The Organization of the Good Will Hose Company No. 3, in Bristol Pennsylvania, was the outcome of a desire on the part of property owners of the third and fourth wards to provide for local fire protection. On frequent occasions the blockading of the Mill Street railroad crossing prevented the two existing chartered companies, both which were located in the first ward on the opposite side of the rail line, from reaching a fire location on Garden Street, in which four persons lost their lives.

This terrible event aroused the residents of the fourth ward to the necessity of taking immediate action for their own protection. This movement quickly spread to the third ward also, where a meeting of local citizens was held at the residence of James Randall, Otter Street, on April 29, 1893, having as its object the formation of a fire company for the protection of property in the third ward. Lois Spring SR. was elected the chairman and Doron Green, secretary.

It was decided that the name of the organization should be the Third Ward Fire Association, but at the suggestion of the Borough Council, the name was subsequently changed to the Third Ward Hose Company.

The membership of the company grew rapidly and soon an agitation in favor of becoming a chartered company was started by the younger members. At a meeting held on July 17, 1895 the trustees were instructed to procure a charter, and at the same time the name of the company was changed to the “Good Will Hose Company No. 3”. The Court granted the petition for the charter on August 14, 1895, and on December 17, 1895 the company was reorganized to conform to the provisions of the new charter with the following men becoming the first officers of the Good Will Hose Company: Charles H. Hoeding, President; Charles P. Yeamans, Vice-President; Doron Green, Secretary; James K. Randall, Treasurer; William R. McCoy, Foreman and Harry K. Gosline, Assistant Foreman.

The obtaining of a new charter exerted an energizing influence and the company soon outgrew its circumscribed quarters. A building at the corner of Swain and Pearl Streets was purchased and converted into a commodious two story house. Borough Council presented the company with the combination chemical and hose wagon, and the membership raised sufficient funds to purchase a one-horse hose wagon. The chemical wagon, proving unsatisfactory, was exchanged for a chemical engine. With the consent of Borough Council, the chemical engine and horses were sold and the proceeds used to purchase an automobile combination chemical and hose wagon, which was the first automobile fire apparatus in the Borough of Bristol and also the first within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

From the early 1900’s through the 1920’s and 30’s, Good Will Hose Company No. 3 continued to grow and become the center of neighborhood activity for social and fraternal meetings for the people of the third ward.

In September 1941, a new Mack hose wagon was purchased. It came equipped with a five hundred gallon per minute pump. In 1942, a new Mack combination pump and emergency truck was purchased to keep up with the increasing rescue and marine calls. Also in 1942, the Good Will Hose Co. No. 3 helped to form the Interstate Marine Association which coordinates water rescue operations and land searches.

During the next few years, the company continued to expand its membership and progressed rapidly. Finally in 1950, a new building was erected at the corners of Swain and Mifflin Streets, the company’s present address.

In 1962, a Ford van was purchased; it was renovated to become our new rescue truck to handle the increasing number of rescue calls. It responded to numerous accidents in our response area and beyond. In 1966 a new Mack engine with a one-thousand gallon per minute pump was purchased.

Then in 1974 the company’s fire officers chose to revise our response procedures to fire incidents. A presentation about mini pumpers by Pierce Manufacturing helped us focus on this change. We purchased a mini-pumper to serve as a quick attack and knockdown tool. This was also done to reduce the work load and extend the life of our 1966 Mack engine. We also purchased a Pierce rescue truck to replace the Ford Econoline van we had been using as our rescue truck. The equipment required to continue in the rescue service was quickly overloading and out growing the 1962 van.

