HUGHESVILLE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT AND RESCUE SQUAD, INC.

1946-1996

History by Beverly A. Jarboe Researched and written 1978, Updated 1996

Records show through various letters, that interest was shown in 1944 in forming an auxiliary fire department under Civil Defense, and that on March 24, said group was started and some small equipment ordered.

After the burning of Hotel Charles in December, 1945, the residents of Hughesville recognized the urgent need for fire protection to the community. The Hughesville Lions Club voted to reorganize the auxiliary fire department, and called a public meeting, inviting the citizens of the surrounding area, upper St. Marys, and lower Prince George's Counties to attend. This meeting was held at the Hughesville High School on May 13, 1946. The Hughesville Volunteer Fire Department was formed, administrative and operational officers were elected and volunteers accepted to serve.

Members decided to obtain the necessary information to incorporate the Department and voted to join the State Firemen's Association.

The various businesses and individuals in Hughesville and the surrounding area were solicited for donations. The first treasury was made up of these donations, some of which were quite large for the times. A lot measuring 32 feet by 42 feet, located next to the Hughesville Motor Company, was donated by Mr. C. P. Herbert for the building of a firehouse.

On August 6, 1946, the company placed an order with the Oren Fire Apparatus Company in Roanoke, VA for its first piece of equipment. In order to decide between a Ford or Chevrolet chassis a penny was tossed resulting in the ordering of a Ford chassis. Members voted by secret ballot and decided on white as the color of the truck. The Incorporation papers were also received in August

The Company decided to have a Ladies Auxiliary but felt it should be delayed until the engine arrived and they were thoroughly organized themselves.

Mechanicsville loaned their old engine Betsy" to us for use until ours arrived on April 29, 1947. The 500 gallon per minute pumper cost $6,440.20. Engine 21 was also known as White Flash.

Hughesville joined with other companies in the formation of the Southern Maryland Volunteer Firemen s Association in May, 1947, and was the host for the Association's second meeting in July, at the Hughesville High School.

Work was started on the construction of the firehouse in August, 1947. Total fire calls for April through December, 1947, were 19.

The first meeting was held in the firehouse on April 1, 1948, although at that time it was not completed. Work and improvements continued for the next few years. Records show there were 36 fire calls in 1948, and 39 calls in 1949.

There was talk of ordering a second piece of equipment In March, 1951, a Chevrolet chassis was decided on and the contract awarded to American Fire Apparatus Company for building and equipping the truck.

The Charles County Commissioners agreed to purchase and install two-way radio services in all five Charles County Volunteer Fire Companies. The central system and tower was to be located in La Plata. The radio was installed in Engine 21 on June 14, 1951, and used for the first time on a call on July 5. It was stated in the minutes that, "It proved very satisfactory and expected to prove a great savings to the equipment, men and the Department."

Later in 1951, two members of the community donated $500 towards the second truck and the American Legion also contributed $500. Engine 22 arrived in January, 1952.

In April of 1953, the Fire Department appointed a special committee for the organization of the Ladies Auxiliary. The Ladies group was formed on May 14, 1953.

In 1955, the members decided to purchase a Chevrolet pickup truck and to equip and use this piece as a brush unit.

As the Company grew and equipment was added, the need was seen for an addition to the firehouse. Various possibilities were considered, and a 32 feet by 80 feet addition, with a hose tower was added to the rear of the firehouse in 1958.

Tanker 26 was placed in service in August of 1962. Earlier that year this 1958 truck was purchased from Burch Oil Company and converted.

A surplus jeep was purchased and placed in service in 1963. This was the first in Charles County.

Another pumper was ordered from Young Fire Equipment Company and arrived in January, 1965. Also in 1965, members were aware of the needs of the community for a rescue squad. A committee was appointed to look into the possibilities of purchasing, and the requirements for operating an ambulance.

On May 14 1966, Company 2 held an Open House at the firehouse and a Dance at Benedict Pier to celebrate its 20th Anniversary as a Department. In November of 1966, a new jeep was placed in service. This was purchased from Montross Motors, Inc. At this time the old jeep and pickup were sold.

At the November, 1967 meeting a new tanker was ordered from Oren Fire Company and it was stated in the minutes that, "Land for a new firehouse must be looked into."

Several members completed the first aid course in the fall of 1967. Ritter M & M Sales donated to us a used Cadillac which was later repaired, painted, and equipped for service.

The year 1968 was one of the busiest for the Department. In May, the Company's name was changed to the Hughesville Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad, Inc. A new tanker to replace 26 arrived in June, and the Rescue Squad was placed in service in August In October, the 8/10 of an acre of land, located to the north of the old firehouse, known as the McDonagh property was purchased by the Department. The Rescue Squad responded on 118 ambulance calls from August through December, 1968.

