Serving Since 1917
The South Hanover Township Volunteer Fire Company has been proudly serving the residents of South Hanover Township since 1917. For over 100 years, our dedicated volunteers have answered the call to protect lives and property in our community.
Our Heritage
Founded in 1917 as the Volunteer Fire Company of Union Deposit, our fire company has grown from a small group of dedicated volunteers with basic equipment to a modern emergency services organization protecting over 7,200 residents across 11 square miles.
A New Chapter: Our Name Change
In 2025, we officially adopted our new name: South Hanover Township Volunteer Fire Company. Formerly known as the Volunteer Fire Company of Union Deposit, our roots run deep in the Village of Union Deposit dating back to our formation in 1917.
In 2016, we relocated to our current station within the South Hanover Township Municipal Complex off Route 39. Since then, many of our buildings, signs, and communications reflected "South Hanover," leading to some confusion as we continued to operate under the Union Deposit name.
With this name change, we aligned our identity across all aspects of our organization—our stations, apparatus, social media, fundraising, and community outreach—under one consistent name. This strengthens our connection with all residents of South Hanover Township and enhances clarity and recognition when we are serving in the community.
While our name has changed, our history is not forgotten. We continue to honor and preserve the legacy of the Volunteer Fire Company of Union Deposit. Artifacts, photos, and memorabilia remain on display at the firehouse to remind us—and future generations—of where we started and how far we've come.
Growth and Development
Throughout our history, the South Hanover Township Volunteer Fire Company has continuously evolved to meet the changing needs of our community:
- Started with a single station and basic hand-drawn equipment
- Expanded to two stations to provide better coverage
- Modernized our apparatus and equipment over the decades
- Added specialized rescue and emergency medical capabilities
- Implemented advanced training programs for our volunteers
Our Stations
Main Station (Station 47-1)
Our primary station and administrative headquarters at 101 Patriot Way in Hershey, PA, just off S. Hershey Road (Route 39), next to the South Hanover Township building. This station serves the eastern portion of the township, which benefits from good hydrant coverage.
Hoernerstown Station (Station 47-2)
Serving the western portion of our service area from 7094 Union Deposit Road in Hoernerstown, Hummelstown, PA. This area has limited hydrant access, requiring our apparatus to carry additional water and utilize tanker operations when needed.
Community Service
Beyond emergency response, we have been an integral part of the South Hanover Township community, participating in:
- Fire prevention education in local schools
- CPR and First Aid training for the community
- Community events and parades
- Public safety demonstrations
- Fundraising events to support our operations
Looking Forward
As we continue into our second century of service, the South Hanover Volunteer Fire Company remains committed to protecting our community with the same dedication and volunteer spirit that has defined us since 1917.