Dayhoff Westminster Soundtrack: Fire CC Depts History

Showing posts with label Fire CC Depts History. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 05, 2017

The “Fire House” at the Carroll County Farm Museum

The "Fire House" at the Carroll County Farm Museum, Westminster, Md. http://carrollcountyfarmmuseum.org #july4th2017

Sunday, January 22, 2012

A History of Heroes in Westminster's Fire Department - Westminster, MD Patch by Kevin Dayhoff

Westminster Fire Engine and Hose Co. No. 1 Fire Hall 37 E Main Street 1879 to 1896

Westminster Patch: A History of Heroes in Westminster's Fire Department by Kevin Dayhoff and more from Westminster Patch on Friday January 20 2012

The Westminster Fire Department ladder apparatus from approximately 1879.

The 2012 Westminster Fire Department officers were sworn into office at the Jan. 5, 2012 meeting. These officers become a part of a history in Westminster of volunteers protecting lives and property... http://westminster.patch.com/blog_posts/blog-a-history-of-heroes-in-westminsters-fire-department

The Westminster Fire Department hand pumper from approximately 1879

The 2012 slate of officers for the Westminster Fire Engine and Hose Co. No.1 were sworn into office by Steve Wantz, the president of the Carroll County Volunteer Emergency Services Association, at the January 5, 2012 monthly company meeting in John Street Quarters at the firehall.

According to the Westminster Fire Engine and Hose Co. No.1 website, the administrative officers for 2012 are: President - Robert Cumberland, 1st V.P. - Daniel Plunkert, 2nd V.P. - Matt Crise, Treasurer - Robert Ruby, Asst. Treasurer – Caroline Babylon, Secretary - Matt Davis, Asst. Secretary - Todd Leppert, Members at Large - Marvin Hollinger and James Eckard, Historian - Joe Ebaugh, Asst. Historian - Jim Brown, and Chaplain – Kevin Dayhoff.

Members of the Westminster Fire Department pose for a picture in front of the fire station at 37 E. Main Street in Westminster around 1880

The fire suppression operations officers sworn into office are: Chief - James Bangerd III, Asst. Chief - James Starry, Captain - Bryan VanFossen, LT 3-1 Jon Haddad, LT 3-2 Nick Krionderis, LT 3-3 Jason Tyler, LT 3-4 Kevin Utz, LT 3-5 Jason Bangerd, Sergeant 3-1 Brian Garbutt, Sergeant 3-2 John Bangerd, EMS Officers Captain- Jared Davis, Lieutenants- Laura Tyler, and Lieutenant- Hugh Hynes

These officers become a part of an historic legacy in Westminster of volunteers in the community selflessly coming together to take time away from their families to help protect lives and property.

According to research by the Westminster fire department historian, Joe Ebaugh, the minutes from the “Wednesday evening January 15, 1879” noted…http://westminster.patch.com/blog_posts/blog-a-history-of-heroes-in-westminsters-fire-department

Labels: Dayhoff Media Westminster Patch, Fire CC Depts, Fire CC Depts 03 Westminster, Fire CC Depts 03 Westminster history, Fire CC Depts History, History, Media Patch Westminster, Media Patch Westminster WFD blog

http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/2012/01/history-of-heroes-in-westminsters-fire.html

Captions for pictures:

18790000 FBEast Main St Fire Station csm: Westminster Fire Engine and Hose Co. No. 1 Fire Hall 37 E Main Street 1879 to 1896

18790000 nd pumps-TNc: The Westminster Fire Department hand pumper from approximately 1879.

18790000 nd ladders-TNc: The Westminster Fire Department ladder apparatus from approximately 1879.

18800000s FBWFDbsm100: Members of the Westminster Fire Department pose for a picture in front of the fire station at 37 E. Main Street in Westminster around 1880.

