As Honey Brook has grown, Honey Brook Fire Company No. 1 (HBFC) has decided to grow with it.

The fire company recently purchased a ladder truck for the first time in its 134-year history, obtaining a 1998 Pierce Lance 105' aerial device from nearby Womelsdorf VFC in late March.

Honey Brook Borough's population was listed at 1,892 in the U.S. Census Bureau's 2020 report, a 47% increase from the turn of the century.

"Especially the last five years, we've seen an explosive growth for our community as well as the need for our services," said HBFC assistant chief Ryan Plank. "We have hit record call volumes for the last five years in a row, and it continues to grow."

The company has answered at least 300 calls in all but one year since 2019, something it did only twice from 2012 to 2018. It recorded a high of 442 responses in 2024.

In the past, HBFC had to rely on neighboring agencies to provide ladder truck capabilities in certain emergencies. Plank said the new truck will allow the company to be more well-rounded.

"We felt that we were in a position to be more of an all-encompassing department," Plank said. "We wanted to bring that to our community."

Like most things, the cost of brand-new fire equipment is at an all-time high and has exploded in recent years. Plank estimates that the company saved millions of dollars by purchasing a used ladder truck for only $100,000.

"Some of these trucks can take anywhere between three and five years to get built," he said. "We decided that it would make the most sense from a cost perspective to buy a used ladder truck that was available to us now, that we could train on, that we could build our skill set on, that we could progress on."

HBFC is the primary fire rescue provider for Honey Brook Borough, Honey Brook Township and parts of Caernarvon and Salisbury townships. The all-volunteer department also provides assistance to other neighboring departments.

Plank noted that all-volunteer fire departments have become increasingly rare in the modern age, especially among other Chester County agencies.

"Fire service in Chester County, companies are downsizing their manpower," he said. "We're doing the opposite. Our trucks go out the door with six lead guys ... What we have here in Honey Brook is extremely unique, and I think that should be showcased."

HBFC is underway with an "ambitious" training program that hopes to have the new ladder truck operational by the end of summer or early fall. The company also recently expanded its engine bay by 10 feet to accommodate the new purchase at a cost of $150,000, which was provided by donations from local businesses and contractors.

"We're very passionate about what we do here," Plank said. "We've positioned ourselves to provide this service for decades into the future."