Our History

Although the West Shore Bureau of Fire is the newest fire department in Cumberland County, its legacy is built upon more than a century of dedicated fire protection and community service. The formation of our Bureau in 1998 was the culmination of decades of commitment by the Citizens Fire Company of Lemoyne and the Wormleysburg Fire Company—two organizations deeply woven into the fabric of the West Shore community. Their stories are our foundation.

Origins in Lemoyne

The roots of organized fire protection in the region date back to June 19, 1905, when a meeting was held in the Witman Building at Rossmoyne and Hummel Streets in Lemoyne. This gathering led to the establishment of the Citizens Fire Company #1 of Lemoyne, officially recognized by the Borough Council on July 6, 1906. Initial efforts were modest—a handmade hose cart stored in local stables—but driven by civic pride and determination.

By 1910, the company had erected its first firehouse on Hummel Avenue. The company purchased land and constructed a temporary wooden building for $36.00. In 1911, that property was sold, and a new station was built on Herman Avenue. The permanent firehouse was completed in 1914 at a cost of $3,375. A 304-pound brass bell—purchased for $82.71 and inscribed with the company’s name and founding date—was mounted in the bell tower and remains there to this day as a symbol of the company’s enduring presence.

Firefighting in Wormleysburg

Around the same time, the Wormleysburg Fire Company #1 was established. On March 5, 1909, its first officers were elected. Initially relying on bucket brigades, the company soon acquired a horse-drawn hose cart from the Harrisburg Fire Department. This early apparatus proved vital in suppressing several early fires, including one that struck a local tin shop.

By 1920, both fire companies had transitioned to motorized fire apparatus, greatly enhancing their operational capabilities. Lemoyne purchased its first motorized American LaFrance engine in 1919 following a public vote to secure funding, while Wormleysburg modernized its fleet in the years that followed, including a new Diamond T in 1936.

Growth Through Challenge

The 1920s and 1930s brought significant advancements, including installation of a telephone at Lemoyne’s firehouse, the borough’s first street-corner fire alarm boxes, and new equipment such as the 1938 Hahn engine. Even during the hardship of the Great Depression and World War II, both departments adapted. Teenagers filled the ranks as older members went to war, heroically responding to major fires like the destruction of Washington Heights School and Trinity Lutheran Church.

In the post-war years, Citizens Fire Company added an emergency rescue unit (1951) and expanded its station to accommodate new apparatus, including the region’s first combination rescue/pumper showcased at the 1953 International Fire Chiefs Conference in Philadelphia. Over the decades, modernization continued with updated engines, utility units, air wagons, and rescue trucks.

Wormleysburg also advanced its fleet and operations, including a full rebuild of its Hahn pumper by Emergency One in 1992, featuring a fully enclosed cab to enhance firefighter safety.

Laying the Foundation for Regional Service

By the late 1980s, both companies recognized the value of regional collaboration. They co-founded the Special Hazards Operations Team to provide hazardous materials response and were instrumental in forming Battalion One, a mutual aid partnership with Camp Hill, New Cumberland, and later Fairview Township. This coordinated approach standardized tactics, training, and resources, creating a foundation for regional fire service delivery.

In 1996, Lemoyne acquired a cutting-edge Emergency One squad/pumper equipped with a Compressed Air Foam System—the first of its kind in Central Pennsylvania.

Formation of the West Shore Bureau of Fire

Recognizing the benefits of unification, Lemoyne and Wormleysburg officially formed the West Shore Bureau of Fire on January 1, 1998. Just weeks later, the newly formed department was tested by a devastating four-alarm fire at the West Shore Farmers Market. Over seven days of operations, the Bureau—assisted by mutual aid partners—demonstrated the strength and cohesion of the new organization, responding with skill and professionalism and without any injuries.

In 1999, the Bureau acquired a new Emergency One air unit to meet evolving operational needs. By 2002, the organization was assigned Company 13, encompassing two stations:

• Station 1 (Lemoyne): Engine 1-13, Squad 13, Air 13, Utility 1-13

• Station 2 (Wormleysburg): Engine 2-13, Engine 3-13, Utility 2-13

Continuing Our Legacy

The West Shore Bureau of Fire is proud of its origins and honors the dedicated service of its predecessor companies. With over 90 years of combined history, our department remains committed to excellence in emergency response, fire prevention, and community engagement.

As we look toward the future, we carry with us the legacy of those who came before—volunteers, innovators, and public servants—whose unwavering dedication continues to shape the service we provide today.