The Friendship Fire Company of Hellam - Company 21 marks 100 years of service to the community this year. Located at 163 E. Market St., Hallam, the organization is a fully volunteer operation.

"I think we've been around as long as we have because of the people who are part of this community," said Lee Nanfelt, station chaplain. "We have a lot of families involved here and a lot of lifers."

The Friendship Fire Company formed in 1923, succeeding the Hellam Hose and Ladder Company, whose records date from 1907 to 1913. In 1924, Friendship Fire purchased a combination pumper and chemical apparatus, and the organization formed a ladies' auxiliary in 1930.

Today, the company has about 40 active firefighters, including junior firefighters ages 14 to 18. A fleet of vehicles includes engines and a tanker truck, with capabilities of handling everything from brush fires to interior blazes. The organization also provides fire police services to control traffic after a fire or vehicle accident.

Although the station is based in Hallam, it offers services well beyond the borough. "We have a lot of area we cover," said firefighter Aimee Torbert. "We cover Wrightsville, Hellam Township and Hallam Borough, and we provide mutual aid with surrounding communities, including Springettsbury Township and Lower Windsor." The company will also travel across the Susquehanna to East Donegal Township when needed to combat brush fires, among other services. In the first four months of 2023, the station handled 163 calls.

Torbert, who is a college student studying to become a registered nurse and an emergency medical technician, started as a junior firefighter and has a lifelong family connection to the fire company, something that's common among the volunteers. "My family grew up in it," she stated, noting that her brother is a lieutenant with the company. "I love being able to help people."

To mark its 100th birthday, the fire company will hold a community celebration in October. The festivities will run from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 14, and will begin with a parade of emergency apparatus from several mutual aid fire companies through Hallam Borough. A ceremony, featuring remarks from company officials, will be held upstairs at the station in the community room.

"Our chief, Eric Strittmatter, will speak, and I'll offer a prayer," Nanfelt said. "We'll have a slideshow of some of the history of the company, and we'll have both past and present firefighters there."

The formal celebration will conclude with a traditional housing ceremony when firefighters will roll the company's recently purchased engine into the firehouse.

"After that, everyone is invited out back for hot dogs, hamburgers, a fly over, demonstrations of equipment and a demonstration from the K9 unit of the Hellam Police Department," Nanfelt said. "It's going to be a community-filled, fun event to gather together and celebrate everything we're doing here at the station."

For more information on the station or the celebration, email 100thhfd@hellamfire21.com. People who are interested in volunteering with the station may contact membership@hellamfire21.com.