Company 2 served as the host for the Southern Maryland Volunteer Firemen's Association Convention and parade in May, 1969.

The Rescue Squad replaced the original ambulance in June with a 1969 Cadillac. In June of 1970, a chassis for a brush truck was ordered from International Maryland Tobacco Growers Association and Oren handled the body work. The brush truck was placed in service in April, 1971. Another Chevrolet pumper was received in 1972 built by Oren.

In 1973, as the need for a larger building became apparent there was discussion of expanding the old firehouse again by adding an L-shaped addition.

In 1974, a Dodge F30, Modular Horton 500 Ambulance was purchased replacing the Cadillac as Ambulance 28. Car 2, a 1975 Chevrolet Carry-All was ordered.

Engine 23 was sent away and redone in 1976 and in December the final settlement was made on purchasing the land where the present firehouse stands today which was approximately four acres.

The old firehouse was officially sold in September, 1977. We were allowed to remain there as renters until the new one was completed. At a special Board of Directors meeting on October 4, the contract for the new 98 feet by 80 feet firehouse was signed with W.T. Hinton, Inc. Work on this building was started before the end of the year.

On November 6, 1978, the Department's dream became a reality with the official move in to the new station, complete with our own private parade through Hughesville and party afterwards. The second ambulance known as Ambulance 29, a 1978 Ford Van, Horton 300 Conversion, also arrived in November.

Engine 21 was restored in 1978. The work with the exception of the lettering was done by several of our members with very little cost to the Company. The Ladies Auxiliary provided the funds for the lettering.

On May 20, 1979, Hughesville was proud to host an Open House and Dedication for the new station. Many of our Charter Members were present fort he ribbon cutting and ride on Engine21 into the new firehouse. Engine 21 decided not to start so it was necessary for all members to participate in the "push in" of 21 with the Charter Members on board.

It was suggested in 1979, to install a water supply system with a 10,000 gallon storage tank. Money for this project was donated by the Ladies Auxiliary. The system was installed and in service by January, 1980.

In August, 1981, Engine 22 was sent away to be redone and was back in service in November. Also, in September, a Maryland Forestry Kaiser CJ-5 Jeep, with 4-wheel drive became available for our use but was to remain the property of the Forestry. This was placed in service in October.

A 1981, Type EVF Model Ambulance from Eastern Rescue arrived in June, 1982, to replace Ambulance 28.

A contract was signed to replace 23 and 26 with a new PemFab engine and tanker from Oren in July, 1982. Both pieces arrived in February, 1983. A 24 feet by 36 feet building was erected to be used for storage. Most of the work on this was done by our members in order to save money. Also in 1983, a CJ-5 Jeep became available for purchase. We obtained it and returned the Forestry unit we were using.

Another busy year was 1985. A Chevrolet Suburban with 4-wheel drive was purchased replacing Car 2. A used Sheriffs Department vehicle was purchased for use as a Chief's Car. Also, a 1984 Pierce Model, Chevrolet body was ordered as a brush truck and arrived in June. This was Brush Unit 24.

A 1985 Horton 401 Series Type LII Module Ambulance replacing Ambulance 29, was placed in service in June, 1986. A contract was signed in February of 1987, to replace 22 with an engine with a PemFab Chassis. In September, a 1984 Crown Victoria was purchased from the Sheriffs Department, replacing the Chiefs Car. The new Engine 22 was ready in December.

Two 1989 Ford F-350 Type I Ambulances from Mobile Medical were ordered to replace Ambulances 28 and 29. They arrived in May, 1989. Also, in May, Brush Unit 25, a 3/4 ton Dodge Weapons carrier was placed in service.

Early in 1989, two committees were setup to look into the needs for a Squad Truck and to look into plans for a separate building for the Rescue Squad. The Squad Truck was ordered in July, 1990, and the 1991 Pierce Heavy Duty Rescue Unit arrived in August, 1991. Brush Unit 25 was then taken out of service and later sold. It was also decided to sell the Chiefs Car due to needed repairs and not to replace it at that time.

For several years there was talk of installing some type of permanent marker to honor our deceased members. In 1991, a granite stone was ordered from Montross Memorials. It was decided the names would be engraved on the stone of the deceased Charter Members, and of all deceased Fire Department, Rescue Squad, and Ladies Auxiliary members, who have at least five years of service, or those with less years of service, who pass away while they are active. The Deceased Memorial Stone was installed in March, 1992. The Dedication Ceremony and Reception was held on May 17. Families of all but nine of our deceased members were present for this occasion. This stone is dedicated to the memory of our Deceased Ladies, Firemen, and Rescue Squad Members, who have given so unselfishly of their time to our Company and Community. Their endeavors have helped make fire and rescue service what it is today. Their efforts will not be forgotten.

