The year was 1887. The citizens of the community of Rutledge have gathered and decided to form the Rutledge Fire Company #1. Seeing that their community needed protection from fire and the values of serving your community prompted this decision. So with the community's backing the Rutledge Fire Company was born, September 8, 1887. This makes the Rutledge Fire Company the second oldest fire company in Delaware County.The remaining company meeting minutes show the purchase of apparatus, including a horse drawn ladder truck, and that the early fireman were fond of cigars. There has also been mention of the first motorized fire engine in the county being purchased by the Rutledge Fire Company, with it making responses into what is now the West Chester area, this is however difficult to prove do to the lack of records.
The current Borough Hall/Community Center in Rutledge served as the firehouse until 1969, when the purchase of a new 1969 Ford Ward LaFrance Fire Engine was made and with the size of fire apparatus increasing, the current station was build to house the new engine. Also housed in the station at that time were a 1948 Mack Pumper and a Dodge panel van utility truck.
Over the last 120 years the Rutledge Fire Company has continued to provide the Borough of Rutledge with fire protection and also mutual aid to the communities of Swarthmore, Morton, Springfield and Folsom of Ridley Township. The costs of equipment and apparatus have increased over the last 120 years, and for a small company Rutledge has continued to improve itself and its equipment.We are committed to providing the residents of Rutledge with the best possible fire protection. We hope to still be providing that same service 120 years from now as well.
If anyone has any pictures or articles from the past about the fire company, we would be interested in seeing them. Stop by the station on a Monday night to see the fire house and meet the members.