Upper Montgomery County Volunteer Fire Department

Beallsville, MD

  • Home
  • About
  • Contact Us
  • FAQ’s
  • Donate
  • Calendar
  • Join Us
  • Members
  • Gallery
  • Links
  • Rental
  • CPR Classes
  • 2020 Golf Event
  • Reflective Addr Signs
  • Member’s Only Section

About

The UMCVFD was created, built, and supported by the members of the community in the western part of Montgomery County. Community involvement is the critical component responsible for the success of this organization. Whether through direct involvement as a firefighter/rescuer, Auxiliary member, Corporate member, or providing crucial support at fundraisers or other department events, the community plays an important role in the Fire Department.

Station Photos

The stimulus to organize a volunteer fire department came from the Monocacy Lions Club. In 1945 a committee was formed to explore the feasibility of starting a new fire department. The first meeting of the new fire department was held January 7, 1946. On April 26, 1946 a charter was signed creating the Upper Montgomery County Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. The 5 signers of the charter were from each of the 5 major communities of Barnesville, Beallsville, Dawsonville, Dickerson, and Poolesville. Prior to this time, fire and rescue services were provided from Rockville, Gaithersburg, or the city of Frederick.

In January 1947 a bond issue was authorized by the State of Maryland in the amount of $35,000.00 along with the legislation approving a property tax of up to 10 cents per $100.00 of assessed property value within the department's first due area. In addition to this the First National Bank (now AllFirst) in Poolesville approved a loan of $30,000.00. A site was selected that would be as centrally located to the five towns as possible. Several parcels near the intersection of Route 28 and Route 109 were combined to create the lot on which the firehouse would be built. The lots were donated by the Howard Griffith family, the T. Lloyd Grubb family, and the Carlton Van Emon family. Construction began in the summer of 1947 for a contract price of $35,000.00. A ceremony was held July 26, 1947 at which time the cornerstone was set and a time capsule was placed behind the cornerstone.

The first election was held on April 8, 1947 with the following officers being elected: President Charles Davis, VP Lloyd Jones Jr., Secretary Erskine Hamilton, and Treasurer Carlton Van Emon. Bill Griffith was appointed Acting Chief due to his experience with the Silver Spring Volunteer Fire Department. Bill served as Acting Chief until April 1948.

The first piece of fire apparatus was purchased in September 1947 at a cost of $8,300.00. It was a new Mack pumper with a 500 g.p.m. pump and 475 gallon water tank. This was housed at the Spring Valley farm, just east of Beallsville, until the firehouse was completed in 1948. A chain driven Cosmopolitan fire engine was donated by the Chevy Chase Fire Department in 1948. This remained in service until 1953 when a Diamond T pumper replaced it.

In the beginning there was no central alarm facility. Fires were reported to the fire department members individually. Often a column of smoke was seen and the general location of the fire was all that was known. Three sirens were placed into service in Beallsville, Dickerson, and Poolesville to assist in alerting the members of an emergency. In 1950 the county government covered the entire county with a centralized dispatching service.

The first ambulance was placed into service in 1953. A used 1948 Buick was purchased with $2,500.00 donated by the Monocacy Lions Club. Bill Griffith was appointed Captain of the Rescue Squad. Les Thompson taught the first First Aid class.

The Ladies Auxiliary was formed in July 1946 with Emma Kohlhoss elected as the first president. The original membership numbered 87. The Auxiliary helped raise funds by holding card parties, white elephant sales, dinners, bingo, bazaars, and serving lunch at farm sales. The first fundraiser was a picnic held in Barnesville in September 1946 realizing a profit of $1,101.36. In March of 1955, a Marching Unit (Junior Auxiliary) was organized with 35 members. The first President was Vivian Weller. The Marching Unit represented the Fire Department at area parades, as well as assisting with fundraising activities. In 1980 the two groups formed a single Ladies Auxiliary and in 1982 became The Auxiliary.

The first two paid firefighters were hired in October of 1966 to supplement the volunteers during the day. This staff was increased to 3 in 1967. The paid personnel at UMCVFD were hired and managed by the Board of Directors until January 1988 when the Montgomery County Department of Fire and Rescue Services took over all of the career personnel throughout the county. The UMCVFD continues to provide services by a combined force of volunteers and a career staff of 6.

Facebook Feed

Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons

Upper Montgomery County Volunteer Fire Department

10 hours ago

Upper Montgomery County Volunteer Fire Department

Save the Date - Monday, July 4th - Poolesville 4th of July Fireworks ... See MoreSee Less

Save the Date - Monday, July 4th - Poolesville 4th of July Fireworks
View on Facebook
·Share

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email

View Comments
  • Likes: 9
  • Shares: 3
  • Comments: 0

Comment on Facebook

Upper Montgomery County Volunteer Fire Department

1 week ago

Upper Montgomery County Volunteer Fire Department

The Upper Montgomery County Volunteer Fire Department - Montgomery County Station #14 staying current on the aviation transport protocols from the Maryland State Police Aviation Unit in Frederick. ... See MoreSee Less

Play
View on Facebook
·Share

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email

View Comments
  • Likes: 8
  • Shares: 8
  • Comments: 0

Comment on Facebook

Upper Montgomery County Volunteer Fire Department

1 week ago

Upper Montgomery County Volunteer Fire Department

Fund Raiser - Pork & Beef Sandwich Sale - 11:00AM until Sold-Out
Saturday, May 14, 2022

