Name: Orchard Beach Volunteer Fire Department
Item: Orchard Beach Volunteer Fire Department
Author: Volunteer Recruitment

In 1928, four residents of Orchard Beach held a meeting to discuss organizing a fire protection group. They constructed a small building on Hilltop Road to house the first piece of equipment, a hand drawn water wagon which the residents built themselves.

The Orchard Beach Volunteer Fire Department was organized on July 28, 1930 and incorporated September 13, 1931. The original members were Chief Charles Strohaker, Chief Engineer John Medlar, Captain William Giles, Firemen Henry Eades, Charles Eades, A.R. Specht, Mr. Becker, Charles Squires, and Robert Morgan. On May 4, 1931 at 17:00 hrs (5:00 pm) the first motorized engine was placed in service. This piece was a 1931 four cylinder REO engine. On May 6,1931 the new pumper ran its first call, a field fire in Stoney Beach. The Company continued to update its equipment to meet the demands of a growing community by adding an ambulance, as well as other modern fire fighting apparatus.

The original building was replaced by a larger wood frame building to house the additional equipment. Around 1940, this wood frame building was sold and moved to Fort Smallwood Road to become a service center. This allowed a block building to be constructed on the original site. As the community continued to grow so did the fire department, three additions were affixed to the block building, but this was still not enough room to house all the equipment.

In October of 1987, after countless hours of planning, a site was obtained on Solley Road and design began for a new fire station. The new station would combine two volunteer companies, Lombardee Beach Vol. Fire Dept. and Orchard Beach Vol. Fire Dept. The new station was fully operational on July 1, 1988 and was dedicated on August 13,1988. Since moving to the new station, we have placed dozens of pieces of fire equipment in service and currently have one of the most modern fleet of apparatus in the state. Our extraordinary success would not be possible without the outstanding support from our Ladies Auxiliary, as well as our growing community.

Why Orchard Beach Volunteer Fire Department?

There’s always a need for highly motivated and enthusiastic individuals to help support the Orchard Beach Volunteer Fire Department.

Basic Requirements:

At least 16 years of age
No training required for new members
Complete application to include full criminal background check
Completion of Firefighter I or Maryland EMT-Basic within 18 months of membership and both (except EMS-only and Admin. members) within 36 months.
Participation in our duty shift program and one on one of our fundraising events
Attendance at monthly meetings and occasional special meetings.

Ambulance Technician:

Emergency Medical Technician (165 hours)
HazMat Operations (24 hours)
CPR/AED
Blood-borne Pathogens
Physical
Fit Test

Firefigher:

Firefighter (108 hours)
HazMat Operations (24 hours)
CPR/AED
Blood-borne Pathogens
Physical
Fit Test
General Membership Benefits

Cadet Membership:

Ages — Cadets are between the ages of 8 and 15.

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Maryland Volunteer Firefighting, EMS & Support Opportunities

Orchard Beach Volunteer Fire Department

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Orchard Beach Volunteer Fire Department

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