Google profile: https://profiles.google.com/kevindayhoff/

Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoff.com/ (http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/) http://www.kevindayhoffart.com/ New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff

Scribd Kevin Dayhoff: http://www.scribd.com/kdayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff's YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/kevindayhoff Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff Banana Stems: http://kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/ Gizmo's: http://www.gizmosart.com/dayhoff.html

Google profile: https://profiles.google.com/kevindayhoff/ “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10

*****

Kevin Dayhoff Soundtrack: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.net/ Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/ or http://kevindayhoffart.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.com/ Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/ or http://www.westgov.net/ = www.kevindayhoff.org Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff Twitpic: http://twitpic.com/photos/kevindayhoff Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/ = www.newbedfordherald.net Explore Carroll: www.explorecarroll.com The Tentacle: www.thetentacle.com

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

DAYHOFF: New Windsor fire company acted on burning desire to serve

Eagle Archive

By Kevin Dayhoff

I was in New Windsor recently and was reminded of the firehouse there that was dedicated in September 2005.

Certainly that $4.5 million, 27,000-square-foot facility, which replaced a previous firehouse dedicated in August 1955, came as a result of lots of hard work and followed on a history of that department that now dates more than 100 years.

According to an old newspaper account, "About 200 citizens interested in the organization of a fire department for New Windsor and community gathered in the Carlton Theater Tuesday evening (Jan. 20, 1948.) A new fire pumper will be purchased sometime in the near future."

Marcell Munshaur recounts in his history of the New Windsor Fire Department (available on the New Windsor Fire and Hose Company Facebook page) that fundraising efforts began in earnest as soon as the effort was announced.

http://www.explorecarroll.com/opinion/5097/new-windsor-fire-company-acted-burning-desire-serve

*****

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Explore Carroll: Plunkert cited for 50 years as Westminster fire company responder

Veteran firefighter Fred Plunkert was honored for 50-years of service at the December meeting of the Westminster Fire Engine and Hose Co. 1.

By Kevin Dayhoff 12/07/10

Explore Carroll: Plunkert cited for 50 years as Westminster fire company responder shar.es/XxKTH

Fred Plunkert displays his 50-year pin.

Dan Plunkert, the son of Fred Plunkert, congratulates his Dad for 50 years of service at the December meeting of the Westminster fire company as the president of the fire department, Bob Cumberland, (left,) Joe Ebaugh, partially obscured behind Dan and Jamie Petry, fire department secretary look on.

http://www.explorecarroll.com/community/5023/plunkert-cited-50-years-westminster-fire-company-responder/

And:

http://www.explorecarroll.com/search/?s=Dayhoff&action=GO

Veteran firefighter Fred Plunkert was honored for 50-years of service at the December meeting of the Westminster Fire Engine and Hose Co. 1.

“I joined the fire company on December 7, 1960,” Plunkert said later. “But that wasn’t the beginning of me and the fire company. When I got out of the service the first job I had was for the fire company. I was a paid man at the fire department.”

The Westminster fire department has had paid help since the 1920s to ensure full-time coverage to the community for fire and ambulance service.

Plunkert simply explained, “They had a job opening,” when asked why he got involved with the fire service. He had grown-up on a farm just north of Westminster in was then known as Mt. Pleasant – on Route 97 near the intersection of Stone Road… http://www.explorecarroll.com/community/5023/plunkert-cited-50-years-westminster-fire-company-responder/

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2010/12/explore-carroll-plunkert-cited-for-50_23.html

Labels: Dayhoff photos people, Fire CC Depts 03 Westminster, Fire CC Depts History, Firefighters

http://kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/post/2433225701/explore-carroll-plunkert-cited-for-50-years
*****

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Charlie Mann, driver for S Lease Warner and WFD member died Nov 17, 2008

Charlie Mann, driver for S Lease Warner and WFD member died Nov 17, 2008

November 20, 2008

Charles A. ‘Pappy’ Mann, 86, of Westminster

Charles Adam “Pappy” Mann, 86, of Westminster died Monday, Nov. 17, 2008, in Westminster.

