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The Duquesne Annex
Volunteer Fire Company was chartered on a petition of some 159
citizens of the Annex and Polish Hill areas in Mifflin Township.
The Charter was granted April 15, 1931. Operations began
nearby in a garage on the rear of Jake Weinstein's property, a
Charter Member. That operation consisted of one Ford
chassis equipped ladder truck with a foam supply. This
work was done by the members. The need for more adequate
housing was required of the Company was to serve the useful
purpose for which it was chartered. With that thought in
mind the "Founding Fathers" acquired the property at
1620 Pennsylvania Avenue on which the present fire department
stands.
With the
acquisition, a building suitable for two trucks was constructed
and served the purpose for several years. However, with
the construction of Riverview Homes in 1940 there was
considerable population growth and many of these people in the
next few years became members of the Company. With the
increase of membership came new ideas which were adopted.
During this period a used pumper truck was purchased from the
City of McKeesport Fire Department which gave the fire company a
second piece of fire fighting equipment. Since social and
other functions were part of the fire company's purpose, it
became necessary to expand. An addition was built to the
garage running fifty feet on Pennsylvania Avenue, and thirty-six
feet along Mellon Avenue. This served as a meeting room
and also for other social activities. Late in the 40's the
company went into the ambulance service for the people of that
area and also had to find means to transport their band.
With this in mind, the original building or garage part was
extended back some sixty feet and this equipment was then
purchased. At this time the fire department received its
first pumper truck from the Borough of West Mifflin. The
event of the 50's probably was the granting of a liquor license.
This meant further building expansion. A 258' x 40'
addition was added to the west end of the Pennsylvania Avenue --
face of the building. During this time the fire company's
by-laws were completely revised. Much of the balance of
the 50's was routine except in the last year ground work for a
Relief Association was laid. The Duquesne Annex Volunteer
Firemen's Relief Association was granted a charter in 1960.
Many of the members began talking for a new building on the rear
of the property and the later demolition of the existing
building. After several years of planning, construction of
the building as it now stands was started in January 1964.
The dedication was set for June 27, 1965. This
construction was unique in that the second floor was built over
the existing building without any interruption of the functions
of the fire department. Upon completion of the second
floor, the downstairs area was torn out and completely remodeled
to form the beautiful home of the Duquesne Annex Volunteer Fire
Company, of which the residents of West Mifflin Borough are
deeply proud of.
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