New Windsor Fire & Hose Company No. 1 - Carroll County Station 10

On December 2, 1908, the citizens of New Windsor held a meeting at the request of the Burgess and Commissioners, for the purpose of organizing a fire company. At this meeting, it was decided to call the fire company by the name of New Windsor Fire Company, but on December 7, 1908, the name was changed to the New Windsor Fire & Hose Co., No.1. At that time the charter was closed with 34 charter members. The following officers were elected to serve one year; President, Charles T. Repp; Vice- President, J. Edward Myers; Secretary, A.E. Lambert; and Treasurer, J.W. Getty.

Fire equipment consisted of 500 feet of 2 ½ hose, 2 nozzles, and 2 hose reels purchased from a Frederick City fire department. In addition, a hook and ladder wagon was built by Charles T. Repp in New Windsor. To house the equipment, a shed was rented from Jesse Stevenson until the later part of 1911. The bell at the Methodist Church was used as an alarm. Meetings of the Fire Company were held in the I.O.O.F. Hall until January 1, 1912.

In the early part of 1911, the Burgess and Commissioners purchased land from Charles T. Repp and erected a two story building; the lower floor to store fire equipment, the second floor to be a meeting room. A bell was installed to sound the alarm instead of the church bell. The town was served with this type of fire equipment, with assistance from nearby companies until 1948 when the need was realized for a motorized fire truck. Through the efforts of John W. Hesson, and Russell Lambert, a meeting was held on January 27, 1948 and the Fire Company was re-organized. Seventy- three persons were admitted to membership at that time.

In order to obtain funds for a fire engine and other equipment, a solicitation was made of all citizens in town and on rural routes. Several Board members and Officers went on a note at the bank to allow the company to borrow money to purchase our first motorized engine.

After many meetings and much discussion the company agreed on a 1948 International chassis with an 89 horse power engine, and 2 speed rear, which was ordered in May of 1948. The chassis was sent to Elmira, New York, where an American LaFrance 500 gpm pump was installed along with a 300 gallon water tank.

The delivered cost of this engine was, $17,000.00. In addition, an assortment of appliances, 1400 feet of hose, and a siren for the fire hall were purchased at this time. The engine arrived in New Windsor in December of 1948. One of the first duties was to haul Santa Claus to the fire hall for the children’s Christmas treat.

Mr. Louis Deilman donated the lot between the Town Hall and alley, and the adjoining lot was purchased from Fred Schneider to be used as the site for a firehouse when the company was financially able to build one.

The first carnival was held from June 7^th to the 12^th, 1948. The gross receipts were $ 9,384.22 and the net income was $ 4,153.29. The first five carnivals were held on Hibberd’s fields near town, and then moved to the school grounds after.

In 1949, the New Windsor Fire Co. was admitted to the Carroll County Fireman’s Association, becoming Carroll Company 10.

In 1958, our second engine was delivered. It arrived in Westminster by train on November 30. It was an American LaFrance open cab with a Continental engine, 750 gpm pump, and 500 gallon of water. It was designated engine 102, and was purchased for $ 24,750.00. Our third engine 103 was purchased in 1966 at a cost of

$ 22,190.00. It was a Ford Cab over chassis, with an American LaFrance body. It also was a 750 gpm pump, and 500 gallon of water. In November 1968, a 1969 Ford chassis was purchased, and a Barton/American body, 500 gpm front mount pump, and a four wheel drive unit were installed at a cost of $ 11,650.00. It was known as engine 101, and it replaced the 1948 International, which was sold for $1,200.00. It was later designated as brush 105.

In 1969, Jack Coe, and Paul Strine were appointed to secure ground for carnival use. Ground was purchased next to the school grounds consisting of 22 lots from 6 owners. 8 lots were donated by Vivian Barnes. Many improvements have been made over the years to the carnival grounds. They include various buildings, blacktop, and underground electric.

In 1973, the Fire Company celebrated its 25^th anniversary, and honored its charter members by making them Life Members of the company.

It was equipped with a 1000 gpm pump, and carried 750 gallons of water. The cost of this engine was $56,975.00. This engine was known as 102, and replaced the 1958 LaFrance, which was sold for $6,500.00.

In keeping with the tradition of always improving our service abilities to the community, the company voted to purchase an ambulance in 1982.With tremendous financial support from the community, we were able to purchase and equip this ambulance. The cost of the ambulance was $38,469.00, and the equipment cost $20,000.00. The first ambulance officers were elected in December 1982. Then finally on March 18 1983, the company placed into service it’s first ambulance, a 1983 Ford/Wheeled Coach , known as ambulance 109. The ambulance was manned by 1 CRT, and 28 EMT’S. To house the ambulance, the basement of the fire hall was remodeled in April of 1983, at a cost of $14,278.00.

A total of 134 ambulance calls were run in our first year of service, the first of which was on our second day of service March 19 1983.

