History
Cherry Grove Township is nestled in the heart of the Allegheny Nation Forest in Warren County, Pennsylvania. The Township is in a very rural setting and consists of a small village and homes scattered throughout the forest, with a population of approximately 200 residents. With no streetlights or storefronts, and one small church, life in Cherry Grove Township is peaceful, quiet, and typically uneventful. However, when emergencies arise, the Cherry Grove VFD is present and ready to respond.
In the years preceding 1970, fire protection for Cherry Grove Township was provided by the Sheffield Volunteer Fire Department and ambulance service was provided jointly by Sheffield and Clarendon. With an eight mile drive up long, steep, windy country roads, emergency assistance could be slow in the time of urgency. Residents of Cherry Grove Township knew there was a need to have their own fire truck and other emergency equipment to help their families, friends and neighbors, as well as visitors in the times of trouble. The first meeting to formally discuss founding the Cherry Grove VFD was held on May 18, 1970 with an attendance of seventeen residents followed by a second meeting on May 28, 1970 with 14 residents attending. With the support of the residents in small township, there was no turning back and in June of 1970, the volunteer fire department became a reality.
Our first Officers of the Cherry Grove VFD were:
• President: Larry Boutelle
• Vice President: Frances Rogers
• Secretary: Jim Doyle
• Treasurer: Russell Anderson (Learn more about Russell on our Members Page)
• Chief: Wilbur “Bud” Nordin
• 1st Assistant: Jim Doyle
• 2nd Assistant: Bill Larson
Once the vision was a reality, the original group of the Cherry Grove VFD decided to have a door-to-door campaign and to send letters to approximately 350 camp owners in the area in an effort to raise funds. The initial funding was to purchase a Mack truck from the Grand Valley Fire Department and to remodel a one car garage to be the home for the first fire station and meeting hall.
At that time there was a water shortage, and the VFD was granted permission by the Pennsylvania Department of Forest and Waters to dam up a small stream and make a water reservoir. Also they cleaned out an old oil tank grade pond to use as another water reservoir.
As the Cherry Grove Volunteer Fire Department was growing, they purchased a GMC truck with an 800 gallon tank from the Scandia Fire Department in January 1971. Next, an Army surplus 6 x 6 cargo truck was obtained through the Forestry Department and the Rural Community Fire Protection Act . In 1973 a fire station base radio was purchased. In 1974 an International truck was purchased from the Kearsarge Volunteer Fire Department, mobile radios for the trucks and tone alert mechanism for the base station were also acquired.
Though the small one car garage served it’s purpose, the firemen needed more room. In 1975 a new 50′ x 60′ building was erected on property donated to the Cherry Grove Township Supervisors by Mr. Gordon Thompson. At that point, the Cherry Grove Volunteer Fire Department had a home they could really call their own. By 1978 Cherry Grove VFD had eleven active members and five EMTs.
Like all volunteer fire departments, changes have been made throughout it’s 35 years. Members have come and gone and some have returned. The fire department building has seen changes, too. A large addition was added for a hall and kitchen where the spring turkey parties and fall gun raffles are held to raise money to keep the department running. It is also used to host dinners, parties, funeral dinners and the Cherry Grove Church’s Easter Sunday sunrise breakfast.
In recent years, the Supervisors bought a large generator for the fire department. The Supervisors, VFD, and the EMA are working together to make our fire department a safe place for our residents. If the electricity goes out, which can be often in rural communities, or natural or manmade disasters occur, the fire department can still function. The department is a safe place for people in times of disaster.
If you live in our area and would like to become a member please go to our Members page and see how to become a member.