Kingsville Volunteer Fire Company
Description
Kingsville VFC is a 100% volunteer organization dedicated to providing fire, rescue, and EMS services to the citizens of Kingsville and surrounding areas. History
On October 27, 1954 a public meeting was called by the Lions Club to explore the possibility of starting a fire company in Kingsville. This meeting was held at the Kingsville School and had an attendance of 60 people. Following this meeting, a group of 18 men held another meeting at the home of Raymond Maynard where temporary officers were elected, including Harry Probert as president. Several committees were established such as by-laws, equipment, finance, publicity, training and ways and means.
A door-to-door canvass was conducted in the area to solicit donations and as a result of our first annual fund drive, $3,500 was collected.
In February 1955 the Ladies Auxiliary was organized and has rendered invaluable support to the company ever since.
A location and housing committee began to function in March, 1955. Prior to obtaining our present firehouse, most of the business meetings were held at the Kingsville School or St. John’s Parish Hall, with an occasional meeting held at Raymond Maynard’s home.
Our first benefit dance was held March 26, 1955 at Red Robin Barn in Franklinville and made a profit of $258.
On April 21, 1955 we placed an order for our first truck. The contract was awarded to American Fire Apparatus of Battle Creek, Michigan. It was a 1955 Dodge with a 500-GPM front mounted pump and a 500-gallon tank at a cost of $18,000.
August 17, 1955 the basic fire fighting class was started with 35 men enrolled. Also in August 1955, our truck was delivered and when placed in service, became engine 481. For a short while the truck was kept in an open field on Cedar Lane next to Herbert Seidel’s house. It was later kept in Frank Goettner’s garage on Goettner Avenue.
After a search for a suitable site, it was decided to purchase our present plot of land in 1956. It was hoped that the barn on the property could be converted into a firehouse.
In 1956 the company and its equipment was approved by the Fire Underwriters Rating Bureau, and on June 15, 1956 was accepted into the Baltimore County Volunteer Firemen’s Association. The company was voted into membership of Maryland State Firemen’s Association February 12, 1957.
After due consideration, it was decided to tear down the existing barn on our land and construct a new building. Construction was started on the present fire station and cost $70,000 in September 1957. The building was completed one year later and the equipment was moved in on October 8, 1958.
On September 7, 1959 the company acquired a used fire engine for $300 from Joppa Magnolia Fire Company. This engine was a 1932 Mack with a 500 GPM pump and 500-gallon water tank and was assigned number 482.
Vernon Brown donated a 1957 Ford pick-up truck for use as a brush truck May 7, 1962. The truck was donated with the provision that when removed from service, it be returned to the donor. The number was 484.