Born June 8, 1922, in Patapsco, he was the son of the late Harry H. Mann Sr. and Agnes A. Frank Mann. He was the husband of Thelma D. “Sis” Buckingham Mann, his wife of nearly 67 years.

He was an active member of Benjamin’s Krider’s United Church of Christ in Westminster. He worked as a delivery truck driver throughout Carroll County for S. Lease Warner — Carroll Independent Fuel Co. before retiring in 1995.

During the World War II era, he was active in Minutemen and assembled aircraft at Glen L. Martin.

He was a member of the Westminster volunteer fire company for more than 40 years. During his life, he worked as a home delivery salesman for Quality Cleaners and serviced area business in the first 7-UP distributorship in Carroll and Frederick counties.

He enjoyed working on Wheel Horse lawn tractors and mowing lawns for his neighbors and family.

Surviving, in addition to his wife, are sons and daughters-in-law Charles R. “Bobby” and Mara Mann of Westminster, Gerald R. “Jerry” and Mary Mann of St. Louis, and Daniel L. and Bonnie Mann of Finksburg; a brother, Clayton Mann of Taneytown; 10 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by siblings Harry H. Mann Jr., Margie Virginia Wilson, William F. Mann; and two great-granddaughters.

A funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday at Myers-Durboraw Funeral Home, 91 Willis St., Westminster, with his pastor, the Rev. Jennifer Walters, officiating. Interment will follow in Sandymount United Methodist Church Cemetery in Finksburg.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, and from 2 p.m. until the time of service Sunday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be sent to Benjamin’s Krider’s United Church of Christ, 208 Krider’s Church Road, Westminster, MD 21158; or Carroll Hospice, 292 Stoner Ave., Westminster, MD 21157.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.myersdurborawfh.com.

2008117 19220608 Charlie Mann WFD S Lease Warner

Mann Charlie 19220608 2008117 WFD S Lease Warner

Monday, November 17, 2008

Harry Zook, former member of the WFD and the WPD died Nov. 14, 2008

Harry Zook, a former member of the Westminster Fire Department and the Westminster Police Department passed away November 14, 2008

November 17, 2008

Harry A. Zook, 83, of Westminster

Harry Arthur Zook, 83, of Westminster died Friday, Nov. 14, 2008, at Carroll Hospice Dove House.

Born Nov. 16, 1924, in Hanover, Pa., he was the son of the late Arthur Abraham and Ruth Zincon Zook.

He was a 1943 graduate of Westminster High School and was a World War II Navy veteran. He was a retired police sergeant with the Westminster Police Department, joining the force in December 1954 and retiring in March 1982.

He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church, Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 20 and a former member of the Westminster fire company.

Surviving are a daughter, Barbara E. Zook of Westminster; son and daughter-in-law John and Lori Zook of Westminster; and a grandson, Torey Daniel Zook.

He was predeceased by a son, William "Billy" Zook; and a sister, Delores Zook Ecker.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Pritts Funeral Home & Chapel, 412 Washington Road, Westminster, with his pastor, the Rev. Kevin Clementson, officiating. Interment will be in Westminster Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be sent to Grace Lutheran Church, 21 Carroll St., Westminster, MD 21157.

Online condolences may be made at www.prittsfuneralhome.com.

20081114 19241116 Harry Zook WPD WFD
People Zook-Harry

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Westminster Fire Department Open House on October 25, 2008

Join us for our Open House to celebrate our 10 years at 28 John Street and 185 years of service. Our station will be open from 11AM to 3PM. We will have raffles, fire prevention material, and Sparky for the kids.

Stop in for a visit. Also, don't forget, change your batteries in your smoke detectors.

20081025 Westminster Fire Department Open House on October 25 2008

Thursday, July 05, 2007

20070703 Westminster firefighter has served for 30 years

Westminster firefighter has served for 30 years

News Briefs 07/03/07 Email this story to a friend

Mike Glass, a career engineer Westminster firefighter has served for 30 years

Members of the Westminster Fire Department last week took a moment to honor one of their own, Mike Glass, a career engineer who is celebrating 30 years of service.

