A Brief History of the HVFD
On February 19, 1941, as war raged in Europe, all men in the community over the age of 16 were invited to a meeting to discuss the establishment of a formal fire department. They were challenged: "Tell your neighbor and bring him along." On March 4, 1941, the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution establishing the Hillandale Volunteer Fire Department (HVFD).
The first meeting of the newly established HVFD was held on March 11, 1941, at the Silver Spring Volunteer Fire Department. HVFD started its service to the Hillandale community with a truck purchased from Silver Spring. Elections held that night saw Emory Pugh elected as President, George Piper as Vice President, Earl Stroup as Recording Secretary, H. W. Barnum as Treasurer, and Herman M. Dilg as Fire Chief. The HVFD began its service to the community with a 1929 International truck donated by the Silver Spring Volunteer Fire Department and a 1931 Brockway purchased for $1000. The initial firehouse was a barn loaned by the Rector of the Queen of Apostles Seminary "in the desire to cooperate with the citizens of Hillandale."
Minutes from the early history of HVFD noted the first income in May 1941: membership dues ($26), bingo party ($29.54), Citizen's Association ($45.54), contributions ($324), and discounted note ($350), giving the HVFD its first declared income of $785.08. Income isn't without its liabilities, and this same month records HVFD's first bills: first installment on the truck ($333.33), and incorporation papers ($11.50). Disbursements early in HVFD's history demonstrate the cost of living and operating a fire department in 1941: PEPCO, $0.67; sixteen quarts motor oil, $3.33; two gallons of kerosene, $0.24; and gasoline (unspecified amount), $1.24.
The effects of World War II were evident in the minutes of several of the early regular business meetings: plans for testing the air raid siren were discussed in December 1941, and in August 1942, "considerable discussion was had on the subject of gasoline rationing." There are also numerous entries indicating discussion on such topics as blackout test, air warden involvement in Hillandale, and exceptions to membership requirements for those enlisting in the armed forced.
Uniforms and fire fighter gear were not immediately purchased according to what can be found in the minutes from that era. The first helmets ($80), coats and boots '(Approx)' ($130). At the regular business meeting held on October 13, 1942, the first entry regarding the need for uniforms is found. The Fire Chief indicated that members attending meetings were doing so 'whilly nilly' and should have some sort of uniform to identify where they were from. Later entries discuss the necessity for badges for members so they would be allowed past lines established by air wardens.
Although the country was engrossed in the war effort, HVFD members still recognized their responsibility to protect the community. In March 1942 during the business meeting, members were cautioned to ensure that brush fires were completely extinguished before leaving the scene. There had apparently been more that one incident of rekindling of brush fires. Also at this meeting, members elected to begin first aid classes to the community.
In May 1946, a new firehouse was dedicated to replace the barn the department had been using since 1941. In 1947, the first new piece of apparatus was purchased, followed in 1950 and 1955 by two more. An addition to the firehouse was completed in 1955 which included two new engine rooms, converted the old engine room into living space, and converted the upstairs kitchen into a meeting room. In 1962, a new fire station in Colesville was finished and dedicated.
In 1970, Montgomery County partnered with Montgomery County Heart Association to develop and implement the first pre-hospital advanced life support (ALS) program in the Washington, DC area. The first ALS units established under this program were called 'Heart Mobiles.' Station Twelve was made home to one of these ALS units, designated Medic 4, in 1976. Eventually, the State of Maryland recognized the need to qualify those personnel at a higher level than EMT. Initially certified as Cardiac Rescue Technicians, these paramedics broke the ground for future ALS providers. Many paramedics have served on Medic 4, later to be designated as Medic 129; Don 'Doc' Masterson, Ron 'Country' Watkins, John Fiedler, and Joe Becker were just a few of the first paramedics to ride 'Medic 4'. They, along with the many others that have followed, were instrumental not just in the development of ALS service in Montgomery County, but in the development and training of other paramedics as well, both career and volunteer. Without them, ALS care in Hillandale would not be as excellent as it is today.
From these auspicious beginnings, the HVFD quickly established itself as an active member of the community. From its first firehouse in Hillandale (Station Twelve) to the construction of the Colesville Station (Station Twenty Four), the HVFD has been called upon to extinguish fires, provide first aid and ALS care, rescues, and extrications.
Times have changed quickly over the past fifty nine years. We've seen advances in medical care, fire fighting equipment, apparatus, and training. As the HVFD approaches its sixtieth year of service to the community, we feel an immense sense of pride and accomplishment being a part of these changes and improvements and look forward to the dedication of those who will come after us.
Anne M. Smith (February 16, 1981) |