The Chambersburg Fire Department is steep in rich history dating back to March 13th, 1780 when the citizens of the town organized their first fire company named United. It was approximately 50 years later when the citizens of Chambersburg saw the need to organize a second fire company in 1830.
The name chosen for the new fire company was the Hope Hose Company. The Hope's first engine house was located on East Market Street, now Lincoln Way, behind the courthouse. The company meetings were held on the first Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m.
It was in the spring of 1840 that the town was divided into two wards, which were the North and South with Queen Street being the dividing line. The United Fire Company changed its name to Friendship and was located on South Second Street next to Borough Hall.