Sitting just over 100 miles north of Harrisburg is the small City of Wilkes-Barre, ranking 13th in the state by size, but ranking 1st as the largest city in Luzerne County. Wilkes-Barre was incorporated in 1806 as a borough, and like many of the other towns and cities in Northeast Pennsylvania, grew rapidly in size and population with the discovery of anthracite coal.

A year after Wilkes-Barre was incorporated, the borough council suggested the purchase of fire equipment; this is where the Wilkes-Barre Bureau of Fire began. 

Today, the Wilkes-Barre BOF operates out of 3 stations located throughout the city with the headquarters housing the majority of apparatus. With the smaller sized city, which is just 7.2-square-miles, the 70-plus career first responders handle roughly 11,000 calls per year between fire and EMS combined. The fleet consists of 3 engines, mini pumper, ladder, air/light, 5 support vehicles, 2 Micu's, a reserve tower, and a boat for the Susquehanna River that flows through the city. 

(A huge thanks to Chief Delaney and the excellent staff on duty during my visit for your help.)