Gettysburg Fire

The Gettysburg Fire Department, located in Adams County Pennsylvania, has a long and proud history of public service to the community of Gettysburg and the surrounding areas. The first fire protection in Gettysburg was provided by a bucket brigade in accordance with mandatory action by town council in 1806. In 1808, in addition to the existing bucket brigade, an engine company, an ax company, and a ladder company were formed. Gettysburg's first "non-hand power" engine, a Silsby Steam Fire Engine, arrived in 1886. Named the "General Meade," the Silsby can still be seen today in the department's museum.

The first motorized engine arrived in 1912 and the first aerial ladder truck, a 55' 1888 Hayes with a wooden manual raised ladder was purchased on April 2, 1925. The department has since grown to handle more than 700 fire/rescue calls and 2000 ambulance calls per year. It protects approximately 25 square miles covering a population of 20,000 with 30 volunteer firefighters operating two engines, one truck, one rescue engine, a traffic unit, support vehicles and two BLS ambulances, one of which is manned by paid EMTs. The department protects 90% of the Gettysburg National Military Park and celebrated its 200th anniversary in 2008.

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