LAVALE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT
CO. # 2
History of LVFD
On Feb 28, 1933, eighteen men held a organized meeting at Martz Grocery, Allegany Grove. This was the first meeting of the LaVale Volunteer Fire Department. These gentlemen saw a need for a fire department as the town of LaVale was expanding and National Hay (Rt 40) was being used more.
The first apparatus was a wrecked Lincoln Touring car. They removed the rear seat, mounted a truck body on the back and a Centreifugal pump on the front. Buchanan Lumber Co. built the oak hose bed, which was installed with a 200 gal tank and 150 ft. of 2 1/2 in hose. They added a motorcycle siren. And this became the first apparatus put into service in July 1933.
The company parked the apparatus in an old distillery, that was empty. They later bought the place from a lawyer for $300. In 1938 the first station was built on the property by volunteer labor. The new fire station was dedicated on May 30, 1939. But as the town continued to grow so did the need for more apparatus and a bigger station.Therefore, the east end engine room was built in 1949 and a new pumper was bought. To assist, the Diamond T which was bought May 1942 for $5,500.During this time of growth and development, several of our volunteers joined the armed forces. Because of this, the first mortgage burning was delayed till Feb 1945 and all the members had returned home.
With the continued growth of LaVale and the surrounded area, in 1962 the department started plans for a new fire station. After many fund rasiers and donations, bidding was opened on Feb 8, 1965. Robeson won the bid on July 9, 1965 and the final fundrasier to raise funds for the new station was held Sept. 1965. With the building of the new station, LaVale became the first volunteer department to have two fire station in Western MD.The new station was named after and dedicated to Waverly F. Rice, the only member who was killed in the line of duty. Mr. Rice died Dec 25, 1964 due to injuries he received Dec 16, 1964 in a structure fire at 300 National Hwy apartments.
During the mid 1970’s, LaVale’s apparatus fleet expanded again with the purchase of a 1976 Pirsch 1250 GPM pumper which had the new LVFD paint scheme of white over lime yellow. A new service was provided by LFVD in 1976 when a surplus 1945 Seagrave 100 ft. tillered aerial ladder was obtained from the City of Cumberland. The big rig would receive a new GMC tractor and be painted the new colors in 1978 by J & J Truck Bodies of Somerset, PA. By the late 1970’s, 911 service came to Allegany County and LaVale became known as Co. 2 with all apparatus re-numbered. LaVale also was one of the first volunteer fire departments to have the “Jaws of Life” tools in Western Maryland and responded long distances when there was a request for this rescue tool.
In 1984, extensive planning and fund-raising resulted in delivery of a huge Mack/Saulsbury rescue truck which would serve well for almost 25 years. This delivery marked the return of white over red colors to LVFD, replacing the lime yellow. A new Sutphen 1500 GPM pumper was delivered in 1990, and LVFD also obtained a new Ford 95 GPM 4x4 brush truck. By 1991, the used 1978 GMC/45 Seagrave aerial was placed out of service and a replacement would not come until 1995. A rebuilt 1982 Sutphen 95 ft. aerial tower with a 1500 GPM pump was obtained and has been a valuable addition.
The first years of the new millennium have seen the LaVale district continue its residential and commercial growth. It is more challenging than ever to staff and maintain a fleet of expensive apparatus. LVFD has upgraded its fleet by purchasing a Sutphen 1500 GPM pumper in 2004, and a 2005 Chevy Tahoe to use as a command vehicle. The company has ordered a new Spartan/Marion rescue truck due for delivery fall 2008 to replace the 1984 Mack.
Thanks to Warren Jenkins for assisting in writing this history
