Alert Fire Company

Downingtown, PA

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Welcome to Alert

The mission of the Alert Fire Company Number One of Downingtown, PA shall be the preservation of life and property from the destruction of fire and other emergencies in the Borough of Downingtown, PA and vicinity.

~ Serving Downingtown and East Caln Since 1887 ~

SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN!

 December 1, 2019

It is that time of year again, when the Alert No.1 "Elves" will drive me around the streets of Downingtown Borough and East Caln Twp. on Saturday, December 21, 2019.  When you hear the sirens and air horns of Tower 45, please come out onto your sidewalks and my Alert Elves will … [Read more...]

 News

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

 November 27, 2019

The officers and members of the Alert Fire Co. No. 1 would like to wish you and your family a Safe and Happy Thanksgiving! … [Read more...]

 News

USE AMAZON SMILE DURING THE HOLIDAYS

 November 25, 2019

During the busy holiday season - starting on Black Friday (November 29, 2019), if you choose to shop on-line;  We would like to remind you to shop at  smile.amazon.com  and Amazon will donate to the Alert Fire Company No. 1 of Downingtown. Whether you are shopping on Prime Day, … [Read more...]

 News

ANNUAL ALERT THANKSGIVING SOCIAL GATHERING

 November 24, 2019

The Alert No. 1 officers would like to invite all current and retired Active Force Members to the Annual Alert Thanksgiving Social Gathering on Wednesday, November 27, 2019, anytime after 7:00 PM. As in years past, this will be a great opportunity for our members to catch-up … [Read more...]

 News

DOWNING RD. HOUSE FIRE IN EAST CALN TWP.

 November 21, 2019

Just before 9:00 PM, while most people were home enjoying their favorite TV show, the volunteers of the Downingtown Fire Dept., Lionville Fire Company, West Whiteland Fire Company and the First West Chester Fire Co., Engine Co. 51 were dispatched for a house fire on Downing Rd., … [Read more...]

 News

BRUSH 45 ASSIST IN WEST BRADFORD TWP.

 November 16, 2019

At 11:45 AM, Brush 45 was dispatched to assist Station 39 (West Bradford Fire Co.) with a woods fire in the 100 block of Glenside Rd.  The crew from Brush 45 (Firefighter K. Stevens) deployed all of the Forestry Line and 1.75" Hand-lines into the woods to assist TAC and Brush … [Read more...]

 News

AUTO ACCIDENT AND MOBILE HOME FIRE

 November 15, 2019

The Downingtown Fire Dept. was dispatched to an automobile accident CCIU Drive and Boot Road, in East Caln Twp.  The crews from Rescue 45 (Lt. McCarraher) and Engine 46-2 cleared debris from the roadway of a two vehicle accident and assisted the Fire Police with traffic control.  … [Read more...]

 News

VETERANS DAY – 2019

 November 8, 2019

The members and officers of the Alert Fire Co. No. 1 would like to say thank you to all of our veterans who have served our country, so that we may enjoy our freedoms and security of the greatest nation on earth. God bless all of you and God Bless America. Last year we saluted … [Read more...]

 News

CHANGE YOUR CLOCKS – CHANGE YOUR BATTERIES

 November 1, 2019

The Downingtown Fire Dept. and the Alert Fire Co. No. 1 - Fire Prevention Committee recommends that when you change your clocks this weekend, that you change the battery in your Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Detectors, as well. At 2:00 AM on Sunday, November 3, 2019 you will … [Read more...]

 News

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

 October 29, 2019

The officers and members of the Alert Fire Co. No. 1 wish you and your family a Safe and Happy Halloween!  Please stop-by our firehouse between 6:00 and 8:00 PM for a treat and to visit with our volunteers while you are out Trick-Or-Treating on October 31st. … [Read more...]

 News

ALERT LIGHTS THE NIGHT PINK

 October 13, 2019

If you have walked or driven past the Alert firehouse during the month of October, hopefully you have taken notice of our pink lights on the front of our building. Every year, during the month of October our Trustees change our house lights from our standard white to pink.  Our … [Read more...]

