Manor Township Volunteer Fire Company holds Centennial Celebration

Elected Officials and the Manor Township Volunteer Fire Company Leadership form for a photo (L-R:  Manor Township Supervisor Chairman Don Palmer, State Representative Abby Major, Assistant Fire Chief Matt Klingensmith, Manor Township Supervisor Tag Hecker, Fire Chief Jim McAfoose, and County Commissioners Pat Fabian, John Strate and Anthony Shea).

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Members of the Manor Township Volunteer Fire Department (MTVFC), Armstron County, fellow fire fighters from other communities, family members, as well as elected official gathered Saturday evening, February 8th, 2025 to mark a significant MTVFC milestone. Exactly100 years from February 5th, 2025 the MTVFC was originally formed. The Master of Ceremonies (MC) for the Centennial Celebration event was Ricki Evans; Manor Township Supervisors Don Palmer and Tag Hecker (both MTVFC fire fighters themselves) presented a plaque honoring MTVFC’s achievement. Manor Township Supervisor Chairman Don Palmer gave several remarks recognizing the sacrifices his fellow fire fighters have made, and called all those involved in the MTVFC as “Family”. Next, Armstrong County Commissioners John Strate, Anthony Shea, and Pat Fabian each provided a few brief remarks and presented a Proclamation recognizing the noteworthy milestone of the MTVFC. Then, PA State Representative, 60th, Abby Major and PA State Senator, 41st, Joe Pittman presented citations from their respective chambers recognizing MT VFC’s 100 years in operation.

The story of the Manor Township Volunteer Fire Department dates back to February 5th, 1925. The current day Fire Department was originally organized as the McCain Volunteer Fire Department on February 5th, 1925. The formal charter for the Department was officially approved by Judge J. Frank Graff on March 28, 1925. At the department’s inception, the original structure was an old tile garage belonging to the Weeter family on Main St. (now Byron St.), McGrann. The first fire truck was purchased in 1926; it used a piston-built pump. At some point, the fire company moved to a barn owned by Bill Dodds.

On January 28th, 1933, the original charter was amended to reflect the fire department’s current name, Manor Township Volunteer Fire Company. A year after the name change, the department bought a building from Bill Heilman that was located next to the current day McGrann Post Office; that same year, the Ladies Auxiliary was also formed. The founding members of the Ladies Auxiliary at the time were Mary Solida, Irene Frantz, Pearl Stouffer, Pearl Howlett and Hazel Vensel.

In 1951, over the span of three months, the firemen bought a truck for $1,100. They then purchased a 1,500 gallon water tank for $175 and bolted/welded it to the frame. This fire truck acquisition doubled the department’s capacity at the time. The Ladies Auxiliary played a key role in financing the various parts needed to construct the fire truck to include its light fixtures. The Ladies Auxiliary evolved into an unofficial general auxiliary that is still active to this date.   

On October 14, 1964, the department purchased a modern pumper fire truck.  

The MTVFC adopted their bylaws on April 13, 1949 later revising them again September 22, 1966. The bylaws revision stated a member must be a resident of Manor Township and be 21 years of age.  The age requirement was later relaxed with a December 10, 1968 bylaws change allowing youths between the ages of 16-21 to serve as Junior Firemen. As a result of the bylaws change, a Junior Fireman program was formed; this program is still in operation today and has recently graduated its most recent crop of junior firefighters and preparing to take on its next set of recruits.

The current structure the department uses was built in 1971; the site previously had an old bus station on it and was demolished to make room for the new building.

Long-time members Darrell and Mary (Sis) Stivason talked of working many days at the new facility. The oldest living member, Sam Schreckengost, was on hand for the event; Mr. Schreckengost started his service in 1959.   

MTVFC’s current fleet includes a 1995 KME 75’ Quint, a 2013 Rosenbauer Freight-liner Rescue/Pumper, a 2003 F-450 Quick Attack Squad Truck, and a 1997 F-350 Brush Truck. MTVFC’s current roster includes 24 active members, and 14 limited active members. The 2025 officers are Matt Klingensmith President & Asst. Chief, Jim McAfoose Chief, Chandler Milsom Vice President and Captain, Jamie Frantz Secretary, Ricki Evans Asst. Secretary and Safety Officer, John Breski Treasurer and Fire Police Captain, Susan Breski Chaplain, Kale Hill Trustee, Bill Schrum Trustee, Glen Kilgore Trustee, Frank Davis Lieutenant, Ryan Cosgrove Lieutenant, Colby Sykes Engineer, and Frank Davis Asst. Engineer.   

The formal Centennial Celebration event for the evening concluded with a prayer by Chaplain Susan Breski. The attending group of MTVFC Fire Fighters and their families then formed for a group photo. (Below)

Manor Township Volunteer Fire Company members and their families gather for a group photo at Centennial event.

The original Structure, Weeter Garage, for the then McCain Volunteer Fire Department, now Manor Township Volunteer Fire Company circa 1929.

Building bought from Bill Heilman to house Manor Township Volunteer Fire Company.

Long-time Manor Township Volunteer Fire Company members Darrell Stivason left, and Mary (Sis) Stivason.

Fire Chief Arnold Miller stands beside Fire Truck the department “built” over three months (Circa 1951).