Carbon County recognized one of its own for his dedication for the Lehighton Fire Department as the department celebrates its 150th anniversary.

On Thursday, the board of commissioners adopted a proclamation recognizing the fire department’s commitment to its community for a century and a half.

“The foundation of each and every community in Carbon County is the tradition, training, family and community service its volunteer firefighters contribute toward the well-being of the municipality,” the proclamation states. “The members, past and present, are to be commended for their commitment to the safety of the residents of Lehighton Borough by organizing the Lehighton Fire Department, as well as forming the Lehighton Ambulance Association in 1954 and have operated the Lehighton Fire Department Water Rescue since the early 1960s.”

The company, established on Aug. 24, 1874 as the Lehigh Hook and Ladder Company, has worked to maintain a presence in the borough and surrounding communities.

Commissioners Rocky Ahner and Michael Sofranko then spoke about their colleague, Wayne Nothstein, who has been a member of Lehighton Fire Department for over 50 years.

“Usually we present the proclamations to someone who is here, and today we are very fortunate to have an individual who has served over 50 years in the Lehighton Fire Company. Is probably one of the most active members when it comes to emergency services in the county, not that he is better than anyone else because he never wants to take credit for it,” Sofranko said, before turning to Nothstein and joking about his meeting with Ben Franklin in 1736.

Sofranko and Ahner then presented Nothstein with the proclamation on behalf of the fire company, which he took and presented to his fellow volunteers Thursday night at the department’s open house and celebration.

Ahner noted that until about a half century ago, Lehighton covered a significant amount of communities outside of Lehighton’s borough limits.

He commended the department for helping the local area.

“They have been a leader in saving lives,” Ahner said.

Nothstein said at one time, the department covered all the way up to South Tamaqua before other departments were established.

Nothstein thanked the volunteers for working together to reach this milestone and spoke about the obstacles volunteers face today, including working outside the community they live in, fundraising and a decreasing number of younger volunteers joining departments.