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Our History
1885 - 1899
The Manchester Volunteer Fire Company was originally organized in 1885 by a group of private citizens and businessmen whom they named, THE MANCHESTER FIRE ENGINE AND HOOK AND LADDER CO. No.1.
The original officers of the company were as follows:
President - William Wilson
Recording Secretary - Frank Brilhart
Treasurer - Edward Seller
Chief - C.A. Myers
March 25, 1893, the company submitted a certificate of charter and a Constitution and By-laws for incorporation of the company as a legal corporation of the State of Maryland. The charter was certified and authorized on March 28, 1893 by the Honorable Charles B. Roberts, Chief Judge of the Fifth Judicial Circuit of Maryland. At this time, the company consisted of 32 members plus 6 honorary members, including the officers.
Member Names Cleve Myers, Hen Genzler, Billy Wilson, Bill Shearer, Dave Everhart, Billy Hoffman, Robert Brilhart, Bill Bergman, Harry Brilhart, Charles Miller, John Baker, Ernest Leese, Clyde Hoffman, Bill Rittase, John Masehimer, Jim Wagman, Jack Frankforter, John Keck, Ed Burgoon, Bud Brilhart, Gearge Hoffman, Cleve Stauffle
The first firehouse that was used was the Manchester Academy Building which was being used as a high school building at the time. This building was located on York St. in front of the present Elementary School. In 1898, the Gardner Building which is the present site of the company, was purchased for $725.00. Repairs were made to the building at the cost of $350.00 and the new Fire Hall was dedicated on September 2, 1899. During the same year, the first hand drawn chemical engine and a horse drawn ladder wagon, used as a ladder truck, was painted in white and striped in blue and gold. Ladders were obtained from Baltimore City FD and were modified into truss type ladders.
1921 - 1935
The next recorded event of importance was that on June 21, 1921 along with adjoining buildings owned by Edward Trump, were all destroyed by fire apparently starting in the buggy shop. After the fire and without a fire hall, meetings were held in the I.O.O.F. hall sometimes in the interim. The Horse drawn engine which had been acquired, was sold for $60.00 in 1922 to Mr. Sandruck in Millers Station which he converted to a farm wagon.
The Ladders were bought by Herman Taylor and taken to Herman Boring Truck Manufacture on Freemount Ave. & Saratoga Stn. in Baltimore and were made into Truss Ladders for the Baltimore City FD. That same year, a Stutz Fire Engine with a chemical tank was ordered for $7,000.00 which was the companies first motorized fire apparatus. In 1923, an Old Packard truck was purchased for use as a ladder wagon. The Fire Dept. was 1 of 5 companies in the County which formed the County Association in 1923. In 1924, a building committee was named to rebuild the fire hall and work commenced with the cornerstone being laid on May 16, 1925. The new fire hall was completed in 1925 at a cost of $28,020.42 and included a Tower Clock which was donated by J. Frankforter as a memorial for G. Paul Frankforter who was killed in World War I at Argonne. The Clock Tower, which is still in place, cost $600.00. On May 20, 1926, the Fire Dept. was the host company for the 3rd Annual Carroll County Volunteer Firemen's Association convention with President Meade Ohler of Westminster presiding.
In 1931, the chemical tank on the Stutz engine was converted to a water system. The Fire Company took over operation of the movie theater which was on the second floor of the fire hall. The theatre provided an extra important source of income until it was closed on October 10, 1953. The Fire Company Band was organized in 1931 and was named the Volunteer Fire Company Band of Carroll County. The band marched and played in parades and other functions until finally disbanded in 1937. Some of the band uniforms are still stored in the fire hall and the large drum is on display in the Manchester Town Hall.
A Telephone was installed in the fire hall in 1935 to enable improved communications during fires and other emergencies. Turner Field, which is the companys carnival ground, was purchased in 1937 from Clate Turner for the sum of $2,000.00 to be used as a carnival ground and has been since used for many fund raising events. Also used for fire dept. drills and for sporting events as well as being used for a helicopter landing site when emergencies arrive. The first appointed Fire Police of the Company were Champ Zumbrun and A. J. Burgoon.
