World War II had its impact on the Malvern Fire Company. At the February 23,

1942 Trustees' meeting, they "executed the purchases of seven U.S. Defense Savings Bonds at $74.00 per bond to mature in 12 years at $100.00.

Chief Fred H. Thomas reported there were 75 fires in 1943 to a January, 1944, Borough Council meeting.

In August, finance committee chairman James Rapp "announced the purchase of a resuscitator, inhalator and aspirator, which is the very latest in life saving equipment. This piece of equipment, costing over $400, was paid for by the merchants and citizens of the community of Malvern. This apparatus is housed at the Fire Hall and is available for use free of charge to anyone who needs it.

"A group of the firemen are now being trained lo operate the equipment so that there will be an experienced operator available 24 hours daily. Arrangements are also being made to have a trained nurse accompany this first aid equipment where needed." (DLN)

The Trustees' Annual Report for 1943 indicated the purchase of seven bonds to mature in 10 years at $100 each and War Risk insurance at a cost of $18.48.

Officers for 1944 included President James Rapp, Sr. and Chief Fred H Thomas. (DLN)

A December 14, 1945 article reported that "An up-to-date and fully equipped ambulance has recently been added to the equipment of the Malvern Fire Company, A trained crew is ready to receive calls 24 hours daily. It has been the policy of the company to give constant efficient service to the community and through this new addition this service will be even more complete.

"The ambulance is also equipped with an E and J resuscitator, inhalator, and aspirator.

"The town and surrounding territory is proud of the efforts of the company in their new venture of service to the community." (DLN) Reportedly the first ambulance was a 1934 Nash, kept in service for one year for 200 subscribers. (EB)

A December 9, 1946 clipping said, "Fire Chief Fred Thomas, reports that during the past month, the company had been called to nine fires." (DLN)

One of them was H. Allison Fosnocht's home on First Avenue which was partially destroyed by fire on Thanksgiving Day, 1946. It was reported in an unidentified newspaper that "One neighbor rescued the Thanksgiving turkey which was on the kitchen stove and which the Fosnocht family later ate after the fire was extinguished and they returned to the house."

During the final night's festivities of the July fair, a Kelvinator refrigerator was awarded at midnight, a five piece lace bedroom set at l2;30 a.m. and the grand prize, a 1946 Chevrolet sedan, at 1 a.m. The refrigerator was chanced off to raise funds for a new ambulance. (DLN)

Two April fires in 1947 made the newspaper headlines. The first, April 5, threatened an 80-man dormitory at the Layman's Retreat. Four hundred trees were destroyed and 15 acres of grass burned off. The fire was fought by Malvern and five other companies for 90 minutes on Good Friday afternoon. Six hundred men were on the grounds for a retreat. (PI)

The second, April 27, was reported in an unidentified newspaper as a 2 a.m. call at Rusticraft, with about $3,000 in loss. "Frequently tramps who follow the railroads have slept in that place, which adjoins the railroad, and it is believed that one of these itinerants is responsible."

In February, 1947 it was reported that "The Malvern Fire Company members are working hard at tearing out the Fire Hall in order to remodel the entire building. New machines which have been ordered are expected sometime in the early Spring, and the building is being made ready for them. The architect on the job is William Allison, a Malvern resident, while a West Chester contractor has the job of rebuilding. A recreation room for the use of the members of the Fire Company is planned." (DLN) Another car was chanced off during the 1947 fair, given by the Dalton- Wanzel American Legion Post 646, of Paoli.

The Green Tree Elementary School! suffered an estimated $250,000 loss in April, 1948. The ten-classroom, two-story building was located in Willistown Township. (DLN)

A June, 1948, housing was described as follows: "Five hundred people viewed the ceremonies last Friday night at the Firehouse when the Malvern Fire Company housed their new Mack 750-qallon pumper.

Chief Fred H. Thomas reported In January, 1949, that the total fire damage in the borough for 1948 "amounted to only $50." (DLN)

Continued

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