Smithsburg Community Volunteer Fire Company
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Smithsburg Community Volunteer Fire Company
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Phone: 301-824-2889
Fax: 301-824-3880
1932 thru 2008
76 Years of Service |
In August of 1931, a group of citizens interested in the protection of property and loss of life from fires assembled themselves to organize a fire department in Smithsburg. At this meeting it was decided to hold a community meeting on August 24 for laying plans for a fire company. Rev. Paul F. Curfman was named temporary Chairman and Rev. F. H. Love, temporary Secretary. Permanent officers were to be elected at the August 24th meeting. At the August 24th meeting Fire Chief, Jack M. Byers of Hagerstown was selected to address the meeting on the advantages of a fire department and the probable cost of such an organization. Every citizen of Smithsburg was invited to attend this important meeting. With work on the water system for the town well under way, citizens of the community were looking forward to a modern fire department and a subsequent reduction in insurance rates. The bond issue for the water system had been ratified at a previous election.
At the meeting held August 24, 1931, the Rev. Paul Curfman was elected President and Rev. F. H. Love was elected Secretary. A permanent organization was setup and citizens were invited to join the organization by payment of $1.00. Forty-five members signed for membership and dues were collected by C. M. Clopper, who was elected to serve as Treasurer. A committee was appointed to draft By-laws for the new organization composed of Messrs. Kretsinger, Carbaugh, Spessard and Naylor. It was decided to hold the charter open until the first of January, 1932 for the reception of new members.
Plans for the purchase of a fire truck began in January, 1932. In February of the same year, 800 feet of fire hose was purchased and a suggestion circulated for a fire alarm system for the community. A line was installed to the telephone exchange and a switch installed for the operator on duty to sound the alarm. This system was used until telephones were converted to dial and the calls were received by telephones installed in each section of the town. In June of 1932, the first truck was purchased and R. M. Fishack and William Kimler built the body for the truck. With the fire truck came the problem of suitable housing for the new equipment. Temporary housing was the garages of Charles Hoffman and B. P. Kretsinger.
The Smithsburg Community Fire Co. became a member of the Maryland State Fireman's Association in October 1932, and articles of incorporation were drawn up. A Barton pump was purchased in December of the same year and the Standing Committee was authorized to purchase necessary equipment for the truck. It was this same year that the town was re-rated by the Underwriters Association.
By February, 1933, Acting Fire Chief Clyde S. Naylor reported to the company that they were the proud possessors of a Chevrolet truck, a Barton fire pump of 350 gallon capacity, a fire siren on the square and on the apparatus, two 2 1/2 gallon chemical extinguishers, two hydrant gates, ten 12 quart buckets, two electric lanterns, 150 feet of booster hose, one pipe shutoff nozzle, one play pipe nozzle, one 5 gallon Indian fire pump, four oiled slickers and fireman's hats, two 2 1/2" burst hose jackets, one suction hose strainer and six spanner wrenches and one hose.
At a special meeting called December 20, 1933, a committee that had been appointed to secure a suitable building lot reported the advantages of a lot on the east side of North Main Street, known as the Elenora Shank lot and which was improved by a small log house. The forty members present unanimously agreed to have the company proceed with the project. A few plans and sketches for a proposed fire hall were made and the Standing Committee was instructed to have an architect draw plans for a fire hall. In December, 1936, an estimate of the approximate cost for building a fire hall was approved by the company and a committee composed of George Bushey, Simon Clopper and Samuel Welty was appointed to carry the project along. A proposed building of brick construction, 30' x 40', not including lights and heat, was presented to the company for approval on November 15, 1937. Definite plans for the building were approved in January, 1938 and contract was given to the Cavetown Planing Mill Co. for a fire hall at an estimated cost of $5,398.00 in February of the same year.
In March, 1944, a plot of land approximately three acres, running from the alley (Fire Company Lane) to Smithsburg-Ringgold Highway (Pennsylvania Avenue) was purchased for the fire company. Extensive improvements were made on the lot and a refreshment stand and other buildings erected.
In October, 1946, the company purchased it's second fire truck and continued making improvements on the lot.
More history is being compiled to continue our saga.........
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