On the evening of November 7, 1879, a group of young and progressive men met to discuss the problem of fire protection in the community of Port Carbon. They pledged themselves to band together in this common cause and at that first meeting they organized and formed the Good Will Hose Company No 1 of Port Carbon with the following Charter Members.
| Charles R. Allison | Thomas Garis | John M. Oren |
| Joseph Allison | John Gibson | Frank Paul |
| William Allison | Joseph Guiterman | James Paul |
| Thomas R. Beddal | John Illingsworth | John Redpath |
| Joseph A. Bair | William Knowles | George S. Rogers |
| Joseph German | William McQuade | Charles Snyder |
| Jacop Day | Thos. R. McQuade | William Smith |
| Thomas John Elliott | George Medler | William Sweet |
| Thomas J. Fayhey | Fred Miller | W. W. Turner |
| Mich. J. Fitzpatrick | Edward Mullen | William Weand |
One of the first acts of the Hoes Company was the purchasing of what was then considered the most modern and up to date fire equipment - a Four-Wheeled Crab. The presentation to the Hose Company took place on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 1879, after a large parade. The Crab was on exhibition for many days afterwards, as at that time, it was considered the last word in fire-fighting apparatus.
1888 A new firehouse was constructed. The two-story brick building, now the Senior Citizens Center, was used as both a firehouse and for Borough Council Meetings.
1916 The citizens of the borough voted to purchase a Waterous Pumper at a cost of $6,500.00. At the same time, the Fire Company spent $1,000.00 of their own funds to purchase hose and make repairs to the Fire House.
1918 A fire siren was installed on the roof of the fire house.
1919 A furnace pit was excavated in the basement, and a heating plant was installed in the Fire House.
1920 The first Fire Police were appointed.
1922 A new Chemical Truck was purchased from Hahn Motors of Hamburg.
1934 The name of the company was changed from Good Will Hose Company to the Good Will Fire Co. No.1. The amendment changing the name of the charter was granted by order of Judge Houck, May term of Court 1934.
1937 After receiving bids from Ahrens Fox, Peter Pirsch, Hahn Motors and American LaFrance, a Peter Pirsch was purchased to replace the 1916 Waterous Pumper. The truck was purchased mostly by Borough Funds, through a 1 mill property tax.
1952 The 1934 Chevrolet Chemical Truck was replaced by a 1952 Ford 300 GPM. Darley Pumper. The truck has recently been converted into a brush truck and is still in service.
1955 The Good Will Fire Company of Port Carbon joined the newly organized Schuylkill County Volunteer Firemen's Association.
1957 Two-way radios and walkie-talkies were purchased for both trucks.
1959 The Ladies Auxiliary was organized.
LADIES AUXILIARY - GOOD WILL FIRE CO, NO. 1
A group of women met at the Port Carbon Fire Company to form the first Port Carbon Ladies Auxiliary on November 5, 1959. The first elected officers were as follows:
ETHEL DELONG - PRESIDENT - EDNA MILES - VICE PRESIDENT
MARIAN KRATER - SECRETARY - ALMA MOHL - TREASURER
Their first meeting was held December 3, 1959 at the fire company building (presently Senior Citizens Center) at 8:00 p.m. Through the efforts of the ladies running bean soup sales, 50-50 tickets, bake sales, bingo games and block parties, a sum of $33,800 was donated to the fire company. A deluge gun and a plaque, which is front of the building, was also donated. These items, added to the above figure make a total of $35.403 over the 20 year period.
Although officers have changed over the last 20 years, we have had the pleasure of having only one treasurer since the ladies auxiliary was formed - ALMA MOHL.
The current officers for the year 1979 are:
JEAN HOLTZER - PRESIDENT - MILDRED WALL - VICE PRESIDENT
NANCY PEPE - SECRETARY - ALMA MOHL - TREASURER.
1968 A new Ward LaFrance 750 GPM pumper was purchased to replace the 1936 Peter Pirsch.
1969 A new Engine Room was completed adjacent to the Fire House.
1970 A new Fire Siren was placed in operation.
1972 AGNES WAS NO LADY - BUT THE MEN BEAT HER DOWN.
On June 22, when most of the borough became inundated by flood waters, caused by Hurricane Agnes, more than 100 members of the Fire Company responded to give aid to the citizens in the flood stricken area. Most of the men worked continually over the next 24-hour period - with little or no sleep. Even after flood waters receded, the Fire Company's work was far from over. The company, assisted by trucks from surrounding area fire companies., spent several days pumping water out of basements and cleaning mud and debris from homes and the streets.
1974 A new Fire Phone system was installed by dialing the Fire Call number, a special phones would ring at the Fire House simultaneously at four Fire Company Officers homes. The Fire Phones also had a special connection that would enable the receiver to sound the Fire Siren. Also in 1974 a Wells Fargo Alarm System was installed in the Fire House for the H. L. Miller & Sons buildings.
1975 Borough Council, on September 15, presented the deed of the Engine House to the Company. A planning committee was implemented to construct a second floor over the Engine House to be used as a meeting and social room.
1976 Members borrowed an old farm wagon and used it to reconstruct a hand drawn hose carrier for the Borough Bicentennial Parade. In August a committee was appointed to get bids and specifications on the purchase of a 1000 GPM Pumper.
1977 After many months of hard work by the members of the company, the new social and meeting room was finished and in operation.
1978 A 1978 Hahn, 1000 GPM Pumper was put into service. The 1952 Ford was then converted into a brush truck.
1979 100 YEARS OLD AND STILL GROWING.
In conjunction with its 100th Year Anniversary Celebration the Good Will Fire Company of Port Carbon is hosting the 25th Schuylkill County Fireman's Convention.
1980 The Fire Phones were removed and the Fire Company was hooked into The Schuylkill County Communications Center for a Direct Responsive Tone Out in case of a Fire.
1982 Plans were discussed to raise money to purchase a new Fire Truck.
1984 New Doors were installed on the Engine House. Central Air Conditioning was installed in the Social Room and the Fire Company paid off the mortgage on the Social Room.
1985 After almost three years of planning The Fire Company entered into a contract with Peter Pirsch and Sons of Kenosha, Wisconsin to build a 1500 GPM Pumper for a cost of $185,000.00.
1986 Social & Meeting Room was completely renovated and a Security - Fire Detection System was installed.
1986 Fire Company establishes Annual Scholarship Fund of $1,000.00 per year for a Port Carbon Resident going on to higher education.
1986 Fire Company establishes a Trust Fund of $300.000.00, making the Miners National Bank of Pottsville, Trustee thus insuring a strong financial future for the Fire Company for generations to come.
1987 New 1500 GPM Custom Pumper is delivered and equipped with 5" hose and adaptors to enhance fire fighting ability.
1987 Fire Company hosts 33rd Annual Schuylkill Volunteer Firefighters Convention and Parade for the second time in 8 years.
