A Brief History of the Chester Volunteer Fire Company

Founded on October 21, 1921, the Chester Volunteer Fire Company began when a small group of citizens met at the home of Lloyd Tredway. Their very first fire engine was hand-assembled in Morris Chamberlain’s garage by mounting Tredway's chemical tank onto William Axford’s Pierce Arrow chassis. To sound the alarm, an electric siren was mounted on top of Green's drug store, where a telephone operator working in the back would spread the word. By the end of 1922, the company served a local population of 1,200 with 47 members, responding to three alarms that first year.

As the population of Chester Borough and Chester Township has expanded, the fire company's operations have grown significantly in complexity and scope. Modern firefighting has evolved far beyond simply spraying water. Today, crews utilize a sophisticated mix of variable water pressures, specialized foam systems, and advanced ventilation techniques. Training has also evolved from casual on-the-job instruction into a formalized system; all new recruits must successfully graduate from a basic firefighting academy before answering live calls.

Despite over a century of technological advancements and rigorous modern training, the core mission of the department has never changed: a steadfast dedication to protecting the lives, property, and environment of Chester residents.

                                                 Chester Volunteer Fire Company on October 21, 2021

Chester Volunteer Fire Company Circa 1923

Chester Volunteer Fire Company July 4th, 1942

The first fire house of the CVFC

The Second Fire House on the site of the first firehouse( if you look the trees are the same )