History

1946 Ford Pumper The roots of Johnstown Volunteer Firefighters date back to 1908 when town leaders bought two-dozen buckets, ladders and axes to be used in case of fire. They were stored near the old Morrison Blacksmith Shop. The town employees were responsible for fighting the fires. In 1924, the first official Johnstown Volunteer Fire Department was organized with 20 members and a locomotive train to be used as the town alarm. Hose carts were used to carry hose and equipment to the fire until 1945 when the town bought its first fire truck. As Johnstown grew, so did the need for more fire protection. In 1952, the town leaders approved a mill levy governed by the Johnstown Rural Fire Protection District Board. That same year, the Fire Board's first members, Harold Anderson, Ed Miller, Elmer Shultz, Vernon Purvis and Jim Teal, purchased a second fire truck for $8,000. The department has come a long way since buckets and ladders. Today, the department offers fire and rescue services with certified emergency medical technicians and several pumper and tanker vehicles. The department, with 25 volunteer firefighters has been located in the Johnstown Fire House since 1956. In 1998, the department moved to its new headquarters located at the west side of Johnstown at Highway 60 and 100 Telep Av.

 

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