The Black Diamond Hose Company in Archbald has served the community for over 125 years.

ARCHBALD, Pa. — For over 125 years, the Black Diamond Hose Company in Archbald has fought fires in the borough. 

Now these volunteers are fighting to keep their doors open, but it’s not a financial crisis they face; it’s calls from within the borough to consolidate the four fire companies that serve the community.



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“I think a lot of people are upset as to what they’re trying to do, and I don’t understand why. I don’t see how it would be advantageous for them,” said Black Diamond Member Rusty Naughton.

Over the last 35 years, the fire company has cooked up a pork dinner to raise money to keep operations going.

With word spreading that the fire company could be shut down, A long line of hungry supporters from the community responded.

Officials with Black Diamond told Newswatch 16 they have received 50% more orders than in previous years. 

Liz Kotcho has been buying the dinners for five years, but said there was a more important reason to get one today.

“I also came to support black diamond hose company because they need this whole company up here; the roads are narrow. It’s a tight area, and it’d take too much time for another hose company to get to where they need to be,” said Kotcho.

“Yeah, we need our volunteers, and that’s what life is all about, you know? I volunteered years ago, and I want to support what volunteers can do,” said Leroy James from Archbald.

As volunteers of all ages help in the back worked to get hundreds of dinners out the front door, people picking up food were offering encouragement as well as money.

“I think they should stick around the greatest punch you guys you ever wanna meet.”

Mike McAndrew from Jessup has been purchasing dinners since the fundraiser began in 1990, and he doesn’t want it to end.

“They are a fire department going back 125 years, and we want to see them stay here another 125, so I will support them any way I can,” said McAndrew.

A goal the volunteers of the company tell us they want as well.