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 an 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, a new era for the Association began with the start of Basic Life Support (BLS) emergency medical service. This new service allows the Association to expand and continue its mission of providing rapid an effective responses to fire and medical emergency needs of the community.

For a list of a history of our membership (back to 1908) 

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 2008 PL Custom on a Ford Chassis and offers Basic Life Support and patient transport

Our 2nd ambulance is a 1998 Ford and offers Basic Life support and patient transport.

Our 1998 Ford van is used to transport our members to training venues, traffic control and assist the public calls, such as cellar pump outs.