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| IHVFD History |
In 1948 several members of the Indian Head community realized the need for fire protection in the Town and on July 23, 1948 they organized the Indian Head Volunteer Fire Department. Before that date, the only fire protection available to them was at the U.S. Naval Power Factory located on the Naval Base. Although close and very reliable, the needs of the Naval Base came first and immediate protection was not always available. During World War II, the Civil Defense Department provided portable hose carts or wagons to the town. In these days, the LaPlata Fire Department responded to Indian Head to fight fires. After many citizen meetings were held at the USO building (today’s Moose Lodge) located on Town Street, the Indian Head Volunteer Fire Department was formed.
The first Officers, nominated and elected on July 23, 1948, were as follows:
President: Peter Rekliss
Vice President: Bernard L. Nicholson
Secretary: Frances H. Slavin
Treasurer: John T. Parran, Sr.
Board of Directors: W.C. Abell
Sidney Bowie
Wilfred Corcoran
Frank Cotrufo, Sr.
Waldo Griffin
R.A. Hugerford
J.F. Mattingly
John H. McWilliams, Jr.
Spencer Milstead
Fire Chief: Joseph Mattingly, Jr.
The first fire station was a small two-bay cinderblock building that was built at the end of Town Street using donated materials and labor. A small siren mounted on top of a telephone pole alerted the members to a call when it was activated by a radio signal, sent by the Fire Board in LaPlata. Although the number of members was small, these few people were proud and ready to serve the community. With many of the members working regular jobs during the day and sleeping at night, alerting the members to emergency calls was a challenging task. By the late 1950’s and early 1960’s, members started using Plectron radio monitors in their homes to alert them when a call went out for a fire or ambulance response.
The department’s first engine was a surplus Army fire truck, known at the time as the “Ten Wheeler”. It was a bear of a truck to drive, but it was said that there wasn’t any place that it could not go. Although it lacked many of the much needed supplies and equipment, the membership pulled together and made it work for what they needed. A 1950 International 500 GPM pumper with a 500 GWF was later obtained from the Navy and placed into service. It carried 1000 feet of 2-1/2 inch hose, and a compliment of 1-1/2 inch hose. In 1952, a used Seagrave 500 GPM pumper was purchased from the Takoma Park VFD, Takoma Park, MD and came complete with nozzles, appliances, an on-board generator, and floodlights.
In 1954, the Indian Head Rescue Squad was organized to take care of the sick and injured citizens of the community. It went into service with a 1950 Navy Packard Ambulance. The first Rescue Squad Captain was Albert Carbonneau. A few years later, a usd Cadillac Ambulance was purchased from the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad. It was parked alongside the pumper in the small two-bay station with little room to spare. Those who rode the ambulance had to take a standard first aid course through the American Red Cross.
For many of it's early years, the Department, lacking any fire tax money, had to rely on various fundraisers, such as raffles, bake sales, etc. In the 1950's, some funding was received from the County via slot machine revenue. By 1960, a fire tax was implemented so the Department could purchase its much needed equipment.
In 1956, the Department purchased its first new pumper. It was a Ford American LaFrance 500 GPM pumper. This was the year that they started painting the trucks white. The rest is history.
In 1962, Frances Slavin, Louise Cotrufo, and several other wives of Fire Department members organized the Ladies Auxiliary. They helped the Department to raise money by sponsoring numerous fundraisers, such as teen dances, dinners, etc. The first Ladies Auxiliary President was Frances Slavin, who also held the position of Secretary for the Department.
The current fire station, located at 4095 Indian Head Highway, was built in 1963. It was originally two bays wide and deep enough to park two pieces of equipment with front and rear bay doors. The new station included offices and a living area complete with a bunkroom, all located on the first floor. The second floor had a large hall where the department held teen dances, dinners, bingo, and various other fire department functions to support the department’s growing budget.
Also in 1963, a used Seagrave Quad Ladder Truck from the Waldorf Volunteer Fire Department was purchased. This truck had an assortment of ground ladders, a 750 GPM pump and 1000 feet of 2 inch hose. It was designated as "Truck 9" and served the Indian Head community for a few years before it retired.
In 1967, the Department purchased an American LaFrance Pioneer 750 GPM pumper and was listed as "Engine 92". This was one of the first diesel powered units in the county. In 1970, a second American LaFrance Pioneer pumper was purchased and became "Engine 91". Both pumpers had crew cabs under a canopy roof, as well as the famous "back step". The crew cabs allowed crew members to "bottle up" en route to a fire. Engine 92 was rehabbed in the late 1970's to have the first fully enclosed crew cab.
In 1983 a three-bay addition was built on to the fire station to again allow for the growing pains of the department. This new addition not only remodeled the old station, but also added a hose tower and much needed work and storage areas. A full renovation of the second floor is currently in the works with a late spring, early summer completion date.
In 1988 and 1989, the Department received two new 1500 GPM Seagrave pumpers with fully enclosed crew cabs. In the Spring of 1994, Tower 9, a 1993 Emergency-One 95 foot Aerial Platform, was placed in service as the first Tower in Charles County.
Currently the Indian Head Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad Inc. is 100% volunteer, and has 63 active members, the majority of which are cross-trained for Fire, Hazmat and Emergency Medical Service emergencies. Although times have changed with the apparatus increasing in size and cost, the training requirements becoming more and more stringent, the cost of day to day operations constantly rising, and the demands put on everyone by today’s economy, our membership is proud of our accomplishments from our humble beginning to present day and we will continue to serve our community and surrounding areas in Charles and Prince George’s Counties. The department is always in search of members from the community who are looking to help and provide this vital service to our citizens. If you are interested in joining our team, please contact the fire station at 301-753-9400/301-743-3900 or stop by to see us. |
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