Because there was a need for more modern equipment, a Seagrave Service Truck with ladders, a chemical tank, and a life net was purchased in 1922, replacing the old horse drawn hook and ladder truck from the Elliott Company. The city still has this engine, although it is not currently running. It had 125hp and could pump 1000 gallons of water per hour. In 1921, Orangeburg bought its first fire truck, a 1921 American LaFrance fire truck for $12,000.
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In 1920 the four volunteer organizations joined together to form a new fire department owned and operated by the City of Orangeburg. It had Orangeburg's first steam fire engine pumper and had its headquarters in front of the First Baptist Church building. The Young America Steam Fire Engine Company, started in 1855, was the first volunteer fire company in Orangeburg. Originally called the Comet, this company broke up and rejoined several times being named the Enterprise Company, the Independence Company, the Palmetto Company, and finally the Phoenix Reel Company. The Phoenix Hose Company was Orangeburg's first and only African American fire department and was located on Treadwell Street. Originally located on Middleton St., they eventually found a new home on East Russell St. Their equipment consisted of a hand-drawn ladder wagon and a supply of buckets. The Elliott Company was started in 1889 as the first ladder company in Orangeburg.
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The East End Reel Company was started in 1889 with their headquarters located off of Boulevard by the railroad tracks. Instead, there were four separate volunteer departments: East End Reel Company, Elliott Independent Hook and Ladder Company, Phoenix Hose Company, and Young America Steam Fire Engine Company. Until 1920, there was no city-owned fire department in Orangeburg.