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The VHC is excited to announce our partnership with an online Auction service that will directly benefit our company and the community based on the traffic and proceeds we generate. Click here for details.

Fall Cash Buster - September 18; Noon - 6pm

• Sponsored jointly by The Guardian Hose Company of Thurmont & The Vigilant Hose Company

• $50/Ticket; good for 2 people

• Prizes awarded every 5 minutes

• Similar to the Spring Fling, except half as many tickets available (1000 tickets for sale)

• $20,000 in prizes awarded (66% payout compared to Spring Fling)

• Still a Great Value and will be sure to be a Great Time!

• Food was rumored to be pulled pork &  the same great bbq chicken

• Held at the Thurmont Carnival Grounds

• Download the flier here or click here to visit The Guardian Hose Company page.

Two pedestrians killed, one injured after being struck by vehicle
By Stephanie Mlot of the Frederick News Post Staff

The Frederick County Sheriff's Office received the call at 11:20 a.m. for an SUV that struck at least one other vehicle, also an SUV, and three pedestrians outside of the American Legion post, said Cpl. Jennifer Bailey of the Sheriff's Office.

One woman was pronounced dead on the scene. Two pedestrians were flown to the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore, where a man was pronounced dead, Bailey said. A second woman continues to be treated at the hospital.

The driver of the striking vehicle was identified as a woman, who remained at the scene after the accident. The sheriff's office declined to provide additional information about the driver or the pedestrians.

The Rev. Vincent O'Malley, of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church on North Seton Avenue, was greeting people after mass when he heard "this bang of car against car," he said.

Among the group of about 200 people exiting church just after 11 a.m., O'Malley remembered seeing a red SUV shooting diagonally up the street.

"Three people were hit," he said. "Three people were lying in the road."

O'Malley said the pedestrians were a husband and wife, and mother, but was unsure of which victim's mother.

The Sheriff's Office is continuing the investigation.

County Fire Museum and National Fire Archives Coming to Town

Activity in the former home of the Emmitsburg Ambulance Company at 300 South Seton Avenue has been evident since the Board of County Commissioners for Frederick County signed a lease with the Frederick County Fire & Rescue Museum and Preservation Society, Inc.  The society has been working hard to find a location for a permanent museum for the Frederick County fire and rescue service for over 10 years.

The former Home of the Museum was in the City of Frederick on North Market Street until their very old building became unsafe to use.  In addition to a fire museum, the old ambulance building in Emmitsburg will also serve as the headquarters of the National Fire Heritage Center, Inc., an organization dedicated to the preservation of the documents and written archives of our nation’s fire service.  The museum society has agreed to sub-lease a part of the building to provide a home to the national initiative.

A number of local residents and members of the Vigilant Hose Company (VHC), along with members of the fire service from throughout Frederick County, have been working weekends to get the building ready for occupancy. “We are thrilled with the opportunity to develop a county fire museum and form a partnership with the National Fire Heritage Center to foster Emmitsburg as the heart of our nation’s fire service” , noted Chip Jewell, President of the Frederick County Fire & Rescue Museum.

Ronny Coleman, President of the National Fire Heritage Center, stated “We are absolutely delighted to begin this national effort to help preserve the documents and writings that have played a role in the foundation of our national fire service and fire protection efforts. The opportunity to be located in Emmitsburg just down the street from the National Fire Academy will provide even more interest and enthusiasm to our cause.”

VHC President Frank Davis and Fire Chief Chris Stahley have pledged the fire company’s support to the overall project including clean up duties, too.  It is hoped a “preview” of the museum will be open by the first weekend of October in time for those attending the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend.  As the proper permits are being processed with the county and town, the hard work continues to make these efforts a viable part of the Emmitsburg community.

~ Those interested in helping may contact Museum President Chip Jewell at the group’s mailing address:  Frederick County Fire Museum, P.O. Box 382, Emmitsburg, MD 21727.

To visit the National Fire Heritage Center website, click here.

