District 16 V.F.D.
"Serving Since 1942"
HISTORY
The fire department was formed in 1942 and chartered in 1944. Eighteen community residents formed the initial membership. Previous fire protection had been handled by local residents with bucket brigades or, occasionally in response to major fires, from distant volunteer companies. Residents saw the fire department as a better way for neighbors to help neighbors. Residents involved in starting the department included A.J. Grabenstein, B.B. Garland, J.F. Valentine, D.C. Gainer, and O.J. Holliday. Department meetings were held at the Davis Memorial Church, and several members homes until a fire station could be built. Assistance in organizing the department also came from Baltimore pike V.F.D., Bowman's Addition V.F.D., and the City of Cumberland Fire Department.
The initial area covered by District 16 stretched from the City of Cumberland to the Potomac River at Paw Paw WV a distance of 26 miles east to west. The northern boundary covered mostly mountainous region from the midpoint between Rt. 51 and Rt. 40, south to the Potomac River. This was a area of 350 sq. miles. With the formation of the Oldtown V.F.D. in 1958, the eastern boundary was changed to cover the area located in election district 16. Since then that has been changed to the Cresap Mill Rd. Now District 16 covers approximately 50 sq. miles.
The name for the fire department was chosen from several suggestions. The majority of the response are was located in the county election district 16, an so that was chosen as the name. The original officers included Chief J.J. Milkwaskli, President J.W. Valentine, Secretary D.C. Gainer, and Treasurer R. Taschenberger.
The first actual fire equipment purchased were eight Indian pumps and two helmets. In November 1944, a 1929 Pierce Arrow pumper was purchased from the Mt. Savage V.F.D. for $200.00. With the purchase of the truck, the department actively sought land to build a fire station. Community donations, weekly square dances, and monthly suppers paid for the first and present fire station which was built in 1945.
