(4/1) The Graceham Volunteer Fire Company will be celebrating its 60th year since its incorporation, even though the organization itself has been around much longer. It was around 1917 when the idea of having fire protection in Graceham first came about. It is believed to have been inspired by the great fire of Creagerstown,
which had happened just a few years earlier. Although many records have been lost, we do know that the original fire company joined the Frederick County Fireman’s Association in 1936.
Leslie Sovocool, Sr., one of the original incorporators, served as chaplain of the Frederick County Fireman’s Association for about 15 or 20 years, during which he gave many talks in houses and fire stations around Frederick County. He was a minister, schooled at Moravian College, Brown University, and Princeton Theological Seminary. He
also served as a director of the Works Project America (WPA) during the Great Depression. Some of the other early members before the company incorporated were Raymond Boller, Elmer Buhrman, Luther Buhrman, George Fox, Lloyd Grushon, Frank Lawrence, William Troxell Clyde Young, Earl Young, and Ralph Young.
Early fire protection
In early times, the fire company had a 100-gallon, hand-pulled Ajax tank. It was used for many years around the community until it was destroyed in a barn fire in 1954. A fire pond was built in 1935, at the east end of town, under the WPA program, on ground owned by the Graceham Moravian Church. The pond holds 100,000 gallons of water at
full capacity. A 99-year lease was signed, allowing the fire company to use and maintain the fire pond. Today, the fire pond is still used as a source of water for drafting, but is also used to supply water to the church’s sprinkler system.
The early fire company was also responsible for the erection and maintenance of town streetlights. They would have carnivals and church dinners to raise funds for this cause.
Incorporation
The late 1950s saw controversy within the town. Graceham residents were debating the need for a fire company, and a meeting was held in the basement of the Graceham Moravian Church to discuss the issue. Some citizens wanted to form a civic group, disband the fire company, and let other neighboring communities cover any fires in the town.
The outcome of that meeting was to let the civic group take care of the streetlights, and the fire company would take care of the fire pond, fire protection of the town. Although an official decision was finally made, the townsfolk would remain split for several years. In April 1960, the new fire company incorporated and the first meetings were held in the
basements of people’s homes. The three men who incorporated the company were Leslie Sovocool, Sr., Leslie Sovocool, Jr., and Richard Waynet. The first meeting of the newly incorporated Graceham Volunteer Fire Company was held in the basement of Richard Waynet’s home.
Building the station
The company was without an actual station during its first 2 to 3 years. Lack of their own place to meet meant that they would continue meeting in member’s homes. In 1962, Mr. Stanley Rogan and his wife donated an acre of ground from their property off Graceham Road to build a station. It was given with a 100-year lease on the condition
that it was only used as a fire station. In 1963, the station, 40 x 40 foot with two 10-foot bay doors, was built for $4,500.
Acquiring apparatus
The first piece of fire apparatus purchased was a 1947 American LaFrance pumper from Branchville Volunteer Fire Company in Prince George’s County. The pumper was too old to meet county standards, so the company was unable to receive any tax money at the time to help with operating expenses. In 1996, the company contracted to have a new 1996
Ford Pumper built. It had a 750-gallon per minute front mount pump with a 500-gallon water tank. The new truck cost around $14,000. The company made a down payment of $2,500 and made payments until it was paid off 10 years later. After that, the following fire apparatus has been acquired over the years:
- 1968 – A five-quarter ton AMC Jeep with a 100-gallon tank.
- 1968-70 – A 1957 GMC Tanker with a 300-gallon per minute portable pump and 1,250-gallon tank.
- 1970 - A 1951 Ford Pumper with a 500-gallon-per-minute pump and a 500-gallon water tank, purchased from the Shepherdstown Volunteer Fire Company.
- 1979 - A new 1979 Ford Darlene with a 1,000-gallon-per-minute pump and 750-gallon tank.
- 1983 – A 1966 Fararr with a 375-gallon pump and 1,800-gallon tank.
- 1985 – A 1973 Dodge one-ton truck.
- 1994 – A 1982 Ford Pierce pumper 1,000-gallon-per-minute pump with a 750-gallon tank.
- 2001 - A International Engine Tanker with a 1,250-gallon-per-minute pump and a 1,800-gallon tank.
- 2008 – A 1990 Grumman with a 1,250 gallon per minute pump and a 1,000-gallon tank, purchased from Braddock Heights Fire Company.
Ambulance Service
In 1964, Glendale Fire Company donated a 1950 Cadillac ambulance, which had been an old U.S. Army ambulance. The company felt that starting an ambulance service would receive more calls and would spark more interest in membership. The members had been training and holding classes in CPR and advanced first aid with the city companies at the
new station. The Board of Directors voted not to use the 1950 Cadillac because it needed too much work to put into service. After taking some advice from the city companies, the fire company purchased a more up-to-date ambulance for $500. It was at this time the fire company officially began an ambulance service. The ambulance would run on all emergency medical
services and fire calls.
Over the years, the fire company continued to upgrade its ambulances, which included the following:
- 1968 – A 1963 Cadillac ambulance.
- 1969 – A 1965 Cadillac ambulance purchased from the Rockville Fire Company.
- 1977 – A 1972 Cadillac ambulance purchased from the Community Rescue Service in Hagerstown.
- 1980 – A 1979 Chevrolet ambulance with a dual wheel box.
- 1990 – A 1982 Ford Excellence ambulance.
In 1990, the fire company discontinued ambulance service and now only runs the Special Unit, which assists the ambulance crews and gives patient care prior to the ambulance’s arrival. In 2001, the fire company purchased a new Ford F-350 4X4 as a Special Unit.
Renovations
By the mid-1990s, it was clearly evident that the station was badly in need of repairs. The original station was 30 years old. There had been some minor additions in the 1970s but the fire company was outgrowing the station. Modern apparatus was simply too large.
In 1994, the company began a total renovation of the existing building, which included putting on a new roof, adding a 20 x 60-foot bay, and renovated the inside. The renovations were completed in three years, and, best of all, no money was owed. This was due to all the volunteers who helped, which saved all labor cost, and the fact that
the county chipped in to help buy the materials.
Fire prevention
The company has a strong fire prevention program. Volunteers do smoke detector checks, provide prevention literature for seniors, and educate elementary students at the schools about the importance of fire prevention.
In 1994, one of Graceham’s members, Kathleen Grady, became Miss Frederick County Fire Prevention Queen. In June 1995, she became the Maryland State Fire Prevention Queen, First Runner-up. Over the years, the program added an opportunity for young boys to be involved as well, such as adding the title of Junior Fire Chief. Other Fire
Prevention representatives from Graceham include Leigha Blake (Little Miss Fire Prevention Princess), Elizabeth Schuebel (Junior Miss Fire Prevention Princess), Meaghan Andrews (Miss Fire Prevention Princess), and Kamerin Jenkins (Junior Fire Chief).
