Fickle Falls Church

Been a few since the last entry as we’ve been inundated with the most snow I think has ever hit the Lower Sho’. I was about to ask the county to please take my children back to school. Guess they will be going until July at this rate. Understand, this place is not equipped for a snowpocalyse as the biggest plow is a Ford "F-250". During the first inundation (weekend of 1/30 -10") they quite plowing before it was over. I called and asked why and was told “cause its snowin!” Stupid me. In any event, here’s an expanded upon topic I was involved in on one of my favorite bulletin boards. The question asked was regarding the Falls Church VFD in sort of Arlington County Virginia. Were they actually first part of Fairfax County? The short answer is yes sort of but do read on and you’ll get the long and short of it.

The town of Falls Church incorporates as such on March 30, 1875 its territory mostly in Fairfax County but a portion also within Arlington then Alexandria County. In 1898, the Falls Church VFD organizes the same year the Cherrydale VFD forms in Alexandria County that county’s first beyond Alexandria. Falls Church VFD begins service in summer 1899 with two hand pulled hose carts and a ladder wagon kept in three private garages about the town.

In 1918, the company adds its first motorized a Ford “Model T” chemical engine kept at the local lumberyard. In January 1925 a house fire leads to a calamity when the Falls Church VFD tries to respond but is unable as the “apparatus” is missing or as in the case of the chemical engine buried under piles of lumber. The department promptly re-organizes incorporating February 27. They then place in service a new Republic chemical engine housed in a new one-story, single-bay, cinder block station on Washington Street (Lee Highway) opposite their later and current home. In 1920, Alexandria County is re-named Arlington after the Custis-Lee estate last occupied by Robert E. Lee and turned into a national soldiers cemetery in honor of his cough, cough, “service to the union”. That year records suggest the Falls Church VFD may have added a 1916 city service chemical ladder possibly from the District of Columbia FD.

On September 17, 1935, the Arlington-Fairfax Volunteer Fireman’s Association votes to dissolve and create two separate associations for each county (there were only 5 fire compaiues in Fairfax then Falls Church not included). On December 14, the Arlington County Fireman’s Association begins at which time a station company numbering system is implemented. This assigns numbers alphabetically Arlington VFD No 1, Ballston VFD No 2 etc. The Falls Church VFD joins both associations and is designated No 6 in Arlington County. The company also moves that year across the street to a one-story, two-bay brick and block believed flat roofed building at 555 Washington Street. In 1936, East Falls Church is retro ceded back to Arlington County leaving Falls Church with only its Fairfax County portion.

On July 15, 1940, the first paid personnel of the Arlington County FD (there already is a paid Chief Fire Marshal) report to duty including at the Falls Church VFD. In 1943, the firehouse is expanded a sort of second floor added. In 1948, Falls Church becomes a city separating entirely from Fairfax County as a stand-alone municipal entity. The fire department remains largely volunteer with Arlington County paid personnel assigned. In 1941, the Falls Church VFD assists in sponsoring formation of the Baileys Crossroads VFD. Under rules of new fire company formation in Fairfax County, this at first must operate as an auxiliary or No 2 station of the Falls Church VFD. They begin service in 1942 later meeting all criteria (apparatus, staffing and financial) to become the stand alone Baileys Crossroads VFD in Fairfax County.

 

In 1950, the Falls Church VFD adds an open cab forward new ALF “700 Series” 75-foot midmount aerial ladder. This is believed to replace their by then motorized ‘16 city service chemical ladder that reportedly goes to nearby Baileys Crossroads VFD in Fairfax County. I've seen no photos of this at either company so lets call this info "un-confirmed". In 1951, it is believed company numbers are assigned in Fairfax County the sequence based on when companies incorporate. McLean VFD is No 1 with Vienna VFD (that formed before but incorporated later) becomes No 2. The Falls Church VFD that often runs into Fairfax County is assigned No 6 as in Arlington County. That year, the Falls Church Police Boys Club begins ambulance service quickly turning the operation over to the Falls Church VFD. While not confirmed the first ambulance may have been an all-white Ford panel van as photos show they did run one. Somewhere in the late 1950s early 1960s (I’m guessing here) they built a shed out back as the fleet had gotten quite large (4 engines, 1 truck, 2 ambos) and the old two-bay station has limited space.

