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 1979 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 Counties.
