The Gratz Area Fire Company #1 was formed in late 1924 after the Great Gratz Fire. This fire engulfed 5-7 barns, the general store, the ice house, & a few homes in Gratz. Many neighboring towns with fire companies had to respond, including some companies from Harrisburg City. This prompted the formation of the Gratz Area Fire Company #1.

The 1st documented meeting held for the Gratz Area Fire Company #1 was recorded on January 2nd, 1925. On May 1st, 1931, the Gratz Area Fire Company #1’s constitution and by-laws were developed. On June 5th, 1931, the Gratz Area Fire Company #1’s Relief Association was formed.

First GAFC #1 Officers

President - I.M. Buffington

Treasurer - William Reed

Secretary - Daniel Koppenhaver

Fire Chief - Monroe E. Klinger

Assistant Fire Chief - Milton O. Umholtz

Foreman - Marlin Umholtz

Trustees - George Hepler, I.M. Buffington & Charles Zerfing

At the 1st meeting, President Buffington appointed a committee to investigate a site for a “hose house.” This first station for the Gratz Area Fire Company #1 is still standing next to the Grand Entrance in Gratz. The current station for the Gratz Area Fire Company #1 had its design approved in 1940 and was completed in 1947. The 1st major change to the station came in 1967, when the two northern bays were added. The 2nd major change in the station’s look came in 1980, when the southern bay was added and the front of the station was bricked.

On November 27, 1939, the Gratz Area Fire Company #1 ordered a 1940 Ford fire truck, with a Howe pump the company already owned to be mounted on it. In 1941, the pump was seen as unfit and was replaced with a brand-new Hale pump on a Hahn body. The final cost of this truck was $1,204.50.

The next fire truck the Gratz Area Fire Company #1 purchased was a 1967 Ford/American LaFrance pumper. The total cost of this truck was $22,000. It is now owned by a private collector.

The Gratz Area Fire Company #1 didn’t purchase another fire truck until 1991, when the current Engine 27 was purchased. Engine 27 is a 1991 Pierce pumper, purchased through Domestic Fire Apparatus for a cost of $192,000.

The next purchase the Gratz Area Fire Company #1 made was in 1997, when the 1967 Chevrolet tanker was purchased from the Klingerstown Fire Company for $7,000. This truck was replaced in 2000 with the current Tanker 27. The retired tanker was sold and is still used by the Gratz Fair Association.

In 2000, as mentioned before, the current Tanker 27 was purchased from Four-Way Auto sales in New Holland, PA, for $84,000. The tanker had previously belonged to the New Haven, CT Fire Department and had been wrecked. Four-Way Auto purchased the truck and refurbished it.

In 2003, the Gratz Area Fire Company #1 - Four Way Auto sales link worked again. Rescue 27, a 1999 Freightliner/Pierce pumper/rescue was purchased for $103,000. This truck replaced the 1967 Ford/American LaFrance pumper.

The future holds many bright spots for the Gratz Area Fire Company #1, with government, both state & federal, grants aiding the cause to help prevent and control fires. These grants will help spread the word of prevention, recruit new members, purchase new equipment, and many other things.