In June 1908, a lot just off Egypt Road was bought on which a firehouse would be built.  In August 1908, a charter was granted and the sections of the community of Oaks  now had an active local fire company. In November 1908, the company purchased a fire wagon, which was its first piece of equipment. The initial apparatus was horse drawn and the horses were stabled across the street in what was known as Keyser Feed and Coal Yard (located on the site of the current Oaks Gardens).

When the bell would sound the horses would know they had a call and would get anxious and FF William Keyser would get them from the barn and bring them across the street to the station where he would harness them and  the apparatus would be ready to respond by the time the fire fighters arrived. In 1909, a bell was put in service to alert the fire fighters to a call.

In December 1910, a Combination Hose and Chemical Wagon was purchased that replaced the Fire Wagon. This apparatus was horse drawn and utilized two chemical tanks loaded with Soda Acid for extinguishment of the fire. The photo to the right is of the Combination Hose and Chemical Wagon with the proud members of the Fire Company in parade uniform. 

In April 1917, the members voted to buy the first motor driven piece of apparatus, which was a Republic pumper that replaced the chemical wagon.

In 1921, a siren was purchased and placed on top of the building, which replaced the bell.

In July 1929, a new Seagrave 500 GPM Pumper was purchased that replaced the Republic Pumper.

In December 1947, a new Ward La France 500 GPM Pumper was received which gave the company the second pumper. On June 5, 1948, the new Ward La France was housed in memory of the four members that were killed in World War II.  At that time the company had 292 members of which 48 had served in the armed forces in World War II.

In 1956 the Company purchased its first two-way radios for the apparatus, a portable radio and receiver for the fire station. This was a big step in fire fighting.

In 1962, a Maxim 750 GPM Pumper was purchased.  At that time the 1929 Seagrave Pumper was sold to make room for the new pumper and an extension was built on the front of the apparatus room. 

On October 18, 1963, at 2:00 A.M. the fire company suffered its first major setback.  A fire was discovered at the fire station. 

Working as a team, Chief Engineer Allen Bowden managed to open the door to the apparatus room and Fire Chief Earle Westwood drove the Maxim Pumper out of the station.  The apparatus was on fire when brought out of the firehouse.  The fire on the apparatus was extinguished and the Pumper was used to fight the fire at the station.  The company was assisted by eleven other companies to help contain and extinguish the fire.  The telephone and electric wires were burned off making the alerting system inoperable.  This was the hottest silent alarm in the history of the fire company.  By the time the sun came up, all the company had left to its name was one blackened engine that was only one year old.  The Ward La France was lost in the fire.  Now was the big question, where do we go from here? 

The fire service, volunteer and career, always takes action to assist its brothers in their time of need and local fire companies responded to the dire need of the Oaks Fire Company. The Trappe Fire Company and Goodwill Fire Company of Bridgeport each loaned the Company a pumper and Collegeville Fire Company equipped the apparatus, and the Company was able to use Jarrett’s Garage on Brower Avenue to house them.  Thanks to the many fire companies, their ladies auxiliaries, other organizations and friends for their financial aid, the Oaks Fire Company was able to provide fire protection for the community.  The once new shiny Maxim Pumper that was blackened in the fire was taken back to the factory in Massachusetts for overhaul to return as good a new.

In November 1963, the company was able to purchase a used 1938 Diamond T 600 GPM Pumper from Hatfield Fire Company to replace the Ward LaFrance that was lost in the fire. The apparatus loaned to the Company were returned to their owners.

In February 1964, Charlie Jones came to the aid of the Company and sold seventeen acres of ground on Green Tree Road for a new station and construction was started on the four bay fire station and auditorium.  The building was dedicated on September 18, 1965.  The 1938 Diamond T and 1962 Maxim Pumpers were housed. 

Well into the 1970's Oaks and the majority of Upper Providence Township was a rural community with large expanses of open fields and forested areas.  Wildland fire fighting was a significant part of the Company's responses and the need for a specialized piece of apparatus was surfaced. In November 1970, an Pierce/International field truck was purchased giving the company the third apparatus. 

In February 1971, the company purchased a base radio station with remote.  Through a lot of hard work by the members of both the fire company and the ladies auxiliary, it was possible to burn the mortgage on January 23, 1972.