On March 11 1985, we took delivery of a new Duplex/Grumman engine, known as 101. It had a 1000 gpm pump, and carried 1000 gallons of water. It was purchased for $148,992.00. This engine did not replace another engine. We decided to keep our 1966 Ford, and run with 3 engines. However in September of 1988, it was decided that the 3^rd engine was not needed, and it was sold for $13,000.00.

With the number of ALS calls increasing in and around our community, we applied for and received ALS ambulance status on May 1 1988. A new Life Pak 5 monitor, along with other necessary ALS supplies were purchased to bring A-109 up to Medic status. The cost of these supplies was $8,500.00.

In June of 1990, we took delivery of our second ambulance to replace the 1983 unit. It was purchased for a cost of $47,955.00. It was a 1990 Ford/Wheeled Coach, equipped with a rescue box.

In the spring of 1991, we remodeled the front of our fire hall for a cost of $22,000.00. This was done to accommodate larger and heavier apparatus.

In 1993, A 1993 Chevrolet Suburban was purchased, at a cost of $23,500.00, and placed in service as utility 10. It is equipped with SCBA, a Life Pak monitor, various other suppression and EMS supplies, and is set up to be a command unit.

In 1994 we took delivery of a 1994 Seagrave engine known as 102. This engine is equipped with a 1500 gpm pump, 1000 gallon water tank, front mount winch, and is set up as a suppression and rescue piece. The cost of this engine was $304,950.00.

In 1998, we took delivery of our third ambulance, a Ford/Braun, purchased for a cost of $84,000.00.

A future growth committee was initiated years earlier, and in 1998 we were finally advised that the county would be receptive to turning over the old middle school property to us, to use as ground for a new fire hall. In October of 2000, the Carroll County School Board turned the vacated property over to the County Commissioners, who in turn, transferred the property to the town of New Windsor, who then finally turned the property over to us, in February 2003.

In May of 2000, we took delivery of a 2000 Ford/KME brush truck. Brush 105 is equipped with a 1000 gpm pump, carries 200 gallons of water, and has a front mount winch. This unit replaced the 1969 Ford, which was sold to a restorer in New Jersey.

Prior to receiving this property in 2003, a committee was formed in 1999, to research the needs of the company. A survey was taken of the membership to see what everybody thought we should have in this new fire hall. The goal of the committee was to design and build a fire hall that would serve the needs of the community and fire district for 40-50 years. The building was to be environmentally friendly, member friendly, and will be both economical to build and operate.

At a special meeting in March 2001, a conceptual plan was presented to the fire company. After a year of revamping and fine tuning the plan, a special meeting was called in September of 2002, and a Power Point presentation was given by Richard Hooper on the plans for the new fire hall. Approval was given to proceed with the plan.

In 2003, with the deed to the school property in hand, our newly formed Capital Campaign Committee swung into action. The formal name of the campaign is, Answering The Call. After many meetings with our contractor, Kinsley Construction, a quote of $4,535,867.00 was reported. The Capital Campaign forged ahead, not only for funds, but also for in-kind donations that would help decrease the cost. At the same time our old fire hall was put on the market for the price of $450,000.00. It was sold with the understanding that we would not vacate the building until our new hall was ready for occupancy. We settled for the old hall in December of 2005.

The ground breaking was held on June 6 2004, with representatives from the Community, County, State, and various Fire Companies on hand.

After a little over a year of construction, a daylong celebration of a professional and dedicated group of individuals, was held on Saturday, September 24 2005. Activities included a light breakfast, tours of the building, Dedication ceremony, lunch, and a parade. Later that evening a covered dish social was held in the new social hall, named Windsor Station.

Let us never forget the community answered our call, and they still do, so we will always be ready to help and serve to answer their call.

In September of 2006, we took delivery of a Seagrave engine known as 101. It was placed in service at a cost of $335,000.00. The Grumman was sold to a company in Illinois for $26,760.00.

With additional bays available, we were approached by the County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service, to consider housing Haz Mat 30, and Spill Trailer 30. It was decided to do so. Now we house and operate these units with members of our company who are trained Haz Mat Techs, along with additional Haz Mat Techs from around the county.

In 2008, we were again approached by the County to also house Decon 30. It was decided to do so, since we already housed the Haz Mat unit. This way all Haz Mat units for the county are under one roof.

In 2008 we celebrated 25 years of ambulance service to our community. Along with that, we have ordered a new 2009 Ford/Braun ambulance, to be delivered in July of 2009.

Also the county received a grant from the federal and state government, to replace an aging Haz Mat unit. It has been ordered, and should be delivered in October 2009.

We have come a long way, since 1909. Prior members and currant members have been serving our community for 100 years. We the members of the New Windsor Fire and Hose Company No. 1, are proud of what we do for the community, and are equally proud of what we have achieved over the years. With continued support from the community, and dedication of members, now and future, we will continue to serve for the future.