Pictured are members of the Fleetville Fire Company, which celebrates its 75th anniversary this year.
Submitted photo
FLEETVILLE – The Fleetville Fire Company was founded on April 1, 1948.
On April 1st 2023, the fire company celebrated its 75th anniversary.
The fire company is located at 58 Firehouse Lane.
It provides service to Benton Township and assistance to neighboring fire companies. It currently has more than 35 first responders and 10 junior fire responders. There are more than 25 social members.
The fire company has the original charter. It was signed by Howard Wells, F.M. Aylesworth, Ward Ainey, Elwood Brown, Everett Brown, Vernon Colvin, Vernon Covey, Richard Gowe, Anthony Josephite, Simon Marcey and Edgar Rought. It was also signed by Anthony Stugus, who is the father of member Mary Pat Saxton, grandfather of Fire Chief Tony Saxton and father-in-law of treasurer Phil Saxton.
Philip Saxton is the treasurer of the fire company and has been a member since 1967. He has been part of the Fleeetville fire Company for 56 years.
“The first Fleetville Fire Station was located in an old barn behind what is now CJ’s Deli. Years ago, this deli was a Rudat’s Store. It then moved to a building 100 yards east of Fleetville Corners of State Route 107. It remained there until the mid to late 1980s when the fire company purchased the former Endless Mountains Airport where the fire station is now located. The old maintenance building and hangers now house the apparatus bay, meeting rooms, kitchen and dining room,” said Micelle Ross, secretary and social member of the fire company.
The Fleetville Fire Company’s first fire truck was a 1932 International Fire Engine. Today, the fire company has a 2005 fire engine, a 2020 pumper truck and a 2008 Ford Brush truck.
Tony Saxton has been with the fire company for 35 years. He joined when he was 16 and has served the fire company as president, vice president, lieutenant and assistant chief, in addition to currently being the chief.
He explained why he wanted to join the Fleetville Fire Company.
“I wanted to join the fire company because many of my community and school friends were either members of the Fleetville Fire Company, Factoryville Fire Company, Dalton Fire Company or Nicholson Fire Company. I thought it was a great way to help out the community. I also had a lot of family history in the Fleetville Fire Company. My grandfather, Anthony Stugus was a charter member of the Fleetville Fire Company. My father, Philip Saxton, is still an active member and uncle, John Stugus, was a firefighter. My grandmother, Veronica Stugus, and mother, Mary Saxton, are members of the auxiliary that supports the fire company and our firefighters. I also have a few great uncles, Michael and George Andrejco, that were members of the company. I guess you can say, it is in my blood.
“The fire company has lasted so long because of commitment, pride and a call to service. Many of our members are legacy. Their grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles planted the seed and passed it down for generations. Many are direct descendants of the original members who founded and signed the charter. There is a place for everyone and we welcome all who are interested. The Fleetvillel Fire Company will continue long past our 75th year. We are more than proud to serve the community and our surrounding mutual aid support.”
Several events are planned to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the fire company. There will be a community event Saturday, April 29, at the fire station. A chicken barbeque will be at 2 p.m. and a fire company parade at 3 p.m. The event will include food trucks, a beer tent, kids games and live music. There will be fireworks at 8:30 p.m. to conclude the event.
Veronica Stugus is the fire companies oldest life member and will be the grand marshal at the parade.
“Being a firefighter has helped me find my place to help the community. Even though when responding, it often means some type of loss to someone’s property, I know that I and others have helped save what we can and help prevent any other loss. The list of things that I have learned from training classes and experience goes on forever. Firefighting develops a brotherhood between responders and expands outside your own company. We have become great friends and it is like an extended family,” said Tony Saxton.
The fire company is looking for new firefighters and others to do other jobs at the fire station.
To join, a person needs to be 14 to be a junior firefighter. A person does not have to be interested in firefighting as there are other jobs within the fire company such as scene support. The fire company will supply training for any job. Stop by the fire station or call for an application 570-945-3136 There is a membership meeting once a month on the first Tuesday of each month at 7 pm.
People are at the fire stations on Wednesdays for training and work detail.