As the Township grew the need for large water supplies grew and again the Company needed to evaluate the various types and numbers of apparatus it required. In March 1972, the company purchased a 1958 International 1800-gallon former fuel delivery truck and built its first Tanker.  With this addition the company now had four pieces of apparatus.

On June 22, 1972, the great storm Agnes with floodwaters hit the Montgomery County area.  The Oaks Fire Company No. 1 along with every other volunteer unit in Montgomery and surrounding counties were called on for help.  A call came in to pump out the boiler room at Container Corporation on Longford Road.  The 1938 Diamond T was dispatched with five firemen to their aid.  The men went work setting up the portable pumps to pump out the boiler room.  They noticed the water rising and an all out effort was made to get the apparatus out.  Within fifteen minutes the water rose to four feet.  The apparatus and equipment were abandoned and the five men waded out in chest high water.  The apparatus was under water for two days before recovery was possible.  Due to the fast currents a large portion of the equipment had been washed from the apparatus and into the Schuylkill River.

As of January 10, 1973, all fire calls for Oaks and Mont Clare Fire Companies were being taken in the Montgomery County Radio Room.  Also in January 1973, the company received a new 1972 Ford/Pierce 1000 GPM  Pumper.  This new addition replaced the 1938 Diamond T that was destroyed by the floodwater in June 1972.

On August 25, 1973, Oaks held  a parade.  Three pieces of apparatus were housed during the celebration.  Mont Clare FireCo. housed the 1970 International Field Truck (63-41) and the 1972 Ford 1000 GPM Pumper (63-22).  The Lower Perkiomen Fire Protection District housed the 1958 1800 gallon Tanker (63-31). 

As the Township grew and the demand for larger and more functional apparatus surfaced the Oaks Fire Company leadership drafted specifications for a new Pumper-Tanker that would serve as a 1250 GPM Pumper while providing 2500 gallons of water. In September 1980, the Company took delivery on a Ford Pierce 1250 GPM/2500 gallon Pumper/Tanker.  The  Company's home built 1958 International Tanker (63-31) was retired shortly after 63-32 went into service. The delivery of the 1980 Ford-Pierce Pumper -Tanker also brought a new color scheme to the Company. Based upon studies conducted by the Federal Government, Fire Chief Earl Westwood lead the Company into the new color scheme of white over lime-yellow and the days of the traditional white over red ended within the Company.

December 1984 brought the opening of Route 422 bypass.  This pivotal event, combined with the opening of the 2nd Oaks Sewage Treatment Plant, forever changed the Oaks community.  While still considered a rural community, the Oaks area had become a developer’s dream.  Oaks Fire Company, under Fire Chief Don Crabtree, began a multi-year assessment on how best to serve this growing community.

In May 1985, 1962 Maxim Pumper was sold to a rural fire company in Louisiana. This left the Company with 63-32 as its first out Pumper/Tanker with 63-22 as the second out piece for structural assignments.

In March 1989, the 1970 International Field Truck was refurbished to increase its handling ability by changing the rear axle to dual rear wheels and upgrading other mechanical items and the changing of the paint scheme to the new company color scheme. 

In October 1990, Oaks received a Chevy S-10 truck, donated by Fleming Foods.  This truck was outfitted with crowd and traffic control equipment to include a traffic control arrow mounted to the top of the vehicle and put into service as a Fire Police Traffic vehicle.

In July 1991, Rhone-Poulenc-Rorer donated a Chevy Grumman Utility vehicle.  This truck was outfitted with a 15   KW generator, salvage and overhaul supplies and additional lighting and served as a scene support unit and personnel carrier. The Utility vehicle also was equipped to serve as a Command Center for major incidents within Upper Providence Township and to provide emergency power to the Township Emergency Operations Center.

With the changes in firefighter safety requirements the firefighters were no longer allowed to ride the "back step" of the apparatus and were required to be seated in a protected cab equipped with seat belts. The Company then instituted a policy that 63-22 (1972 Ford Pierce) would only carry 3 firefighters in the cab and any additional firefighters would respond in the Utility (63-82). This requirement required the company leadership to evaluate the need to replace 63-22 with a more modern vehicle but financially the Company could not afford new apparatus therefore they started a search for quality used apparatus. In November 1994, the company was able to purchase a 1972 Mack 1250 GPM Pumper from Horsham Fire Company which not only carried 4-fully equipped firefighters in an enclosed cab but provided the Company with a Pumper with an integral foam system.

