About 60 firefighters from four counties fought a house fire at 10236 Keysville Rd. near Emmitsburg early Sunday, according to Wayne Powell, public information officer for the Vigilant Hose Co. in Emmitsburg .

Powell said the single occupant of the home, Wayne Gorman, was found outside on the ground by the first firefighters on the scene at about 1 a.m. Gorman was treated for smoke inhalation on the scene but refused transport to a hospital. Powell also said the Red Cross was responding to the scene to assist Gorman.

The home was fully involved in flames when the first firefighters arrived according to Powell.

Also responding to the single-alarm fire were a safety and a tanker task force and at least one Maryland State Fire Marshal.

Property owner Richard Waybright arrived on the scene and said the farmhouse was more than 100 years old and belonged to the Glass family for many years.

Timmy Eckenrode named Vigilant 'Little Chief'
Originally published June 02, 2009
By Frederick News Post Staff Gina Gallucci-White

Emmitsburg -- It takes years for a fire company member to achieve the rank of chief.

Timmy Eckenrode, 10, is Little Chief at Vigilant Hose Co. 6 in Emmitsburg.

Timmy Eckenrode achieved that goal recently, and he will be turning 11 this month. He was named the Vigilant Fire Company's Little Chief of Fire Prevention.

"I was happy that I won," he said.

A panel of fire and rescue officials judged the contestants on interviewing skills and the ability to answer questions on fire prevention.

Eckenrode was one of three company volunteers to win a title.

Judges named Elyssa Cool as Vigilant's Miss Fire Prevention while Angela Javor won the company's Junior Miss Fire Prevention.

While the girls received crowns and sashes, Timmy got a firefighter bobble head as a trophy and a tie with "Little Chief" printed on it.

The Emmitsburg Elementary School student likes his trophy, and said he entered the contest because he likes talking about safety.

"Ever since I was 5 years old, I wanted to be a firefighter and a policeman," he said. "I moved to Emmitsburg and I live down the street from the fire hall now, and so--I kept running to watch the trucks go out when the fire siren" went off.

The advisers for the company's youth group, Junior Explorer Post, took notice and asked him to join.

"I was happy because now I get to come to the fire hall a lot to help with things, and I get to see the trucks and have fun," he said.--

The fifth-grader has been a member of the post since last year.

Spring Fling a Huge Success!

Emmitsburg, Md. - The First Annual Spring Fling is over and the reviews are a resounding, "Let's do it again"! With threatening weather all day long, nothing could dampen the spirits of the attendees. With plenty of canopied shelter, the enthusiastic crowd partook of merriment and fraternization. Members of the VHC, Auxiliary, Explorers, neighboring fire companies and the local community all pitched in to make this one for the books. While not everyone walked away with any of the $30,000 cash given away, none of the unfortunate ones seemed to mind. There were activities for most everyone and the Vigilant Hose Company never had so much fun giving away so much money. Many thanks to those who supported the event by buying tickets and particularly those who helped in so many other ways. Special thanks goes to Mt. St. Mary's University, Hobbs Trucking and the Guardian Hose Company of Thurmont.

Click here for a list of the winners

The past, present and future of volunteer fire companies
Originally published April 19, 2009
By Gina Gullucci-White

Frederick News-Post Staff

Many of Frederick County's oldest families can trace their lineage through fire companies. Several still have many members in the fire service today.

But volunteering at fire and rescue stations is not what it used to be -- not just in the county or the state, but nationwide.

As the pool of volunteers shrinks, the call volumes increase year after year.

Just last year, four companies and a substation had to ask for paid personnel, because they were unable to respond to all their calls.

Volunteers helped shape the county's fire service, but their role is changing.

It began with buckets

The history of the fire service in Frederick County dates back more than 240 years.

Seven volunteer fire companies have at least 100 years of organized service.

Fire protection in some towns originally was not organized into a company.

When a fire broke out, a bell would ring to summon volunteers who lived within walking distance.

The volunteers had been provided with buckets they brought along to use in a bucket brigade, passing water hand-to-hand down the line to the fire. Every able-bodied man was required by law to respond to fires. If they didn't, they had to pay a 12 1/2 cent fine.

Emmitsburg Road Mishap

Published: Friday, February 6, 2009 7:20 AM EST

In the Gettysburg Times

Two Gettysburg residents were airlifted to York Hospital following a one-vehicle crash on Emmitsburg Road Thursday morning in Cumberland Township. Police reported that Christine Harlow, 25, struck a tree in the 2600 block of Emmitsburg Road around 8:40 a.m. The driver and passenger, Theresa Harlow, age not known, suffered moderate to major injuries in the collision. Emergency personnel had to extricate Christine Harlow from the vehicle. A York Hospital source reported that both patients were listed in satisfactory condition by Thursday evening. The cause of the accident is still under investigation by township police. Barlow, Greenmount and Emmitsburg fire companies, Gettysburg and Emmitsburg ambulances, Medic 28, and STAT MedEvac and Life Lion helicopters responded.

For more pictures, click here

From explorer to fire company member -- in less than three years
Originally published January 29, 2009

By Gina Gallucci Frederick News Post Staff

EMMITSBURG -- When Elyssa Cool was looking to get involved in the fire service, her cousin David Stonesifer suggested she try the town's Junior Explorer Post 6.

After attending a meeting of the youth group, which is associated with the Vigilant Hose Company, she was hooked.

"I really enjoyed it," she said.

Elyssa Cool as volunteered with the Vigilant Hose Company for almost three years earning Rookie of the Year honors in 2007. She also volunteers with the Emmitsburg Ambulance Company and runs three to four calls a week.

Cool, 18, has been involved in the group for almost three years. She earned Rookie of the Year honors in 2007 and now serves as its president. In November, she became a full-fledged member of the company.

"It was exciting," Cool said. "(The other members) were really excited. They were really welcoming."

She also volunteers with the Emmitsburg Ambulance Company and runs three to four calls a week.

Cool is an award-winning volunteer.

As a part of leadership program Skills USA, Cool participated in a CPR/First Aid competition. After winning first place in the state, she went on to earn third place in the national competition in June 2008 in Kansas City, Mo.

She has also participated in regional team competitions that have garnered her first and second place awards.

The Emmitsburg resident spends most of her free time at the fire and ambulance companies.

Volunteering has given her the opportunity to meet different people and ride in the ambulance, which she enjoys, she said.

"I like being able to spend time helping other people," Cool said. "I'm generally a people person."

The 2008 Catoctin High School graduate is attending Frederick Community College and majoring in general studies. When she completes her courses, she plans to transfer to the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, to study paramedics.

Because she loves flying, Cool hopes to be a flight paramedic one day.

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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