Records of April 20, 1880 show that two fire companies were in existence, having been established in the early years of the City: Citizens Hook, Ladder & Hose Company on the flat in the 1st Ward (John Tonks, Foreman), and Columbia Engine & Hose Company in the 2nd Ward (S.M. Brewer, Foreman).the 1st ward fire station was located on River Avenue at the site of the present day Riverstone Lounge. The 2nd ward fire station was located on a rented lot on N.
Wayne Street, behind what is now Bob’s Place restaurant. The date these companies were formed has not been established. The only protection the City had for the longest time was from the sporadic volunteer fire organizations and their very limited equipment.

For fire protection, hose carts were pulled to the scene by a volunteer force and hooked to a fire hydrant. This offered sufficient pressure to control an ordinary fire. The water was suitable only for fire protection and was far from being desirable as a source of drinking water. The Allegheny River was shallow and fouled by oil, brine water, and dead animal carcasses the greater part of the year.

On January 8, 1931, Donald McGlaughlin, Clarence Dearolph, Howard Courson, Edward Huffman, and Curtis C. Bowser asked permission from City Council to organize a new volunteer fire company, the purpose of which was to provide an active organization, and to purchase a motor fire truck and other necessary firefighting equipment.
Council granted the request but stated that the City was unable to render much financial assistance at that time.

The young organizers had visions of equipment much superior to the man-operated apparatus that was the best to be had in the early 1880s. They wanted a motor truck the same as the big cities, with siren, searchlights, ladders, and
chemicals, among others. The company, chartered on August 15, 1931, was organized with 8 members who went to  work building the new organization. Original officers were Donald McGlaughlin, Curtis C. Bowser, D. A. Rhodes, J. G. Keirn, Clarence Dearolph, Arnold Bell, and Howard Courson. A fund was established through which to accept contributions. In addition, they put on shows, dances, and held different kinds of parties, bake sales, and everything else that would put a few dollars in the treasury. Thomas Corso, an active member of the new organization and a young man of good business judgment and considerable mechanical ability, offered to sell his 12-ton International truck chassis, equipped with dual wheels for a very reasonable price - $400. This was purchased and a building committee was appointed to build and equip it.  

Little by little, they built and equipped the motor truck, complete with everything except a pumper. The pumper was priced at $800 by the manufacturer, out of reach for the young fire company.  About this time, the committee learned that Franklin was making a change in their fire equipment. Members traveled to Franklin to see the equipment they were looking to sell. The Franklin Town Council sold the pumper and chemical truck to the Parker City Volunteer Fire Company for $200. This gift was worth approximately $7,000 and was in good serviceable condition. From this, a fire truck was built by volunteers. Besides providing the best in fire protection, the all-volunteer fire company performed many civic duties. The pumper was capable of throwing 750 gallons a minute and producing 500 pounds of pressure, carrying 1,000 feet of chemical hose, 2,000 foot garden hose for use on the main hose, buckets, axes, ladders, stretcher, lanterns, bars, siren, bell,, etc. the chemical truck carried two 60-gallon tanks, two 40-gallon tanks, two 2½ gallon hand extinguishers, 400 feet of hose, ladders, lanterns, etc. In addition to building the fire truck, volunteers repaired both firehouses to good condition, including cement floors, good approaches, and new doors.  

In 1972, work was begun to build a new building to house the fire department. With funding from the Armstrong County Redevelopment Authority and Housing & Urban Development, the present building was completed in 1975. Much of  the work in completing the building, including outside landscaping, was accomplished by fire department members. The kitchen facilities were bought and paid for by the auxiliary. The fire company celebrated its 50th anniversary on August 22, 1981.

 In 2012, the interior of the building was renovated. In 2013, City Council earmarked Community Development Block Grant funds toward the renovation of the exterior of the building, with additional funds to come in the out years.