 News

2019 FIRE PREVENTION VISITS & OPEN HOUSE

 October 10, 2019

The week of October 6 - 12, 2019 is Fire Prevention Week. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), along with the Downingtown Fire Dept. and other safety advocates nationwide are urging people to check the batteries in your smoke detector, review your emergency escape … [Read more...]

 News

COMMUNITY OPEN HOUSE – OCTOBER 9, 2019

 September 30, 2019

The Annual Downingtown Fire Dept. Fire Prevention Open House will take place on Wednesday, October 9, 2019, from 6:30 to 9:00 PM. Mark your calendars today and please join us for this family-fun event. There will be two locations for you to visit: The Alert Fire Co. No. 1 at … [Read more...]

 News

RECRUITING AT THE DOWNINGTOWN FALL FESTIVAL

 September 29, 2019

The volunteers of the Downingtown Fire Dept. Recruiting and Retention Committee worked our Recruiting Tent for seven hours today at the 10th Annual Downingtown Fall Festival.  The annual festival is hosted by the Downingtown-Thorndale Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber estimated … [Read more...]

 News

PUMPS I AND II TRAINING

 September 21, 2019

The Downingtown Fire Dept. hosted  Pennsylvania State Certification Pumps I and Pumps II training during the months of July and September.  Classroom sessions were conducted over several Wednesday evenings and the practical exercises were held on Saturday July 20 and September … [Read more...]

 News

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Upcoming Events

Wed 11

Weekly Training

December 11 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Wed 18

DFD Members Social Gathering

December 18 @ 6:00 pm - 10:30 pm
Wed 18

Weekly Training

December 18 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Sat 21

Santa Claus is Coming to Town!

December 21 @ 9:00 am - 5:30 pm
Mon 30

Company Business Meeting

December 30 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm

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Weather Forecast

Downingtown, PA
54°
showers
93% humidity
wind: 6mph WSW
H 54 • L 40
34°
Wed
30°
Thu
40°
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49°
Sat

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Alert Fire Co. No. 1

3 days ago

Alert Fire Co. No. 1

We would like to honor our real heroes, who made the ultimate sacrifice by defending our country 78 years ago, today, on December 7, 1941.

And, to recognize those who survived the attack on that day. We will always remember and never forget. You were truly the Greatest Generation!
... See MoreSee Less

We would like to honor our real heroes, who made the ultimate sacrifice by defending our country 78 years ago, today, on December 7, 1941.

And, to recognize those who survived the attack on that day. We will always remember and never forget. You were truly the Greatest Generation!
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Alert Fire Co. No. 1

5 days ago

Alert Fire Co. No. 1

TBT - 70 Years ago on December 1, 1949, the Downingtown Fire Dept. was featured in an article published in the national publication of Fire Engineering, for being the first volunteer fire deptartment, independently owned two-way radio system in the United States.

As you may remember, our Facebook TBT articles about new radio system started in March 2019. The Alert Captain Bill Backenstose, championed the cause of implementing this new radio system. In late 1948 and early 1949, Bill proposed to the Chester County Firemens Association and the Chester County Commissioners that we needed a central county fire radio system. It was noted in the project file that everybody supported the idea however, funds from the county were not available! So, the Downingtown Fire Dept., with help from U.S. Congressman Paul Dague, we were able to place the high band radio system (154.31 Mhz - Station KGA-366) in service, in October 1949. And, after 70 years, the volunteers of Alert Fire Co. No. 1 and the Minquas Fire Company No. 2 continue to use this frequency.

Below, is the magazine article that appeared in the December 1, 1949 edition of Fire Engineering magazine:

DOWNINGTOWN VOLUNTEERS HAVE COMPLETE RADIO FACILITIES
December 1, 1949 - Fire Engineering Magazine

Five of Six Trucks Equipped with Two-Way Radios; Walkie-Talkies also Employed

The State of Pennsylvania is noted for its volunteer fire service. Its volunteer fire departments are rapidly becoming noted for their use of radio fire communications facilities. Pennsylvania has already adopted the statewide plan of radio frequency allocation advocated by both the International Association of Fire Chiefs and the International Municipal Signal Association. Already several counties of the state are organizing radio communications on a mutual aid basis.

