The Ridgway Fire Department Inc. filed its articles of incorporation in 1949, and will mark it’s 75 th anniversary in 2024. The Ridgway Fire Department currently operates out of four stations, strategically positioned throughout the community.

Years ago, when railroad traffic through the community was much heavier than it is today, the planners located the stations in such a way that no matter where the alarm was, at least one engine could get to the fire without having to wait for train traffic.

The Ridgway Fire Department is made up of five separate companies: Elk Hose Company (41), Second Ward Hose Company (42), Capital City Hose Company (43), Montmorenci Hose Company (44) and Laurel Hook and Ladder (411). The department also has a Rescue Squad and a Fire Police squad made up of members from the five companies, and there is also a Ladies Auxiliary.

Today the Ridgway Fire Department has three engines, a rescue-pumper, a ladder truck with a 100 foot stick, a brush truck, a tanker, a side by side, and a fire police vehicle. The oldest rig is a 1991, and the newest is a 2017.

Within the past several years the Ridgway Fire Department had the ladder truck and one of it’s engines refurbished at a fraction of the cost of purchasing a new unit.

The Ridgway Fire Department covers Ridgway Borough, Ridgway Township, Spring Creek Township and a small portion of Millstone Township. The Department is partially funded by these municipalities, but the majority of our income comes from our annual fundraisers. We do a direct mail campaign, a gun bash, weekly bingo, and an annual carnival at the lot we own on North Broad Street. In 2024, the amphitheater on the carnival lot will be completed, and the Fire Department will host it’s first music festival.

The Ridgway Fire Department is a 501 c 3 organization. Like most volunteer fire departments, our biggest challenge is new recruits.

In the 1970’s and early 1980’s each of the companies listed above had up to 50 members, and most had a waiting list. Today, the total membership is under 100 with the average age being in the mid 50’s. We are always looking for new members, so if you have an interest in joining, you can access our on-line application by clicking here.