 

In early 1973, the Falls Church VFD for whatever reason withdraws from the Fairfax County Association remaining solely with the Arlington County Association. Station 6, for some time staffed with Arlington County FD career personnel ends automatic response into Fairfax County doing so only upon request. Tensions mount with talk of forming a Falls Church City FD. Later that year, the Arlington County Department enters into a comprehensive mutual aid pact with Fairfax County whereby the closest company is now called regardless of boundary. This is the beginning of the NoVa Mutual Aid system with new numbering system to follow. (Falls Church becomes company 76 an Arlington County number designation) About this period full-time medics are assigned to the ambulance Rescue 76. As for the number "6" in Fairfax it is still unused. As a sidenote to this, No 7 was back then assigned to OWL VFD of Prince William as they ran across the river a lot before the Lorton VFD formed in Fairfax. That number later went to the Fairfax County FRS Training Academy.

 

On July 14, 2000, the Falls Church VFD moves into a new and spacious two-story, five-bay brick peak roofed Station 6 built behind their previous old house on Washington Boulevard. At first, the apparatus exits from the rear until the old station and rear apparatus shed are razed the front paved into a parking lot. This facility a vast improvement over the previous is funded and owned jointly by Arlington County, the City of Falls Church and the Falls Church VFD.

Coming soon from Rusty’s Rosters a detailed History of Arlington County and its Fire Rescue Service. This will be available on CD and hopefully soon as a downloadable E-book. See above links to order or connect here at Bayside Boyz. -RG

The Potomac Fire Department

Anyone who has ever been by Alexandria Fire Department Station 2 (202) on Windsor Avenue has undoubtedly noticed it says Potomac Fire Department above the doors. As I am sure some have asked, “How is this, I thought I was in Alexandria?” Read on my friends as this firehouse has something of a convoluted and interesting history.

This area of Alexandria Virginia known as Del Ray and Saint Elmo were laid out back in 1894 along the then new Washington, Alexandria and Mount Vernon trolley line at where it crossed the Virginia Midland Railroad leading west (this was previously the Alexandria, Loudoun and Hampshire and later became the Southern Railway Bluemont Line then Washington and Old Dominion Railway’s Bluemont Division). A popular racetrack and gambling spot also opened here situated between the two communities. At the time, this area was in Alexandria County not Alexandria City. In 1902, the Washington and Southern Railroad (later Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac) that followed the Potomac River opens its Potomac Rail Yard east of here. Del Ray and Saint Elmo quickly become home to many railroad workers. In spring 1908, Del Ray and St Elmo incorporate as the "Town of Potomac” the first and only municipality within Alexandria County beyond of course Alexandria City.

In 1920 Alexandria County becomes Arlington County named after the Custis-Lee mansion Arlington House taken during the Civil War for use as a National Soldiers Cemetery. Late in October 1924, the Del Ray Engine and Motor Co. organizes in Potomac promptly beginning service with a new combination chemical pumping engine housed in a church shed on Windsor near Commonwealth Avenue. Within a month, the Saint Elmo V.F.D. also organizes also beginning service promptly with a modified “Model T” chemical hose wagon housed in shed off Commonwealth Avenue. On November 6, both companies are placed under oversight of a new town agency titled the Potomac Fire Department (FD) with Del Ray designated Engine Company 1 and Saint Elmo as Engine Company 2. This entity has no chief or paid personnel as the two volunteer compaies exist under it answering to the town council.

Following a meeting of January 11, 1926, the Del Ray and Saint Elmo volunteer companies consolidate titled as the Potomac Truck and Engine Company Number 1. Both engines remain labeled for their respective community. Soon after, the department consolidates physically, moving to a new two-story, three-bay brick station on Windsor Avenue. This has the Potomac Town Hall on the second floor with the town jail on the bottom behind the apparatus bays.

Effective January 1, 1930, the southern portion of Arlington County beyond Four Mile Run is annexed into the City of Alexandria. This includes the Town of Potomac and the Potomac FD that becomes Alexandria Fire Department (FD) Station 2 as then there is only a Station 1, 4 and 5 the original Company 2 the Sun Fire Company long disbanded. This is the last annexation to affect Arlington County as by ruling of the Virginia Supreme Court, annexations and municipal incorporations are no longer permitted.

