From borough streets lined with parade spectators to museum halls filled with history and banquet rooms honoring generations of firefighters, these centennial celebrations highlighted the deep roots and lasting impact of the county’s fire companies and preservation groups.
In Mahanoy City, the West End Fire and Rescue Company marked its centennial with a weeklong celebration culminating in a grand parade through the borough. Featuring 119 units, including antique fire apparatus and community organizations, the event showcased a century of service that began in 1925. Ceremonies throughout the week honored past and present members, while state and local officials recognized the company’s enduring contributions to public safety. The celebration concluded with a traditional housing ceremony, as historic Mack fire trucks were ceremonially returned to the firehouse — a symbolic moment linking generations of service.
In Mahanoy City, the West End Fire and Rescue Company marked its centennial with a weeklong celebration culminating in a grand parade through the borough. Featuring 119 units, including antique fire apparatus and community organizations, the event showcased a century of service that began in 1925. Ceremonies throughout the week honored past and present members, while state and local officials recognized the company’s enduring contributions to public safety. The celebration concluded with a traditional housing ceremony, as historic Mack fire trucks were ceremonially returned to the firehouse — a symbolic moment linking generations of service.
In Shenandoah, history itself took center stage as the Schuylkill Historical Fire Society celebrated the 100th anniversary of its 1925 Ahrens-Fox fire engine. The centennial event featured an antique fire apparatus parade and a public gathering at the Society’s museum, where speakers reflected on the ingenuity of early firefighting equipment and the dedication required to preserve it. Once a frontline pumper and later rescued from near obscurity, the Ahrens-Fox now stands as a powerful reminder of the craftsmanship, innovation, and volunteer effort that shaped the fire service a century ago — and of those committed to preserving that legacy for future generations.
Meanwhile, in Butler Township, the Friendship Fire Company No. 1 celebrated its own centennial while also hosting the 71st Annual Schuylkill County Firefighters Convention, merging a countywide tradition with a significant local milestone. Founded in 1925, Friendship Fire Company honored its 100 years of service with a banquet recognizing current officers and welcoming new life members who have devoted 25 years to the company. The celebration reflected both a proud history of volunteerism and a continued commitment to serving the Englewood community.
Together, these three centennial celebrations told a broader story in 2025 — one of commitment passed down through generations, of communities rallying around their volunteers, and of a fire service that has evolved with the times while never losing sight of its mission.