The Diligent Fire Company No. 3, located at 330 Center Ave. in the Heights in Jim Thorpe, celebrated its 150th anniversary on Saturday with food, music, dedications, and proclamations.

The fire company was formed on Nov. 11, 1874. While the department is celebrating this milestone, Vince Yaich, Sr., Jim Thorpe Municipal fire chief, is concerned about its future.

“Volunteering has really falled by the wayside,” Yaich observed. “We really noticed it after 9/11.”

“I eventually see regionalized fire companies, or towns that are financially stable moving to a paid department.”

The good news is that the Diligent Fire Company is in good shape financially.

“You know what, we’re fortunate, we don’t have to raise funds,” Yaich said. “We invested in real estate. We have the magistrate’s office here that we get an income from that. And now, since we went to a municipal department, the borough bought us this new tanker and the rescue truck. So that took the burden off of us.”

“What money we do get through grants and everything else, we can use for upgrading turnout gear and air packs. Every five years, our turnout gear has to be replaced; and, every 15 years, the air packs got to go. You’re probably talking close to $10,000 for each air pack. So we’ve got to do that every five years and buy, you know, 9 or 10 sets.”

In a special ceremony, the fire company dedicated their brand-new KME Tanker No. 1134 as a memorial to Bruce R. Solomon, Sr., a 44-year member of the company who passed away in 2014. Solomon’s family was on hand to reveal a small plaque installed on the side of the tanker in his memory.

The Jim Thorpe Borough Council, the Carbon County Commissioners, Sen. David Argall, Timm Berger representing state Rep. Doyle Heffley’s office, and Congresswoman Susan Wild, all presented proclamations honoring the 150th anniversary, and for each of eight firefighters who have served 50 plus years.

Those honored were: Fire Chief Vincent Yaich Sr., Deputy Fire Chief William Diehm, Jay Miller, Tom Lager, Bob Murphy, Francis V. Lukasevich, William Sheehan, and Ken McArdle (not present). A special memorial proclamation was presented to the family of Bruce Solomon Sr.

Carbon County Commissioner and former Mayor of Jim Thorpe, Mike Sofranko, offered his thoughts.

“Always remain a student of the fire service,” Sofranko said. “That speaks volumes here in Jim Thorpe. I see some of the young men and women who have joined the fire company. You see how this company has grown for 150 years. They never stop learning. They never stop being a servant. They never stop pushing forward and serving this community.”

Deacon Jack Mroz from Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Jim Thorpe, offered the Fireman’s Prayer for the department, and blessed the new firetruck. A lunch was served in the fire hall, and DJ Dave Gasker played music for entertainment.