Ridgely Volunteer
Fire Department
8 W 1st Street
P.O. Box 425
Ridgely, MD 21660
410-634-2424 (Station)
All You Can Eat
Beef and Dumpling Dinner
Sunday, April 13, 2008
11am - 3pm
Adults - $10 Kids under 12 - $5 Under 3 - Free
Carryout Available
RVFD 2nd Annual Motorcycle Awareness Day
2008 RVFD Awards Banquet Photo Album
The Ridgely Volunteer Fire Department was organized in 1905, one year after the town’s water works were installed and only nine years after the town was incorporated. This was the period of “foot-powered” hose carts, when the wail of the basket factory whistle would alert the firemen throughout the town and bring them on the run, pulling the carts behind them. With the brand new water pipes, the system pressure was good and considerable water could be thrown without the use of pumps. The Company was incorporated in 1926 when the 1st fire engine was purchased. A Ladies Auxiliary was organized around 1948 and has proved to be a great asset to the Company.
In 2006, The Ridgely Volunteer Fire Department celebrated its 100th Anniversary.
Currently the Department operates Two Engine Companies comprised of a Shuttle Tanker, a Brush Truck, a Command Vehicle, an ALS equipped ambulance, a Utility Vehicle and a Canteen Vehicle operated by the Ladies Auxiliary. The Ridgely Volunteer Fire Department handles calls for the Town of Ridgely and unincorporated areas in close proximity to the town. The Department also has Mutual Aid Agreements with Greensboro, Queen Anne/Hillsboro, Denton, Goldsboro and other towns in Caroline, Talbot, and Queen Anne’s Counties.
In 2002 the Department replaced a 1972 Shuttle Tanker and a 1986 Engine with a 2002 International/Ferrara Tanker and a 2002 Spartan/Ferrara Engine. The total project cost was $350,000.00 for both pieces of much-needed equipment.
At present, the Department is housed in the original building which was constructed in 1930. Since then, the fire house has been enlarged with the addition of a large hall which is used for suppers, banquets, dances and bingo as well as housing some of the equipment. Several years ago the Department purchased land on the corner of Sunset Boulevard and 1st Street, and is currently looking for funds to build a new Station to carry the Department through the next 100 years. Any person or organization wishing to make a tax-deductible donation to our New Station Building Fund may do so by mail or in person. All donations received for the New Station Building Fund will be placed in an account specifically designated for the New Station Project.
Volunteers are always needed. Free Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Medical Training are just a few of the benefits volunteers receive as well as tax incentives for active members. If interested please e-mail the Chief or President with your name and contact information so an application can be sent to you. Please feel free to stop by and talk with some of the members if you are not sure about joining or contact the Chief or President for a meeting with our Membership Committee.
2008 RVFD Officers
President: Rick Baker
Vice President: Tim Gunderson
Secretary: Bob Bogle
Asst. Secretary: Jackie Balck
Treasurer: Bryan Ebling
Asst. Treasurer: John Hurley
Board of Director's: Alex Marvel, Lou Hayes, John Hurley, Kevin Motter
Operational Officers:
Fire Chief: Bobby Utz
Deputy Chief: Bryan Ebling
Assistant Chief: Lou Hayes
Captain: Alex Marvel
Captain: Rick Baker
Captain: Tim Gunderson
Lieutenant: Justin Ebling
Lieutenant: Steve Frankton
Lieutenant: Eric Kellner
Chief Engineer: George Cohey
EMs Captain: Becky Towers
Fund Raising Updates
Annual Golf Tournament
Annual Motorcycle Awareness Day
Note from the Chief:
Always have a fire escape plan and practice with your family and remember to change your smoke alarm batteries in the Spring with the advent of Daylight Savings Time and again when it reverts to Standard Time in the Fall.