A Short History of the Association

The Fire Service in Baltimore County began before America was a country, with the formation in 1763 of the Mechanical Company in what is now Baltimore City. In 1852 the City seceded from the County, taking with it the numerous Volunteer Fire Companies that had sprung up. In 1869 all of these volunteer companies were shut down, and replaced by a few career stations. These continued to more or less help the county until 1878.

In that  year two Baltimore County communities, Towsontowne and Waverly, decided that they needed organized fire protection and formed Volunteer Fire Companies. Over each of the one hundred twenty-one years that have followed, dedicated men and women have continued the tradition of neighbors helping neighbors in their time of need.  Some of the earlier companies have disappeared, while others have arisen, where population shifts have made their presence needed. Today, thirty-five Volunteer Fire, Rescue, Emergency Medical Services and Rehabilitation Companies, with over three-thousand skilled and dedicated men and women, protect Baltimore Countians. Two Associate Members provide rehabilitation service throughout the County.

On August 30, 1907 the volunteer companies joined together to create the Baltimore County Volunteer Firemen's Association. From its beginnings as a largely social organization, the Association has grown into a strong union of companies, whose elected officers are assisted by two full-time staff members, in spacious, modern offices. The Association provides the mechanism for the companies to govern their collective selves; establishing and enforcing standards on manning, training, apparatus construction and equipment. It is the way for the companies to interface with the Fire Department, County and State government. We can take just pride in our nine decades of serviced to the citizens of Baltimore County.

PAST PRESIDENTS OF THE BALTIMORE COUNTY VOLUNTEER FIREMEN’S ASSOCIATION