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 this time and pretty much all equipment accrued at this time was given to Blue Knob V.F.C. by other local fire departments. At the time there was a shortage of turnout gear and the sets that had been given had to Blue Knob had to be shared by the members. Later the Blue Knob Volunteer Fire Company acquired a 1968 GMC steel tanker from the Martin Oil Company of Bellwood, Pa. This truck had a gas motor and no pump, not to mention a very short wheelbase that made traveling the mountains very complicated. A few years later Blue Knob received a Dodge utility truck from Penelec Electric Company of Altoona, Pa. This vehicle was converted into a rescue truck that carried rescue tools and also could carry up to 8 firefighters to emergencies. During these years the fire company started doing turkey suppers as a fundraiser and held them on the 3rd Saturday of the months during spring, summer, and fall. In 1990 the Blue Knob V.F.C. was given a 1954 Dodge Power wagon by the PA DCNR and this truck was turned into a brush truck. In 1992 the dept was given a 1967 International R-190 pumper from the Navy. This truck was outfitted with a new tank, and the members of the company did the work. In 1994 the fire company purchased a Dodge pumper from the Duncansville Fire Dept and the 1957 International was taken out of service and sold to a Blue Knob resident. In 1997 the Blue Knob V.F.C. purchased a 1980 Ford 4-Guys tanker from the Claysburg Fire Company. With this purchase, the 1968 tanker was taken out of service. 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. This new addition to the fire company to do far more with vehicle rescues than could be done by the use of hand tools. These tools were pneumatically operated and were still old and outdated by anyone’s standard but they worked. Blue Knob did a lot of training with these tools and could do a vehicle rescue in the same amount of time as other departments with gas powered hydraulic tools. Now keep in mind that all of these vehicles were stored inside the eating area of the building. One garage door was used to get all vehicles into the building, and these vehicles needed to be started and pulled out of the building every time a function was to be held at the facility. At one point the fire company housed seven vehicles in this small area. Talks of construction a truck building were the issue at hand, but the financial situation of the dept did not agree. In 1998 the company purchased a 1973 CF Mack from the Hooversville Fire Company in Somerset county for $40,000.00, and the 1967 International pumper was taken from service. This truck turned out to be a great addition to the company and is still in-service today. The Dodge rescue that was owned by the company at the time was in need of repair, so the company found a 1978 FMC pumper in Mineral Point Ohio, and replaced this squad vehicle with an engine/rescue. The company sold the Dodge pumper to broker, and it was sent to a fire dept in the deep south. The company, during these years, really began to advance in equipment and training. Blue Knob was even able to purchase brand new turnout gear and other additional equipment that pushed the company in to a new era. In 1999 the Blue Knob Vol. Fire Company was even able to break ground on the new truck building. With this building the fire company was able to keep the vehicle protected from the elements all year round, no matter if the community center was rented for a function. 2001 started a great fundraiser for the company. The landowners of the area agreed to give the company permission to use their ground twice a year for an ATV run. This event raises thousands of dollars a year for the fire company, and has grown in size every year since its start. Additional fundraisers have been started and have been successful for the company. This was the first time since 1981 that the company experience financial freedom. The loan for the new 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. The company was given a Dodge brush truck from the Pa DCNR to replace the 1954 Dodge brush truck. This truck was outfitted with additional storage space and a drop on water and pump unit. This vehicle can run as a brush truck or a squad, and can handle brush fire, traffic control, and MVA calls. 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. This truck is expected in early December 2007. The company has also purchased an International truck from the Jenmar Corp. of Cresson, Pa. Blue Knob will be remounting the pump and tank from the 1980 Ford. With the remount of this body and the purchase of the new pumper/tanker, Blue Knob will be able to safely transport water to fires. 2007 is another year of large growth for the company. The same grant that purchased the ¼ million-dollar pumper/tanker for the community was given again to Blue Knob. The Dept of Homeland Security has awarded the company $83,000.00 for the purchase of new turnout gear 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. Blue Knob has grown so much since our modest start back in 1981. With advances in the fire service and the dedication of the members to learn these advances, they have made the Blue Knob Volunteer Fire Company a force to be reckoned with. In October the fire company will be sending its active members through a firefighter I class. With this certification, the members will have the same training that professional firefighters across the country have.
In October of 2007 11 of the BKVFC was able to certify to the NFPA 1001 standard. These members gave an entire month to become Firefighter 1 Certified. This accomplishment made our department 1 of only 500 in the state to be reconized for such an accomplishment.