Department History

A lot of the information on the history was taken from the 74th Annual Western Pennsylvania Firemen’s Association Convention Handbook published for the August 6 -12 festivities in 1967. Thanks to Larry Johnson.

February 16, 1910 saw the establishment of the Tarentum Firemen’s Relief Association for the purpose of protecting Tarentum firefighters with funds provided from the Foreign Fire Insurance Company.

In 1917, Eureka researched trucks of other departments and raised $3000.00 towards a Brockway truck. As of the above mentioned publication & dates, Eureka progressed to a membership of 45 people and a “heavy duty” Seagrave pumper along with a squad car and 2 Cadillac ambulances.

At a 1929 meeting of Highland, Eureka & Summit Hose Companies saw the birth of the Tarentum Fire Department.

Below are some pictures from the above mentioned handbook, published in 1967, not sure of the exact date of the pictures.

William Pilston – Vice President / Engineer
Kenneth J. Larkin – President / Ambulance Engineer
Edward Campbell – Secretary
Richard Scholl – Fire Chief
Larry Johnson – Asst. Secretary
Don Garrett – Executive Board
Raymond Bouch -Trustee
Joseph Strellec – Financial Secretary
Missing: Lynn Alter – Treasurer

Thomas Seagriff – Line Captain

William T. Larkin – Assistant Chief

 Raymond Bouch – 1st Lieutenant

Richard Scholl – Chief

Ken Larkin

Charles Blackburn

Ray Bouch

The 74th Western Pennsylvania Firemen’s Convention centerfold

Tarentum Fire Department’s fleet