DEPARTMENT HISTORY

THE FORESTVILLE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT AND
LADIES AUXILIARY DEPARTMENT HISTORY

On December 18, 1930, a group of men, most belonging to the State Forestry Crew, met at Woodman
Hall in Forestville to begin the organization of their own fire department. Sixteen men attended plus
three fire chiefs from surrounding jurisdictions. Most of this meeting was devoted to discussion of
ways of organizing a fire department. A second meeting was held on January 13, 1931. State Forester
Winslow presided over the meeting and five more men showed up. The first officers were elected at
this meeting. They were R.K. Small, President; Walter A Randall, Vice President; Norman H. Collins,
Treasurer; and D.M. Sansbury, Secretary.

The Department was incorporated on March 5, 1931. With the Department now organized, the next
step was to erect a building. A committee was formed to look into the cost of building a firehouse on
a donated 50 foot by 100 foot piece of property. At the next meeting, it was decided to construct a 24
foot by 30 foot building for a cost of $850. The membership donated the materials and labor to defray
the cost of the construction. On June 27, 1931, the foundation was laid for the new building.

Four months later, in October, a motion was made to purchase the first piece of equipment from
Silver Springs VFD. It was a 1927 American LaFrance International 500gpm pumper at a cost of $2,500.
The approval to purchase this pumper was given during the first meeting held in the firehouse. Just
prior to that, a meeting was held in which Albert Randall was elected the first Chief of the Department.
Mr. Randall served that office until 1945.

After one year of operation, the books of the Department were audited. The following report was
inserted in the minutes of the meeting for future reference. “Gentlemen, in auditing the books of the
Company, we find there has been a total of $2,193.28 received by donations and other sources of
income. We feel that this is a record for a new company on one year of existence.”

The first Country meeting held in Forestville was on April 13, 1932. On Labor Day in 1932, they
attended their first parade. It was held in Washington, DC. Also in September 1932, the Department
joined the Maryland State Firemen’s Association. However, the funds of $13 to do this had to be
borrowed. Funds began to become scarce.

On October 3, 1932, the Department was accepted into the Prince George’s County Volunteer
Firemen’s Association and was designated as Company 23. A new pumper arrived shortly after this;
however, it did not have a bell. Mrs. Nellie Sansbury donated a bell to the Department in memory of
her late husband. The first payment on the American LaFrance was made January 2, 1933. The final
payment was made at the end of 1935 and an oyster supper was held to celebrate.

Dispatching fire calls was a difficult and challenging operation in those days. During the 1930’s, the
members of Forestville met this challenge with a most unique solution. At the time, David Randall
lived in a large house next to the firehouse. In those days, the only phone service in Forestville was
on a rural party line. The firehouse and Chief Randall were on the same party line. If there was an
emergency, citizens would call the firehouse. When the ring was heard in the Randall home, Mrs.
Randall would answer the phone. After obtaining the necessary information, she would run across a
field to the firehouse and activate the siren. She would then wait at the station for members to arrive
and inform them of the location and nature of the call. In later years, the system was modernized. A
siren switch was installed at the Randall’s home.

As fire service demands increased, the need for more equipment increased. It was decided on
January 9, 1939, to order a new 500gpm Darley pumper on a Ford chassis. In 1942, a brush truck was
built on a 1938 Chevrolet farm truck chassis by the members. Also at this time, two additional engine
bays were added to the firehouse. On May 4, 1942, a used 1937 Ford ambulance was purchased for
$300. It responded on fire calls with the pumper in the event that a firefighter was injured. It was also
used to transport members and their families to the hospital in case of illness or accident.

During the war years, older members and junior members were responsible for providing the
operations of the Department. By the end of the war, equipment and facilities were in need of much
repair. Funds were decreasing, while expenses were increasing. As a result, a fire tax was put on
public referendum in 1948 and successfully passed. The monies were used to purchase new
equipment and eventually a new firehouse.

In 1950, a new Pontiac ambulance was purchased to replace the 1937 Ford. In 1951, the first new
piece of equipment was ordered since 1939. It was a 500gpm American Marsh built on a Ford chassis.
Two years later, in 1953, a new Chrysler ambulance was acquired. In 1954, the Department purchased
a new 500gpm front mount American Marsh on a Ford chassis. This was designed for rural fire
protection and was mounted on a short wheel base for easier maneuverability. On May 16, 1955, the
Department purchased approximately one half acre of ground. This was to be the site of the new
station, and in April 1956, ground was broken. The building was completed that November for a cost
of $90,000.

