After a survey to find if a fire department was needed, 17 interested persons met at the Township Building on July 28, 1970, and selected a committee to draw up By-Laws. On September 8, in the Hope Lutheran Church, these were read and adopted and officers were elected to serve until the end of 1971. The application for a charter was signed at an open meeting on October 6 in the church and the charter was issued on April 5, 1971. Meanwhile, first-aid classes were held at the Township Building and business sessions in the North Star Hotel. The fire department bought a used Ward fire truck and spent months repairing and painting it.

Spraying Christmas trees with a fire retardant was the first community service. Established fire departments contributed old, but usable equipment, which would cost several thousand dollars if purchased new. This was stored in members’ garages and basements. The Ladies’ Auxiliary was formally recognized in March, 1971. In March, the Oren Squad Truck was purchased at a cost of $1,500. The Relief Association was formed in July and fire classes were held in the fall at the Township Building. In January, 1972 the fire department purchased approximately five acres of land with a 150-foot frontage on Steubenville Pike for $15,000. In the Spring, students from Parkway West Technical School made some repairs on the trucks and repainted the Oren truck. The fire department furnished the materials. The trucks were stored at various locations and times.

In March, 1973, North Fayette joined in with other fire departments for a fire practice at an old house slated for demolition. That year a fire hall was constructed at a cost of approximately $44,000. Ground-breaking ceremonies were held on May 20; Open House on August 26; and the first fire department meeting on September 1. A new, modern, three-way hose, ladder, tank, and pumper truck was purchased for $32,000 and equipped with an additional $6,000 worth of material. At the open house for it on November 4, the Township Supervisors, on behalf of the Township, contributed $4,000 toward the down payment. On January 30, 1974, the siren was connected to the South Hills network and the department was declared to be in operation. The Insurance Offices of Pennsylvania inspected and approved it.

On February 1, the fire department answered its first call – to put out a brush fire. The fire department members most gratefully acknowledge the very valuable help in time, money, goods, and services given by the neighboring fire departments, residents, businessmen, and the officials of North Fayette Township and hope that they will continue to have their support…

Goals and Objectives for Entry into the 21st Century

As we approach the 21st century, North Fayette Township VFD is setting its goals with the future in mind. With the township being spread over 24.74 square miles which are developing at an unprecedented pace, the provision of fire service cannot be handled from only one station. Our goal is to provide service for the entire township by extending our service area. We have met a portion of our objective this past year, with the construction of a second station on Steubenville Pike, between Imperial and Santiago, which was formally put in service on February 1, 1996, eliminating the need for an outside fire department to cover that portion of our community. This came after a recommendation by the Insurance Services Organization (ISO).

In order to attain our ultimate goal, our objectives for the near future are to begin planning another station, located near the center of the township, where the residential development is expected to thrive.

Although our goals can become reality, it is only with the moral and financial support of our township officials and our citizens, coupled with the dedication and hard work of our volunteers that this can be accomplished. We must strive to meet the aforementioned objectives in order to parallel the community development. While we work toward accomplishing our goals, we will continue to provide the community we serve with the best possible fire protection.