Soon after, AFD assigns a new tractor drawn 100-foot ladder truck to Station 1. This displaces their 1918 ALF city service truck that is re-assigned to Station 2 as Truck 2. That year, the Alexandria Rescue Squad also forms from Potomac Station 2 adding an ambulance then the only one in the city. In 1935, an open cab new ALF city service quad arrives for Truck 2.

By 1948, the Alexandria Rescue Squad expands by now running Rescue 1 and 2 that are both ambulances adding Rescue 3 an International, Oren rescue truck and Rescue 4 a trailered boat. In 1954, Truck 2 gets the ’51 ALF 100-foot midship from Truck 1 their city service quad going to the Annandale VFD in Fairfax County.

In 1973, Truck 2 from Station 2 is deactivated and the aerial truck sold. No ladder has run from station since. In 1974 volunteers on all Alexandria Rescue Squad ambulances are replaced by career EMTs. Then or soon after, Rescue 2 is removed re-assigned to nearby Station 4. In March 1977, the Alexandria Rescue Squad becomes the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Division of the Alexandria FD with units staffed and equipped as transport capable Advanced Life Support (ALS) Mobile Intensive Care Units (MICU) still called rescues. In about January 1979, the unit designation “Rescue” is changed to “Medic”. On December 1, the medic unit from Station 4 returns to the Potomac Station now known as Medic 52.

In October 1983, the Departments new Hazardous Materials (Haz-Mat) Team goes in service at Potomac Station 52 assigned a ’76 Chevy “C-30” with shop modified Morysville 10-foot utility body. Designated Haz-Mat 52 this is staffed by assigned personnel of Wagon 52. About that time the Potomac firehouse adds one of the more unique engines to serve the Alexandria FD. Wagon 52 gets a canopy cab-over new Ford “C-8000”, E-One 1250-gpm triple with a 40-gallon foam tank and a large 1000-gallon water tank. The need for this is the Del Ray area suffers low water pressure and the company is also first due to the Potomac Yards. In mid 1989, Haz-Mat 52 gets a new GMC, Hackney as well as its own driver. In late 1992, Engine 52 is replaced by a new piece with standard for the department 500-gallon water tank.

In 2006, Potomac Station now designated 202 is assigned a new Mass Casualty Unit. On November 1, 2009, the new Station 209 opens just northeast in Potomac Yards. The station is located within a multi-story 64-unit apartment complex addressed at 2800 Main Line Boulevard. This large and currently stand alone building is south of Glebe Road and east of US 1. It is assigned Engine 209 and Haz-Mat 209 both from Potomac Station 202 plus afoam trailer and new spill response truck. The building also has a glass mural along the US 1 side windows showing the old ’35 ALF Quad of Truck2. Recently renovated "Potomac Fire Department" Station 2 remains open home to Medic 202, the Mass Casualty Unit and Safety Officer with room for various reserves. This is no doubt one of the more unique fire service history stories in Northern Virginia. Both photos by the author.

Washington Navy Yard

For those who follow the fire service in and around the nations capital, the Naval District Washington Fire Department (NDW FD) is the city’s largest federal fire department operating within the city from three stations from as many federal facilities. To clarify, since October 3, 2003, this agency has been titled the Naval District Washington Regional Fire Department as it has assimilated various other naval facility departments in the outlying counties. These however continue to use their respective numbering systems as per each county. Back to the original if you will NDW FD within the capital city. In 1996, the DC Fire &; EMS Department assigns the NDW unique numbers for off-base response (Engines 41-43, Truck 21). These in 2001 are adopted by the NDW as their appropriate station unit designations. Station 1 or 41 is the NDW Headquarters located at Bolling Air Force Base in Anacostia. Home to a rescue engine, tower and foam units plus reserves this prior to 1980 was a separate department assimilated under the NDW FD after the original Station 1 at Anacostia Naval Air Station closes. Station 2 or 42 is at the Washington Navy Yard on the western bank of the Anacostia River. This is the oldest componant of the NDW FD operating a single engine company. Station 3 or 43 is farther south at the Naval Research Lab home to a rescue engine and haz-mat unit.

So what of this unique department and its history? There are as I have discovered some variances in actually when fire protection began especially at the Washington Navy Yard.

