Stone Creek Volunteer Fire Department will celebrate its 75th anniversary in June

Kristie Wilkin
·2 min read

STONE CREEK – The Stone Creek Volunteer Fire Department came about after a community meeting in 1949. Before that, the village had a fire wagon that community members used to fight fires.

However, the fleet has grown over the years, and the department continues to grow and flourish.

Stone Creek Fire & Rescue is a volunteer fire department that services the residents of the Village of Stone Creek and Jefferson Township in Tuscarawas County, in addition to providing mutual aid several other fire departments. There are 17 firefighters on the roster including three paramedics and seven EMTs.

Members of the Stone Creek Volunteer Fire Department and some of their children stand in front of the original wagon community members used to fight fires before the formation of the volunteer department. They include, from left, Keith Beitzel, Austin Carter, Darren Prouty, Josiah Beitzel, Micah Beitzel, John McMullen, Christian Deibel, Cody Westhofer, Jeff Cronebaugh, Brian Pfeiffer, and, front, Kevin and Eli Beitzel. Other members include Kevin Yoder, Mike Edwards, Meghan Keiffer, Alan Furner, Austin McMullen, Dana Miller, Ben Miller, and Brandon Elson.

“Their full-time occupations include electricians, farmers, auto mechanics, plant controllers and more so the skill sets beyond the training in saving lives expands into other areas that enhance our knowledge to be able to assist even more with certain situations," said Chief Darren Prouty. "Many of our firefighters also volunteer at other departments such as Newcomerstown, York, and Bakersville, and the majority of the group has served 10 years or more. We respond to around 80 calls a year. I could not be prouder of this group, their training, and how they all come together as a team. Jeff Cronebaugh and Kevin Beitzel serve as assistant chief, and they are a great resource for the others as well.”

Kevin and Keith Beitzel's father served as fire chief for York Township.

"This was a way of life for my brother and me," Keith said. "At an early age, we were used to being at the station, and helping in any way we could and now we are the second generation of firefighters and hoping our littles in the picture are the third generation.”

The 75th anniversary will be celebrated from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 8, at the fire department. There will training and demonstrations including a kids fire safety trailer, free smoke detectors, a Jaws of Life demonstration and a blood drive. Appointments are preferred for the blood drive and can be made at 614-347-4949. There will be free cake, hot dogs, chips, and beverages.

Firefighter Christian Diebel add, “We will still hold the regular Firemen’s Festival in August and more details will be announced as we get closer to that time," firefighter Christian Diebel said.

"My all-time favorite thing about being a part of the department is getting ready for the fireman’s festival. The firefighters and our families come together for planning, and executing the annual festival as well as being there the day of. This year we get to host two, so that is just the icing on the cake.”

This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: Stone Creek Volunteer Fire Department marks 75th anniversary in June