On February 19, 1941 all men in the community over the age of sixteen were invited to a meeting to discuss the establishment of a formal fire department. On March 4, 1941 the Hillandale Volunteer Fire Department (HVFD) was established. 

Original Firehouse Circa 1941

The first meeting of the new HVFD was held on March 11, 1941 at the Silver Spring Volunteer Fire Department. HVFD started its service to Hillandale and its surrounding communities with a 1929 International truck that was donated by the Silver Spring Volunteer Fire Department and a 1931 Brockway fire engine. The initial firehouse was a barn loaned by the Rector of the Queen of Apostles Seminary. 

During World War II HVFD remained a central part of the community through its participation in Civil Defense and by housing air raid wardens at the firehouse.

Station 12 Circa 1970's

In May 1946 a new firehouse was dedicated to replace the barn that the department had been using since its beginnings in 1941. An addition to the firehouse was completed in 1955 that included two new engine rooms and converted the old engine room into living space and the upstairs kitchen into a meeting room. In 1962 a new fire station in Colesville was finished and dedicated.

Station 24 Circa 1970's

In 1970 Montgomery County partnered with the Montgomery County Heart Association to develop and implement the first pre-hospital advanced life support (ALS) units, called "Heart Mobiles", in the area. Station 12 became home to Medic 4 in 1976. Initially certified as Cardiac Rescue Technicians these first paramedics and those that followed were instrumental in the development of ALS service in Montgomery County and the development and training of both career and volunteer paramedics. Without both the career and volunteer paramedics ALS care in Hillandale, Colesville, and the surrounding communities would not be as excellent as it is today.

Station 12 Apparatus Bays	Station 12 Quarters Side

 

Station 24 Front View

The events of September 11, 2001 were a horrible tragedy for the nation. Three members of HVFD assisted in rescue work at the Pentagon. Since the 9-11 tragedy HVFD has continued to play an important role in the community and maintains a high level of preparedness to fulfill its duties.