The  is the nations first deeded to the US Navy in September 1799. It lays  along the Eastern Branch of the Potomac River (now Anacostia River) on the south side of the proposed new nations capital. The buildings and ships in August 1814 are purposely set afire as the British are bound for Washington ultimately setting the rest of the city and yard ablaze. After the city and the Navy Yard are rebuilt however the mission at the yard changes. In May 1815, the Washington Navy Yard changes from a basic naval base to a shipbuilding and ship-fitting facility adding civilian employees. More shops sheds and wharves follow the greatest added in 1823. It is about which time it seems mechanized fire protection begins there as well. This department or brigade is probably manned by enlisted men aided by volunteer civilian workers.

The earliest record of this is found in John G. Sharp’s, History of the Washington Navy Yard’s Civilian Work Force 1799-1912 found on the site Navy Yard History. Under the section “Daily Station Log” on page 11 it is on the cold and windblown morning of Thursday January 18, 1827, fire erupts in Alexandria overwhelming its three volunteer fire companies. As the blaze spreads, outside help is called bringing companies from Washington City and the sole Georgetown company. The Navy Yard is called about noon sending their two “suction engines” via boat across the river to the then sister city of Washington (Alexandria and what later became Arlington County were part of the federal Territory of Columbia until 1840). The Great Fire of Alexandria destroys some 40 buildings but is quickly stopped with the out of town companies including the Navy Yard engines released by 3 pm.

The next mention of the Navy Yard fire protection comes from 100 Years of Glory, the 1972 Yearbook of the District of Columbia Fire Department. On the late morning of September 24, 1877, fire erupts in the attic of the large 4-story US Patent Office today’s National Portrait Gallery bound by West 7th and 9th as well as North “F” and “G” Streets (today all in NW). As described this apparently is the first big test for the young DCFD. Within ten minutes of arrival of the Box Alarm, a General Alarm follows bringing the entire 5 engine and 1 truck DCFD plus the Navy Yard. As the fire rages out of control, this becomes a day long battle as companies are also called from Baltimore some fighting a nearby stable fire ignited by embers from the original fire. In 1878 it is believed the Navy Yard adds its first steamer an Amoskeage.

In 1906, the Navy Yard brigade moves to its second and current firehouse in Building 122 near the 8th Street SE Gate. In 1918, the nation embroiled in Word War I a permanent runway and hangars come to Anacostia Flats that is named Anacostia Field a combined Navy and Army facility. While not confirmed it is believed their crash fire brigade likely began then. Just south, the aviation section of the Signal Corps opens an adjacent facility called Bolling Field that also begins its crash fire brigade.

As seen in photos of William Killen’s Navy and Marine Corps Fire Apparatus, the Navy Yard in the early 1920s is motorized running with an American LaFrance triple an Ahrens Fox triple piston pumper plus a hose wagon of unknown make. The Washington Naval Research Lab opens July 2, 1923, along the Potomac River on the far south end of the city. The mission of this facility is the production of communications equipment, directional finding devices high frequency radio and underwater sound propagation and sonar nets. Again it is believed a fire brigade is begun then its firehouse in Building 72. In 1933, the Bolling Field crash brigade moves to its current multi-bay firehouse in Building 5.

In 1940, the Navy Yard becomes a civilian staffed fire department. In 1942, Anacostia Field expands and is re-named a Anacostia Naval Air Station a training base for Naval aviation. It is home of Navy flight test operations, the US Naval Receiving Station Anacostia and the US Naval Station Anacostia Annex that includes training schools, laboratories and barracks for the Navy Yard. A secondary airfield also opens to the north in Beltsville Maryland. During this period it is believed the crash fire brigades at both Anacostia Naval Air Station and adjacent Bolling Field move away from enlisted personnel becoming civilian departments. In 1943, the Anacostia Naval Air Station brigade assigns a No 2 engine company to an adjacent weapons arsenal.

In late 1945, other changes come as World War II ends the nation and its allies the victors. The Anacostia Naval Air Station brigade No 2 Engine at the weapons arsenal is deactivated. The mission of the Naval Research Lab expands into areas of applied research while in December the Navy Yard becomes known as the Navy Gun Factory. In 1948, Bolling Field becomes Bolling Air Force Base under the new military agency. The next year, the Navy Gun Factory becomes the Naval Weapons Plant that along with the Naval Research Lab are placed under a civilian director.

