This category of membership was introduced when it was decided to disband the Ladies Auxiliary as a separate organization, and give the Auxiliary members membership in the department itself.

The Ladies Auxiliary was organized in 1941 by fire department president Ray Ronchetti. The first meeting was held on November 12, 1941 at the fire station. At the December meeting, the first officers were elected. They were: Teresa Pantner, President; Julia Oelschlager, Vice President; Loretta Pantner, Secretary; and Elizabeth Ohem, Treasurer. The officers went to the Scott Township School Board and asked that they be allowed to use Bower Hill School for meetings and social activities. This permission was granted.

The first major project for the Auxiliary was the raffle of Defense Bonds. The first Bingo was held at Bower Hill School on May 13, 1942. These projects helped raise funds for the new fire engine the department was trying to purchase, pending approval of the War Production Board. Meetings were soon moved to the Montgomery Avenue fire station, where the ladies soon purchased a new flag for the department.

In 1947, the Auxiliary purchased a granite monument to honor all those from Bower Hill who served during the war. This monument was erected at Bower Hill School. To honor these veterans, the ladies held a banquet for them at the BLBA Club on Main Street.

By now, the fire station was badly deteriorated. The Auxiliary redecorated it, but to little avail. When the fire department began seeking a spot for a new station, the ladies responded. In December 1952, Carmella Choura made a motion to give the fire department a check for $3500.00 as a down payment for the new building. The check was presented on July 31, 1953. The Auxiliary also furnished the kitchen at the new station with cooking utensils, cookware, plates and flatware, and the cabinets to store them. They also purchased 60 chairs for use at social events.

When the addition to station was built in 1967, the ladies paid for the floor tile in the new kitchen and in the new rest rooms. They continued to provide support at the weekly Friday night Bingo, and at social events for the department. They continued to support the department financially as well, contributing to the second floor addition in 1980, the illuminated sign in 1984, and several other projects.

In the 1990s, the department decided to admit the Auxiliary members to the Bower Hill Volunteer Fire Department itself, under a new category of membership. Several suggestions were made as to the name of this category; "Auxiliary," "Supporting," "Sustaining," and "Beneficial" were all considered, before settling on "Friend of the Department." The Ladies Auxiliary was officially disbanded in 1993, and its members became members of Bower Hill VFD.

Though the name and organizational structure had changed, the mission remained the same, and the Friends of the Department members continued to provide invaluable support to the mission of the department. They staff the annual Fish Fry and Open House events and as members of the department, serve on the Ways and Means and other business committees of the department.

The Friends of the Department members are an integral and essential part of the Bower Hill Volunteer Fire Department. For information on how to join this category of Membership, click here to go to the "Join Us" page.