After The disastrous fire of June 1868 when the nail plate mill and nail factory of the Pottstown Iron Company were destroyed; and in July of the same year, when the farm houses, as they were known which stood on High Street across the Manatawny creek on the west side, were completely gutted by fire; the citizens of Pottstown realized that more effective methods must be used to safeguard property. It was about that time that the Pottstown Gas & Water Company began operations to furnish the town with a water system and in a year or two had completed the erection of a reservoir on Washington Hill and also a pumping station at the foot of Washington Street and had laid water mains throughout the main portion of the town with a number of fire hydrants. It was during the latter part of 1870 that the agitation for better fire protection was discussed and eventually the town council took action. The fire department of Philadelphia had just been changed from voluntary department to a paid fire department and many old companies of the city were disposing of their apparatus. The members of the town council decided to purchase a hose carriage and hose as they deemed that would be sufficient at the time as the water pressure was about forty-five pounds and they believed it was sufficient to throw a stream over the tallest building in town.

It must not be forgotten that a great deal of credit in making this organization what it is placing it on the rock of safety and security from financial standpoint, is due to the fact that the wives and daughters of the members, as well as the lady friends of the company, having so faithfully and earnestly taken charge and managed the fairs and festivals and labored so much in the interests of this organization.