Pitcairn Fire Company No . 2 is a small, two piece engine company located 13 miles east of the city of Pittsburgh. We are one of two fire companies in town that are responsible for fire protection of this suburban railroad community of 3,800 residents. Our other responsibilites include vehicle rescue, Hazardous Material mitigation, Rapid Intervention and raising all funds to cover our annual $50,000 budget.
+ + +
Robert Pitcairn
His business associates called him "Uncle Robert", he was known all along the railroad lines as "RP", Andy Carnegie called him Bob. He was the Superintendent of the Pittsburgh Division of the Pennsylvainia Railroad and the Borough's Namesake.
In 1893 the residents located in this railroad valley decided to form a new government independent of Patton Township (Monroeville). They also did not want to be known as a suburb of Wall (where the rail yard is actually located). So they petitioned for incorporation as a Borough, it was on that petition that the name "Pitcairn" first appeared.
Pitcairn - 1901
In 1897, at the request of Pitcairn Council, P.R.R. changed the name of the depot from Walurba to Pitcairn, even though it was located outside Borough limits - and all train schedules were changed to show the new name of Pitcairn.
Pitcairn Depot - 1897
Pitcairn Fire Company No. 2 was first organized on October 16, 1896 and with the motto" WE WILL TRY" erected its first fire house at the corner of Highland Avenue and Seventh Street (adjacent to present day Golick's Jeep Dealership).
First Firehouse and the Hook and Ladder - 1902
A hook and ladder truck, pulled by the members, was purchased August 18th, 1902. This peice of equipment was drawn by horses when they were available. The Company then moved to its present fire house located on Eighth Street at Brinton Avenue May 28th, 1913.
The first peice of motorized equipment was purchase in 1924. Four years later in 1928 the Company bought a new American LaFrance pumper and in 1936 a Chevrolet squad truck.
In addition to fighting fires, the Company has had many other activities down through the years. A Drum and Bugle Corp was organized in 1929, which won many trophies. The Water Battle Team won the Allegheny County Championship in 1929 and 1930. The Company's Minstrel Show, which ran for 13 consecutive years, was benificial to both the Company and the Community.
Drum and Bugle Corp - 1929
A new service for the Company was inaugurated in 1941 when the members purchased a Henney-Packard ambulance. This ambulance service, supported solely by donations from the people of Pitcairn was maintained continuously until 1984 when the ambulance split from the Fire Company and formed its own association.
In 1947, a new American LaFrance open cab pumper was purchased and then in 1948 an American LaFrance open cab squad truck was bought. The Company then purchased a Chevrolet utility truck in 1962.
1947 American LaFrance
The Fire Company was able to replace the 1948 squad with a brand new 1972 Ward LaFrance which was painted for free as a test vehicle for a new paint scheme on fire engines...Safety Yellow (lime green). In 1974 the fire company replaced the utility truck with an E-One mini-pumper also painted safety yellow. The 1947 American LaFrance pumper was then replaced by a 1974 American LaFrance bought from Upper St. Clair FD in 1987 and is still in service today...
1972 Ward LaFrance
In 1997 the Fire Company purchased a 1981 Hendrickson E-One from the Monroeville Fire Department to replace the old Ward LaFrance that had seen enough fire for one lifetime.
Today's Fleet
In 1999 the Fire Company established a Rapid Intervention Team to assist neighboring agencies. The Team is made up of 12 members certified in special types of rescue and extrication.
+ + +
The Company was incorporated in 1930 and has, over the last 106 years, endeavored to give quick and efficient volunteer fire protection to the Community.