In 1992, a 1977 3/4 ton Dodge Military Pickup truck was placed in service as Brush Unit 25. The unit was to remain the property of the Government and be registered by the State of Maryland.

Various plans were looked into and considered since 1989, as once again additional space was needed in the firehouse. Our options included: separate land for a Rescue Squad building, an addition to the present firehouse, or a separate building on the existing property. Finally, an addition of three bays, meeting room, kitchen, bunk rooms and office space was voted on and the contract signed with W.M. Davis Construction in 1993, and work began in August. The firehouse, as it is seen today, was completed in February, 1994.

Several changes occurred during 1995. The Jeep was sold. Tanker 2 and Engine 23 were both sent away and redone. In June, Brush Unit 24 was replaced with a 1995 3/4 ton Dodge Pickup with a diesel engine and 4-wheel drive. Ambulance 28 and 29 were replaced in October with two 1995 Ford F350 Life Line Emergency Vehicle Ambulances. There were 786 fire calls and 1,456 ambulance calls for the year.

Although the Company receives funding from the County, it has been, and still is necessary to hold various fundraisers. Over the years these have included card parties, horse shows, dinners, dances, Las Vegas nights, golf tournaments, bingo, raffles, and the yearly donation appeal to the citizens of the community. Without these endeavors and the many dedicated volunteers who have worked so faithfully over the years, this Company would not be what it is today.

1996 brings us to the present and the celebration of our 50th Anniversary, which was actuary on Mayl3.

These are the events that were recorded in our minutes. However, there are many more things which have happened over the years that are extremely important parts of our history. If you talked to our Charter Members as well as the operational and administrative members, regardless of how long they have belonged each one could share a special memory and all would be of different calls and events. Some would be of joyous occasions and others would be stressful.

We have members who have served actively as of officers in the Southern Maryland Volunteer Firemen's Association, the Charles County Volunteer Firemen's Association, and the Charles County Association of Emergency Medical Services. There are five individuals who have been inducted as members in the Southern Maryland Had of Fame. Others have received awards from the Charles County Fire and EMS Associations. These honor the individuals as well as the Company.

Some of our happiest memories include the enjoyable times at our events, the installations of officers, the ball tournaments, and the fund raisers, even though there was work involved. The greatest memories would be of the lives and the properly that were saved because of our actions and the babies that were assisted into this world in our ambulances.

There have been lasting friendships made and marriages within the Company. As in any organization, there also have been disputes and controversies that help keep things interesting.

On the opposite side there were sad times which cannot and should not be forgotten. The lives and the properly that could not be saved, no matter how heroic the efforts were. Things happen that we have no control over.

If you look at our Deceased Memorial you see that we have lost many dedicated members. The majority of these were no longer active when they passed away. Even so, we still feel their loss. A few were lost suddenly while they were active and vital members. These were the worst times as all of the volunteers are a family. There is a special bond and respect between the volunteers, not only in our Company, but throughout the State.

Our Ladies Auxiliary has also been active in the Ladies Auxiliary to the Southern Maryland Volunteer Firemen's Association. Several have held office and five members have been inducted into the Ladies Hall of Fame. The ladies give assistance to the Company by preparing food for our training classes, drills, the Association meetings, and responding with refreshments to the fire scenes when needed. They have also provided specialized equipment and items for the firehouse as gifts.

Hughesville has been blessed with extremely dedicated volunteers over the years. Our Charter Members started this Company with nothing. They worked and purchased the best equipment that was available and took all the training classes. They built a firehouse and constantly improved it, adding additional equipment at the same time. Through the years members have continued to join and we have remained volunteers.

Times have changed greatly during the last 50 years. Costs of buildings and equipment have escalated. The equipment available today is far superior. The training sessions have advanced and there is a wide range of courses available. The one basic thing that has not changed over that time is the dedication of the volunteers and the standard of excellence they strive for. We hope this will never change and that there will be volunteers for many years ahead.

Gold is a precious end highly valued item and the symbol for a 50th Anniversary. Our Company's traditional colors have been white with gold lettering. Like gold, this Company is a valuable asset. The worth of our building and equipment is a costly figure. The value of our volunteers over the fifty golden years is priceless. We now look to the future to the 60th and 75th Anniversaries with continued protection and service to the community.

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