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| The following account of the history of the Ridge Volunteer Fire Department was compiled and written primarily by Past Chief Joe Cooper, no doubt with the help of many others, all to whom we owe thanks. |
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THE FIRST 50 YEARS
1948-1998 |
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Introduction - In 1996 we started actively planning for the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Department. December 21st, 1998 will be the completion of 50 years of service to the communities of the First District, St. Mary's County, Maryland. I do not believe that the Founding Fathers ever dreamed that the Department as it exists today would be the result of their vision. The citizens of The District have always been known to take care of their neighbors in times of need. That still exists today evidenced by the Blizzard of '93, the '94 Ice Storm and the El Toro disaster.
On the following pages I have tried to outline the first 50 years of this organization. If I was to list every person that contributed to the success of the Fire Department I would have to list the name of every person born, raised or living in the First District. Please do not feel offended if you do not see your name. Your name is on the immortal list and that list is in the hands of our Eternal Fire Chief.
I would like to thank all those that have contributed to this work. Through their stories, written words and pictures I have been able to piece together this small portion of our history.
Joe Cooper
Chief - 1986/89 |
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RIDGE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, INC.
1948-1998 |
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The Ridge Volunteer Fire Department, located in the Mother County of Maryland, was established in 1948. A undocumented meeting was held in mid-1948 in Buck Ridgell's Garage in Scotland. It is uncertain as to all the people that were in attention. It is believed that at least Buck Ridgell, Mae Morgan, Harry Hoke, Ralph Messick, Wilfred Owens and Howard Cooper were in attendance.It was unanimous that there was a need for a Fire Department in the First District. The first major decision was the location. Ridge and St. Inigoes were the two locations that were discussed. There is no written documentation of this meeting.
The first documented meeting of the Department is for December 21, 1948 held at Stone's Garage in St. Inigoes. To the best of our knowledge those in attendance were Wilfred Owens, Howard Cooper, Boots Stone, Lloyd Bean, Harry Hoke, Earl Gatton, and Mae Morgan. It was at this meeting that the Department as an organization was established. Elections were held with Wilfred Owens elected the First President and Howard Cooper elected the First Chief. Mr. Owens was a local Businessman and Mr. Cooper was a Firefighter at Patuxent River Naval Air Station. The location for the Department was still an issue. It was decided to hold the next meeting at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Ridge. [Editor's Note: Knowing the history of Stone's Garage I am certain a Pitch Game followed this meeting.]
The next meeting in January, 1949 shows that there was a change in Leadership with E.L. Burke elected as President and Raymond Wheatley elected as Chief. At this meeting it was decided by those in attendance that the Fire Department would be located in Ridge. A parcel of land on which today is known as Firehouse Road was donated by James Roach. Discussion on the construction of a building and the purchase of a fire engine were held.
It was around this time that the Ladies Auxiliary was formed. Alma Gatton was elected the First President and served from 1949 to 1953. Their purpose was to support the Department by having Bake Sales, Dinners, and other Fund Raisers.
The first Firehouse was built in July 1949 through the donation or purchase of cinder blocks by the local citizens. Records indicate that citizens donated from 5 to 20 cinder blocks at a time. Citizens donated trees to the Department and they were milled at Harvey Hilton's Sawmill by Harvey Hilton, Ford Smith and Joe Norris. Leiland Keister provided the block work, Jimmy Norris was the Head Carpenter, Bill Pratt coordinated the painting and Lloyd Scheible installed the Heating System. It is estimated that the first firehouse cost around $6,000.00 but there was never any cost for labor during the entire construction of the building.
In 1950 the first pumper, a 1928 Brockway, was purchased from the Upper Marlboro Fire Department. It was driven from Upper Marlboro to Ridge by the Newly Elected Chief Ralph Messick and Chief Engineer Harry Wright.[Ed. Note: Folklore has it that Harry Wright rode the fender with hammer in hand to keep the motor running during the trek south. It seems the float in the carburator would stick randomly.] This Engine was housed in Harvey Hilton's Garage untilthe Firehouse was completed in approximately July 1950.
In the beginning we did not have a 911 system nor did we have a siren. The Control Center was alerted in Leonardtown. They would call the Fire Chief who would then call the other members.
