On March 8, 1961 seventeen interested men met at
Crumpton Methodist Church to discuss the need and
possibility of a Crumpton Volunteers Fire Department.
At the time it was decided to go ahead with the plans
for a Fire Department and open a Charter for members.
There were 23 Charter members signed up over the next
six months which time the Charter was closed. The
Charter Members were as follows: Robert Bayne, Wilbur
Brinsfield, Glen Colemen, Thomas Collins, William
Coleman, Edgar Crew, Howard Crew, Lewis Crew, Robert
Crew, Norman Dixon, William Green, Arthur Hock Sr,
Samuel Hurlock, Charles Miller, John Nafzinger, James
Powell, Allen Rhodes, James Skinner, William Skinner,
Frank Smith, Harry Smith, Robert Spencer and Granville
Wilds.
The First election of officers was held April 27, 1961
President John Nafzinger, Vice President Sam Hurlock,
Secretary, Charles Miller and Treasurer, Robert Crew.
About this time the Ladies Auxiliary of the Crumpton
Volunteer Fire Department was formed and Joined in
with such projects as Memorial Day Dinners, Fish
Fry's, Coon Trials, Boat Races, Oyster Suppers,
Carnivals, Circuses, Bazaars, Chicken Barbecues, Bingo
and Dances.
On August 7, 1961 a lot was purchased from Mrs. Dixon
for $ 1,500.00 on Third Street at the Corner of Pine
Street for the site of the Fire House Robert Spencer
and Robert Crew drew up and presented plans and
blueprints for our Fire House. The Sudlersville bank
approved a Building Loan for $15,000.00, This loan was
made possible by five Charter members being willing to
give Chattel Mortgage on their homes until the Fire
House was Completed and the loan transferred to a
mortgage on the Fire House.
On November 7, 1961 the building was lined up and
squared on our site and construction was voted to
begin. Many man Hours of labor and much of the
material was donated by our own men.
On February 20, 1962 twelve men attended, completed
and graduated our first fire school, taught by Mr.
John Ferrall and held at the Galena Firehouse, with
their use of their equipment. They were as Follows Ed
Byerly, Howard Crew, Robert Crew, Sam Hurlock, Robert
Bayne, Charles Miller, John Nafzinger, Allen Rhodes,
William Skinner, James Skinner, Harry Smith and
Granville Wilds.
On April 4, 1962 we purchased our first Pumper, a 1948
International Fairly well equipped, from Annapolis,
for the price of 3,500.00.
Our first line officers who replaced our Equipment
Committee were elected on April 16, 1962. They were
as followed: Chief Sam Hurlock, 1st Asst. Chief,
Howard Crew, 2nd Asst. Chief, Robert Bayne, Chief
Engineer, James Skinner, and Asst. Chief Engineer
James Powell.
In January, 1963 our Firehouse, Pumper and Equipment
was approved by the Maryland State Fire Underwrites
which made us eligible for our State and County funds.
Our many thanks go out to all the other Fire Companies
and Organizations that donated and loaned and helped
out with the house, gear, and equipment in order to
make this possible at the time.
It was just about this same time that Crumpton
Volunteer Fire Department was accepted in the Kent and
Queen Anne's Association. By this time our Station was
about completed.
Since then there has been a lot of hard work, time and
energy put into this company by many people. In 1969
we purchased our first new Pumper, a 1969 GMC with a
750 gallon tank and 500 GPM Pump. In 1076 a new
addition was added to the original Firehouse to be use
for housing our equipment. This allowed the original
Firehouse to be remodeled as so to better accommodate
our Fund Raising activities. In 1079 a new Ford Pumper
was purchased, and in 1985 we had ten members Complete
E.M.T. class and are now running on medical assistance
calls.
By comparison, our First year of service we answered
18 fire and Emergency calls. In 1985 we answered a
total of 134 fire and medical calls.
We also started with one Pumper the First year,
compared to seven units now, These Include three
Pumpers, One Brush truck One Utility truck and two
Tankers. We also have a new Pumper with a 1,000 gallon
tank and a 1,250 pump on order (Engine-73) due for
delivery on March 1, 1986
In the last six years the Fire Company has added the
following equipment, A Brush Truck was donated by the
U.S. Forestry service, Later a purchase of the First
Rescue Squad in the County was Purchased, and 1,200
gallon Pumper. A Mack Tanker Truck was also
acquired. Summer of 1992 held the first annual Fish
Fry.
We the Fire Department Member and the entire Crumpton
Community are very proud of what the Crumpton
Volunteer Fire Department now has available to better
serve our community and our county and surrounding
Countys. |