Last summer Vigilant Hose Company No. 1 battled a second-floor bedroom fire on Romine Avenue in Port Vue, which caused extensive water damage throughout the home.

When it was learned the occupants -- a single mother and her two children -- had no house insurance, the borough's volunteer fire company, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, rolled up its collective sleeves.

In conjunction with the South Allegheny band parents, the firefighters and other volunteers repaired ceilings, installed a new furnace and windows, gutted walls, replaced carpeting and more.

"You lose that sense of community with a paid service," said Marshall Black, assistant fire chief and borough emergency management coordinator.

On Saturday, the four-monthlong centennial celebration begins with a banquet at the Youghiogheny Country Club.

Another highlight will be the opening of the wall cabinet in the company garage which, rumor has it, may contain a time capsule.

The anniversary weekend kicks off on July 11 with a parade featuring a hand-drawn reel, circa 1890s, which served as the company's first vehicle.

Members are hoping Ed Perkoski, 93, who has been a company member for 73 years, and whose son and grandson are members, will ride in the driver's seat.

The fire company was founded on July 13, 1908, on its current site at 1800 Romine Ave.

The first fire alarm was a steam whistle; the number of blasts signified which of Port Vue's six wards was in trouble.

Besides providing fire protection, the fire company over the years staged street fairs, picnics, dances and more that raised funds and provided entertainment for the community.

In the late 1940s to 1950s, the company fielded a 35-member marching band, which included trumpet player Raymond Sobczak, 74.

"We were lucky to have a breathing apparatus. If we did, they were few and far between," he recalled of fighting fires in that era.

John G. Obusek, 76, whose father and uncles were early members, said that in contrast to today's state-certified schools, his training consisted of "in-house training and you hopped on the trucks."

In 2007, the company admitted its first female firefighter, Kristen Harbert, 19, daughter of firefighter Wayne Harbert and sister of firefighter Justin Harbert.

Today, the company has a $194,000 Mack engine; a $60,000 annual budget subsidized through donations, fund-raisers and $10,000 from the borough; its first self-owned parking lot for firefighters' vehicles -- and 60 members, 31 of whom have 25 or more years of experience.

Chief Gary Kulka, 39, attributes the 19 new members in the last two years to word-of-mouth and the company's willingness to pay for training.

Currently, seven members are enrolled in Westmoreland County's fire academy to be state-certified as firefighters.

The engine company would also like to develop a specialty, like hazardous materials or a specialized unit, "to put us on the map," Mr. Kulka said.

What remains timeless, said Richard "Lippy" Liposchok, 73, who compiled the company's history through meeting minutes, newspaper clippings and photographs, is the "sense of gratification that you get saving lives and property."

"I'd rather be a firefighter than a regular guy," he said.