By Michael N. Ciampo
Berks County is located in southeastern Pennsylvania and is considered part of Pennsylvania Dutch Country. Through numerous federal and state highways, the county provides easy access to other major cities. The county is a combination of beautiful farm country, industry, and residential areas while being home to numerous colleges and universities. Eastern Berks Fire and Rescue Company 97 is located in the eastern section of Berks County, providing fire protection and mutual aid to numerous areas. Although formed relatively recently in 2011 when three legacy companies banded together, the department’s roots go much further back in time. Originally, the Goodwill Fire Company of Bally, PA, was formed in 1923 like many departments were—a destructive fire in a mill proved that a dire need for fire protection was needed by the community. A year later in 1924, the Volunteer Barto Fire Company, operating nearby in Barto, PA, was organized. And in 1916, the Keystone Fire Company No. 1 of Bechtelsville, PA, was organized. Like many reorganizations can be, there were many hurdles and obstacles to get through. But in the end, all three companies have come together for a common cause, and that is to protect their communities from the ravages of fires and assist the residents in any type of emergencies they may encounter. The Eastern Berks Fire Company may be relatively new compared with other departments, but its members’ dedication to providing the best protection they can remains something all departments strive for. The department’s apparatus surely assists them in providing this protection.
Engine 97 is a 2006 Freightliner chassis with a crew cab, and the body was manufactured by 4 Guys Fire Trucks located in Meyersdale, PA. That company originally started in 1974 when local men involved in the dairy industry began repairing stainless steel milk tankers. When the company began soliciting new investors, it shifted its business to building fire apparatus tankers. It was soon known as a premier builder on the East Coast of quality stainless steel elliptical tankers for fire departments. As departments relied heavily on this company, many of them asked why they weren’t building other type of fire apparatus, and 4 Guys decided to start building pumper and rescue trucks. Although its primary market is Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, Virginia and surrounding states, 4 Guys has delivered apparatus as far away as California.
Engine 97 is painted white over red on the cab portion of the apparatus, the white continues down onto the front hood and grill area, giving it a nice sleek look. The front fenders and lower portion of the crew cab are painted red, as is the rear body. Running on the lower portion of the cab are three white reflective stripes for increased scene visibility. On the front cab doors “Eastern Berks” is rendered in large gold leaf letters, while the rear cab doors have the department’s Maltese cross symbol. On the upper portion of the crew cab, over the rear cab doors, there is a slogan written: “Get’s It Done!!” The rear body is equipped with roll-up compartment doors that are not painted. They also have a three-stripe reflective sticker pattern that runs low on the first compartment behind the pump panel and then runs higher along the other compartments. On the rear compartm