In the mid to late 1950s the Anacostia Naval Air Station FD, Navy Yard / Weapons Plant / Gun Factory FD and Naval Research Lab FD are all placed under the new Naval District of Washington Fire Department. About this period helicopter flights begin from the White House and as a result, one of the Navy's early “MB-5” crash trucks is loaned to the DCFD housed with Engine 16 Truck 3 on 13th Street NW. In 1962, fixed wing aircraft flights end at Bolling Air Force Base and Anacostia Naval Air Station as operations move east to the new Andrews Air Force Base in Camp Springs Maryland. In July, the Washington Navy Yard Annex opens at the Weapons Plant / Gun Factory. On July 1, 1964, the Weapons Plant / Gun Factory again becomes titled the Washington Navy Yard with most of its old facilities and factories to be turned into office space. In 1978, vehicle extrication capabilities are added with jaws placed on Engine 2’s new Seagrave “MB” 1000-gpm at Navy Yard Station 2. In September 1980, the NDW FD adds its first ladder truck to the more accommodating Station 1 at Bolling Air Force Base. Truck 1 as designated is a “Cincinnati” canopy cab-forward built by Truck Cab Manufacturers on a Spartan chassis with Pierreville body and 100-foot Thibault rear mount aerial ladder.

In 1990, the NDW enters the Hazardous Materials (Haz-Mat) business adding early summer as its response vehicle a two-door new Pierce “Dash” with 16-foot walk-in body placed at Station 3 (43) at the Naval Research Lab. In 1994 or 1995, the NDW FD adds two new KME “Renegade” triples. Engine 1-1 at Bolling AFB adjacent to Interstate 295 is equipped as a “rescue engine” while the other for Engine 2-1 at the Navy Yard has jaws for extrication duty. Engine 2-1’s displaced extrication piece moves to Engine 3-1 at the Naval Research Lab. That year Truck 1 undergoes a glider rebuild by Fire Apparatus Unlimited. It returns the frame and ladder all that are retained as it has a new aluminum four-door Duplex cab and new body. In 1998, Engine 3-1 at Naval Research Lab receives a new E-One “Cyclone II” rescue engine. In 2003, Truck 21 gets replaced by Tower 21 a tandem rear axle, four-door new ’02 Piece “Dash” 100-foot rear mount tower quint with 2000-gpm pump.

Anyone who has more info to share on this topic is encouraged to post a reply. For your very own History of Washington DC and its Fire Protection or Washington DC Fire Apparatus History that includes the NDW FD and other federal departments plus various other works see the appropriate link for Rusty’s Rosters.

Kensington Calamity

Difficulties in fire service evolution also plagued the Montgomery County railroad community of Kensington. It was subdivided in 1890 as Knowles Station a stop along the B&O Metropolitan Division and namesake of the original land parcel. It becomes Kensington upon incorporation as a town in 1892.

Before the end of 1899, fire protection comes to Kensington when the town acquires a hand drawn reel and chemical cart. They also hire a fire marshal to oversee the equipment as well as organize volunteer firefighters from the citizenry. By 1918, a group of regular volunteers come to be known as the First Firemen of Kensington something of club reliant on the town’s apparatus. On the night of January 2, 1921, the Kensington firehouse an old schoolhouse occupied since 1916 burns to the ground with all records and apparatus lost. This is in spite of a response from Silver Spring Volunteer Fire Department, the Rockville Volunteer Fire Company (precursor to today’s Rockville VFD) plus two engines from the District of Columbia Fire Department.

After, the Kensington Fire Company acquires a new engine and is back in service by December 1922 perhaps from their pre 1916 shed. Soon after, tension develops with the First Firemen who seek greater access to the new engine for training. They are repeatedly denied by the town’s Fire Marshal who retains a key to the station house. On a cold windy night possibly in March, the Kensington Fire Company is called to a house fire in Garrett Park. While pulling the hill up from Rock Creek, the engine runs out of gas. The volunteers push it to the scene and eventually commandeer enough fuel to get the new engine in service. This leads to greater dissention between the town Fire Marshal and the First Firemen.