Upper Montgomery County Volunteer Fire Department πŸ‘©β€πŸš’ πŸ‘¨β€πŸš’ πŸš‘ πŸš’
19801 Beallsville Rd, Beallsville, MD 20839

Sandwiches:
* Pork Sandwich....$10.00
* Beef Sandwich....$10.00

Platters include Cole Slaw and Baked Beans:
* Pork Platters...$15.00
* Beef Platters...$15.00

Drinks:
* Cold Soft Drinks...$1.00
* Gatorade..............$2.00

* Eat-In or Carry-Out
* Come Early as selling out happens unexpectedly quick
... See MoreSee Less

Fund Raiser - Pork & Beef Sandwich Sale - 11:00AM until Sold-Out
Saturday, May 14, 2022
Upper Montgomery County Volunteer Fire Department πŸ‘©β€πŸš’ πŸ‘¨β€πŸš’ πŸš‘ πŸš’
19801 Beallsville Rd, Beallsville, MD 20839 
Sandwiches:
* Pork Sandwich....$10.00
* Beef Sandwich....$10.00
Platters include Cole Slaw and Baked Beans:
* Pork Platters...$15.00
* Beef Platters...$15.00
Drinks:
* Cold Soft Drinks...$1.00
* Gatorade..............$2.00
* Eat-In or Carry-Out
* Come Early as selling out happens unexpectedly quick
View on Facebook
·Share

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email

View Comments
  • Likes: 13
  • Shares: 36
  • Comments: 0

Comment on Facebook

Upper Montgomery County Volunteer Fire Department

2 months ago

Upper Montgomery County Volunteer Fire Department

George T. Hillard - Chief for 39+ years …. Will be truly missed by UMCVFD & Our Community ... See MoreSee Less

Link thumbnail

Chief Emeritus George T. Hillard | Barnesville MD | Hilton Funeral Home

www.hiltonfh.com

Obituary for Chief Emeritus George T. Hillard by Hilton Funeral Home based in Barnesville, MD.
View on Facebook
·Share

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email

View Comments
  • Likes: 33
  • Shares: 3
  • Comments: 0

Comment on Facebook

Upper Montgomery County Volunteer Fire Department

2 months ago

Upper Montgomery County Volunteer Fire Department

The Upper Montgomery County Volunteer Fire Department mourns the passing of Chief Emeritus George Hillard.

Chief Hillard has many accomplishments to his name. Chief Hillard was Fire Chief at Montgomery County Station #14, UMCVFD, for 39 years, retiring as Chief in 1998.

Chief Hillard leaves a legacy of excellent emergency services to the greater Poolesville area, and across Montgomery County.
... See MoreSee Less

The Upper Montgomery County Volunteer Fire Department mourns the passing of Chief Emeritus George Hillard.
Chief Hillard has many accomplishments to his name. Chief Hillard was Fire Chief at Montgomery County  Station #14, UMCVFD, for 39 years, retiring as Chief in 1998. 
Chief Hillard leaves a legacy of excellent emergency services to the greater Poolesville area, and across Montgomery County.Image attachment
View on Facebook
·Share

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Linked InShare by Email

View Comments
  • Likes: 133
  • Shares: 74
  • Comments: 52

Comment on Facebook

Great Chief

πŸ™πŸ™πŸ™

Respect πŸ™

A great man ❀️

So sorry for your loss, he was a great man, thoughts and prayers to the family πŸ™ πŸ™β€

The best ever!! πŸ’”πŸ’”

Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family!! Rest Easy Chief!!πŸ™πŸ™πŸ™πŸ™

May he Rest In Peace πŸ™β€οΈ

πŸ™

He was the best! Great man

Our thoughts and prayers for the family during this difficult time. He was a wonderful man who inspired many.

Awwww I’m so sorry to hear this. What a wonderful man he was. I spent my life admiring this wonderful soul! Sending love light and prayers to all of the Hilliard. Family!πŸ™πŸ™πŸ™

Great leader and mentor to many. Rest easy Big Chief

Condolences to the family πŸ™β€

So sorry for the loss of Chief Hillard. A great Chief! Rest in peace and condolences to his family.

My condolences

RIP Chief. πŸ™ Prayers to the Hillard Family. Poolesville has lost a true Hero.

He will forever be known as The Chief. He will be missed by many πŸ’”

He was a pillar in our community. He will be missed. Thinking of all his family during this difficult time.

Rest In Peace Chief! Great memories of you and the old days!

What a wonderful man. Sending prayers to the family πŸ™πŸ™

“Hold 141 & tank wagon “

Rest easy Chief. Thanks for paving the way.

He was such a nice man. He will be missed. Thinking of the family during this sad time.

πŸ™πŸ™πŸ™πŸ™

View more comments

Load more
Beallsville, MD
59°
scattered showers
94% humidity
wind: 7mph NE
H 79 • L 57
85°
Fri
91°
Sat
89°
Sun
Site proudly maintained by the Upper Montgomery
County Volunteer Fire Department
  • UMCVFD Intranet

Contact Information

Upper Montgomery County
Volunteer Fire Department
19801 Beallsville Road
Beallsville, MD 20839

Follow Us

Member Links

  • Member Login
  • Live-In Program

Phone

Emergency: 911
Phone: 301-972-8719

Account

  • Billing
  • Store
  • Check Email
  • Donate

Site proudly maintained by the Upper Montgomery CountyΒ Volunteer Fire Department

Site designed and hosted by FireCompanies.com


Copyright Β© 2022