reifton fire program - FireCompanies.com

HISTORY OF THE
REIFFTON FIRE COMPANY
The Reiffton Fire Company was established on October
8, 1913. One afternoon, over a tall glass of iced tea, Morris Romig, a wheat farmer, and Amos
Reiff discussed how it had been a dry, hot summer and how the sun made them feel like they
were on fire. Amos Reiff then had the idea of starting an organization to put out fires in the area,
which is now known as Reiffton.
Reiff called a meeting at the Black Bear Inn for thirteen members on October 8, 1913. At
the meeting, company officers were elected and a dues was established at $.25 per person. The
members originally called their organization Suburban Fire Company of Reiffton. They
purchased their first apparatus on April 10, 1914 for $400.00. It was an American La France
two-wheel cart equipped with a chemical tank.
In May of 1914 the newly formed fire company was put to its first test. They were called
to a brooder fire in the chicken pen of Robert Hartline. Even though the chickens died, the
members handled the blaze like veterans. After this fire, they elected their first captain, John
Wein, on June 3, 1914.
Mr. Reiff donated a plot of land and $200.00 towards the cost of erecting a one-story
frame building, which would house their equipment. In 1923, they purchased a Hahn 250-gallon
engine; however, their building was too small, so they built an addition onto the existing
building. The present building at 33 rd and James Avenue in Reiffton was built in 1928. This
building originally housed an engine, meeting room, lounging room, and social room in the
basement.
In 1929, a Mack 750-gallon engine was purchased for $10,000.00. A Firemen’s Relief
Association was founded in 1934. A jeep was attained in 1946 and a new Mack engine, fully
equipped with modern accessories was purchased in 1951.
The apparatus was getting larger and the building seemed smaller, so a utility house was
built. This housed the jeep and the “Old Mack” engine on the former Romig property.
Currently, Fire Chief Robert F. Jordan oversees 52 active volunteers, one paid career
driver, and 10 Junior Firefighters. The apparatus has expanded to a 2004 Pierce 95’ Ladder
Tower, a 1997 Spartan/Saulsbury Engine, a 1995 Pierce Rescue/Engine, a 1972 Mack Engine, a
1974 Jeep CJ-5, a 2003 Dodge Pick Up, a 2002 Chevy Tahoe Command Vehicle, a 2001 Chevy
Suburban Deputy Command Vehicle, two water rescue boats, and a spill trailer
In 2007 the Reiffton Fire Company responded to 687 emergency calls in Exeter
Township, St. Lawrence Borough, and the surrounding communities. The fire company
participates in various community activities such as Elementary and Church Fire Prevention
Activities, Boscov’s Heroes Day, Santa Escort, Memorial Day Parade, and many more. There is
also an annual Christmas Tree Sale at the fire station, which is held as a fund-raising activity.
The men and women of the Reiffton Fire Company have been and always will be
dedicated to their work in helping and protecting the residents of Exeter Township and St.
Lawrence Borough.