The Defender Hose Company was the fourth of five fire companies to be organized in the Borough of Shenandoah. Although it possesses the smallest membership when compared with the other fire companies in the borough, the Defender Hose Company remains one of the most active, both as a firefighting unit and as a social organization.

Remote from the community of Shenandoah proper because of its location in Turkey Run (formerly known as Dunn's Hill), fire companies from in the borough had a tough time navigating the steep hill to Turkey Run know as Bear Ridge, so residents of the village were impelled to organize a fire company of their own which would be on the ground when needed. This was the embryo for the formation of the Defender Hose Company, on August 14th, 1895, to be followed later by the granting of a charter on January 15th, 1897. Two years later in March of 1899, this company was accepted into the Firemans Relief Association of Shenandoah.

Charter members included: John O'Neil, George Davis, David Howells, James Birmingham, James Toomey, Joseph Campbell, Bernard Monaghan, Thomas Britton, Ben Jenkins, James Burns, Michael Campbell, W.H. Davies, Henry Howells, Thomas Davis, Joseph Kropp, George Thomas, William Mundy, Ben Sunderland, Peter Birmingham, John Davis, Josiah Matthias, Dan Mundy, William Howells, William Bradley, Michael Rattigan, John Purcell, Michael Redmond, Thomas Campbell, Michael Redmond Jr, and Edward Localuskie.

The company's first piece of equipment was a four-wheel, man-drawn hose cart. The company then purchased a 1910 American LaFrance two-wheel, man-drawn cart with two 35-gallon chemical tanks mounted on the cart. This apparatus is still owned by the company today, and it is currently housed in the Schuylkill Historical Fire Society Museum in Shenandoah. The company then put in service a Model T Ford fire truck with two 50-gallon chemical tanks mounted on the rear. As times changed, the company apparatus did to, and in 1939 borough council purchased an Indiana-White 250-gallon pumper truck with a 200-gallon booster tank and ladders. This engine was grey until the borough had it painted red around 1970. In 1974, borough council purchased a Hahn 1000-gallon pumper with a 500-gallon booster tank, which is the company's current apparatus.

During World War II, one-third of this company served in the Armed Forces. In 1983, the company moved into its present day headquarters, which was used as a church for many years. The members also helped to build a memorial honor roll dedicated to all the residents of Turkey Run who served in the Armed Forces. This memorial is still maintained by the company today. This fire company was a second alarm company to the community of Shenandoah until the 1970s. The Defender Hose Company celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1997.

Members of the Defender Hose Company No. 3 that served as Fire Chief of the Shenandoah Fire Department were: John Clifford, Joseph Kolonsky, Joseph Zarcufsky, Connie Bukowski, and Paul (Beck) Oganek.

On February 14th, 1956, the Shenandoah Realty Association presented tribute to the Defender Hose Company for its efforts at the disastrous fire at Main, Cherry, and Ferguson Streets on the morning of February 4th, 1955.

On June 5th, 1968, a certificate of recognition was presented to the company by the Shenandoah Chamber of Commerce for its outstanding humanitarian contributions to the Greater Shenandoah Area through dedicated volunteer services, protecting life and property.

On May 19th, 1985, the Defender Hose Company held a 5k run in the community. The run was sponsored by: Gold Star Ford, Bolich, Burke, & Webb, and Souchack Lumber.

In 1999, the Defender Hose Company was the first fire company in the borough to accept females into active membership. They were Danna (Straub) Mazack and Tereasa (Bowman) Davis.

In 2003, the company received a grant from FEMA through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program for the purchase of new and updated firefighting equipment, and in 2004, the company received a grant from First Federal Savings and Loan, First Federal Charitable Foundation for the purchase of a thermal imaging camera.

Though the traditional fire department mascot has been the dalmation, the Defender Hose Company acquired the turkey as its mascot because of its location in the village of Turkey run.

The motto of the Defender Hose Company No. 3 is "Motivation-Dedication". Select photos of the company's days gone by are available for viewing.