In 1908, the Fort Washington Fire Company No. 1 was formed for the purpose of protecting Fort Washington, Upper Dublin Township and vicinity from fire. From that time, there have been many hardships and trying experiences, which were all overcome.

The first meeting of the fire company was held on January 6, 1908 on Bethlehem Pike at what what was called the Junior Order of American Mechanics Building. The reason the fire company was being formed was that there were several hazards in the area, including a large steel mill in what is now the Fort Washington office park. There has been several fires at the mill and they had depended on local residents to assist in extinguishing them. A temporary president, secretary and treasurer were appointed. The company was created and anyone wishing to join had to pay a $1.00 initiation fee.

The early years were difficult and the membership depended upon several prominent local residents to assist them in raising funds. In one of the early years, total receipts for the year were $200.00 and total expenses were roughly $100.00. There was not a lot of money to go around and the fire company was forced to raise funds through several means, such as socials, pig roasts and ice cream sales.

On February 10, 1910 the permission was given to order our first firefighting equipment. The order was for 500 ft. of hose, twelve buckets, two ladders, two hooks and two axes. According to records, the Fort Washington Fire Company put out its first fire on December 27, 1910.

In 1913, the fire chief petitioned the water company to install a fire hydrant at Summit Avenue & Spring Avenue. This hydrant had to be paid for by the fire company.

In November 1917, the membership decided to waive dues for any member serving in WWI until discharged. In December of 1919, a key figure was voted into the fire company, Arthur Haggar. The Haggar family has been extremely instrumental in the success of the fire company to this day. In April 1922, a new Ford Chemical engine was delivered. During this year, we also began looking for a site for a regular fire house to be built. Mr. George Wallace purchased the site on Summit Avenue from Mr. Bodenstein for $1,000.00 and donated the land to the fire company. Mr. James was awarded the contract for the new firehouse at a cost of roughly $6,000.00.

In 1927, the decision was made to purchase a Hahn pumper for $7150.00. In January of 1928, we purchased a Seddon truck, built by Seddon Truck Company of Flourtown, PA. The idea was to take the chemical truck and remount it on this chassis. The cost of the truck was $2500.00.

In 1937, we began purchasing fire equipment from the Nat Alexander Company (fire equipment supplier). The relationship has continued to this day. In 1939, the fire company ran a total of 38 fire calls, a far cry from today as we run approximately 600 to 700 calls per year. The fire company struggled with the loss of many of its members during WWII and depended on a small group of older members to keep the company going. In 1942, the eligible age for joining the fire company was lowered to 16 years old to compensate for the lack of men due to many enlisting in the armed services. In 1946, a memorial service was held for five members of the fire company who were killed defending our country during World War Two. In September of 1946, the fire company received a new Ford truck with a front mounted Hahn pump. December of 1947 brought the finalization of the Relief Association. In the same year, the fire company fought the Wentz barn fire and was in service for 16 hours.

The Fire Police unit was formed in March of 1948. In April of that year, negotiations led to the purchase of the land that our present main station is located on. It is a 150' by 200' lot located across the street from the old firehouse on Summit Avenue. This lot was purchased for $3,000 from Mr. Mariotz. In September of 1949, the President, also a charter member of the fire company, resigned his post. U. G. Funk had been president of the fire company since 1910. In November, a dinner was held in his honor.

A new Mack fire truck was purchased in September of 1950, for the price of $16,333.75. In 1951, our new Mack fire truck collided with a Horsham fire truck while responding to a house fire. In 1954, a new GMC fire truck was purchased for $9,500.00, with the Civil Defense paying $4,477.25 of the cost.

In 1955, a new fire house was built, which is our present main station. The cost of the new firehouse was $104,000.00. That same year, George Haggar became fire chief and would go on to be the longest tenured chief in the company's history. March of 1956 brought a huge honor for the fire company-we received the second highest rating in the state for our entry in the National Fire Prevention contest. Also in 1956, the fire company responded to a train wreck and fire along the "Trenton Cut-Off."

On June 12, 1958, a jet plane from the Willow Grove Naval Air Station crashed onto a property along Dillon Rd, killing the pilot. The plane came so close to striking a home, that it ripped off the rain gutters.

In 1965, the fire company participated in the movie entitled "The Trouble With Angels", starring Haley Mills and Rosalind Russell, which was filmed at St. Mary's Villa. In September of 1965, we appeared in Life Magazine.

During the late 1960's, a concerted effort was made to build a training grounds for the company. Chief George Haggar approached township officials about securing a piece of land in the township for this facility. A piece of land on Twining Road about a mile down the road from our present Burn Brae station was secured and the volunteers spent countless hours of their time clearing the over-grown trees and brush that occupied the site.

In September of 1971, the fire company received a new 75' Mack Aerial-Scope, our first ladder truck. In December of the same year, Chief George Haggar, chief of 17 years, announced he would not run for chief again. On June 3, 1972, a ceremony was held to officially dedicate the training grounds, built solely by the members of the fire company and something of which we are extremely proud of. In November, a new 1250 gpm Mack pumper was delivered.

During August of 1974, the Burn Brae Station was completed and began servicing the community. On June 10, 1976, twin Mack 1250 GPM pumpers were delivered and dedicated. These were the first trucks to be painted lime green, which is now the fire company standard.

The 1980's saw the replacement of several apparatus as well as as one of the most significant fires in our history in June 1986 when the Trinity Episcopal Church caught fire. Initial Fort Washington crews attempted an interior attack, but had to rapidly evacuate the church due to the extent of the fire. Dozens of area fire companies assisted and laid supply lines several miles down Bethlehem Pike to the Bent Elbo.

In 1994, the memorial at the Burn Brae station was dedicated and lists the names of all of our members who are no longer with us. 1996 brought the remnants of hurricane Fran, which resulted in approximately 10 inches of rain in a 2 hour period. Fort Washington members responded to numerous calls for rescues, fires and everything in between. This event led to the acquisition of our boats and the training of our members in water rescue operations.

The new millenium has brought increased training requirements, several new apparatus and the celebration of our 100th anniversary in 2008.

Today, the Fort Washington Fire Company comprises two fire stations, a training facility, 9 pieces of apparatus, and over one hundred dedicated members. Without these members, we would not be where we are today. Here's to the next 100 years!