Santa Claus is Coming to Town (On a Firetruck)

For the past 30 years, Santa Claus, or firemen from the dressed as the jolly fellow, have been touring the neighborhoods of the township, bringing cheer to youngsters around the holiday season and Assistant Fire Chief Todd Hanefeld says this year will be no different.

On Saturday, four Santas, riding various pieces of fire department apparatus, will be dispatched throughout the township on a mission to spread holiday cheer. The four fire trucks start at 9 a.m. and plan to finish by 2 p.m.

“We hit every street - we don’t miss one,” Hanefeld told Patch.

For over 15 years Hanefeld has helped with the special call for service. This year marks his 11th organizing Santa’s ride around town.

“For me, the best part is just seeing the kids come running out in their PJs and smiling because they saw Santa,” Hanefeld said.

About 30 of the fire company’s 50 or so active members will meet early Saturday morning to prepare to transport the Santas up and down the streets of Southampton.

The holiday ride is not just popular with the kids, it is also a popular event with the volunteer firefighters.

“We put a sign-up sheet out and in 15-minutes it's filled,” the assistant chief said. “Everybody wants to do it.”

This year, the fire company has stocked up nearly 2,000 candy canes to be distributed to Santa’s young and endearing fans.

The four Santa details each cover a quarter of Upper Southampton and stay in contact via radio to be sure children don’t see two Santas at once, Hanefeld said.

During Santa’s tour of Southampton, the fire company remains active and ready to respond to emergencies as dispatched by the Bucks County 911 center. Hanefeld recalled a small fire where the company responded to in the middle of their Santa tour. “There was Santa dropping in at the hydrant,” he said with a chuckle.

In the event of a rainy weather on Saturday, the Santa tour will be held on Sunday.