In 1995 we proudly dedicated the firehouse addition and housed five pieces of apparatus.  Valley Forge Fire Company housed 63-32 (2500 Gallon Pumper/Tanker).  Lower Providence Fire Company housed 63-82 (Scene Support).  Horsham Fire Company housed 63-24 (1250GPM Pumper).  Mont Clare Fire Company and representatives from Rhone-Poulenc-Rorer and Fleming Foods housed both  63-42 (Field Truck) and 63-9 (Fire Police Vehicle).

As the new millennium approached Upper Providence Township and in particular the Oaks area realized a significant growth in not only medium and high end residential housing but significant growth in commercial and industrial development. This put new and more challenging requirements on the Oaks Fire Company. The Company under the leadership of Fire Chief Jim Daywalt initiated a study of the apparatus and training required to properly serve the community. This internal study outlined the need to replace the 1980 Ford-Pierce Pumper-Tanker with a new 1500 GPM Pumper equipped with large diameter hose (5" hose) since the Township had over 90% of its geographic area protected with fire hydrants; therefore a Tanker was no longer needed and a high volume pumper was needed due to the significant fire load found in the two major pharmaceutical research and development campuses within the Oaks response area. The study also recommended that the members of the Company participate in a stringent training program with the objective of at least 50% of the responding members earning NFPA and State certification as firefighters through participation third party administered practical and written exams. With the growth of not only new businesses campuses with multiple story buildings the Township also was getting 5-story hotels and office buildings which would require the Company to obtain an aerial device.

                                                                                            The initial action taken was to sell the 1972 Ford-Pierce Pumper in an effort to reduce the amount of apparatus the company needed to maintain and to allow for much needed upgrades. The apparatus was advertised and  it was sold to a rural fire company to replace their 1957 Pumper. During the discussions which culminated in the sale it was realized that the company that wanted to purchase the 1972 Pumper was in dire straights and in need of updated equipment.

The Oaks Fire Company equipped the Pumper with used dual1 1/2" attack lines with nozzles, a preconnected 2 1"2" attack line and over 1000' of 3" supply line; smoke ejector fans; and miscellaneous hand tools.  The Pumper was ready to fight fire when it rolled into its new station.

In 2000 the Oaks Fire Company purchased a new HME/New Lexington 1500 GPM Pumper with a rescue style body.  This apparatus was purchased with funds raised by the members of the Company and through a bank loan. The chassis was purchased as a used demonstrator from HME and then the body was built and installed by New Lexington fire Equipment as a significant savings verses the purchase of a totally new chassis and body. As the new Pumper was being built, the company advertised and sold its 1980 Pumper-Tanker to a rural fire company in Arkansas. Once the new Pumper was delivered and placed in service the Pumper-Tanker was released and the new owners drove it to Alabama.

The fire service in Upper Providence Township took a giant leap forward in 2000 with the recognition of the Oaks Fire Company as a “Participating Department” by the Office of the State Fire Commissioner for having over 50% of its members certified by the State and NFPA.  This make the Oaks Fire company the only Fire Company responding within Upper Providence Township so certified. Currently the Company has 90% of its members certified at least at the NFPA Fire Fighter I level. This is the same level of training received by career fire fighters

The next major goal for the new century was the purchase of an aerial apparatus due to the number of buildings with in the Township over 3-stories tall. The job of identifying a quality used aerial was assigned to the Apparatus Committee and a likely candidate was found. Upper Providence Township authorized funding for the Oaks Fire Company  to inspect and have a Underwriters Laboratory certification performed on the identified aerial. In January 2001 Chief Engineer Don Crabtree, Deputy Chief Joe LoCasale , and Brian McFarland (Chief, Lower Providence Fire Department) traveled to California to evaluate the aerial for purchase. After meeting the inspection criteria and obtaining UL certification on the apparatus Upper Providence Township authorized the purchase of the first aerial apparatus within the Township.  A 1988 95’-Mack/Aerialscope, purchased from the Alhambra Fire Department in California, was placed in service in April 2001.