In summer 1923, Kensington’s First Firemen separate from the Kensington Fire Company purchasing their own new engine that is housed in various members’ garages. In October 1925, the First Firemen incorporate as the Kensington Volunteer Fire Department. Still at odds with the town fire company and Fire Marshal, the town commissioners call a meeting. As a result the Kensington Fire Company is abolished its apparatus turned over to the Kensington Volunteer Fire Department henceforth the town’s sole provider of fire protection.

In the years to follow, the Kensington Volunteer Fire Department expands moving to a new firehouse that remains today as well as growing to four stations the others in Glenmont, Veirs Mill Village and Aspen Hill. It is today within the Fourth Battalion of the Montgomery County Fire Rescue Service. The rest as they say is history.

Bethesda Boondoggle

In researching and writing about fire service histories one occasionally comes across evolutionary tales that stand out from the rest. These are of course rooted in some degree of mayhem and discontent proving at least that sometimes folks don’t get along or things just don’t work right. This is not to pick on anyone of any one locality as this sort of thing has happened in one degree or another in several places. What follows is one of the more extreme scenarios in Montgomery County’s Bethesda area the details of which follow.

Long a toll stop and PO along the turnpike between Georgetown / Washington DC and Rockville, Bethesda begins to emerge into a residential suburb after 1910. Its first fire protection is a voluntary citizen brigade begun about 1913. By the mid 1920’s, the place is more developed and a serious fire in the northern streetcar village Alta Vista leads to the formation of a fire board. Consisting of area businessmen and merchants they establish the Bethesda Fire Department an all-volunteer operation in service by years end in 1926. Of note, the board apparently also has designs on expanding to Chevy Chase already protected by a voluntary citizens brigade and a separate but primitive volunteer company. Chevy Chase forms its own board instead and the rest is well history -best suited for another entry.

Back to Bethesda, its new volunteer department adequately serves the community into the 1930s. While most of the nation is in a depression, lower Montgomery County including Bethesda is growing largely from recent residential development attracting the expanding ranks of federal workers under the New Deal Government. This is enhanced by plans for new federal campus facilities like the under construction Naval Medical Hospital and the proposed National Institutes of Health. The period also brings some tough brush fire seasons in the spring and fall months taxing resources as companies are seemingly fighting one day-long blaze after another.

Bethesda merchants and businesses are increasingly concerned over their employees regularly out the door fighting fires all the day. As described in William Offut’s 500–page Bethesda a Social History, the fire board by 1938 seeks to add paid firemen and a paid chief to “improve the morale, skill and professionalism of the department”. The paid crew could handle most of the daytime calls including for the ambulance (yes the Bethesda FD had run an ambulance since 1930). At night they could serve as ready drivers for the wagon, pumper, rescue car and ambulance staffed fully as before by incoming volunteers.

This seemed like a great idea and besides the Chevy Chase FD was partially paid using volunteers for their second-out engine. This however draws immediate opposition from the department’s volunteer fire chief and some of the members. Many object to losing the drovers duty citing that one of the reasons they volunteer. The Board offers the volunteer chief a paid position and rank but he refuses. On July 1, 1939, a retired chief of training from the District of Columbia Fire Department becomes the first paid Fire Chief of the Bethesda FD with three firefighters also hired taken from the volunteer ranks. The volunteer chief and a few loyal followers soon after organize and incorporate under the Volunteer Fire Department No 1 of Bethesda Maryland.

Both entities operate at first from the same firehouse on Old Georgetown Road (where Woodmont Avenue is now). Over the next months conflict intensifies with some of the volunteers refuse to take direction from the new Fire Chief. In October, the Bethesda Fire Board bars the volunteers from the station however several are hired back in subsequent weeks. The Bethesda FD henceforth is an all paid operation expanding eventually to two shifts.

As for the outcast VFD No 1 of Bethesda, they manage to build a firehouse and are in service by March 18, 1941. Located about a block or so away on Fairmont Avenue near Norfolk Avenue in the "Triangle", they add a new “Butterfly” Hahn 500-gpm engine, a used Buffalo 500-gpm engine and a used Stutz Chemical service ladder truck. Conflict between the two continues as they end up in court fighting over a phone number. The judge gives the disputed number to both on a party line with the first one to answer the department in charge. It is likely both regularly respond to most fires with the original Bethesda FD still running the ambulance at least until the next year when wartime personnel losses take from the ranks of both. The VFD No 1 of Bethesda ceases service and disbands finally in mid 1944.

