Naval Support Activity Mechanicsburg Fire Department

Naval Support Activity (NSA) Mechanicsburg is an 824 acre naval supply depot in Hampden Township and Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, approximately 7 miles west of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The installation consists of 150 buildings with 7.9 million square feet of warehouse space. Today, the base employs about 5,000 civilian and 190 military personnel.

The NSA Mechanicsburg Fire Department responds to all medical, fire, hazmat, and rescue situations on the base. The department also responds as mutual aid to incidents in surrounding townships and communities. Within Cumberland County the department is designated Station 37.

The department presently falls under the umbrella of Navy Region Mid-Atlantic Fire & Emergency Services.

History
The NSA Mechanicsburg Fire Department was first organized in 1942. At the height of activity on the base in 1946, the department consisted of 90 civilian officers and men.

In the early days of the base, a large watch tower was constructed to overlook the installation and provide early warning of any smoke or fire. This watch tower was located adjacent to the main fire station.

Three steel water towers were originally needed to maintain adequate hydrant pressure throughout the base. High costs associated with maintaining the tanks prompted the Navy to upgrade the NSA Mechanicsburg water system. As part of the upgrade, the Navy removed the towers from service and demolished the structures in the summer of 2000.

Apparatus Roster
All pump/tank measurements are in US gallons.

Fire Station 1 - Building 306A - 3rd Avenue & F Street

 * County designation in brackets
 * Quint 52 (Engine 1-37) - 2004 Pierce Contender (1500/500/65' Telesqurt)
 * Engine 52 (Engine 2-37) - 2002 Freightliner FL80 / Pierce (2014 Firetrucks Unlimited refurb)
 * Squad 52 (Utility 1-37) - 19?? KME Renegade chassic / 2014 Firetrucks Unlimited walk-around rescue body

Retired Apparatus

 * US Navy serial numbers in brackets
 * Ford F350 pickup with hazmat trailer (former Utility 51)
 * 1999 E-One Cyclone (1250/750/40F) (former Engine 1, former Reserve Engine 52)
 * 1999 E-One Cyclone (1250/750/40F) (former Engine 2)
 * (76-00003) 1992 Ford L8000 / Pierce walk-in hazmat/rescue (former Hazmat 37)
 * (73-03016) 1990 Pierce Arrow (1000/500/100F/65' Telesqurt) (1999 Pierce refurb) (former Engine 3) (transferred to Brunswick Naval Air Station Fire Department)
 * (73-01341) 1990 Duplex / Ward 79 / Fire Apparatus Unlimited (1000/750/100F) (former Engine 2)
 * 1984 Ford pick-up (Chief)
 * 1977 Dodge Power Wagon with Ansul PKP unit (former Foam 3)
 * (73-01934) 1967 International / FTI (750/300) (former Engine 2)
 * (73-01813) 1964 International / FTI (750/250/30F) (former Engine 3)
 * (172153) City Service Unit
 * 1942 Seagrave Model 66-750 pumper (SN#B4505)