The first of the state’s smaller communities to install radios throughout its entire apparatus fleet and have its own radio frequency independent of police or other radio, is the Borough of Downingtown, in Chester County.

Downingtown, although of only 4,900 population (1948 est.) boasts one of the largest and best equipped fire departments to be found in communities of its size. Its two companies - Alert No. 1 and Minquas No. 2, possess six pieces of equipment as follows: Alert - Quad and 750 GPM pumper; Minquas - two 750 GPM pumpers, Emergency Truck and Ambulance.

Four of the town’s five trucks now carry radio transmitters and receivers with which they can communicate with the base station in the Alert fire house, and each of the four trucks carries two walkie-talkies, operating on a different frequency, for on-the-fire-ground communication.

Although still in the experimental stage, Downingtown’s radio has proved its value as a real asset in fire control. When the Downingtown department was called to the aid of neighboring Coatesville to help fight the serious fire in the Lipkins store early in October, the radio proved invaluable. It is said to be the first time in the State that a radio was used by volunteers not only at the scene of the fire, but to summon aid. Responding to the radioed appeals sent out over the Downingtown frequency, fire forces came down from as far away as Malvern and West Chester.

Although Downingtown officials still consider their radio installation something to be further explored, they already come to rely upon it, and one officer said he wondered how they ever got along without it. Just to illustrate its ramifications, the Downingtown’s radio was pressed into service during the recent West Chester Sesquicentennial parade to round up ‘lost’ fire units.

Downingtown fire fighters look forward to the time when other Chester County fire companies will have installed similar equipment. They are already considering plans whereby the Downingtown base station, centrally located as it is in the County, can act for the entire area on a mutual aid and disaster basis. Reviewing the County's fire losses and the entire problem of mutual aid response and other operations, they believe that a countywide radio network, such as is being enjoyed elsewhere would appreciably reduce fire loss totals.

Spark plug of Downingtown’s radio installation is Alert’s Captain Bill Backenstose. Once “sold” on two-way radio communications for the fire service, Captain Backenstose became the prime mover in the long negotiations between fire units of the community and with the Federal Communications Commission. He and his fellow firemen were not content to have two way radio installations on apparatus only; they went after and secured walkie-talkies. In this respect, at least, Downingtown can, we believe, claim a real “first” at being the initial community of its size in the nation to install walkie-talkies as regular equipment on its fire apparatus.

Fire Chief E. Atlee Ney and Captain Backenstose, in fact, all the vamps of the Borough, have found their radio installation has given them a big lift in morale and enthusiasm as well as proving a valuable firefighting facility. Throughout the County, and even further, the Downingtown Fire Department is on the map and, with its radio, “on the button!” Locally the Borough folks are likewise impressed. The local newspaper, “The Archive” in October devoted nearly a full page to its illustrated story of the Downingtown radio installation, some of the pictures of which are reproduced on these pages.
... See MoreSee Less

TBT - 70 Years ago on December 1, 1949, the Downingtown Fire Dept. was featured in an article published in the national publication of Fire Engineering, for being the first volunteer fire deptartment, independently owned two-way radio system in the United States.

As you may remember, our Facebook TBT articles about new radio system started in March 2019.  The Alert Captain Bill Backenstose, championed the cause of implementing this new radio system.  In late 1948 and early 1949, Bill proposed to the Chester County Firemens Association and the Chester County Commissioners that we needed a central county fire radio system.  It was noted in the project file that everybody supported the idea however, funds from the county were not available!  So, the Downingtown Fire Dept., with help from U.S. Congressman Paul Dague, we were able to place the high band radio system (154.31 Mhz - Station KGA-366) in service, in October 1949.  And, after 70 years, the volunteers of Alert Fire Co. No. 1 and the Minquas Fire Company No. 2 continue to use this frequency.

