Fire protection for the Borough of Greencastle is provided by Rescue Hose Company.
Rescue Hose Company No. 1 of Greencastle, PA
Proudly Serving Greencastle & Antrim Township Since 1896
Our Mission Rescue Hose Company No. 1 of Greencastle, PA (RHC) is a volunteer-driven 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to protecting our community of over 20,000 residents, those that work and visit as well as supporting our neighbor agencies through responsive emergency services. Changing service requirements are identified with those needs addressed through thoughtful planning.
Who We Serve Our primary response is in Antrim Township and the Borough of Greencastle- a diverse seventy-two square mile area spanning rural, residential, commercial, and industrial zones. Due to its proximity to major population areas, high-volume roadways, and rail service with Interstate 81 and other heavily traveled routes crisscrossing the first due, we provide fire protection, rescue and emergency medical services to a rapidly increasing population. As our community grows, we continuously assess and adapt resources and capabilities to meet these evolving needs.
Apparatus and Emergency Response Our fleet of modern fire and emergency vehicles are maintained to deliver swift response times in any emergency. Large apparatus replacement is based on a 20–25-year cycle, with ambulances replaced more frequently. Like many communities, we've seen the number of volunteer responders decline significantly in recent years as requests for assistance increase. To address these lapses, the department uses paid staffing for emergency medical services and implemented a plan for compensated Firefighter/Emergency Medical Technician coverage- the latter through a partnership with our municipal partners. Our three ambulances are staffed by paid and volunteer Emergency Medical Technicians to provide round-the-clock coverage. The station also houses a non-transport advanced life support (Paramedic) unit from WellSpan Health. While using a fee-for-service model, RHC offers an Ambulance Club membership program to help manage out-of-pocket costs not covered by insurance.
Funding Our Future We sustain operations through multiple funding streams- annual community fund drive, support from Greencastle Borough and Antrim Township, generous donors, use of competitive grants, insurance reimbursements, and other membership programs. In 2025, the Borough of Greencastle instituted a fire tax to help fund their portion of the Firefighter/EMT positions and continue their support of Rescue Hose Company. This tax is specifically for fire service and separate from Ambulance Club memberships and emergency medical services billing.
Volunteers: Our Greatest Asset RHC thrives because of our dedicated volunteers and we're always seeking new members- whether as responders (EMTs, Firefighters) or in support roles that leverage your unique talents. Through partnerships with local officials and community support, we're positioned to meet the challenges of tomorrow while honoring more than 125 years of professional service.