1938 - 1959
The second piece of motorized fire fighting equipment was a 1938 Seag rave Engine Sedan type with a 500 gallon pumper. The cost of the new engine plus equipment and supplies was $8,276.32. The new engine greatly improved the capabilities of the fire company in protecting the community. A new 7¼ horsepower siren was installed on the building in November 1941 so that members could be alerted more quickly. In 1942, the company purchased a tablet and placed it in the fire hall for the boys names that were members of the company and in the service. The company purchased 12 Armbands for active firemen in case of air raid duty in 1943. In 1944, the firemen lost a brother firemen, Edgar E. Yingling and in 1945, brother firemen Russell Zepp, both killed in the line of duty serving their Country in the service. The first car given away at our annual carnival was in 1945 with Rose Blocher, chairman.
In 1946, the company purchased a new 1946 International ¾ ton pickup truck equipped with a panamal pump and a Hale portable pump rated at 250 gallons per minute along with a Fog Nozzle, Boots and Coats. The International was used extensively for field, woods and brush fires. The Water Tank held a capacity of 150 Gallon. One tragic event of note during this year occurred when 3 persons were killed in a fire at Sam Weaver's residence on the Ebb Road in November. In 1947, the fire company purchased the old fire insurance building adjoining the fire hall from Paul Miller for the sum of $2,400.00. The company paid Eugene Walsh $16.60 for title and stamp and the 1947 taxes. The building was torn down to make way for future expansion. A band stand was built on the carnival grounds as a memorial for members who served in the armed force during World War II. The two hand drawn chemical tanks were sold to Mr. Paul Mathias for $10 and were destroyed by burning them to remove the lead lining.bvale
In 1948, the company ordered an American LaFrance Fire Truck with 500 Gallon Pumper and 500 Gallon booster tank of water at a cost of $18,000. The Sea Grave Fire Engine was put up for sale at a price of $8,000 or more and the Stutz Fire Engine for sale at a price of $500. The Stutz was sold in 1949 for $210 and the Sea Grave sold in 1956 for $500. Addition to building was started in 1948 and completed in March 1949 at a cost of $20,912.50 and was dedicated in memory of Russell Zepp and Edgar Yingling.
The building note on the addition to the fire hall was paid in full by 1950.
In 1953, the company erected two advertising signs, one at each end of town. Two Way radios were bought for the fire trucks and a base station from Motorola at a cost over $2,000. The Fire Company & Ladies Auxiliary jointly sponsored the first play in March 1955 called Disappointed Widow which profited $184.75. In 1956 the company purchased a 1956 Ford 2-ton truck 500 GPM and 500 gallon of water supply. In 1959, a new car stand 32' square was installed on the carnival ground at a cost of $1,700 which is still being used today. The Lions Club donated $500 towards the building. The company purchased a new 1959 Ford ¾ ton, 4 wheel drive truck for the purpose of fighting field fires and to replace the obsolete International at a cost of $6,000. This was the first four wheel drive vehicle for fire service in the County. The International Truck was made into a Utility Truck until C. D. Baker, Jr. of Manchester purchased it and now being used as an Antique piece of equipment.
1960 - 1978
The Company appointed the first Fire Marshalls in 1960 to investigate fires and their causes - Russell Strevig and Milton Snyder. In 1961, the company wanted to sell the American LaFrance with a starting price of $9,500.00 or more with the Radio equipment. Midway Fire Co., Hanover, Pa. offered $9,000 which the company voted not to accept.
It was passed, starting in Jan.1964, that all members which have 50 years of service will be Life Members and their dues paid. The company remodeled the kitchen at a cost of $10,856.70 with the Ladies Auxiliary donating $1,000.