As firefighters gathered around over sandwiches and ice cream cake, Westminster Fire Department Chief Jeff Alexander presented Glass with a plaque.

Chief Alexander noted that in 30 years Glass has seen "many changes, but through it all we could always count on Mike to be there."

Glass remarked that "it had been a pleasure" to serve all those years as he immediately fielded questions as to whether or not he would put in another 30 years.

At that point, members of the department could not help but mistake the otherwise serious ceremony for a roast.

Glass took some good-natured ribbing as stories of his three decades began to unfold. Glass, who was accompanied by his wife, Nancy, seemed to be able to give and good as he got.

One member was overheard to say, "Thirty years, wow, that's a long time. How did ya do it?"

"It wasn't easy. It wasn't easy," said Glass. "Now let's get back to work."

-- Kevin E. Dayhoff

Wednesday, May 02, 2007

20070430 Fire destroys barn on historic Whittaker Chambers farm

Fire destroys barn on historic Whittaker Chambers “Pumpkin Papers” farm

Monday evening, April 30, 2007 approximately 35 fire fighters from Carroll County, Maryland and Adams County, Pennsylvania responded to a fire which destroyed a barn that was over 150 years-old on the Whittaker Chambers’ “Pipe Creek Farm” (the old Thomas Farm) just north of Westminster, Maryland.

April 30^th, 2007 Kevin Dayhoff http://www.kevindayhoff.net/

References:

My Tentacle column for Wednesday, May 1^st, 2007 is on the “The Legacy of Whittaker Chambers:”

On Monday evening, a tragic fire destroyed a circa-1850 barn on the historic Whittaker Chambers "Pumpkin Patch" farm just north or Westminster in Carroll County.

Interestingly enough, most of those attending the fire were not aware of the significance of the farm, which made history in 1948.

More than 45 years after his death on July 9, 1961, Whittaker Chambers continues to have a profound impact on the conservative movement in the United States.

Mr. Chambers was an accomplished writer and editor, who had been a member of the Communist Party of the United States from 1925 to 1937. He renounced communism in 1937.

After he defected from the Communist Party and abandoned his role as a Soviet spy, he became a courageous and vocal critic of communism and acquired lasting fame for outing Alger Hiss "as a fellow member of his underground Communist cell in the 1930s," according to Dr. Lee Edwards.

Dr. Edwards, writing for the Heritage Foundation in April 2001, called Mr. Hiss "a golden boy of the liberal establishment."

[…]

The site of the “Pumpkin Papers” has, over the years, come to be considered a national treasure by conservatives as many consider Whittaker Chambers to be a true American patriot of the first order.

[…]

In recent months, the “Union Mills Reservoir” project, first suggested by the City of Westminster in the mid-1970s has been revived by the Carroll County Commissioners. Unfounded concerns immediately surfaced that the much-needed water project has threatened the site of the “Pumpkin Papers,” and the Chambers’ “Pipe Creek Farm,” that was granted “national landmark status” in 1988 by Interior Secretary Donald P. Hodel.

Fortunately, I have been led to a clear understanding that the Carroll County Commissioners share the view of many that everything possible needs to be done to preserve the “Pumpkin Papers” site yet nevertheless, take care of the commissioners’ basic “health, safety, and welfare” responsibilities to greater Carroll County.

Read the rest of my Tentacle column here: “The Legacy of Whittaker Chambers.”

Penny Riordan, writing for the Carroll County Times also wrote about the fire:

“Fire causes damage at historic farm” A late afternoon fire burned a barn to the ground and severely damaged a shed at the historic Chambers Farm off Bachmans Valley Road in Westminster Monday. The farm, which is listed as a National Historic Landmark, was where former owner Whittaker Ch…

For other posts on Soundtrack about Whittaker Chambers please click: Chambers – Whittaker Chambers and the “Pumpkin Papers”

_____

The call for the fire went out at 4:40 pm and the fire was declared under control by 5:45 pm. (I arrived with the canteen crew at 6:15 and took these pictures of the scene after the fire had been gotten under control.

