Lehighton Fire Department’s 150th anniversary celebration will be highlighted by a parade, planned for Sept. 28, to mark the occasion.

Steve Ebbert, chairperson for the 150th Anniversary Committee, outlined the plans for the celebration at a recent borough council meeting.

Ebbert said the original organization founded in 1874 was known as Lehigh Hook and Ladder Company, and that the Lehighton Fire Department still proudly displays ribbons from the original organization in its current firehouse.

“As part of this anniversary celebration, we will be taking time to not only dedicate our new KME ladder truck, but also our new brush truck and boat,” Ebbert said.

“They will be dedicated in September, in the week prior to the parade and each will be dedicated to members of the two most influential organizations in the fire department history. Lehigh Fire Co. No. 1, Inc. and Engine Company No. 2,” Ebbert said. “By dedicating the apparatus to these members, it will help keep their memories and dedication to service alive with our newest members.”

Ebbert added, “the borough, through its unwavering support, is able to provide an excellent fire department under the guidance and direction of fire Chief Patrick Mriss and Assistant Fire Chief Michael Mriss.”

Ebbert said the department has 40 active firefighters and six fire police, and noted that many of these members, and past members, are part of the 150th Anniversary Committee.

Ebbert said that to prepare for this celebration, “we recently purchased a new parade banner in honor of our long-standing tradition of having a marching unit. We included some features into the banner as part of our celebration.”

For many years, he said there were two fire departments that served the borough, those being Lehigh Fire Co. No. 1 and Engine Company No. 2. As time progressed and volunteer numbers declined, both were combined to form the Lehighton Fire Department.

“Their insignias are located on the new banner in respect to where their firehouses were located,” Ebbert said.

The two fire engines, Ebbert said, are important to the organization as the red and white ladder truck was dedicated in the memory of the only firefighter who died in the line of duty during a major fire.

It was dedicated to James Biesel, who died during the Durloom Carpet Factory fire on North Sixth Street, Ebbert said.

Ebbert said the open cab pumper identified as P4 is also tragically important to the department’s history as it was destroyed in an explosion on Oct. 15, 1974 and the firefighters were severely burned in the incident, which occurred at the Citgo fuel depot which was located by the borough’s old sewer plant, and current D&L Trail.

“While both of these fire engines have tragic events in their history, they serve as a reminder to the sacrifices our volunteers make,” he said.

Ebbert said that the anniversary celebration and parade “is hoping to celebrate the history of firefighting throughout our area. We have raised money to accomplish providing award for fire apparatus and also cash prizes for specific categories that are important to the Lehighton Fire Department.”

Awards will be for the Best Appearing Hahn ($250); Best Appearing KME ($250); Best Appearing Open Cab American LaFrance ($250); Best Appearing American LaFrance ($250); and Best Appearing Marching Unit, with music ($3,000).

“The 150th Anniversary Committee is also planning on paying the cost of at least eight high school bands to attend, with the understanding that the Lehighton High School Board will be paid even though they will not have the cost of travel and busing,” he said. “Without any additional fundraising, we will be able to provide for a minimum total award money equal to $14,100.

“It is important to note that all of these funds have been raised specifically for the 150th Anniversary Celebration and anyone who has donated to the Lehighton Fire Department fund drive or auxiliary fundraisers is directly supporting the equipment and daily operations to provide fire protection to the Borough of Lehighton. Of course, we are willing to accept any donations for the anniversary as long as it is marked specifically for that event.”

Ebbert noted that the committee has been supported “extremely well” by Lehigh Fire Co. No. 1 Social Club under the direction of President Lonny Armbruster and the small games of chance committee. He added that members Kevin O’Donnell and Ernie Heckman have been instrumental in fundraising, and there is also a monthly hoagie sale organized by Joe Uyvari for which a percentage goes to the parade fund.

Also, Ebbert said TNT Auto has provided opportunities for additional fundraising by allowing the department to set up a food stand at their car shows on Iron Street, and added they also had a successful event with Vince’s Cheesesteaks.

“While we realize the Lehighton Fire Department owes its success not only to all of the great leaders throughout our history, but also to the citizens’ generosity that we protect and the continued support of borough council,” he said. “We would also like to thank everyone for their continued support, and ask that council once again show its support for celebrating and recognizing 150 years of volunteer fire protection for Lehighton by approving our request for the parade on Sept. 28, 2024.”

Afterward, Ebbert received a round of applause.