The Marcus Hook Fire Company No. 1 originated as result of a meeting held in the home of Edgar Wallen in November of 1903. Due to the heavy influx into Marcus Hook there was a concern over the increased probability of fire that came with growth. By 1908 land had been acquired and a fire station erected on the Northeast corner of Eighth Street and Market Street. An addition was added to the existing structure in 1927. By 1933 the company operated two engines and an ambulance.

Viscose property, which included industrial buildings and residential dwellings. The station located at 10th Street and Penn Avenue was first occupied around 1920, at which time a new pumper with 35' extension ladder was acquired. In 1948, the American Viscose Company transferred ownership of the fire station to the Fire Company. The Marcus Hook & Viscose Fire Companies 32-46 had been responding to alarms as a department since 1925 although administratively they functioned as two separate bodies. Throughout the past 76 years, the Borough of Marcus Hook has steadfastly supported both of its fire companies regardless of political agendas and continues to provide replacement apparatus every 10 years.

Since about 1980, is has become increasingly difficult for the taxpayers to support two fire companies. This is primarily due to loss of taxable properties, reassessments, a decline in population and the rising coat of fire apparatus and equipment. In that same time span, the fire companies have also faced challenges in the form of reduced manpower, an increase in time needed for fund raising activities and trying to provide full time professional services with part time personnel. Unofficial conversations among the borough officials as well as among the fire company members regarding the possibility of consolidating the two fire companies started to occur around 1985. It was not until March of 1998 that a meeting was held among the officers of both

fire companies to discuss this option. The underlying feeling among the participants was that we were going to plan our own future before we had it planned for us.

In August 2000 the Marcus Hook and Viscose Fire Companies, along with our borough officials formed a Fire Service Study Committee to look at ways to improve and secure the longevity of the Volunteer Fire Service in Marcus Hook. The committee, with the cooperation of both Fire Company Memberships established goals that we believe would provide the best foundation for the future of volunteer emergency services in the Community of Marcus Hook.

We quickly realized that consolidating the two Fire Companies into one organization, under one roof was probably our best choice. In October of 200 we stated the process that would end on January 01, 2002 with the formation of the Marcus Hook Fire Department, Station #32.

Currently we run two E-One 1250 GPM Engines and an E-One HP75/1500 GPM Ladder out of Station 1 located at 8th & Market Street. Station 2. Located at 10th & Penn Avenue houses a Medtec Ambulances, a Lexington Air / Light Special Operation Unit and utility vehicle. Plans are underway to build a new station to house all of the equipment in the near future at 10th Penn Avenue.

The fire Department is located in the Delaware County area about 8 miles north Philadelphia and on the border line of Delaware. The Borough of Marcus Hook is about 1 mile that the Fire Department covers.