The first fire that the engine responded to was for the Bowling Alley in Ridge. [Located on SH 5 across from Bayne Rd]. Chief Messick responded with the new engine and the members met him at the scene. Much relief was felt by all when they arrived and found there was no fire. A heavy snow fall and a rapid warm up was producing so much steam that the roof looked like it was on fire.
In order to raise money for equipment the Ladies served dinners. It was during one of these dinners that a report of a fire at the Theater in St. Inigoes was reported. As the fellows put on their gear, that were hand me downs from the Washington DC Fire Department, obtianed by Mr. Burke and Mr. Henry. Chief Engineer Harry Wright hit the button and the engine would not start. Being the backbone of the organization, the Ladies Auxiliary pushed the engine to get it started. As it turned out this was the first major fire of the department. Help was received from Leonardtown and Webster Field. The '28 Brockway was put to draft at the stream on SH 5 across from St. Peter's Claver Church. With the arrival of the Foam Truck from Webster Field the fire was brought under control. This was a devestating fire to the economy of the area. It affected many people including a future President of the Ladies Auxiliary, Peggy (Carroll) Vallandingham.
The Ladies Auxiliary continued to support the Department through fund raisers during the future years. They hosted steak dinners for the Lions Club meetings, held Bake Sales, Dinners and Friday Night Dances in the upstairs of the firehouse. It has been said that the young men from Hollywood attended and occasionally disrupted the dances.
The men would hold Oyster Scald's at Boob Dunbar's place in Cornfield Harbor. I am told that Harvey Hilton was a lookout when they got the oysters out of the river. [Can't understand why they would need a lookout?]
In August of 1950, the first Ridge VFD Carnival was held in Captain Will Clarkes's Field [Raley's Food Market occupies this field today.] Rides were borrowed from the Leonardtown VFD. In addition to the Merry-go-round, Ferris Wheel and a small Roller Coaster many games were available. The following year the Carnival was moved to the American Legion Field. In 1952 the current Carnival grounds were purchased from St. Michael's Church. The Annual Carnival was held each year at the end of August to run through Labor Day weekend until 1985. During the mid-60's the Department purchased rides from Jach Gallagher Carnival Company. We started with the Ferris Wheel, Merry-go-round, Tubs of Fun, and the Merry Mixer. Later the Whip was added along with a car ride purchased from St. George Catholic Church in Valley Lee. Bernie Cullison built the wood circular track for this ride. In the mid 70's Aubrey Gatton poured all of the concrete pads for the rides to be permanently mounted.
The Carnivals were the primary source of income for the Department from 1950 through 1985.
Sadly, the insurance for the rides escalated so much during the early eighties that we could not afford to continue to pay the insurance rates. It was decided to sell the rides and ask the citizens for support through Fire Tax. This was a very tough decision for volunteers to make. However, the Carnivals were restarted in the early 90's.
Those that worked and attended the Carnivals over the years will always remember Announcer Pee Wee Wood, Celeste Clarke, Mrs. Abell, Audrey Norton, and "MR RAFFLEMAN" Harvey Hilton, [When not selling chances Mr. Hilton was the Forest Warden for the area.]. There was Louie and Sally Mayor making Cotton Candy and Snow Cones. Later on Sally moved to the Duck Pond and Lucky 7 with Catherine Dean. Flip and Chuck Titus were noted for their French Fries. [The potatoes were peeled and sliced fresh each day before the Carnival.] Mammy and Pappy Downing controlled the Dip & Win. Harvey Mayor dominated the Glass Pitch and John Erly ruled the Crap Tables, making sure that Mark Pratt and George Tennyson stayed honest. While Charles Donald Trossbach rolled the Big Six Wheel [Ed. Note. To this day I can stil hear him say "DOUBLE ACE ON A DEUCE"], the Lions Club ran the Beer Stand while the Knights of Columbus kept the Animal Wheel straight and the American Legion made sure the Over and Under was operating.
In late 1950 it was decided that the Department needed to replace the Brockway and expand it's equipment.
A 1951 Ford F-8 chassis was purchased from Fenwick Ford in Leonardtown. The chassis was sent to Oren Manufacturing, Roanoke, Virginia to be built. The new pumper had a 500 GPM Mid-Ship Pump and held 600 gallons of water. It was called Engine 41. The cost of the new apparatus was $5,000.00. This was complete with all hose, equipment and two pieces of breathing apparatus. |
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Engine 41 |
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After this new pumper arrived it was decided to sell the 1928 Brockway. The truck was sold to the McKay's Beach Volunteer Fire Department (now known as Second District VFD&RS).