As I wrote in my Tentacle column which came out this morning, “The Legacy of Whittaker Chambers:” Interesting enough, most folks attending the fire were not aware of the history or the significance of the farm, which made history in 1948.

It was Whittaker Chambers (April 1, 1901 – July 9, 1961) who was called to testify on August 3^rd, 1948 in front of the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC.) Mr. Chambers had been a member of the Communist Party of the United States from 1925 to 1937. He renounced communism in 1937.

In several sessions in front of HUAC, he identified Alger Hiss, “a golden boy of the liberal establishment, as a fellow member of his underground Communist cell in the 1930s,” but offered little in the way of corroborating evidence.

Subsequently, Mr. Hiss, who denied he was a communist spy, sued Mr. Chambers for libel on October 8^th, 1948. Under pressure to provide materials to support his claims, and in response to a subpoena from HUAC, it was in December 1948 that Mr. Chambers retrieved various materials he had secreted in a hollowed-out pumpkin on his Carroll County farm. The press immediately named them the “Pumpkin Papers.”

Although it was not confirmed, the destroyed barn is believed to be adjacent to the December 1948 pumpkin patch. And a nearby building also heavily damaged, is hypothecated to be the “steer building” where Mr. Chambers and HUAC member Richard Nixon, once met to review the pumpkin patch materials.

______

When I turned in my copy for the Tentacle column, I had to cut it for word limit.

Pasted-in here are a few outtakes, juxtaposed in context:

[…]

Over 45 years after his death on July 9, 1961, Whittaker Chambers continues to have a profound impact upon the conservative movement in the United States.

William F. Buckley Jr., who later became steadfast friends with Whittaker Chambers, called him “the most important American defector from Communism.”

Mr. Chambers was an accomplished writer and editor who had been a member of the Communist Party of the United States from 1925 to 1937. He renounced communism in 1937.

[…]

After he graduated from high school in 1919 he enrolled in Columbia University, where his classmates came to consider him to possess a first rate mind and a gifted writer.

His classmates included the celebrated “Objectivist” poet, Louis Zukofsky; art historian Meyer Schapiro; and author and literary critic, Lionel Trilling, whose 1947 novel about an affluent communist family, “The Middle of the Journey,” is said to have been based on a main character fashioned after Mr. Chambers.

In her 2002 book, “Red Spy Queen: A Biography of Elizabeth Bentley,” historian Kathryn Olmsted referred to Mr. Chambers as being “brilliant, disturbed, idealistic, - and dysfunctional.”

In his first brush with public controversy, he abruptly left Columbia after he wrote “A Play for Puppets” in October 1922, under the pseudonym, “John Kelly,” for “The Morningside,” a college magazine which had been brought back to life by John Erskine in 1920.

The New York press excoriated him as an “enfants terribles,” for being, what was considered at the time, sacrilegious, profane, and blasphemous. (Read today, it would be considered “mildly ribald,” according to July 2006 essay by Tim Woods, “Zukofsky at Columbia” in “Jacket Magazine.”)

It is suggested that Mr. Chambers left Columbia in January 1923 in anticipation of being expelled for his writings in “The Morningside,” a college magazine, which the New York press excoriated as sacrilegious, profane, and blasphemous.

_____

This is the Westminster Fire Department Public Information Officer Report:

At 16:39 (4:39 PM) Carroll County firefighters from Westminster, Pleasant Valley and Reese were dispatched for a barn fire on Saw Mill Road near Bachman’s Valley Road. The first units on the scene found a 40 x 60 barn well involved with smoke visible for several miles. Chief 3-1 arrived on the scene first and assumed command. He immediately requested a tanker task force for water supply. There were exposure problems and access was limited to certain areas around the fire. Water supply was established from a pond on Bachman’s Valley road.

