Tuesday, September 27, 2022

Ashland Utility Squad Finds New Life in Fire Service

Last month, the keys were officially handed over to the new owner of the utility squad from Ashland that served the borough for decades.

In 1983, the American Hose Company #1 purchased a Ford E-350 with and RV Cutaway brand new.  Current Fire Chief Phil Groody and the late Joseph Halko headed the project and laid out the vehicle to the borough's needs.

For almost 40 years, the vehicle served the borough through hundreds of fires, accidents, and parades.

Earlier this year, members decided it was time to upgrade and put the vehicle up for sale.

Ashland's fire apparatus are all owned by the borough so the sale was put out for bid in July.  Members thinking the truck could be used by any tradesman that would need to carry tools, were surprised when another organization in the fire service were interested.  

That organization was the Mount Carmel Fire Police, who would later be awarded the bid by borough council.

On the evening of Wednesday, August 24th, 2022, the keys of the squad were officially handed over to Bob Yeager Jr., of the fire police.

On occasion, the Mount Carmel Fire Police provide mutual aid for Ashland, so it more than likely won't be the last time the squad responds to the borough.

Members from the American Hose are already working on a new squad that they hope to purchase by the end of 2022 or early 2023.

Pictured Left to Right: Tom Canfield, Bob Yeager Jr., Philip Groody Jr., Chief Philip Groody, Brandon Blank, and Ed Gough.