The Good Will Hose Co. No.3 leadership team searched for a new look. They were looking for new and better ways to raise funds as we entered the 80’s. Major renovations were completed in the Good Will Hall and social quarters (The Grill Room). Both rooms changed drastically. The Good Will Hall was renovated to enhance the environment for our Bingo patrons and the attendees to our larger rental needs. The Grill Room was completely renovated and was renamed to The Regency Room. The organization also began to purchase adjacent properties to enable us to better plan for our future in the community. In 1981 the membership voted to start celebrating our annual banquets. The first banquet was held at the Croydon fire house in their ballroom. We also had a major need to start to replenish our fire apparatus. In 1984 we took delivery of a new Pierce Arrow engine. It included a 1750 gallon per minute pump with a large diameter hose reel. This piece of apparatus along with our aggressive firefighting tactics moved us to the forefront of the local fire service community. Also in 1984 the company’s original home at Swain and Pearl Streets was severely damaged by fire. This structure was later purchased by a life member of the company. It was restored has an engine room and presently houses some of the members antique apparatus collection thus preserving part of our beginnings and history. In 1988 during the Bristol Borough Christmas Parade the official company flag was damaged. It suffered a tear while being restrained during windy conditions. The membership elected to restore this valuable piece of our history and replace the original with a replica for future parades and to be displayed at company functions.

As we entered the decade of the 90’s the need arose again to provide our firefighters more efficient and modern equipment. In April 1990 we took delivery of a new Pierce Lance engine. This truck included a 10 person cab with a 1750 gallon per minute pump. This latest piece of apparatus will enable us to provide the citizens of Bristol with some of the most modern, up-to-date fire fighting equipment in the area. This latest piece of equipment was purchased to allow us to remove our 1966 Mack pumper from active service. The old Mack had served us diligently and proudly for a number of years. The Mack will be missed by those carried to calls over the years of service. The truck was placed in storage until such time we can fully restore it. In 1989 we had a member leave the volunteer fire service for a paid position in the City of Philadelphia as a paramedic.

In 1995 the Good Will Hose Company was to celebrate its 100th year of service to the citizens of Bristol Borough and the surrounding communities. The planning for the event started in late 1993. A year long celebration was planned. The 100th Anniversary Committee planned events throughout the entire year, with picnics and parties in every quarter. During the towns July 4th celebration the company sponsored the fire works display for all to enjoy. The final event was our 14th banquet, it was gala black-tie affair held in our own Good Will Hall. The hall was decorated by members and never looked so elegant.

As the world moved into and looked forward to the new millennium we concerned ourselves with the task at hand. The Y2K virus paid us no mind. We celebrated the arrival of the new century amongst ourselves and family members at the station. We once again splurged and supplied the funding for the New Years fireworks celebration for the citizens of Bristol Borough and surrounding communities. In early January of 2004 we had six members become instant celebrities while on company business. Members had gone to Appleton Wisconsin to visit the Pierce factory on a pre-paint inspection of a newly order engine. While in Wisconsin over the weekend they visited Green Bay and Lambeau Field home of the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League. While there they were able to watch the football game between Green Bay and our Philadelphia Eagles being played back here in Philadelphia. They were entertained by and entertained the season ticket holders of the Packers during their time in Curly’s Pub at the stadium. The Eagles won the game through late heroics by their quarterback (Donavan McNabb) and one of their receivers (Freddie Mitchell) on a 4th and 26 play. From that play they converted a 37 yard field goal to win the game. The members were photographed, filmed and interviewed by Green Bay television stations and newspapers during their celebration of the Eagles win. It was quite an event for all involved and now duly recorded. In February of 2004 we took delivery of a new Pierce Enforcer. It came equipped with a 1750 gallon a minute pump and the latest safety features the industry had to offer.

Good Will Hose Company No.3, the organization, its past and present officers and members have created a legacy for the next generations of members to build upon. The membership has been leaders in making Bristol Borough a better and safer place to live, work and play. We have provided funds sponsoring numerous sports teams and organizations among them were baseball, softball, basketball and ice hockey. We have also supplied leadership and limited knowledge to the children of the community with many members serving as coaches for most of the sports mentioned above. We have also provided the community civic leadership with members serving on numerous Borough boards and committees, also serving as Council members and one actually winning numerous term as Mayor. We have provided continuous volunteer fire protection to Bristol Borough for more than 100 years. During this time the membership has been innovative in our approach to the science of firefighting. The membership has provided leadership in this area also. We have had two members serve as the Chief of the Bristol Borough Fire department. We have also had numerous members serving as Deputy Chiefs in route to the top position. As second and third generation members take on the responsibility of this legacy they will continue to grow and be of service to the community whose goodwill and approbation are our rewards.