Weekly Bingo was started in 1966 in the auditorium of the Fire House and was later moved to the Activities Building where it still is operating. A building was built on the carnival ground at a cost of $10,000 with lights and heat. In 1968 the company purchased a Hahn Diesel Fire Truck, 750 GPM from Hahn's Inc. at a cost of $35,975.00 with an RCA Radio at a cost of $834.50. The American LaFrance Fire Truck Engine blew and would cost $8,170 to get it running again and it's only worth $500 in running condition. The truck was sold to Brooke E. Gernet from Topton, Pa. for $350 and since has been purchased by Malden Miller, Jr. of Hampstead, Md. In 1971 the company voted to build a kitchen onto the existing building on the carnival ground. Henry Miller built the building for $21,725.00 and Donald Lippy the Plumbing for $6,000 plus electric approximately $1,000.00.
In 1972, Black & Decker donated an Air Chisel to the company for Engine 42 along with Chief Black purchasing a Porta Power Tool at a cost of $330. In May, a kitchen addition was started on the carnival ground to be added to the Bingo Building and was finished in 1973. In 1973 the Company entered a Fire Prevention float in the Fire Prevention parade and got 2nd place. The Fire Dept. started sponsoring a Majorette Group from Manchester called the Carrollettes which the company is still sponsoring today. February 1974, the company bought the building next door from the Wagner residence for $36,000 for further expansion of the fire hall. Co. purchased a 1974 four wheel drive International Brush truck from Glenn D. Culbert at a cost of $16,809.00 and the Ladies Auxiliary donated the 2 way radio along with $1,000. Ralph Dull submitted a Fire Prevention booklet to the County and State Association contest and won first place in both. He also won an individual award at the State Convention which he received a $300 trip to Memphis, Tenn. to attend the F.D.I.C. seminar. A float was also made and won 12 trophies that year with the biggest trophy won at the State Convention, the Governor's trophy. The theme was FIRE PRVENTION NEVER TAKES A VACATION.
The International Truck was sold for $200 in 1975. The company applied for Federal Grant money to purchase a Rescue Truck or Ambulance, but was later dropped. In 1976, the company put in a bid on a 1950 American LaFrance 85' Aerial Ladder Truck in Hanover, Pa. of $5,257.97. The truck was sold for $17,119.76 to a company in Richwood, West Va.
In 1978, the company ordered a 16' Rescue Squad truck from Salisbury with a Ford chassis with equipment at a cost of $72,439.
Again the Ladies Auxiliary bought the two-way radio. The debt was paid off in full by Aug.1980, a period of less than 2 years. Insulation was installed in the activities building in 1978 at a cost of $1600. The company purchased 2 - 5 watt portable radios for $1,524.27 from F.L. Anderson to be used by the Line Officers.
The 1980s
In March 1980, the company voted to build a 26' x 54' three section Pole Shed for Soda, Candy Wheel and etc. to be used for the carnival at a cost of $5,953.05. A committee was appointed in 1980 to start with plans for remodeling the Fire Hall for 1985 for our 100th anniversary. Clyde Kreitzer was appointed chairman. The company purchased another Truck in 1980, a Seagrave 1000 GPM Pumper for a cost of approximately $90,000. The loan was thru the County Low Interest Rate Program with 7% interest. An offer was accepted from a North Carolina Salesman to purchase Engine 43 for $5,000 but later changed his mind. The Truck was finally sold in March 1981 to Jack Slagle from Philadelphia, Pa. for $2500 plus $200 delivery expenses. The company had an Alarm System installed in 1980 at a cost of $2150 less 10% discount. Melvin Arbaugh, an architect, was hired to look over the building and to make floor plans for review in 4 - 5 years.
In 1981, the Ladies Auxiliary donated $7500 to the Fire Co., $2500 to be used for paving at the carnival grounds and $5000 to the General Fund. In 1982, the Fire Dept. and the Ladies Auxiliary fixed the activities building up with dropped ceiling, paneling, insulation and PA System for approximately $15,000. In 1983, the company purchased an electric sign 8' x 10' for Fire Co. advertisement at a cost of $4905 to be erected in front of H. Willard Ogg's House. The company voted to get Engine 42 refurbished by Hahn Motors at a cost of approximately $50,000. the truck left on April 1, 1984 and on August 2, 1984, Hahn Motors had a fire and our engine received extensive damage.
