The Central District Volunteer Firemen’s Association serves firefighters across central Pennsylvania. It promotes friendship, supports fire service legislation, and backs training for individual firefighters and the fire service as a whole. Its members come from fire organizations stretching from the Susquehanna River to the Allegheny Mountains.

The association dates to the early 1890s in the Clearfield, Centre and Blair county areas. The first annual convention was held in Philipsburg on October 18, 1893. The second was in DuBois in August 1894, with horse races, hub races, foot races and a potato race. 

Milestones

• 1908: Each member fire company was allowed to send a delegate. Today each member organization may send three.
• 1912: At the Houtzdale convention, members marched to Brisbin Cemetery to dedicate a monument to Smith, the first president.
• 1918 and 1942: No conventions were held because of the two World Wars.
• 1946: Membership was split into beneficial and non-beneficial classes.
• Fire Academy: The association’s efforts are credited with locating the Pennsylvania Fire Academy in Lewistown, within reach of the whole state.
• Awards: The association presents valor and fire safety education awards.

The annual convention

The convention now runs three days. Members vote on the host, and the host company or town names the association’s president. Sites are picked several years ahead so the host has time to plan and raise funds. The program typically includes:

• A past presidents’ banquet and meeting
• A memorial service for deceased members
• A business session
• The Central District fire queen selection
• A comedy parade
• Contests such as Battle of the Barrel and pumping competitions
• The grand convention parade, which closes out the weekend

A Board of Control made up of elected and appointed officers and committees handles routine business at spring and fall meetings.