Bloomsburg Fire Department

The Bloomsburg Fire Dept.

Friendship Fire Co. #1

Rescue Hose and Ladder Co. #2

Winona Fire Co. #3

Liberty Fire Co. #4 

A Brief History of the Bloomsburg Fire Department

With the United States Civil War coming to a merciful end in 1865, veterans returning to Bloomsburg wanted to continue their service to the government, expend energy that was used in the battles, or perhaps simply to find a way to continue spending time with "the guys" after returning to family duites and ways.

Whatever the motivations, these veterans began an honored tradition of serving the Bloomsburg community with the creation of the first fire department in 1868.

The Friendship Fire Company (established 1868)

Originally housed in the Town Hall on Main Street, Friendship found multiple homes, including their last at the old PG Energy building, which is now the Children's Museum on W. 7th St.

Rescue Hose and Ladder Fire Company (established 1870)

Rescue's home was on the 300 block of E. 5th, a property that is now home to multiple businesses.

Winona Fire Company (established 1881)

Founded by individuals who were unaccepted by the Friendship and Rescue companies, they took on the "savage" stereotype for a name.  Their final home was at 346 Center Street, which is now home to the Columbia County Food Pantry at Winona.

Liberty Fire Company (established 1900)

Liberty was the only fire company on the west end of town. In the later years, the town's ladder truck was housed here. Their home was on 100 block of Leonard St. and is now an apartment complex. 

 In the early 1990's, the process began to consolidate these four compnies into one single department located in a new facility.  After much work and negotiation with the help of numerous community leaders, representatives of the four companies, and local businesses, the four fire departments moved into a new facility (which had been completely stripped and remodled dry cleaning facility) at 911 Market Street in May 2000.

On a beautiful Sunday afternoon, a parade processed through town, starting at the Friendship fire hall and going to each of the stations in order of their incorporation.  Taps was played at each station, as the United States of America's flag was lowered for the final time.  The parade ended at the beautiful new quarters, where the Ameican flag was raised, prayers given, and speeches offered by town dignitaries and business leaders to mark a significant point in our community's history,