Claysburg Fire Co. Celebrates 80 Years

On March 11, 1943, two years before the end of World War II, a group of citizens met in a school gymnasium to elect officers and lay the foundation for the Claysburg Volunteer Fire Company. Until that day, the then nearly 140-year-old village relied on surrounding towns for fire protection

This year marks the 80th anniversary of that first meeting and from its humble beginnings of one pumper truck housed in a garage owned by General Refractories, to its current fully equipped home along Dunnings Highway, eight decades of growth of the Claysburg Volunteer Fire Company can be attributed to two things; volunteers and community support.

On Saturday evening, March 25, the fire company held a banquet to honor the men and women who continue the legacy of its founders and leading the company into the future.

According to Chief Scotty Eicher, volunteer firefighters often go about their work with little recognition and the banquet was an opportunity to show members that they are appreciated and that their work on behalf of the community does not go unrecognized.

"Recognizing the efforts of our members became a priority for us," Eicher said. "We have seen a decline in membership and wanted to reassure the members we have of the crucial part they play and how appreciated they are."

Awards were given out for 20 and 30 years of service for firefighters and auxiliary. Tony Christ was given the Chief's Award, Ed Dibert was named Fire Police of the Year, Dakota Chamberlain was awarded Firefighter of the Year and Keith Claycomb took home the Fire Person of the Year. A complete list of award winners can be found on the Claysburg Volunteer Fire Company's Facebook page.

Claysburg also honored its mutual aid partners, the companies who respond to calls for help. Eicher said the reliability of surrounding companies, especially in the daytime when it's difficult to get many people to a scene due to work commitments, is vital for public safety.

"The Mutual Aid awards can never be about just a plaque on the wall," Eicher said, "These people are just as important to us as my own crew responding. We rely on them heavily and the same works for them. We also respond and give mutual aid. It is an intricate part we all must play in the status of the world today.

Eicher said getting the members together for something other than an emergency response solidified the image of firefighters being a brotherhood and that they are not only there in times of crisis, but also like getting together to socialize.

"I was blown away with the smiles and gratitude I received when everyone was together just socializing and relaxing," Eicher said. "At that time, it wasn't about awards but the ability to be together and be served a meal instead of serving someone else as we always do. It made me realize why we do what we do and how blessed I am to have such people here."