Subsequent units responding in addition to those on the initial alarm were from Taneytown, Manchester, New Windsor, and Littlestown in Adams County, Pennsylvania. There were approximately 35 firefighters from the above department.

The fire was placed under control at 17:45 (5:45 PM) and the tanker task force was released at 18:45. Units stayed on the scene until 20:00 (8 PM) for overhaul.

The barn was over 100 years old and was on the farm known as the Whitaker Chambers Farm. Cause and determination of the fire is under investigation by Maryland State Fire Marshall.

April 30^th, 2007 Kevin Dayhoff http://www.kevindayhoff.net/

Sunday, June 04, 2006

20060603 KDDC Where on Main Street was this photograph taken?

Can you guess where (and when) this photograph was taken on Westminster's Main Street?

Who is/was

Wednesday, April 06, 2005

20050330 A Tribute to Richard N. 'Dick' Gehr

A Tribute to Richard N. 'Dick' GehrFirefighter, Veteran, Husband, Father and Friend

On March 30, 2005, the greater Westminster community suffered a great loss with the passing of Richard N. "Dick" Gehr.

Dick Gehr was born in Westminster on June 25, 1917, and lived here for 87 years. Uncle Dick was the son of the late Denton and Anna A. Whitmore Gehr. He was the husband of Charlotte L. Marker Gehr, to whom he was married for 25 years and the late Dorothy V. Starner Gehr, who predeceased him in 1977.

Dick Gehr graduated from Westminster High School in 1934 and attended Western Maryland College. He served in the Navy during World War II.

He was retired from the state of Maryland, where he worked as a project engineer. Following his retirement, he worked for Wadel Kitchens and for auctioneers, Russell Kerr and David Redding.

Dick Gehr was an active life member of Westminster Fire Engine and Hose Company No. 1, having served since August 2nd, 1939, and was one of the last members with over 50 years of service. He served as president, secretary and chaplain of the fire department. He later served on the Fire Police Auxiliary.

Dick Gehr was a member of the American Legion Carroll Post No. 31, the MD Retreads and Maryland Gold Wings and was an avid antique collector.

Surviving, in addition to his wife, are son Terrence N. Gehr of Westminster; stepdaughters Tamara Teaff of Lexington, Va. and the Rev. Sue Shorb-Sterling of Lusby; sister-in-law Juanita Senseney of Westminster; grandsons and spouses Anthony and Deborah Gehr of Manassas, Va. and Timothy and Juliana Gehr of Westminster; step-grandchildren Elizabeth and Robert Teaff, Margaret Sterling Brubaker and George and Christopher Sterling; great-grandchildren Kelsey, Dylan Richard, Zachary, Madison and Emily Gehr; nephews and spouses Thomas and Barbara Senseney, Jeffrey and Jill Senseney and Christopher Senseney and Darlene Rae Breining.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his wonderful family as they adjust to life without him. Our community will miss Uncle Dick very much.
This memorial tribute was signed in Westminster City Hall,
this April first, in the year Two Thousand and Five.

Westminster Mayor Kevin E. Dayhoff

Sunday, August 17, 2003

Summer 2003 Carroll Co Volunteer Fire Company Series by Jamie Schmidt

Summer 2003 Carroll Co Volunteer Fire Company Series by Jamie Schmidt, Times Staff Writer May 18, 2003 - August 17, 2003

Union Bridge Fire Company: Union Bridge marking 116th year A fire in 1868 that destroyed the Western Maryland Railroad shops lives on today as one of the worst in the town's history, and one that sparked the creation of a Union Bridge Fire Department. May 18, 2003 by Jamie Schmidt, Times Staff Writer

Gamber and Community Fire Company: Gamber among newest companies A barn fire started it all. May 25, 2003 by Jamie Schmidt, Times Staff Writer