On October 11, 1951, eleven ladies got together with organizers Dorothy Zundel and Nettie Fox to
form the Ladies Auxiliary to help the firemen. The first order of business was to elect officers. Pansy
Windsor was our first President serving from 1951 to 1953. Over the earlier years, the Ladies Auxiliary
assisted the Department by raising money for equipment by selling cooking ingredients, bake sales
and catering at donkey baseball games. They also helped sound the alarm when there was a fire as
well as washing all of the linens for the ambulances. In the new firehouse, the Department added a
large kitchen which the Ladies Auxiliary could use to start catering. Over the next few years, the
ladies raised enough money to stock the kitchen with a stove, steam table, sinks, cabinets and tables.

In February 1957, the Pontiac ambulance was sold to Brandywine VFD for $650. It was replaced by a
new Ford station wagon ambulance. On September 8, 1957, the new firehouse was dedicated. The
following year, the 1954 Ford pumper was replaced with a 1958 Peter Pirsch 750gpm on a Ford
chassis. At the same time, a majorette group was formed which brought many trophies to the
firehouse.

In the fall of 1959, a used 1948 Seagrave 500gpm pumper was purchased from the Jessup Fire
Department. This was used to fill the void of a pumper out of service due to a vehicle accident in
which several members were injured. In 1960, a GMC ambulance was purchased to replace the 1953
Chrysler ambulance. In 1962, we also purchased a new Chevrolet ambulance.

During this same period of time, it became apparent that there was a need for paid personnel support
during the daylight hours of 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The membership decided in October 1960 to hire one
man during the daytime. From 1960 to 1971, the paid roster grew from one to six men. In 1971,
Charter Government was instituted in Prince George’s County and brought about many changes in
the fire service. Paid personnel received salaries from the County rather than from the individual fire
department.

We purchased a new Ford American 750gpm pumper with a front mount pump in 1962. In 1966, we
purchased a Ward LaFrance 1000gpm pumper and in 1970 another Ward LaFrance 1000gpm pumper
was purchased. Accompanying them was a 1971 and 1972 Chevrolet Carry-all ambulances. We
burned our mortgage at the annual banquet in 1970 and immediately started an addition at a cost of
$92,000.

In 1973, Prince George’s County began to supply Chief’s cars to each station and in 1975, they began
to supply modular ambulances build to DOT specifications. In 1975, the Department sold the 1962
Ford-American to Huntingtown VFD to help defray the expenses of a new engine. The new engine
purchased was a 1975 Ford Bruco 750gpm with the chassis purchased by the Ladies Auxiliary. In
1979, the 1966 Ward LaFrance was sold and another Ford-Bruco was purchased, again the assistance
of the Ladies Auxiliary. The following year, a Mack/Four Guys 2500 gallon tanker was supplied by the
county. It was fitted with a 750gpm front mount pump. In 1986, after 16 years of service, the 1970
Ward LaFrance was replaced. Prince George’s County placed into service a 1986 Seagrave with a six
man cab, 1250gpm pumper with a 500 gallon booster tank and a 1986 Ford Box Ambulance. After
lengthy planning, the Department purchased a 1987 Hahn six man cab, 1250gpm pumper; again
through the assistance of the Ladies Auxiliary.

During the 80’s, the Department started a Turkey Shoot on Sunday afternoons during the fall and
winter and on Friday nights, we shared a Las Vegas Night fundraiser with District Heights VFD. Both
proved to be very profitable for many years. In 1989 and 1990, we proudly hosted two conventions for
the County Firemen’s Association. Also in 1990, we purchased a new Suburban Chief’s car. A new
brush truck was purchased in 1991.

During the early 90’s, the Department sold Christmas trees for a few years. Then in 1995, the
Department started a weekly Bingo on Sunday afternoons with the help of the Ladies Auxiliary. On
opening day, we had over 80 players and the crowd currently averages 95-100 players. It has been a
very profitable venture for the Department.

In 2000, we acquired from the Maryland Forestry Agency, a 1986 Chevrolet pickup truck to be used as
a brush truck and a 1985 Chevrolet Blazer to be used as a utility truck. In 2001, we purchased a new
2002 Ford Explorer Chief’s car and retired our 1990 Chevrolet Suburban Chief’s car. Throughout its
existence, the Department has always placed a strong emphasis on having the best equipment that
can be obtained and to have well trained and competent personnel.

The members are encouraged to include their family members in various social activities that the
Department provides. With this in mind, the Department has had an organized competition hook-up
team since 1957 and the Ladies Auxiliary has had a team since 1971. Their travels led them
throughout the State of Maryland and as far north as Mellenville, New York for their Fire Muster,
where the Department captured many trophies including Overall Grand Winner for the Out-of-State
teams. The best reward we have gained is the fellowship of the Mellenville VFD. Their members
always welcomed us into their firehouse and their homes every time we visited New York. We
bestowed Honorary Membership to the Mellenville VFD and its members. Over the years we have
remained very close to Mellenville even though the contests ended several years ago. Hours of
practice have earned the team countless trophies. The team members will also tell you that in
addition to the many hours of practice, there is a lot of team spirit and pride involved.

