The Goodwill Fire Company of New Paradise was organized on July 13, 1879 with Mr. D.M. Loucks as the first president. At a meeting on January 29, 1892, it was decided to build an engine house. This building would be 16’x22’ in size. It was also decided at this meeting to purchase a 22’ and a 20’ ladder plus 6 fire hooks. Also at this meeting, the membership fee of $1.00 was decided on.

          On February 12, 1892, a meeting was held and the building committee reported that a lot of John Snyder’s was for sale for $75.0. It was decided to buy the lot and this is where the first engine house would be built. At this meeting, it was also decided that the building committee would become the trustees of the company. There was also a committee appointed to draw up by-laws for the company. On February 19, 1892, the first Constitution and By-Laws of the Goodwill Fire Company were read and approved.  On March 18, 1892, it was decided that all the members would pay monthly dues of $0.05 and the motto “WE STRIVE TO SAVE” was adopted.

          On October 1, 1892, the first fund raiser was held. It was a picnic in which they sold tickets for. At the picnic, they also sold 1200 raffle tickets for items such as a walnut table, a $5.00 gold piece, ½ barrel of flour, a $1.00 gold piece and a box of cigars. The picnic committee reported a profit of $0.73 on October 7^th. Other fund raisers were things such as buggy whips for $0.25, fire hall rental for $0.50 for meetings and an oyster bake.

          June 7, 1894, plans were discussed to purchase a new piece of fire apparatus. On July 7, 1894, a second picnic was held to raise money for this new piece of apparatus and a profit of $1.50 was made. The cost of the new fire apparatus with a new was $11.13 and it was decided to purchase it. Membership at this time was 29 men.

          August 1899, it was decided to put a bell on the fire station. A contractor was hired to build the bell tower for $20.50 and a bell was purchased for $7.00. After the bell was installed, the janitor would ring the bell at half past six and the again at seven o’clock on meeting nights and the meeting would be called to order at the last ringing of the bell.

          May 1904, after many building repairs, the treasurer reported a balance of $0.08 in the treasury. Membership at this time was 25 men. No records were able to be found about the companies activities from 1908-1916.

          In 1921, the engine house was wired for electricity and lights were installed. And the first floor was concreted.

          March 1925, a committee was appointed to purchase another piece of fire apparatus. In May 1925, a motion was made to purchase a piece of apparatus from American Lafrance for $2500.00.  During the years of 1925, 1926 and 1927, fund raising activities were held in the way of picnics, festivals, oyster suppers and bank concerts.

          July 1931, the membership was again looking to buy another piece of apparatus. A bid of $125.00 was sent to the Union Fire Company of York for a piece of apparatus that they had for sale. A committee was appointed and granted to spend up to $200.00 for an apparatus. In December, the committee purchased that apparatus from Union Fire Company for $330.00.

          July 1937, the first house siren was purchased for a price of $37.50 from W.S.Darley Co and installed. This new siren was tested every Saturday evening at 6pm.

          March 1939, the relief association was established pending approval by the Borough Council.

          December 7, 1941, immediately following the declaration of war with Japan, a special meeting was called for the purpose of trying to meet the defense needs in the community. A new 2 ½ HP siren was purchased for $175.00. Air raid wardens were appointed and a system was devised to designate whether a fire was in town or out of town and cards were distributed giving the fire and air raid signals. One long blast indicated a fire in town and two short blasts indicated a fire out of town.

          During the war years of 1942-1845 it was reported that many of the members were in the Armed Forces serving their country.

          There are no available records for the period of November 1945 to December 1950 and it was during this time that the present fire hall was built and dedicated at 1 South Main Street.

          In 1951, a Volunteer Medical Service Corps was established and first aid and medical training was given to those serving in the corps.

          In 1952 the discussion was of purchasing an ambulance. It was decided to first conduct a survey to see if enough favorable interested would be shown.

          In 1953, radio communications became available for the fire departments and plans were made to investigate the possibility of purchasing a transmitter and a receiver.

          May 1956, the membership approved the purchase of a 1946 flat bed truck for $175.00 to be converted to and used as a water tanker. Also in 1956, the fire department responded to a fire at Spencer Ferree’s that had an estimated loss of $13,000.

          In 1958, the department responded to 4 fire calls and 3 assisting calls with a loss of $286,750.00.

          In 1962, the department responded to 10 fire calls and 3 assisting calls with a loss of $10,000.00.

          July 1966, the Goodwill Fire Company #1 Junior Firefighter Organization was established.

          April 1967, the department approved the purchase of a 1967 GMD truck for $6170.00 and a quote from W.S.Darley for $10,000.00 was received for a 750 gpm pump and a 1,000 gallon tank. The new fire truck was received on February 21, 1968.

          In 1969, the department responded to 13 fire calls.

          In 1975, the department responded to 21 fire called with a loss of $15,500.00.

          In 1977, the department responded to 26 fire calls with a loss of $30,450.00

          In 1979, the department celebrated 100 years of dedicated volunteer service to the community.

          In 1991, the department purchased a retired 1981 FDNY ALF engine and had it refurbished and placed it into service.

           In 1996, another retired 1981 FDNY ALF engine was purchased but this one was completed remanufactured and re-titled as a 1997 and placed into service the same year.

          July 2004, the department celebrated their 125 anniversary of dedicated volunteer service to the community

          2005 brings to the department more growth and improvement to the building that was built in the late 40’s and an engine committee to spec. out a new engine for expected delivery for some time in 2006.