New Windsor Fire & Hose Company: Growing from humble beginnings Forty-one years passed from the time residents first organized until the New Windsor Fire and Hose Company No. 1 was admitted to membership in the Carroll County Fireman's Association. June 1, 2003 by Jamie Schmidt, Times Staff Writer

Taneytown Volunteer Fire Company: A history of service to Taneytown Residents started talking up a Taneytown fire company in the 1830s, though the department didn't join the Carroll County Fireman's Association until almost a century later. June 8, 2003 by Jamie Schmidt, Times Staff Writer

Harney Volunteer Fire Company: Small company with a big mission Harney was home to about 250 people in 1951 when the volunteer fire company organized in town. June 15, 2003 by Jamie Schmidt, Times Staff Writer

Sykesville Freedom District Fire Company: Providing service to South Carroll Sykesville's fire company started in 1933, after a blaze drew out firefighters from Ellicott City and Mount Airy. No one in the department remembers anymore what burned down, but the event was enough to prompt a few business owners to band together and establish a new company. Sunday, June 22, 2003 by Jamie Schmidt, Times Staff Writer

Manchester Fire Department: Serving the Manchester area since 1893 Incorporated in 1893, Manchester's Fire Engine and Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 is among the oldest in Carroll County. The Manchester Academy Building on York Street, which was used as a high school building at the time, was used as Manchester's first firehouse in the early days. In 1898, a building which is the present site of the company, was purchased for $725. The building needed $350 of repairs, and then the new firehouse was dedicated in 1899. Sunday, June 29th, 2003 by Jamie Schmidt, Times Staff Writer

Winfield Fire Department: Company nears four decades of service The Winfield Community Volunteer Fire Department first formed in 1964, after residents grew tired of waiting for fire companies nearly 10 miles away in Sykesville and Mount Airy to answer calls in the Winfield area. At first, the company had no firehouse or equipment to work with. July 6, 2003 by Jamie Schmidt, Times Staff Writer

Reese Volunteer Fire Company: Company celebrating 55th year It was 1948 when nine people in the Reese area joined together to start up a company. July 13, 2003 by Jamie Schmidt, Times Staff Writer

Mount Airy Volunteer Fire Company: Servicing a growing population After facing two devastating fires in the town's business section in the early 1900s, resident Charles Glover realized that Mount Airy needed fire protection. Firefighter Don Brightwell, who joined the company in 1968, said that a few residents had meetings under Glover's guidance in the early 1920s, but efforts fell apart when he died. July 20, 2003 by Jamie Schmidt, Times Staff Writer

Pleasant Valley Community Fire Co.: Protecting the Pleasant Valley area It was 1931 when 30 residents joined together to start a fire company in Pleasant Valley. July 27th, 2003 by Jamie Schmidt, Times Staff Writer

Lineboro serves Mason-Dixon line Lineboro citizens were called to action in 1915, after a group gathered at a schoolhouse to talk about fire protection. August 3, 2003 by Jamie Schmidt, Times Staff Writer

Westminster service spans 180 years The Westminster Fire Engine and Hose Company No. 1 began in 1823, when members erected a plain board fire house built with two large doors, no windows and a shingle roof. The first building stood on Church Street, and it was only large enough to hold a hand engine, according to company history. August 17, 2003 by Jamie Schmidt, Times Staff Writer

20030817 20030518 Summer 2003 Carroll Co Vol Fire Co Series by Jamie Schmidt

Fire CC Depts History, Fire CC Depts 01 Mount Airy, Fire CC Depts 02 Hampstead, Fire CC Depts 03 Westminster, Fire CC Depts 04 Manchester, Fire CC Depts 05 Taneytown, Fire CC Depts 06 Pleasant Valley, Fire CC Depts 07 Lineboro, Fire CC Depts 08 Union Bridge, Fire CC Depts 09 Reese, Fire CC Depts 10 New Windsor, Fire CC Depts 11 Harney, Fire CC Depts 12 Sykesville, Fire CC Depts 13 Gamber, Fire CC Depts 14 Winfield