Anniversary Open House At New Hope Eagle Fire Co.

NEW HOPE, PA — The New Hope Eagle Fire Company will host a community open house
on Thursday, June 16 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the station.

The event is part of the fire company’s 200th anniversary celebration, which is being chaired by Claire Shaw, president of the fire company. The celebration also included a fire parade on Saturday and a 5K Dash for the Axe on Sunday.

The open house will feature the Temple MedFlight helicopter, mutual aid companies, special exhibits, the Bucks County Emergency Services, the Bucks County Sheriff’s Department, local canines and much more.

In addition, the public will get a close up look at the company’s pride and joy - its apparatus, including Tanker 46, among the county’s biggest tankers; its UTV, used for accessing narrow places like the Delaware Canal Towpath; Engine 46; Tower 46; Special Services 46; its AlumaSki;
and its 2021 American Airboat, both used for water rescues.

The company traces its beginnings to the evening of June 21, 1822 when a meeting was held, and it was resolved to form a department. It was also decided that members should be solicited from Lambertville and the engine should be kept as close to the bridge as possible to be accessible for both towns.

The name chosen for the new organization was, “Delaware Fire Company," as a building was procured to store the engine at the New Hope entrance to the bridge. The building was rented from the Delaware Bridge Company for $1 per year.

In 1864, another hand engine was purchased from the Eagle Fire Company of Trenton, and the name of "Eagle Fire Company No. 1 of New Hope" was adopted. The top firefighting officer at this time was the Chief Engineer. He was aided by 12 assistants.

A section of the by-laws in 1864 states that "any respectable person may become a contributing member of the company by paying one dollar annually."

The New Hope Eagle Fire Company is located at 46 Sugan Road, New Hope 18938.

The public can also stop by the Delaware Valley Fire Museum located adjacent to the fire station and learn more about the history and other stations in the area. For more information, visit delvalfiremuseum.org.