The Lehighton Fire Department held a special program celebrating its 150th anniversary Thursday night. It was part of the open house from 6 to 9 p.m., allowing visitors to tour the fire house.

Lehighton Fire Chief Patrick Mriss opened the program.

“Tonight we begin a celebration of providing 150 years of service to the community with dedication of apparatus and history of the department.”

During the program, Chief Mriss introduced several special guests. Proclamations were presented by state Sen. David Argall; state Rep. Doyle Heffley; and Carbon County Commissioners Wayne Nothstein, Rocky Ahner, and Mike Sofranko.

Stephen Ebbert, chairperson of the 150th Anniversary Committee, narrated a PowerPoint presentation on the history of the fire department. Olivia Sheckler, a senior at Lehighton High School, and Marissa Lilly, a junior, designed the PowerPoint presentation and the printed programs.

“We would also like to take this opportunity to recognize the family members of past and present firefighters, who are in attendance tonight,” Ebbert added. “Without the support of you, our family members, our firefighters could never accomplish the things that we do.”

Three new pieces of equipment were dedicated during the program. Ebbert offered a brief biography of each of the people in whose names the new fire apparatuses were to be dedicated. Several family members offered tributes as well.

Assistant Fire Chief Michael Mriss and family members rang a bell to dedicate the equipment in honor of family members.

The new Ladder Truck 523 was dedicated in memory of Fire Chief Edward J. Conarty, Captain William Moser, Captain William Eberts, Captain Nevin Reichard, and Captain Kenneth Nothstein.

The new Brush Truck 546 was dedicated in memory of Lieutenant David Kuhla and Lieutenant Donald Schnell.

Boat 572 was dedicated in memory of Assistant Fire Chief Dwight Nothstein and Lieutenant James Hauser.

Lilly Andreas, a sophomore at Lehighton High School, sang the national anthem.

The Rev. Christopher M. Zelonis, pastor of Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Lehighton, said the invocation and benediction, and offered a blessing of the new fire equipment.

Ebbert introduced the four grand marshals for Saturday’s parade, all having served 50 years or more Wayne Nothstein, Paul Mriss, Gary Frable, and Larry Diehl.

The parade will be Saturday, beginning at 1 p.m. The parade forms on North 7th Street, comes down Coal Street, right on North 3rd Street. A wreath-laying ceremony will be held at the Firefighters Monument at the upper park on 3rd Street.

The parade will continue down South 3rd Street, right on Iron Street, and end at the Community Grove on South 7th Street, where a celebration will be held, including food stands, games, DJ Layne “The Doc” Roberts, and music by Super Son Godfathers. The parade will be held rain or shine.

The history

The Lehighton Fire Department organized on Monday, Aug. 24, 1874, and was called the Lehigh Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 of the borough of Lehighton.

In 1895, it was renamed the Lehigh Fire Company No. 1. On Nov. 5, 1903, the Lehighton Engine Fire Company No. 1 was formed, which was renamed in 1904 the Lehighton Fire Company No. 2.

In April 1987, an ordinance was passed forming the Lehighton Fire Department, as it is known today, as a volunteer department of the Lehighton Borough.

On Jan. 26, 1954, members of Lehigh Fire Co. #1 formed the Lehigh Fire Co. #1 Ambulance Association. The association eventually branched out on its own, now known as the Lehighton Ambulance.

During the 1960s, the Lehighton Fire Department started a scuba dive team. It later became known as the Lehighton Fire Department Water Rescue and Recover Unit, and features many trained people who respond to water rescue emergencies throughout the area.