The Bethesda FD expands to three (briefly four) area stations in later years. While one of the first fire departments in the county to operate an ambulance, they do not return to this service as in December 1945 the re-started Bethesda-Chevy Chase First Aid Corps later Rescue Squad becomes and still is the areas emergency ambulance provider. As a side-note, B-CC Rescue in 1949 moves into the old VFD No 1 of Bethesda station on Fairmont Avenue remaining there until fall of 1956. The ’41 “Butterfly” Hahn stays local as well winding up at the Kensington VFD seen in photos as Engine 26. The Bethesda FD, Kensington VFD and B-CC Rescue Squad continue today under the Montgomery County Fire Rescue Service. The rest as they say is history. -RG

In the Beginning

Everything has a beginning and for me and the world of blogging this is it. That means the old man is learning a few new tricks. The purpose of this blog is to discuss and promote various topics related to the Fire Department as well as aspects of my home based and directly related endeavor Rustys Rosters.

Some background first. Rustys Rosters was born in late 1999 as a "book" about the Fire Department for various localities around greater Washington DC. Each book included for its particular subject locality (Arlington County VA was the first) current station apparatus listings, other relavent info and data as well as historic info on fire department evolution. This is info I have gathered over the years and as an "obsessive compulsive know it all" am able to retain in my head and articulate to others so as to share. These books were designed as guide for those following specific localities as sort of an anything you wanted to know reference. Yes it catered to fire apparatus as well as fire service history buffs including photographers aka fire-pixers.

As these soft cover spiral bound roster books gained in popularity I began covering Alexandria, Fairfax County in Virginia, Washington DC plus Montgomery County and Prince Georges County in Maryland. Then came Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Baltimore City and Howard County. Whew this all became a bunch of work! Somewhere along the way I also added color photos something that certainly enhanced each but also added to the cost and the work to produce them. Then as the decade of Y2K progressed, it seemed everythings especially apparatus fleets began to change at a frequency not before seen. So began a pattern -I'd get a book updated for sale, then nothing then just about the time say 5 new engines and 3 ambos are delivered come a slew of orders. The old man found himself pulling his hair out just to fill orders.

Now throw a few personnal crisies and a move to the Eastern Shore in there and it was time to move on to a different product if you will. Yes we tried the "big books" as they came to be known in 3-ring binders. We also began listing these for sale on our Ebay Store "Bayside-Boyz". This combined with direct marketing the transition went well. Still there were too many pages to have to constantly update just because a few new rigs get delivered. It was time to evolve further, so the rosters were meshed into multi-juresdictional products stapled -and for far less $$$. DC-MD Metro, NoVa Metro, Southern Maryland as they are today, printed with card stock covers and mailed. As for the historic stuff, something I have come to enjoy as much of not more than today's massive wagons and monster medics those became works of their own. Similar style books followed on Loudoun County Virginia, Montgomery County and Prince George's County in Maryland. We ran with his format until about late 2008 when the economy tanked and sales dropped considerably. Great time for changes and enhancements.

So after a bit of a hyatus, Rustys Rosters as of August 2009 is back but this time is a bit different. Instead of printed on paper books we have instead Books on CD. These are in pdf format, the CD burned with each book and associated files of related maps and indexes. Initially, the idea was to e-mail these direct as E-Books. Ebay however does not allow this so for now we have just the CD versions. Currently available are several multi-juresdictional rosters and various history works including a new History of Washington DC and its Fire Service and a Fire Rescue Apparatus History also for Washington DC. This goes along with the ever popular and improved Fire Station History Guide for Washington DC. Others are available and in the works for other localities. The future may also bring a web site, E-books direct e-mailed and only if by popular demand the old printed on paper versions. We also expect to probably add photos at some point but thats a job unto itself. So without further ado, heres the link to our store:

http://stores.ebay.com/Bayside-Boyz.

We just have a all or general inventory but as the store expands new categories will follow including one specifically for Rustys Rosters. Do check back here often as we plan to ad info on our works plus other fire department and apparatus related discussions, images and the like. We will also post requests for info related to other efforts in progress like apps history on Montgomery County Maryland. Thank you all of your patronage and support and do visit often.