NEPTUNE FIRE CO - THE FIGHTIN’ 33RD
Originally called Landisville in the early 1800’s, the towns name was changed to Richland Station, and finally to just Richland, becoming a borough in 1906. The fire department was formed in early 1907 with 51 charter members. In May of 1907 the company took action to purchase its first apparatus, a Marten-Diggs 2-wheel hand drawn chemical engine for $850. In February 1908, the company moved into its new engine house located at 19 North Park Street. They participated in many parades and festivals (to raise funds) and acquired another apparatus in 1913, a 1900 model Wirt Knox 2 hose cart equipped with 400 feet of 2.5-inch hose. The cart could be used to run hose from a hydrant to supply the 1907 engine with water. In 1921, a triple combination Seagraves pumper was purchased for $11,750.
The other big event was the building of a new large state of the art fire station; cornerstone was laid with much ceremony on Sept 4th, 1922. Although changed and modified over the years the company still uses this station, and it is one of the oldest working fire stations in Lebanon County. This coincided with the formation of the new Lebanon County Fireman’s Association that held its 1st convention and parade that day in Richland. Also in 1922 was the formation of the Neptune Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary. The auxiliary is still going today and over the years has provided exceptional support to the fire company.
At the end of WW2, it was decided to purchase a new engine, a type 75 Mack arrived in 1947 for $9,187.00. In later years it was used as a 5-inch supply engine until it’s retirement in 1998. The next to come along was a 1959 squad truck. This unit was truly ahead of its time as a combination piece, personnel carrier, equipment carrier, tanker, and brush unit. In 1974, Neptune Fire Co. took delivery of a CF-600 series Mack pumper, and it served the company for 30 years before it retired from service. In 1993, a new squad truck was purchased, carrying 7 firefighters and a large variety of equipment. In 1998, they took delivery of an HME/New Lexington pumper with a 1750-gpm pump and 1250-gal tank. The engine is also part of the Lebanon County Foam Task Force along with the Utility and the Foam Trailer. With the retirement of the 1974 Mack and going from two engines to one, Neptune Fire Co quickly discovered they had a space problem with equipment surplus. The solution was the purchase of a 2005 Ford 550 4X4, modified to serve as our QRS (which we started in 2002), brush unit, and people/equipment hauler.