The Company has a cadre of dedicated individuals who serve the community as Fire Police. Until 2002, they utilized a donated Chevy S-10 pickup as their vehicle. In 2002 the Company purchased a new Ford F250 Crew Cab 4x4 for use and a Traffic unit and was equipped for traffic and crowd control.

As the Company continued to evaluate the requirements for fire and rescue services within the Township and its first due area it focused on the number of houses and business structures that were being built in areas that were somewhat inaccessible by normal sized apparatus. The Company had a Field Truck but this was not equipped nor did it have the capability to serve as a Quick Response vehicle that could access steep driveways and  get behind the selected businesses. With a donation from Wyeth Pharmaceuticals coupled with funds raised by the Fire Company a 2003 ford F-550 4x4 was purchased and a custom Quick Response body was mounted. This apparatus in equipped for wildland fires and to serve as a Quick Attack vehicle for selected structure fires.

As the surrounding communities grew, traffic increased on Route 422, new business established sites in Oaks, and multiple truck transfer points were established, i.e., Volpie Trucking, Fed Ex, etc. the volume of vehicle rescues increased. In 2004 the Company set out on a training program to certify its members as Vehicle Rescue Technicians and equip the 2000 HME/New Lexington Pumper with hydraulic rescue tools.  Not being an organization to only go half way, the Company applied for and was granted Volunteer Rescue Certification by the Pennsylvania Department of Health; the only Fire Company in the Township with this certification.

 As the Company reached the half way point on its 10-year Plan there were only two major initiatives to address. The 1972 Mack Pumper, although still able to pump like it was new and would win trophies for its appearance at regional parades, it was 30 years old and in desperate need for replacement. With the cost of fire apparatus climbing to well over $300,000 not including the equipment carried, the fire company needed assistance to purchase its replacement apparatus. The Upper Providence Township Supervisors stepped in and established an fire apparatus fund. The Township Fire Commission was charged with the responsibility to evaluate requests for new apparatus and provide the Supervisors with a recommendation for expenditure of funds.

In 2005 the Oaks Fire Company along with the Mont Clare Fire Company developed specifications for a "standard" pumper design and the Supervisors authorized the purchase of a new Pumper for each of the companies. In 2006 the Oaks Fire Company received its new 2006 Pierce Pumper. The delivery of this new apparatus coincided with a change within Montgomery County radio designations for fire apparatus.  The changes were instituted and the apparatus were re-designated based upon their major function and the equipment carried.

When the 2006 Pierce Pumper was placed in service the 1972 Mack Pumper was excess to the Company and in cooperation with Upper Providence Township the old trusty Mack was donated to the Montgomery County Fire Academy where it is utilized to support live fire evolutions at the Academy.

The Company had only one piece of apparatus to purchase to reach its replacement goals, this being a Command Vehicle. After using donated police vehicles it was time to have a new vehicle that would allow the Chief or his representative to have the preplans and other critical reference materials readily available. In 2006 the Company purchased with its own funds a 2006 Ford Expedition which was outfitted with a command cabinet system and multiple radios for interface with other emergency response agencies.

In February 2007, the Oaks Fire Company donated its 1991 Chevrolet Grumman Utility Van to Upper Providence Township in appreciation of the support the Township has given to the Company. The Utility will be transformed by the Public Works Department into an Emergency Management Command Center for use by the various emergency service organizations during major incidents within the Township. Although the vehicle no longer belongs to the Company it will be available to the Company as a mobile Command Center on major incidents.

As the Company approaches its 100th Anniversary we thank all those who have served and supported the Oaks Fire Company and those presently active  members who give of their limited discretionary time to serve the community as volunteer firefighters and fire police.

Demands for our services are increasing, and our members find themselves stretched to the breaking point we must ask for your assistance as we prepare for the future.  Weekly training sessions coupled with the training our members obtain through the Montgomery  and Bucks County Fire Academies allow the Company to retain its professionally trained firefighters. The availability of well maintained equipment and apparatus; coupled with the dedication of our members allow us to serve Upper Providence Township and the surrounding community with pride.

We are proud of the Oaks community and Upper Providence Township,  and we wish for the resident and business leaders of the community to be as equally proud of us.