The Swarthmore Fire and Protective Association (SF&PA) was organized in 1893 and incorporated in 1908 to fight fires and protect property in the Borough of Swarthmore. The first pieces of apparatus owned by the Association were a horse-drawn pumper and a horse-drawn ladder. The Association purchased its first motorized vehicle in 1914, an American LaFrance pumper, followed by a motorized aerial ladder truck in 1917. In April 1999 the Association purchased an ambulance to provide Basic Life Support (BLS) emergency medical services to the community. In August of 2025 the Association expanded its emergency medical service program and began Advanced Life Support (ALS) services. This new service allowed the Association to expand and continue its mission of providing rapid and effective responses to fire and medical emergency needs of the community.

This is a 2001 Pierce aerial apparatus whose pre-piped ladder can extend up to 100 ft and has a 2250 gpm pump; it can carry up to 500 gallons of water and can also deliver Class A foam. It carries 1000 feet of 5-inch supply line as well as 2 preconnects of 1″ 3/4 in. (200 ft long), a 2″ 1/2 in. blitz line and a 100-ft trash line in front. It has 40 ft. of 1″ 3/4 in. in the bucket.

This 1992 Marion/Spartan Pumper boasts a 1500 gpm pump and can contain 750 gallons of water, 40 gallons of foam. It has preconnects of 1″ 3/4 in. 150 ft long, and 500 ft of 2″ 1/2 in. attack lines. It also has 1200 ft of 5 in. supply line.

Our newest ambulance is a 2019 Ford and offers Advanced Life Support and patient transport.

Our 2nd ambulance is a 2016 Chevy and offers Basic Life support and patient transport.