In 1953 at the Maryland State Firemens Convention in Ocean City a 1952 Ford F-6 Pumper built by Glenn D. Culbert, College Park, MD was seen during Chief Messick's visit. Upon his return to Ridge the membership decided to purchase this pumper. It's primary purpose was for fighting brush and woods fires. This pumper had a 500 GPM Front Mount Pump and held 500 gallons of water. This unit was designated Engine 42. |
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New Engine 42 Shown without Front-Mount Pump |
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Proud Members on E-42 in 1952 |
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1964 saw a significant contribution by the Ladies Auxiliary. Helen Stone was President of the Auxiliary at this time. The Ladies paid $10,000.00 for the installation of a 6 inch well and storage tank on the Carnival Grounds located behind the Firehouse. This eliminated the need to travel to Webster Field to refill the water tanks on the pumpers after each call.
In 1965 the Department purchased a 1964 Ford Custom Cab with a 750 GPM Mid-Ship Pump and a 500 gallon tank. It was at this time that the Department changed to 3 inch hose for increase performance while relaying water. This unit cost the Department $20,000.00 and was purchased through Jack Reckner of Glenn Culvert Co., College Park Md. It was at this time the 1952 Ford F-6 was advertised and sold to the Liberty Fire Company in Western Maryland. |
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1964 Ford Custom Cab |
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1967, 68 & 69 were lean years for membership. Many of the younger members were pulled away by Uncle Sam for a tour overseas. At one time during 1968 there just 10 members holding the operational side of the Department together. It was during this period that the citizens of the First District rallied around the Department and were a major asset in keeping the Carnival and other fund raisers operating. It was during this time that we started looking at the future and the growth that was beginning in the First District. In 1968 we purchased 8 acres of land from Charles E. Davis. It was at this point we began with our five year and 10 year plan for a new building and new equipment.
During the 1960's & 70's many things changed for the better. During the late 60's Formal Training through the University of Maryland, Fire Service Extension became a priority item. Chief Messick had seen to it that many members of the Department had been through the Basic Fire Training course. Unfortunately many of them had moved on or were in the military and we lost that knowledge.
In 1967 Ralph Messick was elected President and Sam Vallandingham was elected Chief. Chief Vallandingham recognized the need for training. In 1969 Chief Vallandingham, Ass't Chief James Raley, Tom Waggoner and Joe Cooper attended and completed Basic and Advanced Fire Training hosted by the Lexington Park VFD [Bay District]. The courses were conducted under the guidelines of University of Maryland, Fire Service Extension and the Field Instructor was Charles Donaldson.
It was also during this period that we purchased a 1967 Willys Jeep with a 50 gallon tank to aid in the growing number of brush and woods fires that often strike a rural area. With the addition of a surplus 1953 GMC Tanker, 1100 gallon capacity we felt that we had the equipment we needed. Now it was time to get back to training. |
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Tanker 4 |
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In 1969 the Ridge VFD hosted it's first Basic Fire Training Course conducted by Field Instructor George Duke. The entire course was conducted on site as a result of the closing of St. Michael's High School. The Class was able to use the old school building for smoke and live fire training. There 34 students in the class. During the weekend sessions the Ladies Auxiliary provided lunch as well as cake and cookies for break periods.
With the equipment and training on going, 1972 saw the start of construction of our new firehouse.
The building was completed in December 1972. The first function in the building was a New Years Eve Dance December 31, 1972 Those that were there will never forget it. This had to have been the wettest December on record. The dance produced an overflow crowd and with the intake of fluids there must be outcome. The end result was that many of the members welcomed the 1973 New Year in by honing their skills in pumping out the septic system.
The 70's continued to be banner years for the Department. We moved to our new building and held the dedication with a parade in August of 1973. Due to the aggressive fund raising and prudent spending we had a Mortgage Buring Celebration during our 1979 Installation of Officers. In just 6 years the members of the Department, with major contributions by the Ladies Auxiliary ,we paid off a $150,000.00 mortgage.
May 1972 was great for the Department. Leon "Dictator" Cullison was elected as the President of the Southern Maryland Volunteer Firemans Association. He is the first member of this Department to serve in a elected position to the SMVA. Joe Cooper was to follow in his footsteps in 1984.
