Shenandoah,PA- On Saturday June 7th, the public was invited to an open house and celebration for the 1925 Ahrens-Fox piston pumper at the Schuylkill Historical Fire Society museum on Jardin St. The purpose of the day was to have a parade and to honor the Shamokin Sump-Pumpers for preserving this rig for sixty some years. 

The history of this unit began in 1925 when the Citizen Hose Co. of Lock Haven spent over $12,500 for this piston pumper. This rig remained in service there till 1948 when it was sold to the new Nittany Valley Fire Co. in the 60's. Later, it was sold to the Brooklyn Hose Co in Lewistown as a parts truck where it remained in a field. The Ahrens-Fox then sat idle there until some vollies from the Shamokin Rescue Fire Co. No. 3 heard about it. That group decided to call themselves the Shamokin Sump-Pumpers and with thirty members paying ten dollars, they purchased the pumper for $300 . They then took on the major task of looking for parts for its major restoration. The rig was used for public events, parades, including their centennial parade. Eventually, the curiosity of whether the piston pump would still work became an issue. The members took the pump apart found what parts were needed , reassembled the pump and to the surprise of its members, it still functioned after many years of non use.

A fire truck parade was then held to honor the Ahrens-Fox. After the parade, a ceremony was held with several speakers which included retired Ashland Fire Chief Phil Groody as emcee, SHFS President Kurt Tatich, Girardville Fire Chief Frank Zangari and SHFS Past President and Curator Mike Kitsock. Honorary awards were then given to the Shamokin Sump-Pump original members Joe Row and Charles Gedman for donating the Ahrens-Fox to the museum. The program concluded with a large birthday cake being offered after the singing of Happy Birthday! The last made Ahrens-Fox piston pumper was back in 1952.