At the Jan.1984 meeting, the company voted to build an addition to the Fire Station in the amount of $330,000 with bid accepted from I.H. Crouse & Sons Contractor. Ground breaking ceremony was held on March 18, 1984. The dedication of the new addition will be held on April 21, 1985 at 2 PM with the Honorable Louis Goldstein the Guest speaker. The Fire Dept. will have Anniversary mugs, plates, Hats and Pens to be purchased by anyone that wants them.
Engine 42 will leave for Hahn Motors to get refurbished on April 1 at an approximate cost of $50,000 including $17,000 paint job. May 6th is open House at the EOC Bldg. with 911 now in operation. On August 2, 1984, Hahn Motors caught their building on fire and Engine 42 received extensive damage. Roger Powell, a lawyer, was hired to represent the Fire Co.'s interest.
Announced at the Feb.1985 meeting that Engine 42 has been re-wired and starting to assemble aluminum. As of April 21, the truck has not been returned in working condition. A banquet is being planned for the Centennial celebration on Oct. 12th with a parade on August 24th. An addition is to be planned for the activities Bldg. 16' x 32', at a cost of $3142.49. The company voted to get the carnival grounds and around the fire hall paved by Walsh Construction at a cost of $14,055.05.
June, 1985, Engine 42 has been returned to the Fire Co. after 15 months of going thru repairs, but by November it had a cracked head in 4 places and had to be returned. Bingo profit for year 1984-85 was $22,456.00. Company voted to change insurance companies, and now has Selected Risk for $11,797.52. By-law change now states that a 25-year member now becomes a Life Member with no dues and a 50-year member gets free food and admission to any fire company function. Fire Queen chosen for the year is Kelly Kellam. The company ended the year with an all time high of 370 Fire and Emergency calls.
February 1986 meeting, the company voted to hire West Blakesly a lawyer, for the purpose of getting Engine 42 back and taking Hahn Motors to court. The company voted to donate $100 to a scholarship fund for Carey Poetzman and Gary May who was killed in a helicopter accident. A new roof was installed on the activities building for $1140.00 which the Ladies Auxiliary paid. The company nominated Ralph Dull for 1st Vice President of the Carroll Co. Volunteer Firemen's Assoc. The town of Manchester is going to Blacktop the parking lot beside the old Post Office, paint parking lines and maintain the lot in exchange they'll absorb the cost involved in title transfers for the exchange of the parcel land of property. Proposed that the company buys a Lucus Rescue tool for $16,000 and in addition we will sell our hurst tool for $6500.
February 1987 meeting, the company voted to nominate Ralph Dull for President of the Carroll Co. Volunteer Firemen's Assn. Company purchased (100) 911 warning advice switches at a cost of $995 to be sold to the public. Instructional engineer indicates that the building has a cold joint and the couplings were not properly attached. Voted to finish the meeting room with panel, heat & air conditioning. Company gave permission to our lawyer to contact Hahn's Motor Co. to settle for the truck. Looking for a paint job, to recoup $13,000 we used to repair pump. After our lawyer met with Hahn's Motor, the company voted to settle for $7500, Hahn offered $4000. A special one day carnival was held at the Superthrift Store at North Carroll Plaza for a candy promotion and profited $145.80. Final settlement on Hahn Truck was $7500 from Hahn's minus lawyers fee of $1200. Discussed at the Dec.1987 meeting, the company purchasing a utility unit to be used on EMS calls instead of the squad. Committee appointed Steve Miller chairman.
At the January meeting, the company voted to get the clock fixed completely with the chimes working. Feb. meeting, the ladies auxiliary announced that they will pay to have the bandstand roof constructed for the carnival and to enlarge the walk in box and add a rest room facility adjacent to the kitchen area. Getting hallway and walls painted for Convention by Graf & Hess Co. for $2460.00. Utility Truck committee chairman, Steve Miller had proposal Bid from Wheeler Chevrolet for $25 000 with snow plow and was defeated. Brush 45 received a new paint job for $600. New Utility Truck Committee appointed with Steve Hossler chairman.
