"At the time that Milford was celebrating its 200th anniversary Milford firemen were working with a 1923 Hahn Pumper and a 1927 hook and ladder. The 1923 truck had hard rubber tires. This equipment was housed in the ground floor of the borough building. The firemen met in the second floor room that more recently was used as the council chambers.

In 1937 the department discussed purchasing a new engine for the 1923 Pumper; they also discussed purchasing a new "triple combination" fire truck. Representatives of 6 manufacturers of fire apparatus came to Milford on March 9, 1937 and each was given one-half hour to describe their equipment. At the time no new truck was purchased; parts were obtained for the old Pumper and it was repaired.

The minutes of a meeting May 3, 1938 indicate that a training course was approved and firemen attended the course on Wednesday evenings. Training was required of members of the fire department then as now.

The question of a new truck arose again on March 7, 1939 and a committee was appointed to investigate. A new 1940 Seagrave Pumper was purchased. It was delivered on a flat car of the Erie Railroad in the rail yards at Port Jervis.

The beginning of the Second World War was nearing and on Oct. 1, 1940 the department voted that members who enter military service would be kept on the active list during their absence. Also an item at this meeting illustrated the austerity of the times; John Almer, a member of the department and a local insurance agent, was instructed to get all insurance coverage he could for the 1927 hook and ladder truck for $5.00.

New application for membership and those on file of persons of draft age and liable for military service were withheld from membership until those seeking membership would show adequate reason why they could not be taken into service.

In 1942 members who entered military service were put on the honorary list to be automatically returned to active status on their return. A flag was flown with stars emblazoned for members in military service.

Thirty-five men and trucks went to Hawley May 25, 1942 to give aid following a flood there.

This was a time of rationing and the fire department was allowed 489 gallons of gasoline per year and was issued coupons for same. The fire alarm was used as an air raid alarm and many practice blackouts were held. Firemen were instructed in handling fires where high explosives were present as many Army convoys passed through town.

The last air horn was purchased with a priority issued by the War Production Board June 6, 1944. A horn blast of one minute duration was sounded on VE Day.

It was 1946 before another new truck was discussed. It was 1949 before the truck, a Dodge, was purchased. The hook and ladder truck was sold to Charles Nitsche that year.

Milford Fire Dept. started the first Volunteer Ambulance Service in Pike County in 1953. The crews started Red Cross first aid training, then advanced first aid, and now many members are trained emergency medical technicians (EMT's). In the early years the service covered Pike County and patients were picked up in Port Jervis before the volunteer service was started there. Local calls in those days could involve 80 to 90 miles; there were on the average about 9 calls a month. Today the area covered is much smaller but call averages are much higher.  

In 1958 the ambulance corps was given the Ballantine Award for activities and services directed toward maintaining the health and welfare of the people in the area. The Benjamen Rush Award was received in 1964 from the Pennsylvania Medical Society through the Wayne-Pike County Medical Society. This award was for outstanding health services. Over the years many other commendations have been received.

The early years were austere and Life magazines were carried in the ambulance for use as splints, a far cry from today with the two ambulances equipped with the latest in sophisticated equipment.

Many long distant trips were made when few ambulances were in this area; trips to New York City hospitals and airports, Newark, Washington D.C., Sayre Pa., Philadelphia, Scranton, etc. The Interstate highway system was not in existence and the two man crews had to decide what hospital was the nearest for a local call. Some trips were "relay" calls where patients were transported by ambulances in each district along a 300 or 400 mile trip.

In 1959 a committee firemen met with the Borough Council concerning plans for a new fire house. The tentative plans were prepared by Victor Orben. Sept. 1961 the department accepted a bid of $27,605 for the construction of the new building. Through a mutual agreement the borough was given a 50 year lease on a portion of the building for use as a borough garage. The lease ran to January, 1983 and was terminated by mutual agreement.

Milford Fire Department held "block parties" for many years to raise funds for operation expenses. Ever since the fire department was started firemen have been active in many different projects to raise funds. Since November 3, 1962 Bingo games have been the major project to raise funds and this continues today. The money raised in this manner is used for new trucks. An appeal once a year to the area served and a small amount of tax money defrays operating expenses.

The first piece of equipment to be purchased following the institution of Bingo was a 1966 Seagrave. A 1969 Mack followed and when a 1976 Mack was purchased the 1966 Seagrave was sold. In Feb. 1983 the fire department put a new emergency truck into service; the old truck had become too crowded with equipment and was sold. "

Contributed by Leith Hoffman as recorded in the book "Milford Heritage 250"

The Milford Fire Department now has a 2000 Saulsbury Sparten Heavy Rescue. A 1995 Pierce Dash 1500 gallon Pumper. A 1985 Brigadier 2000 gallon tanker. A 2005 P&L Custom Ford Ambulance and a 2000 Braun Ford Ambulance. A 1986 Chevy 150 gallon Brush truck.