History

The early 1900’s Baltimore County with several areas of population density.  These towns where nestled around the city of Baltimore and included Dundalk, Essex, Towson, Pikesville and Catonsville.  Because of their density, it was only natural that protection from the Baltimore County Fire Department would be afforded.  However, there where many suburban areas the had no adequate fire protection.  Many of the fires of the early 1930’s involved “dwellings, barns, chicken coops and dairy sheds.”

Recognizing that there was a need for fire protection in their little community of Long Green, a group of concerned citizens organized a fire brigade in February of 1930.  At a meeting held in the Junior U.U.A.M Hall, the foundation was laid and the U.G. Warfel was appointed President.  The following year, E.W. Meyers was appointed Captain.  The company was able to purchase a used fire truck, a 1917 Republic, from the Parkville Volunteer Fire Company.  The Cost of the truck was $200 and it carried two, 30 gallon chemical tanks, ladders, hose and a hand operated pump.  In keeping with the make up of the community, their first alarm was for a barn fire at the Henry Albright Farm on Sweet Air Road.

The truck was housed in a barn owned by C.D. Mumma, located across from our present location at 4506 Long Green Road.  The department paid Mr. Mumma a rental fee of one dollar, plus seventy five cents per month for electricity.  The bell on the nearby Wilson United Methodist Church became the department’s alarm.  In 1931, the company acquired and American LaFrance pumper with a 500 gallon per minute pump and 1500 feet of hose.  In addition, Edith Prigel organized the Ladies Auxiliary.  Several years later in 1937, the department replaced the Republic apparatus with a new International Darley Truck.  This unit carried 300 gallons of water and 1500 feet of hose. 

The late 1930’s saw another major improvement to the fire company. Needing a better way to alert its members for fires, a “7 1/2 –H.P. Siren was purchased and placed on the roof of the firehouse”. In addition, a telephone with three extensions was installed. The extensions were placed in the homes of J.D. Barnhart and E.W. Meyers as well as the J.F. Burke store. Pinage rights were obtained from the C & P Telephone Company, with lines and siren starter buttons installed at the extensions. This meant that a fire call could be taken on any one of the phones and the siren started without delay.

To be Continued…