About Us
About Us
In the early 2000’s a fire study was performed to evaluate the growing and future needs of Upper Macungie Township. Upper Macungie Township Station 56 Inc was established in 2008. Our Firehouse, located at 6510 Schantz road is seated in the heart of not only one of the fastest growing residential areas of the township, but also resides just outside our dense industrial area making this an optimal location to respond to incidents within Upper Macungie Township. This allows us to be able to assist neighboring South Whitehall and Lower Macungie Townships in a timely manner. Station 56 responded to our first call in May of 2008 with a GMC Attack Truck which was donated by Wakefern Food Corporation. In early September, the station’s first engine was delivered, a Smeal Pumper with a 2000 gpm pump, a 1,000 gallon water tank and 50 gallon Class A foam tank. Station 56 is split into two operating bodies. The Fire Team, which handles operations and emergencies and the Fire Company, which handles administration, fundraising, and other business aspects of the operating company. Station 56 opened with nine firefighters on the Fire Team and 13 Fire Company members. The first president of the Fire Company was John Kuhns, Recording Secretary Gilbert Keller, Treasurer David Shellhamer, and Trustees Joe Corcoran and Scott Detweiler. In early 2011 Engine 5612 (Formerly Engine 2511) was relocated from Trexlertown Fire Company to Upper Macungie Station 56. Engine 5612, a Pierce 1998 Quantum Pumper equipped with a 2,000 gpm two- stage pump, 1,000 gallons of water and a 40 gallon foam tank was placed in service. Engine 5612 replaced 5671 which had reached the end of its usable lifespan as a fire apparatus.On May 15, 2015 Station 56 was recognized by the State of Pennsylvania for Gold Standard Recognition of a participating department in the fire certification program. 100% of station firefighters are trained to firefighter level one. In the Spring of 2016 Engine 5611 was outfitted with vehicle rescue tools and was established as a Rescue Engine. On December 20, 2016 Station 56 was recognized by the state of Pennsylvania Department of Health for Basic Vehicle and Machinery Rescue. Today Station 56 continues to operate with a growing membership of both the Fire Company and Fire Team. In 2021 we responded to over 609 calls for service in Upper Macungie Township and surrounding areas.