Name: Fifth District Volunteer Fire Department
Item: Fifth District Volunteer Fire Department
Author: Volunteer Recruitment

During the year of 1947, several serious minded citizens in the Clarksville American Legion Post proposed the formation of a fire department. On July 9, 1947, plans were finalized, and the Fifth District Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. was organized and has since used this name. The late Mr. Herbert Hall, a charter member, donated the first fire engine the department owned. A fire house was built by the citizens of the Clarksville area in 1948. In 1955, the Patuxent Grange of Highland saw fit to donate an ambulance to the department. This donation provided ambulance service for the local residents for the first time.Growth of the department continued through the years and equipment was purchased to fulfill the needs. In 1961, the first 750 gallon per minute (gpm) pumper was placed into service. Following this purchase, many changes occurred in the Fifth Election District, with rapid increases in population and construction of private dwellings and commercial buildings. With this growth came the need for the expansion of the department.

Through the foresight of conscious minded members, steps were taken to provide the best and prompt protection for the district. In 1961, the first paid individual was hired by the department. After this initial step, additional paid personnel were hired to supplement the volunteers during the daytime hours.

With the onset of rapid building in Columbia, the Fifth District VFD accepted the challenge of providing fire and ambulance protection for the new residence of Columbia and surrounding areas by laying out plans for the construction of a sub-station in 1967. This challenge required many hours of hard work, negotiation, and meetings, but the idea became a reality on May 17, 1969 with the opening of the Banker Road Fire Station known as Company 51. In 1980, Station 7 (formerly company 51) was turned over to the county to operate as the first Howard County Fire Department station.

The Fifth District VFD has gone through many changes since the first meeting in 1947, and in future years, one will look back to the present times to see that many more changes have taken place.

Why Fifth District Volunteer Fire Department?

We are always looking for dedicated individuals to serve in the department in a variety of capacities. We are looking for Emergency Responders for Fire Suppression/Rescue and Emergency Medical Services and Underwater Rescue and Recovery/Public Safety Diver (PSD), as well as Administrative Members, to keep the organization running with precision. If you think you have what it takes to serve the community in any of these capacities please contact the station and speak with a member of the Membership Committee or other personnel.

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Fifth District Volunteer Fire Department

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