After a very disastrous fire in 1911, in which several homes and one church were destroyed, the question of organizing a fire company was discussed among town residents. A public meeting was called in the International Order of Odd Fellows Hall in New Kingstown on December 22, 1911. A chartered fire company was organized, and the name given was New Kingstown Fire Company.

A fair was held in the I.O.O.F. Hall from February 1st to February 10, 1912, to raise money for which the new Fire Company was very much in need of. The new Fire Company saw a need for Bylaws and appointed a committee to draw up the bylaws. The same basic concepts of these bylaws are still in use today, with updates and revisions being made as needed.

The decision was made to purchase a lot in the village of New Kingstown and build a firehouse on it. New Kingstown’s first firehouse was dedicated July 20, 1912, and was used until 1957. The building still stands today near the center of town along West Main Street and is used as a private residence.

In March of 1912 came a big moment for the Fire Company, a new chemical engine was purchased. The new engine could either be pulled by hand or horses. On the new engine were two 35-gallon chemical tanks, two small extinguishers, and 200 feet of house. Money was raised from time to time by holding festivals and suppers, to help keep the Fire Company going and keep up with expenses, and this tradition still continues today.

On December 6, 1932, the New Kingstown Fire Company joined the Cumberland County Fireman’s Association at Mechanicsburg, PA and have maintained membership of the association ever since.

The Fire Company progressed through the years until 1934 when the membership started to dwindle because a number of the older members had passed away, moved, or lost interest in the company. The last regular meeting was held January 1, 1935.

On January 12, 1942, a meeting was called to order to reorganize the Fire Company so that it might again become active. Between the years of 1935 and 1942, two or three members kept up the apparatus and firehouse. Due to the reorganization, the Fire Company had a new life and the firemen started to carry out many new hopes and ideas. The first activity was to clean up the old chemical engine and get it in good working order. A 1936 Chevrolet cattle truck was purchased, and a few members built a body on it in the evenings and spare time. On it they mounted the chemical tanks from the old engine and added a 200-gallon booster tank and 300-gpm portable pump.

This unit eventually saw the addition of a 500-gpm front mounted pump, 500-gallon booster tank and 35-foot wooden ladder.

In 1955 a 500-gpm engine was purchased from the W.S.Darley Co. Of Chicago. This engine replaced the 1936 Chevrolet, and in 1957 the Fire Company purchased its first tank truck,

a 1949 International that held 1500 gallons of water. Also in 1957, the Fire Company purchased a lot on Locust Point Road to build a bigger firehouse to meet the needs of the growing Fire Company and Community, which is our present location.

In 1962, the 1949 International was replaced with a 2000-gallon Chevrolet tanker. With the need for more water, a 1965 International 2000-gallon tanker was purchased bringing the total pieces of emergency apparatus to 3.

As time changed, we saw the need to update our equipment. in 1973 an International/Darley 1000 gpm engine replaced the old 1955 GMC. This engine was sold to Clarence Gutshall, a member of the company, and is now in possession of his son

James Gutshall and is still in operating order. Also, in 1973 a GMC Rescue truck was purchased to fulfill the need for a Rescue Service in the township.

In 1977 the Fire Company saw still more need to expand the facilities. A new 3 bay apparatus area was constructed to house the units. At this time 12-foot-high bay doors were added seeing that the apparatus could no longer fit in the 8-foot-high doors easily.

The need for an off road, small brush and field unit was seen and a 1976 Dodge was purchased from Keyser Co. This unit was used for Field and Brush Fires, so the larger apparatus did not have to be taken off road. It also replaced the GMC Rescue truck.

The 1965 International Tanker was replaced in the late 1970’s with a 1971 Chevrolet with a 2250-gallon stainless steel tank. This truck was a former milk truck and was placed into service after much work by company members.

In 1983, The New Kingstown Fire Company took a major step in updating their fire suppression equipment with the purchase of an Engine/Tanker combination unit. The 1000 gpm GMC/Darley with an 1800-gallon booster tank and was one of the first of its kind in Cumberland County and replaced the 1962 Chevrolet.

During 1987 the Fire Company replaced the 1973 International engine with a 1986 KME/Darley 1500 gpm Pumper with top mount pump panel and 750-gallon tank. The 1973 International was sold to Irishtown Fire Company in Irishtown, Adams County, PA. This unit was the first custom cab apparatus purchased and allowed firefighters to don SCBA enroute to calls.

In 1989, the first Amkus Rescue tool was purchased and placed on E133. Members began to train in many new areas to develop the company to handle its growing community and roadways.

During 1990, a 1970 Dodge/Swab Squad was purchased from Citizens Fire and Rescue of Mechanicsburg. This vehicle is owned and maintained by the fireman’s Relief Association. It is equipped as a fireground support unit and used to transport manpower.

The 1971 Chevrolet tanker was replaced in 1993 with an Autocar/Walker Stainless Steel 1000 gpm 2700-gallon tank. This unit was equipped with side and rear dump valves to be used during tanker shuttles at large incidents.

During 1995 the 1983 GMC Engine/Tanker was sold to the Ralston Fire Company on Northern Lycoming County, PA for $60,000.00.

The year 1998 saw a drastic change in the Fire Company. A major undertaking of apparatus upgrade and replacement took place. First, the 1970 Dodge/Swab Squad was replaced with a 1996 GMC/Swab/Knapheide 4-wheel drive vehicle. This unit is capable of transporting 5 personnel in a 4-door cab. This unit is set up for fireground support and to handle the many non-emergency calls and medical assists handled by the company. Second, the 1976 Dodge/Keyser Brush unit was rehabilitated by Swab with a new pump and body. This unit is now in service to function as a Brush Unit/Mini-Pumper to handle the incidents in areas that the larger apparatus cannot access. Finally, a 1998 E-ONE Rescue/Pumper was purchased at a cost of $330,000.00. This unit has a 1500 gpm pump, 650-gallon water tank, and 20-gallon class A foam tank. It is also equipped with an AMKUS ULTIMATE Rescue system capable of running 4 hydraulic rescue tools simultaneously. This unit carries a crew of 8 inside a totally enclosed cab.

The current Apparatus operated by The New Kingstown Fire Company is:

Engine 33 2018 Pierce Enforcer Engine 1500 GPM/1000 GWT/55 GFT

Squad 33 2016 Pierce Enforcer Meag PUC Rescue/Engine 1500 GPM/650 GWT/20 GFT

Tanker 33 1993 Autocar/Walker 1000 GPM/2700 GWT

Mini Pumper 33 2002 KME  750 GPM/300 GWT/15 GFT

Utility 33  2001 Chevrolet

Traffic 33  2008 E-One Traffic Control Vehicle

The New Kingstown Fire Company has grown right along with is community and continues to operate as a volunteer fire company with the annual support from fund raising activities. The Fire Company was recognized in 1999, 2000, and 2001 with a Life Safety Achievement Award for no fire deaths due to fire prevention and education programs.

The Fire Company is answering over 700 alarms a year in Silver Spring and Middlesex Townships and responds mutual aid to many surrounding townships and boroughs. Our first due area is home to numerous trucking companies and truck stops leaving us wide open for a large potential of incidents.

The Fire Company adopted a motto during its early years and after 88 years of service the motto is still upheld "We Strive to Save in Time of Need".