Elyssa Cool chosen MSFA Miss Fire Prevention 2010-2011

By Amanda Soper June 21, 2010

Elyssa Cool, MSFA Miss Fire Prevention & Katy Norman, 1st Runner-Up from Cecil County

 Association's Miss Fire Prevention Contest last Monday, June 14, 2010 during the annual convention in Ocean City. Elyssa competed against 9 other young women from around the state. She attended a workshop Sunday morning, presented a five minute fire prevention presentation/interview with the judges on Monday morning, followed by the on-stage contest portion Monday afternoon.

There were approximately 30 people from Frederick Co. in the audience to hear Elyssa's name announced as the winner, including her fan club from the Vigilant Hose

 Company. Katy Norman from Cecil County was named MSFA Miss Fire Prevention 1st runner-up.

Elyssa did an amazing job in Ocean City, representing Frederick County. We are very proud of her! If you would like to invite Elyssa and/or Katy to attend your department function, their contact information will be made available in the members area.

For entire coverage of the competition, please click here.

Once again, our Spring Fling was huge success. This is due to the tremendous amount of support bestowed on us by many businesses, individuals and groups. It would be impossible to name everyone but the major contributors are Hobbs Trucking, Jubilee Foods, Mount St. Mary's, Guardian Hose Company of Thurmont, Jeff Sill & Sam Wivell. Many many others donated time, labor or equipment. Last but certainly not least, thanks to those of you who purchased tickets! We enjoyed your company and patronage. We hope to see you next year!

Pictures of the event will be posted here and our Facebook page. They may make it to Facebook first so if you want to see them sooner, log in there.

Download a list of the Winners here

Fire Chief saves man from burning building

Published April 9, 2010 by Pam Rigaux of The Frederick News Post

Fire Chief Chris Stahley

EMMITSBURG - Vigilant Hose Co. Fire Chief Chris Stahley entered a burning house Thursday afternoon in Emmitsburg. He rescued a man from the blaze at 700 E. Main St.

Stahley said the fire was in his neighborhood. When the call came in about 3:15 p.m., he walked over and saw flames flickering from the roof. "I started banging on the door," Stahley said. "It took a few minutes for someone to come."

Stahley told the man who answered the door, who later identified himself as Vincent Alimo, to get out of the house. Alimo said he was asleep and had no idea there was a fire until Stahley told him. Alimo said he told Stahley that two girls and a woman were in the house.

By that time, two Frederick County Sheriff's Office deputies had arrived, Stahley said. None of them was wearing protective gear. All three entered the smoky house, he said. They searched the house, including the upstairs, Stahley said. Confident no one else was inside, they came out.

By then, heavy fire had spread into the house through a sun porch, said Frank Davis, a Federal Emergency Management Agency official who was in the area and served as a spokesman.

Vigilant Hose Co. and other fire companies arrived and did a second search to confirm no one was inside, Davis said.

Firefighters wore breathing equipment to enter the house, Davis said. The interior firefighting lasted several minutes before the blaze was under control, he said.

The fire was caused by a man who was smoking on top of a porch outside the bedroom, said Marc McNeal, chief fire marshal with the Frederick County Division of Fire and Rescue Services. Ashes that were dropped ignited leaves on the porch, he said.

McNeal estimated the damage at between $10,000 and $15,000.

The house is a family residence and a state foster care residence for three adults in their 60s and 70s, he said.

The Maryland Department of Mental Health and Hygiene is arranging temporary housing for the older residents while the house is being repaired, McNeal said.

See the entire story with pictures

If We Can't Find You, We Can't Help You!

House numbers should be:

• In plain, block numerals on a contrasting background.
• Unobstructed and large enough to be seen from the road.
• Facing the street named in your address.
• Displayed at your driveway entrance if your house is not visible from the road or on a flag lot.

In an Emergency, Seconds Count! Clearly visible house numbers are vitally important in saving precious time when firefighters, police, or paramedics must respond to your home.

Thanks to Howard County Fire & Rescue for this content!

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