder Fire Company was chartered in 1943, due to World War II, the first fire apparatus was not available to the fire company until 1947. The Upper Yoder Volunteer Fire Company took delivery of the 1947 American LaFrance 500 G.P.M. Scout Pumper. The fire engine and the equipment on it, totaled $9,700.00. This fire engine, along with fire engines purchased by Southmont and Krings Fire Companies, arrived together on a railroad flat car at the B.& O. Railroad freight yard. This fire engine was also used for transporting injured individuals to the hospital before ambulance service was established. It was able to respond with an
MSA First Aid Kit and an E.& J. Resuscitator
to transport the sick and injured. At that time
all patients were transported on a military
litter which was strapped to the fire engine hose bed.
With the growing needs of the community, Upper Yoder Fire Company purchased their first ambulance in 1949, which was a converted Chevrolet panel truck. In 1960 the fire company built the station we continue to occupy at 320 Warren Street.
In 1963, the Fire Company purchased a 1963 GMC Panel truck and had it converted into an ambulance. With increasing calls in 1972, the company purchased a Ford John Bean, 750 GPM fire engine, from the FMC. Corp. In 1975 the GMC Panel truck “ambulance” was replaced by a 1974 Dodge Care-O- Van Ambulance. This ambulance was the first modular type ambulance in the greater Johnstown area. It is also important to note, that the first Emergency Medical Services (EMS) training curriculum was not released until 1977. Prior to this, the organization of EMS was not what we know today. In 1979 the fire company purchased a 1977 Dodge van and converted it into a squad truck carrying miscellaneous equipment.
In 1983 we retired the American LaFrance fire engine. It was sold to a collector in Annapolis, Maryland. On a recent search on the fire engine, it was found to be in a scrap yard. This was the last of the three 1947 engines to be taken out of service in the area. This fire engine was replaced with the purchase of a 1983 Grumman/Duplex Pumper.
Due to an increase in call volume for EMS calls, the Upper Yoder Volunteer Fire Company formed the career division of the company for providing Emergency Medical Services with a paid EMT. This division is known as Upper Yoder Fire Rescue. As the call volumes increased, the company added a second ambulance with the purchase and restoration of a Chevrolet Ambulance from the Lorain Borough Fire Department. After a few years, this ambulance was replaced with a newer model and is also the time Upper Yoder Fire Company obtained their first Advanced Life Support Status.
The 50th Anniversary of the Upper Yoder Volunteer Fire Company was truly filled with challenges. In June of 1993, our 1988 McCoy Miller Ford Ambulance caught fire overnight while parked in the fire station. The fire alarm system activated and alerted members of an active alarm at the fire station. Upon responding, members found the fire station to be on fire. Quick response from those initial responders, allowed the fire to be contained to the apparatus bay. This fire destroyed the primary ambulance, all of the equipment inside of it, damage to the building and other vehicles in the station which was in excess of $125,000. The department was faced suddenly with the need to replace an ambulance and most of the equipment on it, repairs to other vehicles and a new fire engine was on order. Despite all of the challenges, the necessary repairs were made, a replacement ambulance and equipment was obtained and we placed into service a 1993 International/ New Lexington 1500 GPM fire engine.
In 1994, the John Bean fire engine was removed from service and sold to the Parks Volunteer Fire Department, Parks, Arkansas. In 1994, the Upper Yoder Fire Rescue began providing paid staffing 24-7. This move was made to the number of dwindling volunteers to handle EMS calls and the increase in EMS calls.
In 1996 the 1977 Dodge van squad was removed from service and replaced with a 1984 National Bus which was converted to its new use in the station by the members of the fire company. This vehicle, in addition to being a squad, was set up as a mobile command post. The vehicle is equipped with radio equipment for Cambria, Somerset, Indiana, Westmoreland, and Bedford Counties. The vehicle also has an onboard fax machine, cellular phone, and can be hardwired for phone service. The vehicle also carries 2 chainsaws, submersible and gas powered pumps, a 5k.w. generator, portable lighting, shop vacs, S.C.B.A.'s, absorbents, fire extinguishers, and other miscellaneous equipment and was available to any Fire, EMS, or Police agency requesting it.
In 2008 the “bus” was removed from service, and replaced with a 2008 ford pick up truck with a utility body from J&J Bodies of Somerset, PA. This vehicle is utilized for emergency water removal from basements, tree removals from roadways, traffic control with our fire police, and a personnel carrier for training classes.
In 2010, the Menoher Heights Volunteer Fire Company, which was also located in Upper Yoder Township, closed. Our company was able to purchase their 2004 Freightliner E One fire engine . This apparatus, and the necessary equipment allowed the Upper Yoder Volunteer Fire Company to enter into the Rescue area. This includes hydraulic extrication equipment for vehicle crashes and low angle rope rescue which has been determined to be a need within Upper Yoder Township.
In 2020, we purchased a 2013 GMC/Braun 4x4 Advanced Life Support ambulance from Cover Hill Volunteer Fire Company. This vehicle replaced a 2005 Ford ambulance.
In 2023, the company removed from service the 1993 International/New Lexington fire engine and replaced it with a 2005 Marion/Spartan 1500 GPM engine from the Lakewood NJ, fire department. Also in 2023, the 2012 ford Ambulance was replaced with the purchase of a 2023 Medix mini mod ambulance.
Currently, the Upper Yoder Volunteer Fire Company operates a fleet of five apparatus.
Engine 27, a 2005 Marion/Spartan 1500 Gpm pumper with 750 gal tank. Rescue Engine 27,a 2004 Freightliner/E-One 1500 gpm pumper with a 1000 gal water tank with various rescue equipment. Squad 27, a 2008 Ford utility vehicle. Medic 27-4 a 2013 GMC/Braun 4x4 Advanced Life Support ambulance. Medic 27-5 a 2023 Ford/Medix Advanced Life ambulance.
Santa Run 2023
Veterans Day Visit at Nursing Homes 2023
Our station, located at 320 Warren St., houses the administrative offices and crew quarters. The station’s second floor is home to the Cub Lifelines Exercise club. Not only does our organization provide emergency services to the community, we are also active in the community by participating in Fire Prevention, community prevention programs, and a site for Cuddles For Kids supply. We team up with Cuddles for Kids as not only a collection point but we also provide a Santa Run where we escort Santa Claus throughout Upper Yoder Township where small gift are provided to the children of the area. Our crews spend Trick or Treat providing treat bags to the children and the recently started Veterans Day Recognition program where we recognize our US Veterans living in Heritage Ridge of Johnstown, Hilltop Heights Rehabilitation, and Quality Life Services or Johnstown.
Unless specified, Photos on this page contributed by Bob Simanski, Tim Reitz, Pete Long, Ralph Wilson, John Reitz, Jamie Eckenrod and Dave Bowen