During 1983 and 84 the Ridge VFD did it's share to bring the Southern Maryland Regional Training Center on line. The Training Center located in La Plata MD was earmarked as the central Fire/Rescue Training Center for the Tri-County area. Ridge was asked to install the ceiling tiles in the classrooms at the center. Under the direction of Chief Vallandingham and his trusty water level the ceiling was put in place. Even though Russell Dean of Hollywood would occasionally move the ladder and cause some problems for Sam. The motto was "Work Hard and Play Hard".
At this time Engine 41 (1951F-8) had reached it's 25 year mark and was in need of replacement. We designed a new pumper to be delivered in 1976. Because of the rapidly declining pumper we purchased a 1953 Ford, 500 GPM Front Mount from the Second District VFD [Valley Lee] to hold us over until the new pumper arrived. Valley Lee had nicknamed this pumper "Old Faithful" and it lived up to it's name during the time that we had it in service.
In 1976 we received the 1976 1000 GPM Ford Custom Cab Pumper and sold "Old Faithful" back to Valley Lee. |
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1976 Ford Custom Cab Pumper |
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| 1978 saw the purchase of a 1978 Ford Louisville Cab Tanker, 500 GPM Front Pump with 2,000 gallons of water. Both of these units were paid for at the time of purchase at a cost of $120,000.00. |
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1978 Ford Louisville Cab Tanker |
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The 1980's brought further advancements to the training and equipment of the department. Our membership continued to grow requiring us to raise our membership limit to 75 members.
In November 1982 the Department purchased a new Brush Truck which consisted of a 1982 Custom Cab Truck purchased from Aldridge Ford, Lexington Park MD and the skid loaded style tank and seating fabricated by Salisbury Fire Equipment, Tully New York. |
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Brush 4 |
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| Knowing that the future of the Volunteer Fire Service is in the hands of our youth a Junior Firefighter program was began in 1984. We would have to say that it was successful because many of the original members are active firefighters today. While this program is not active today the past and current Leadership of the Department recognizes the need to keep our youth involved This was also the year we began planning for a Fire/Rescue Boat. |
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"Future Firemen" at St. Michael's School |
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| 1986 was the year of a new adventure for Ridge VFD. Our District is surrounded by water and increasing boat traffic had revealed the need for a Fire/Rescue Unit. A 22 Ft. Seahawk was placed in service and now gave us the ability to combat fires in marina's and at sea. It gave us the capability to provide transportation for medical emergencies on the water. While serving as Chief (1983-85), Phil Cooper was instrumental in making this program a success. Operational Training for Boat 4 and it's function on the water was coordinated with and provided by the U.S. Coast Guard Station, St. Inigoes Facility. The training program is still in effect today which requires levels of training for Operators and Crew. Members are not allowed to respond on Boat Calls without completion of this training. During this year the Ladies Auxiliary gave the Department a 1986 Chevy Suburban Utility Vehicle to be used for transportation to meetings and training. |
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The New Boat 4 |
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| 1988 and 89 was devoted to the design of a new pumper. The end result was a 1990 Pierce 6 -man Custom Cab with a 1500 GPM Midship Pump and 750 gallon tank, Foam tank and 4 inch supply hose. This is first custom built pumper of the Department. It was built by Potomac Fire Equipment and Pierce Manufacturing Company. Up to this point all of our Apparatus had been built on Commercial Chassis. |
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Engine 43 |
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The 1990's:
The last ten years have seen many changes in the Department. The current firehouse has been remodeled from front to back, side to side and top to bottom. The latest remodeling was just completed in December 1997. As our fore-fathers, the members continue to provide the labor for these projects.
We are entering into the 21st Century with our eyes wide open and ready. We can state that we have the most modern firefighting equipment available for our needs. We have entered into the EMS field as support to the Rescue Squad.
In 1995 we began planning for a replacement for Engine 42. It was decided to replace this pumper with a Pumper/Squad vehicle. The bid was awarded to Potomac Fire Equipment and Pierce Manufacturing for delivery by the end of 1997. This unit was placed in service in December of 1997 and replaces Engine 42 now designated Engine 45 (Reserve) until it is sold. |
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The first 50 years are going swiftly. The second 50 are just around the corner. |
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