The Keystone Hook and Ladder Company No.1 is located in Myerstown, Lebanon County, PA and provides fire protection and emergency services to Myerstown and Jackson Township, which it has done for over 135 years. The Keystone Hook & Ladder Company No. 1 was Instituted March 25, 1875 and Chartered August 17, 1875; and is a member of the Lebanon County Firefighter’s Association and Firemen’s Association of Pennsylvania.
The Keystone Hook & Ladder Company No. 1’s first due area is approximately 26 square miles with a population of approximately 9600 people and growing. Myerstown and the surrounding Jackson Township area is a rural area with mostly residential housing and light commercial construction. Our first due area also has a major railroad line running directly through the Borough; two major state highways located within the Borough limits and extending through our primary response area and into areas where we provide mutual aid to other departments; a small public airfield located in the Township; a number of schools including two elementary schools, an intermediate school (grades 3-5), a middle school (grades 6-8), a high school, and several Amish and Mennonite schools; and five large retirement communities.
The Keystone Hook & Ladder Company No. 1 is 100% volunteer, all the time. In 2011 our volunteer firefighters responded to a total of 502 emergency calls, the largest in company history. This included 122 calls during Tropical Storm Lee from September 7th through September 9th which were mostly pump details and water rescues. Our volunteer firefighters responded to 360 emergency calls in 2012, 378 emergency calls in 2013, 388 emergency calls in 2014, 419 emergency calls in 2015, and 416 emergency calls in 2016. . In 2016, we responded to 54 different types of incidents, laid 5,040 feet of hose and raised 1,034 feet of ladders. Our volunteers gave a total of 3588 man hours on emergency calls plus countless additional hours attending training sessions, doing maintenance on our vehicles and station, attending meetings and fundraising.
The Keystone Hook & Ladder Company No. 1’s day to day operational and maintenance expenses for the station and apparatus is mainly supported financially by community donations and fundraising activities. We hold an annual fund drive to raise funds but donations are always appreciated and needed to help support our fire company which serves the community. The Keystone is a 501 (c) (3) organization and has available a copy of the letter from the Internal Revenue Service, dated January 17, 1992, that makes this determination.
You can send your tax deductible donations to:
Keystone Hook & Ladder Company No. 1
25 S. Railroad St.
Myerstown, Pa 17067
The Officers and Members of the Keystone Hook & Ladder Company No. 1 thank the citizens, businesses, and local governments of the greater Myerstown Community for your past and continued support.
Fireman’s Creed We believe in the civil rights of free men, the privilege of serving mankind; in aid and assistance to others when needed most; that the security of America begins at home with the protection of life and property by those who are willing to serve; that our service to others and our trust in God will bring about a feeling of security and brotherly love that can bind America into a united friendship till the end of time. |