History

Most fire companies were started mainly because of a lot of fires, but one was started because of a bridge. Prior to the organization of the Port Penn Fire Department, the Delaware City firemen came over the old C&D Canal lift bridge to fight fires in the Port Penn area. If the bridge happened to be up for a boat to pass through the firemen just had to wait.

Incorporated on August 7, 1951, the Augustine Beach Fire Company was organized. The company had one fire engine that purchased from the Minquas Fire Company in Newport, DE by Sam Green. He bought the pump, engine, hose and coats for a mere $500. The engine was kept in a building behind the old Augustine Beach Hotel which was owned by Tommy Texis.

Between 1956 and 1957, the engine was moved to a previously used gas station and the fire company began to hold meetings in the home of a family in Port Penn. Six members of the department signed a note for a new fire engine and on August 8, 1957 the new fire engine was purchased for $12,300.

The Augustine Beach Fire Company became officially known as The PORT PENN VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY on December 3, 1957 and was accepted into the Delaware Volunteer Fireman's Association.

In the early days of the department, ten of the most active men paid for their own fire coats on a monthly basis and later when the company acquired some funds, it bought the coats back from the individuals. A surplus truck was purchased and 15 men pitched in to help pay for it.

In 1961 an addition was completed to the fire station. A boat was given to the firemen by the owner when the firemen rescued him from the Delaware River when his baot began taking on water. The owner was so disgusted with the boat he told the firemen to keep it. They did and with minor repairs, they made it seaworthy. This boat became the Port Penn Rescue Boat, the boat was traded in for another that was especially designed for sea rescue work. At the time the water rescue end of Port Penn's alarms accounted for 95 percent of their calls during the summer months.

The air-conditioned banquet hall was added in 1974 and has been a financial asset to the department and is rented for weddings, parties, luncheons, dinners and community meetings.

The Port Penn Volunteer Fire Company has come a long way since the days of being a single engine fire company.

Today, Port Penn has full time and part time around the clock staffing for a Rescue-Engine, Tanker, Marine Rescue Unit including two Boats, Basic Life Support Ambulance, Field/brush truck, specialized Argo tracked ATV, John Deere Gator ATV and several Command and support vehicles.

For 75 years, the PORT PENN FIRE COMPANY has been proud to serve the Village of Port Penn and its surrounding communities.

History Condensed from " A History in Flames - Delaware" by Bonnie Badgett and as researched by Linda Beck - 1976