Below, is the magazine article that appeared in the December 1, 1949 edition of Fire Engineering magazine:

DOWNINGTOWN VOLUNTEERS HAVE COMPLETE RADIO FACILITIES
December 1, 1949  -  Fire Engineering Magazine
 
Five of Six Trucks Equipped with Two-Way Radios; Walkie-Talkies also Employed

The State of Pennsylvania is noted for its volunteer fire service. Its volunteer fire departments are rapidly becoming noted for their use of radio fire communications facilities. Pennsylvania has already adopted the statewide plan of radio frequency allocation advocated by both the International Association of Fire Chiefs and the International Municipal Signal Association. Already several counties of the state are organizing radio communications on a mutual aid basis.

The first of the state’s smaller communities to install radios throughout its entire apparatus fleet and have its own radio frequency independent of police or other radio, is the Borough of Downingtown, in Chester County.

Downingtown, although of only 4,900 population (1948 est.) boasts one of the largest and best equipped fire departments to be found in communities of its size. Its two companies - Alert No. 1 and Minquas No. 2, possess six pieces of equipment as follows: Alert - Quad and 750 GPM pumper; Minquas - two 750 GPM pumpers, Emergency Truck and Ambulance.

Four of the town’s five trucks now carry radio transmitters and receivers with which they can communicate with the base station in the Alert fire house, and each of the four trucks carries two walkie-talkies, operating on a different frequency, for on-the-fire-ground communication.

Although still in the experimental stage, Downingtown’s radio has proved its value as a real asset in fire control. When the Downingtown department was called to the aid of neighboring Coatesville to help fight the serious fire in the Lipkins store early in October, the radio proved invaluable. It is said to be the first time in the State that a radio was used by volunteers not only at the scene of the fire, but to summon aid. Responding to the radioed appeals sent out over the Downingtown frequency, fire forces came down from as far away as Malvern and West Chester.

Although Downingtown officials still consider their radio installation something to be further explored, they already come to rely upon it, and one officer said he wondered how they ever got along without it. Just to illustrate its ramifications, the Downingtown’s radio was pressed into service during the recent West Chester Sesquicentennial parade to round up ‘lost’ fire units.

Downingtown fire fighters look forward to the time when other Chester County fire companies will have installed similar equipment. They are already considering plans whereby the Downingtown base station, centrally located as it is in the County, can act for the entire area on a mutual aid and disaster basis. Reviewing the Countys fire losses and the entire problem of mutual aid response and other operations, they believe that a countywide radio network, such as is being enjoyed elsewhere would appreciably reduce fire loss totals.

Spark plug of Downingtown’s radio installation is Alert’s Captain Bill Backenstose. Once “sold” on two-way radio communications for the fire service, Captain Backenstose became the prime mover in the long negotiations between fire units of the community and with the Federal Communications Commission. He and his fellow firemen were not content to have two way radio installations on apparatus only; they went after and secured walkie-talkies. In this respect, at least, Downingtown can, we believe, claim a real “first” at being the initial community of its size in the nation to install walkie-talkies as regular equipment on its fire apparatus.

Fire Chief E. Atlee Ney and Captain Backenstose, in fact, all the vamps of the Borough, have found their radio installation has given them a big lift in morale and enthusiasm as well as proving a valuable firefighting facility. Throughout the County, and even further, the Downingtown Fire Department is on the map and, with its radio, “on the button!” Locally the Borough folks are likewise impressed. The local newspaper, “The Archive” in October devoted nearly a full page to its illustrated story of the Downingtown radio installation, some of the pictures of which are reproduced on these pages.Image attachmentImage attachment+4Image attachment
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Scott Murphy ...

Alert Fire Co. No. 1 shared a post.

7 days ago

Alert Fire Co. No. 1

PSA - A few Christmas Tree Safety Tips.What steps do YOU take to ensure holiday safety in your home? ... See MoreSee Less

PSA - A few Christmas Tree Safety Tips.
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Monthly Calls

INCIDENTS201920182017
TOTAL363428447
Jan474836
Feb262028
Mar273640
Apr353834
May432638
Jun212738
Jul455741
Aug374743
Sep193836
Oct293338
Nov272240
Dec73537

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Alert Fire Company
122 W Pennsylvania Ave
Downingtown, PA 19335

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