Although the North Shenango Fire Department is fairly young in age, it is still very rich in history. It all began thirty years ago with a group of idealistic and emotionally charged individuals who decided they wanted to make a difference in their small community.

The fire department started small. The meager storeroom only had enough capacity for a meeting of people. When North Shenango bought their first truck, which was purchased for only $1,500 from Transfer, they still did not have a place to store any equipment or vehicles. Graciously, Jim Lennon offered part of his garage for temporary use. So they worked out of these two locations until they were able to form a building committee and raise enough funds to make their dreams a reality. The township was lucky enough to have the donation of land from Arch Barabus on March 21, 1975. This land was given on a 99 year lease to be used to establish a fire department. When the building had been completed, the total cost was $88,900. The Open House for the public occurred on April 11, 1976.

At this point and time, only two trucks had been in service for the department. One was the one purchased from Transfer and the other was donated by Holiday Camplands only needing minor repairs. Equipment and apparatus' were purchased little by little through the years. A fire siren was loaned by West Mead #2 and later purchased for $1,000 on March 4, 1980. Initial hats, coats, and breathing apparatus' were donated by local fire departments (an initial allotment for only $80 was allowed for each new uniform needing purchased). A station wagon was also donated by Ben Lennon to be used as an equipment van and later it became the chief's vehicle.

The North Shenango Fire Department has come a long way since then. The first full year that the fire department was in service had only 17 calls total. In 2003, the call volume was 192 calls. The fire department has gone from two trucks and a station wagon to a 1992 4 Guys Spartan pumper with Holmatro rescue tool system, 1982 GMC Kodiak tanker, 1977 Chevy Pierce mini pumper, a 1979 Boston Whaler 21 foot rescue boat, and the latest purchase of a 2004 Ford Excursion, which acts as an EMS rescue squad vehicle. The fire department is also the new owner of an Evolution MSA 4000 Thermal imager. In addition to updates in equipment and increased call volume, the fund drive which helps financially support the department has expanded and bingo includes a non-smoking building for the convenience of our players.

Although times have changed, history also repeats itself. Like the initial forefathers of the department, the current firemen were faced with plans for a new fire station building. The NSFD is proud to announce that as of January 22, 2004, the new station '17 House' is now in operation. The previous station will continue to be in service but now soley as a social hall. The new station was created to provide a more central location and as an expansion for training and equipment. The North Shenango Fire Department looks forward to the next upcoming years as they continue to support their community and surrounding mutual aid companies.