OUR HISTORY
More Than a Century of Service
Proudly serving Dalton and the surrounding communities since 1921.
The Fire That Started It All
Nearly four months after Dalton became an official borough, tragedy struck. In the early morning hours of May 26, 1895, a train engineer sounded his whistle to alert the sleeping neighborhood to what became know as the, “Great Fire.” A large bucket brigade quickly assembled, but the fire had already taken hold. An entire block was destroyed, including a general store, lumberyard, bakery and hardware store.
In the aftermath, it became clear that Dalton needed an organized fire department. Residents raised money through a community chicken dinner, and the Dalton Fire Company was born. In its earliest days, the company relied on a simple two-wheeled cart equipped with a siren and telephone operator, who alerted volunteer firefighters through a party phone line.
FROM ASSOCIATION TO FIRE COMPANY
In 1898, the Dalton Fire Protection Association was officially chartered, marking the beginning of organized fire protection in the community. That same year, the Scranton Fire Department donated a hand-drawn hose cart to Dalton.
As the community and its fire service evolved, Dalton Fire Company–County Station No. 5– was chartered on March 16, 1921. That year, the company purchased a new Chevrolet chemical engine, beginning a new era of motorized fire protection in Dalton.
GROWING WITH THE COMMUNITY
As Dalton grew, so did the equipment and capabilities of the fire company. From the earliest motorized apparatus to modern engines and aerial equipment, each generation brought new tools to better protect Dalton and the surrounding communities.
1927
New Selden/Buffalo Type 50 Engine 250/100
1950
New Ward LaFrance Type 58T Engine 750/500
1956
New Ward LaFrance Type 44T Fireball Engine 750/500
1957
Sold the Selden/Buffalo Type 50 engine to Clarks Green Fire Company
1971
Purchased a new Ward LaFrance P80 Ambassador Engine 1000/750
1972
Purchased a used 1964 International Mini Pumper 250/250 from Endicott Johnson Shoe Company
1989
Purchased a new International 2600/4-Guy Tanker 1000/1650
1991
Sold the 1964 International Mini Pumper to a local farmer
1993
The 1971 Ward LaFrance Ambassador was refurbished by New Lexington Fire Apparatus, adding high-side compartments
1997
Purchased a new International 4900/4-Guy Engine 1250/750/30B
2003
Purchased a new Seagrave 75′ RM Ladder 1500/400
2005
Acquired a used 1986 Chevy pickup from the DCNR and was made into a Brush Truck 250/150. Sold the 1997 International 4900/4-Guy Engine to Union City Ambulance and Rescue
2009
Purchased 2010 Pierce Contender 1500/1000.
2009
Removed the 1997 Ward LaFrance P80 Ambassador from Service.
2014
Traded in 2000 Road Rescue Ambulance and purchased a 2014 Chevy G4500 P&L Custom Medallion 170 ambulance
SERVING DALTON TODAY
More than a century after its beginnings, Dalton Fire Company continues the tradition established by generations of volunteers before us. While the equipment, training and challenges of the fire service have changed, the mission remains the same-neighbors serving neighbors and protecting the Dalton and surrounding communities.