Over the years, the Ladies Auxiliary has raised money through catering, yard sales, craft fairs and
assisting with the Turkey Shoots, County Conventions, donkey baseball games, carnivals and bingo.
The Ladies Auxiliary has raised funds for many projects including fire truck chassis’ with the most
recent check of $75,000. It has always been our goal to work together for any project of the fire
department or the Auxiliary.

The Ladies Auxiliary members are also active on higher levels. Joyce Thorne and Elaine Huttenloch
have both served as President for the Prince George’s County Volunteer Fire/Rescue Association
Ladies Auxiliary, and President of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Maryland State Firemen’s Association.
Elaine Huttenloch is currently serving as Vice Chaplain for the County Ladies Auxiliary as well as
Chaplain for the County Firemen’s Association. She is also Past President of the Maryland Fire Chief’s
Association Ladies Auxiliary. Dorma Dealing served as Recording Secretary to the Maryland State
Ambulance and Rescue Association for many years. Sherrie Schrama also served as President of the
Prince George’s County Volunteer Fire/Rescue Association Ladies Auxiliary. We are very proud to
have Jennifer Johnson serving as an officer of the County Ladies Auxiliary, which will eventually lead
to her role as President, becoming the 4th member from Forestville to serve in this position. There
are many members of our Ladies Auxiliary currently serving on the County and State Auxiliary
committees.

We, the members of the Forestville Volunteer Fire Department and Ladies Auxiliary, are very proud
of our history. We have always strived to be the leading and guiding force for the young men and
women of our community. We are proud that James Randall, Sr. and LeRoy Norfolk served as
President of the Prince George’s County Volunteer Fire/Rescue Association. Also, we are very proud
to have had Albert Windsor and Robert Entwisle serve as Officers to the Prince George’s County
Rescue Squad Association. Both have been honored by having their names placed on Forestville’s
stone in the County Founders Circle at the Fire Service Building. Chief Paul Thorne served as
Chairman of the Chief’s Council and served as Volunteer Division Chief of the southern division of
the County. Paul’s name was placed on the Line of Duty stone at the Founders Circle on October 14,
2006. Frank Dealing served as President of the Prince George’s County Volunteer Fire/Rescue
Association, President of the Maryland State Ambulance and Rescue Association and President of the
International Rescue and Emergency Care Association. Chief Bill Huttenloch served as Volunteer
Battalion Chief 3 for our area of the county and as a member of the Board of Directors for the county
Association for 11 years. Our current Chief, Bobby Wilhite, also served as Battalion Chief for our
section of the county. Additionally, many of our members are serving committees for the County and
State Associations.

In 2001, the County supplied our Department with a new Deputy Chief’s car and a new Freightliner
ambulance. And in 2003, the Department purchased a new Pierce 1250gpm pumper. In 2004, we were
fortunate enough to receive a Federal Grant from the Department of Homeland Security to help with
the purchase of a new tanker. We purchased a 2005 HME (4Guys) 2500 gallon, 1250gpm, four man
crew cab tanker. The price of these two units was approximately $550,000 with $370,000 being raised
by the fire department and auxiliary.

The Department decided in July 2005, to dedicate the new pumper and tanker to the two active past
Chiefs, Paul Thorne and Bill Huttenloch, for all of their hard work as chiefs and the many hours put
into designing the two new pieces of equipment. On July 29, 2005 at our annual crab feast, Paul and
Bill were surprised when President Mark Worth and Chief Bobby Wilhite presented plaques
dedicating the 2005 HME (4Guys) Tanker to Paul Thorne and dedicating the 2003 Pierce Pumper to Bill
Huttenloch.

In these modern times of fire apparatus and rescue vehicles costing thousands of dollars, and with
the new impressive fire stations, we have indeed come a long way since that December day in 1930.
It has taken a lot of work and sacrifice to realize what we have today. The life of a volunteer fireman is
a proud and good one. It has made men out of boys, providing guidance to allow them to become a
credit to their country, community and family. It provides training and knowledge that not only saves
lives and property; it is also helpful throughout life as well. We are a proud and dedicated group, who
function daily without any compensation, other than the appreciation of those whom we serve. The
united effort of the Forestville Volunteer Fire Department and Ladies Auxiliary have given our
Department a continued strong foundation and has given our community the best that any fire
service can give to its citizens.