The 1990's
In 1989 Utility 4 was purchased and placed in service with some of the equipment and light bar donated by the Ladies Auxiliary.
In June 1991, the company placed into service, a 1990 Ford with a Mobile Medical Box, which was known as Ambulance 49, a basic life support unit (BLS). In 1994 Engine 44 was delivered and placed in service with a dedication ceremony at the Activities Building on June 5.
In the first four years of service Ambulance 49 responded to an average 350+ calls a year of which 60% were ALS (advanced life support) in nature. Early in 1994 it was agreed that Ambulance 49 be upgraded to an ALS Medic Unit at an approximate cost of $10,000-$15,000 for equipment and supplies.
On December 5, 1994, between 3 and 4 pm. Engine 44 was the first to arrive on the scene of a possible apartment fire. Upon arrival there was smoke and fire showing and a 2nd alarm was requested. By 6:00pm the fire had gone to fifth alarm. Ambulances and Medics from as far away as Towson were requested to assist on one of the biggest fires the town had ever seen. Thirty-two firefighters and civilians were transported to hospitals as far away as Baltimore City. No serious injuries were reported. All equipment was back in the station and ready for service by 6:30 am the next morning.
In the 1995-96 budget request to the county, Manchester requested monies for part-time paid EMS personnel.
In 1995 committees were working on plans to purchase a new Brush truck to replace the 1974 truck known as Brush 45 and also a new medic unit. Both committees came before the company with proposals for purchasing the equipment.
In mid 1996 the new Brush 45 and Medic 49 were placed in service and a dedication was held for both as the Manchester Fire Department.
Manchester had a new experience in 1996-97 with hiring paid EMS personnel to cover the day time hours for the Medic Unit while most volunteers worked regular full-time jobs during those hours. This added expense was paid by the county and was already utilized by many other fire companies
In 1997 it was decided that with a growing community and many more vehicles traveling our roads a new squad committee had to be formed to replace the aging squad. After making many three-hour trips to the KME plant to see the progress of the new squad it was delivered in the spring of 1999 and placed in service at a dedication held at the Manchester Fire Department. The old squad was sold to a small fire department in Canada.
New additions to the Manchester Fire Co. in 1999 included Brush 46 and a new building on the carnival grounds, which would be used to sell hamburgers, sodas, and funnel cake during our annual carnivals. We also purchased a small piece of property on Victory Street, which is used for overflow parking during major fire department events.
2000 to present
During the fall of 2000 the fire company began plans to remodel the Firemen's Activities Building and Training Center. The work was completed in stages in preparation to host the CCVFA Convention in May 2002.
In the winter of 2000, it was proposed that the current MSA air packs be replaced with 14 new Scott air packs. That was passed and when the air packs arrived, training began on the new 45 minute SCBA.
With a projected 850 medical calls per year, it was decided that our 5 year old Medic Unit would need to be replaced along with the 1989 Utility 4. In September 2001 a proposal was made to purchase a new Medic and Excursion to be called LS4 and keep the utility as Utility 4. The proposal passed in October. It was also decided that the 1968 Hahn and 1980 Seagrave Engines has served their purpose in the community and a new engine committee was formed. The engine committee proposed that we could purchase a new engine for $304,000. The company voted to purchase another KME engine.
The new Medic and LS were delivered and placed in service in the spring of 2002.
The 1968 Hahn known as Engine 42 was sold and delivered to an Antique Fire Apparatus Collector in Red Lion, PA in April 2002.
The new KME engine was delivered and placed into service in October 2002 as Engine 43.
In 2007, a new KME engine was placed in service as Engine 44.
In 2008, Medic 49 and LS4 were sold and a new Ford 450 four wheel-drive Medic unit was purchased.
In 2009, Manchester purchased a Polaris six wheel ATV known as ATV 4
*** End of History ***
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