Welcome to the
The Franklin Fire Company
Protecting life and property through emergency response, fire prevention, public education, and volunteer service throughout Chambersburg and the surrounding communities since 1903.
Population Protected
First Due Area
Year Founded
Volunteers
Experience the Tradition Here
The Franklin Fire Company is more than apparatus, equipment, and a firehouse—it’s the people who have carried our tradition of service forward for generations. Experience Franklin through the eyes of our members and get a closer look at the training, dedication, and moments that define life at Station 4. From answering the call to the traditions shared within our walls, this is what it means to be a Franklin.
Honoring Our Past. To Build Our Future.
A Sacrifice Never Forgotten—July 22, 1936
In the early morning hours of July 22, 1936, members of the Franklin Fire Company No. 4 answered an alarm for a structure fire in Fayetteville—an area that, at the time, was part of the Company’s first-due response district.
During a severe electrical storm, a combination stable, garage, and hog pen on the property of William T. Cook had caught fire, reportedly after being struck by lightning. An alarm was telephoned to the Franklin Fire House, and our volunteers responded aboard the Company’s pumper.
As the apparatus approached the scene shortly after 3:00 a.m., tragedy struck. Just approximately 60 feet from the burning structure, the pumper sideswiped a tree along a byroad leading to the Cook property.
Fifteen Franklin firefighters were aboard the apparatus at the time of the accident. The force of the collision threw or caused many of the firefighters to jump from the pumper, leaving only two members aboard.
Firefighter David Orr Gabler, just 19 years old, was killed instantly. Firefighter Harold E. Snider, age 29, was critically injured and later died at Chambersburg Hospital. Eight additional Franklin firefighters were injured in the accident, two of them seriously.
What began as another call to serve the community became one of the darkest days in the history of the Franklin Fire Company.
Nearly a century later, the sacrifice of Harold E. Snider and David Orr Gabler remains an important part of our story. They answered the call as volunteer firefighters, willing to leave the safety of their homes in the middle of the night to help someone in need.
Their service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.
Firefighter Harold E. Snider — Age 29
Firefighter David Orr Gabler — Age 19
End of Watch: July 22, 1936
FROM THE FIREHOUSE
🔥1st arriving Mobile Home Fire🔥
At 4:15 this afternoon, Franklin County 911 began taking calls of smoke coming from a mobile home in the 2300blk of Apple Way Rd in St Thomas Twp, box 18-13.
E45, Squad 41, and multiple POV members were responding during dispatch. Asst Chief 48- Himes arrived with a single wide mobile home and smoke showing. E45 arrived and assumed 1st due fire attack w/ Asst Chief Himes. Crews found a small fire inside the living room. Once water was on the fire, crews started opening up and confirming no one was home at the time.
Command 18 held the assignment to Co.18(St Thomas), Sta4 and Co.13(Letterkenny Army) in about 30 mins. Crews operated for 1hr opening up and wetting down.
This video is from the helmet cam of E45 OIC FF Panfili.
6 CommentsComment on Facebook
YOUTUBE
Bunkroom Productions
@BunkroomProductions
Experience Franklin Fire Company through our videos, training, apparatus, traditions, events, and life around the firehouse.
▶ Visit Our Channel →Stay Connected with the Franklins!
Follow us to stay up to date with what’s happening at the Franklin Fire Company. Follow along for department news, training, events, community involvement, and a behind-the-scenes look at life around the firehouse.
Have a question or need to speak with someone? Email us at: