The Blue Knob Vol. Fire Co. opened its doors to the public in April of 1981. The Blue Knob Community center, which was owned by the three churches of Blue Knob, signed the 6-acre property over to the Blue Knob Volunteer Fire Company. The Fire Dept purchased its first vehicle from the Lakemont Volunteer Fire Dept in Altoona, Pa. This 1957 International R-190 pumper was placed into service in late 1981. Money for the fire dept was very scarce during its beginning and pretty much all equipment accrued at this time was given to Blue Knob V.F.C. by other local fire departments. Turnout gear was shared between numerous members of the company and we build or converted fuel trucks and Pennelec trucks for our apparatus.During these years the fire company and ladies auxiliary started doing turkey suppers as our primary fundraiser and held them on the 3rd Saturday of the months during spring, summer, and fall. Over the years many of the dedicated citizens of the mountain helped our company pay the bills and survive with our dinners. People come from the numerous nearby communities to enjoy the excellent meal our volunteers provide. In late 1997 after 16 years of service to the community, the fire company received its first jaws-of-life tool from the Imler Area V.F.D. in Bedford County. The jaws-of-life tool allows the fire company to do far more with vehicle rescues than we were able to accomplish by the use of hand tools. These tools were pneumatically operated and were still old and outdated by anyone’s standard but they worked. In 1999 the Blue Knob Vol. Fire Company broke ground on the apparatus storage area. This building allowed us to finally keep the vehicles protected from the elements all year round, and was the first time we had a dedicated area for our apparatus, which made a vast improvement in the response time of our company.With the permission of several landowners in 2001 we began a new era in fundraising for the company. Our ATV run, event raises thousands of dollars a year for the fire company, and has grown in size every year since its start. Both local and people from numerous other states come to participate in our professionally conducted and organized run. This event finally gave the fire company some financial freedom that we struggled with since its birth. The loan for the truck building was paid in a matter of a couple years. Blue Knob now focuses on purchasing equipment that will keep the citizens of the coverage area safe, and the members of the company even safer.In 2006 the Department of homeland security awarded the Blue Knob Vol. Fire Co. $250,000.00 to purchase a new pumper/tanker. The contract was given to the American Lafrance LLC, from Ladson SC. The new truck 86-21, as well as a International truck from the Jenmar Corp. of Cresson, Pa. that was converted to a tanker 86-22, allows us safely transport water to fires.The Dept of Homeland Security awarded the company $83,000.00 for the purchase of new turnout gear in 2007, for all members and also 10 SCBA which are used to protect the firefighters that enter hazardous air conditions such as structure fires and vehicle fires. In October of 2007, the BKVFC accomplished a significant event, we certified 11 members to the NFPA 1001 standard of Fire Fighter One. This accomplishment made our department 1 of only 500 in the state to be recognized for training our company to this standard. Blue Knob has grown so much since our modest start back in 1981 and will continue to do so. This journey has not always been easy and we have had many roadblocks, but the teamwork of our members, the ladies auxiliary, and the community accomplished for this company is remarkable. Thanks for all you have done for us. Special thanks also to the Fire Companies and supporters in the area that have helped us become the company that we are today. We are a special and unique team that our community can be proud of.