History of the Potomac Fire Company

The earliest history of our Fire Company is lost in the haze of time, it is beyond the memories of our oldest citizens. When the Piedmont Square burned out in 1896, the only fire company in either Piedmont or Westernport was a bucket brigade. The men worked diligently against the leaping flames that swept away the very center of Piedmont, but their efforts were in vain. Their system was inadequate.

Disastrous fire always brings inspiration. The great fire of 1876 inspired the citizens of Piedmont and Westernport to install more adequate equipment. The "Little Giant", a chemical engine, worked by hand pump, was the first piece of apparatus ever brought into these towns.

There were some very definite sources that show that Westernport's first reall fire company was organized on October 8, 1881. A town meeting was held with Mr. M.C. Fuller presiding, and Michael Ahern acting as secretary. Mr. M.C. McCulloh, Mr. Charles Pagenhardt, and Captain W.F. Mansfield were appointed a committee to draw up the constitution and by-laws of the organization. An engine house was erected on Main Street just above the Log Cabin Saloon in 1881, and two new fire engines, a reel and hose were purchased.

In June 1890, following another disastrouse fire, the Twin-Town's Mountaineer Fire Company was formed. This was a co-operative company composed of citizens from both Westernport and Piedmont. They took their name, "The Mountaineers" from the inscription on the engines.

By that time, the "Little Giant" had the assistance of two engines of the "Mountaineer" type, the "Little Mountaineer" and the "Big Mountaineer".

The "Big Mountaineer" was a 48 man-pump engine and it was the pride of the community. More than once it was taken to Keyser and to Cumberland when dangerous fires threatened those citizens, and it always came home flying proud colors. Some of our veteran firemen boast on the time the "Big Mountaineer" stood on the West Virginia side of the Potomac River and threw water to the Maryland bank. The "Little Mountaineer" was a 32 Man-Pump engine and it fought it's last battle at the Sim's House Fire, a fire which our oldest citizens recall burned to the ground a hotel on the present site occupied by the Herald Printing House.

After a water system was installed close to the end of the 19th Century, the pumps were discarded and dependence was put in gravity pressure alone.

Around 1904, as close as the dates can be fixed by some of the local veterans, the Tri-Towns Fire Company was organized. This Company continued with the same apparatus left by its predecessors.

The two fire companies were organized in 1912. The Tri-Towns Fire Company No. 1 dates from February 15 and the Potomac Fire Company No. 2 was organized on July 18, 1912.

The Potomac Fire Company No. 2 name was used because on April 27th 1906, Potomac Fire Company No. 1 of Williamsport, Maryland had already been formed. The Potomac Fire Company No. 1 was housed in a building on North Conococheague Street, across from the City Hall in Williamsport, MD.

This is how the name of "Potomac Fire Company No. 2" came to exist.

The first fire chief for the Potomac Fire Company No. 2 was Charles Hershberger. Since then, Clarence Bowers, George Carpenter, Chas Matthews, Sidney M.Eisler, Irvin Marsh, Kiddy Michaels, William Mayles Sr., Francis Gardine, Robert Shimer, Daniel Taylor, Timothy Dayton, and William Kight Jr. have held the position with William Mayles Sr. holding the rank for Nineteen Years.

The Potomac Fire Company was honored to have member and past Chief, Robert Shimer, serve as president of the Maryland State Fireman's Association from 1988-1989. Another member, Charles L. Davis, served as secretary to the State Association from 1913-1915. The Company has had several members serve the Allegany - Garrett Counties Volunteer Fireman's Association. William Smith Sr., Robert H. Shimer, and Timothy Dayton served as president of the Associtation. Chester W. Shimer and Robert H. Shimer also served as secretary to the Association. The Potomac Fire Company was also honored to have Mrs. Rhonda Clark serve as president of the Allegany and Garrett Counties Volunteer Fireman's Association's Ladies Auxiliary. She was one of the first to hold such an honor in the county.

Members of the Company have always been active within the County Association, serving on various committees and hosting the convention on several occasions. The Potomac Fire Company is a chartered member of the Allegany and Garrett Counties Volunteer Fireman's Association.

The Potomac Fire Company recently celebrated its 96th Anniversary and recognized its members for their hard work and dedication to the Community.

In 1987, the Potomac Fire Company was saddened to take out of service a piece of apparatus which had served the Community faithfully since 1952. A 1952 GMC Barton-American Pumper was placed into service following its initial apperance in the 1953 Maryland Fireman's Association Parade in Ocean City, Maryland. It never let us down and was a very dependable piece of apparatus. This unit was replaced in 1983 with a new Grumman Fire Cat. Another new addition was made in 1985 with the assistance of the Emergency Assistance Trust Fund, which is administered by the Maryland State Fireman's Association. Through the efforts of the officers, a grant and loan was obtained for the purchase of a hew heavy duty rescue truck. The 1962 Rescue Truck, which had previously been placed in-service was found to be overloaded and underpowered to do the job needed with the changing of the time. The 1985 unit was purchased from Rescue Systems Incorporated and is one of the largest rescue units in the lower end of George's Creek. The unit has been used on railroad derailments, tractor-trailer accidents, water rescue, etc. It is equipped with modern equipment and personnel continue to be trained on its uses. The most recent achievement was to join with the members of the LaVale Volunteer Fire Company for the conception of the Allegany County High Angle Rescue Team. The team consists of Squad 22, Squad 2, and the qualified members of the county in High Angle Rescue. The years of 1986 seen the purchase of a New Brush Unit, 1992 a New Grumman Engine and 2002, a new KME Engine Tanker.

In December 1966, the present fire station was dedicated to the community. Although, the building is owned by the Town of Westernport, it was obtained through the efforts of many members who canvassed the Community in support of a town fire tax for the sole purpose of building a much needed fire station. The old station, which was located on Washington Street, now houses the Town Hall. The old station found three pieces of apparatus, an engine, a rescue truck, and a van, parked in a very small bay. Today, we have two engines, a brush truck, and a heavy duty rescue truck. At one time, the company had six pieces of apparatus, but due to modifications, combining resources, we have been able to provide better protection with four units.

Some of the most disastrous fires we have had in the Community were the Opera House fire in 1876, the Sim's House fire, the two Sigler Mill fires, the Brown and Bolden fire, Dixon's fire, the Westernport School fire, the old Welch's Theater, Newcomb's and Ritchie's Hot Dog Shops and a beauty parlor, which occurred in the 1980's and a fatal fire in 1997. The Potomac Fire COmpany also endured the flood of 1996 with 18 inches of water flooding the fire station.

The members of the Potomac Fire Company are proud of our tradition and hard work to protect the lives and property of those we serve.

The members of the Potomac Fire Company No. 2, would like to thank the men who have served as our chiefs through the 96 years of our service to our Communities. Your dedication has made our Company what it stands for today. A FEW SERVING MANY!

Charles Hershberger
Clarence Bowers
George Carpenter
Chas Matthews
Sidney M. Eisler
Irvin Marsh
Kiddy Michaels
Wiliam Mayles Sr.
Francis Gardine
Robert Shimer
Daniel Taylor
Timothy Dayton
William Kight Jr.

This plaque and shields are displayed in the apparatus bays of the fire station.