The Township of Derry (also known as Hershey), population 21,273 (2000 US Census), is located approximately 10 miles East of the Pennsylvania State Capitol and is the birthplace of the late Milton S. Hershey, the famous creator of HERSHEY'S CHOCOLATE. Derry Township spans 27.3 square miles and is a mixed community of a fast growing suburban area, medicine (Penn State University College of Medicine), industry (three candy factories), tourism (Hersheypark, entertainment venues, and hotels), and is home to the nation's largest private K-12 boarding school with enrollment at approx 1,700 students. The HVFD also provides first due coverage to the rural Conewago Township (Approx. 3,000 population spanning 16.7 miles). The Hershey Volunteer Fire Department has been serving Derry Township and the surrounding communities with fire & rescue protection with 100% volunteer professionalism since 1905.