SINGERLYFIRECOMPANY
DedicationProgram
April27,2013
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Th_ Sing_rly Story
Volum_ II
1971—2013
Volume one shared the Singerly story up to 1971.
This edi�on carries the narra�ve forward from that point.
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In Memory of
The Singerly Fire Company dedicates this program book to the memory of E. Rosemary
Culley. The trailblazing public servant passed away in August 2012. During some 60-
years of volunteer service she rose through the ranks, serving Singerly in many ways.
Mrs. Culley served ac�vely on the housing commi.ee un�l the �me of her death.
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PROGRAM DEDICATION CEREMONIES
Sta�on # 13, Newark Ave., Elkton
Saturday April 27, 2013
Parade Downtown Elkton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 pm
Dedica�on and Housing following Parade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sta�on 13
Welcome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . President Donald S. Hicks
Masters Of Ceremony . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Russell Strickland & Frank Muller
Invoca�on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Father John Solomon - Company Co-Chaplain
Presenta�on of Colors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Harford County Honor Guard
Musical Interlude . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bagpipers Alec McLennan & Randy McLennan
Na�onal Anthem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ron Penhollow
Introduc�on of Officials and Guests
Remarks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . County Execu�ve Tari Moore
Dedica�on Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John Denver, President MSFA
Unveiling of Sta�on Plaque . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .; . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . President Hicks
Housing of Apparatus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Engine 3, Engine 13, Ambulance 391, Ambulance 392
Closing Remarks and House Keeping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Master of Ceremony
Benedic�on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rev. Karen Bunnell, Company Co-Chaplain
Presenta�on of Awards to be announced at the conclusion of judging
Time of Fellowship, beef and beer
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Building/Property Commi�ee
Victor Costa
Rosemary Culley
Willard Bryan
William Clark
John Dvorak
T. Joseph Gipson
Mollie Graham
Donald Hicks
David Meaders
John Norman
Adam Wolle
Architect, ABHA
Builder, Nowland Associates
Board of Directors
Donald Hicks, President
David Meaders
Mollie Graham
David Goodwin
C. Carson Widdoes
Willard “Butch” Bryan
John Dvorak
William McCall
Fred Hill
Joseph Zurolo
Phillip Sco.
T. Joseph Gipson
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1971 John C. Cooke
1972 Eugene Meekins
1973 John C. Cooke
1974 John C. Cooke
1975 John C. Cooke
1976 John C. Cooke
1977 John J. Turnbull, Jr.
1978 John J. Turnbull, Jr.
1979 John J. Turnbull, Jr.
1980 Rodney A. Founds
1981 Rodney A. Founds
1982 John J. Turnbull, Jr.
1983 John J. Turnbull, Jr.
1984 Donald S. Hicks
1985 Donald S. Hicks
1986 Donald S. Hicks
1987 Donald S. Hicks
1988 Donald S. Hicks
1989 Gary L. Hill
1990 Gary L. Hill
1991 Victor J. Costa
1992 Victor J. Costa
1993 Gary L. Hill
1994 Gary L. Hill
1995 David J. Meaders
1996 David J. Meaders
1997 Kevin J. Farrell
1998 Michael S. Steele
1999 Michael S. Steele
2000 Michael S. Steele
2001 David J. Meaders
2002 William Graham/Michael Steele
2003 Franklyn L. Lewis, Jr.
2004 Franklyn L. Lewis, Jr.
2005 Franklyn L. Lewis, Jr.
2006 Franklyn L. Lewis, Jr.
2007 Kenneth J. Streets
2008 Franklyn L. Lewis, Jr.
2009 Franklyn L. Lewis, Jr.
2010 William J. McCall
2011 William J. McCall
2012 William J. McCall
2013 Fred G. Hill, Jr.
Chiefs of Department
Chief Fred Hill
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1971 John W. Fears
1972 James Spry
1973 G. Mitchell Boulden
1974 G. Mitchell Boulden
1975 G. Mitchell Boulden
1976 William E. Denver
1977 William E. Denver
1978 C. Gary Storke
1979 C. Gary Storke
1980 William B. Clark
1981 William B. Clark
1982 William B. Clark
1983 G. Mitchell Boulden
1984 G. Mitchell Boulden
1985 William B. Clark
1986 William B. Clark
1987 William B. Clark
1988 William B. Clark
1989 William B. Clark
1990 William B. Clark
1991 William B. Clark
1992 William B. Clark
1993 Walter A. Morgan III
1994 Walter A. Morgan III
1995 Walter A. Morgan III
1996 Walter A. Morgan III
1997 Walter A. Morgan III
1998 Donald S. Hicks
1999 Donald S. Hicks
2000 Donald S. Hicks
2001 Donald S. Hicks
2002 Donald S. Hicks
2003 Donald S. Hicks
2004 Donald S. Hicks
2005 Donald S. Hicks
2006 Donald S. Hicks
2007 Donald S. Hicks
2008 Donald S. Hicks
2009 Donald S. Hicks
2010 Donald S. Hicks
2011 Donald S. Hicks
2012 Donald S. Hicks
2013 Donald S. Hicks
Presidents
Don Hicks
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1971 Michael L. Dixon
1972 Richard Goodwin
1973 William E. Denver
1974 William E. Denver
1975 James J. Eder
1976 Randolph Hague
1977 Charles Barton
1978 Charles Barton
1979 Steven G. Horah
1980 Steven G. Horah
1981 Steven G. Horah
1982 Lloyd R. Smith
1983 Lloyd R. Smith
1984 Lloyd R. Smith
1985 Lloyd R. Smith
1986 Steven G. Horah
1987 Janet R. Wolfe
1988 Janet R. Wolfe
1989 Janet R. Wolfe
1990 Janet R. Wolfe
1991 Lloyd R. Smith
1992 Lloyd R. Smith
1993 Lloyd Smith/Rosemary Culley
1994 E. Rosemary Culley
1995 E. Rosemary Culley
1996 E. Rosemary Culley
1997 E. Rosemary Culley
1998 E. Rosemary Culley
1999 E. Rosemary Culley
2000 E. Rosemary Culley
2001 E. Rosemary Culley
2002 E. Rosemary Culley
2003 E. Rosemary Culley
2004 E. Rosemary Culley
2005 E. Rosemary Culley
2006 E. Rosemary Culley
2007 E. Rosemary Culley
2008 E. Rosemary Culley
2009 E. Rosemary Culley
2010 E. Rosemary Culley
2011 E. Rosemary Culley
2012 E. Rosemary Culley/Nicole Norman
2013 Steven G. Horah
Secretaries
1971 L. Hampton Sco.
1972 F. Gaylord Moody, Jr.
1973 L. Hampton Sco.
1974 Walter E. Lee
1975 Walter E. Lee
1976 Walter E. Lee
1977 Walter E. Lee
1978 Walter E. Lee
1979 Walter E. Lee
1980 Walter E. Lee
1981 Walter E. Lee
1982 Walter E. Lee
1983 Walter E. Lee
1984 Walter E. Lee
1985 Walter E. Lee
1986 Walter E. Lee
1987 Walter E. Lee
1988 Walter E. Lee
1989 Walter E. Lee
1990 Walter E. Lee
1991 Walter E. Lee
1992 Walter E. Lee
1993 Walter E. Lee
1994 Walter E. Lee
1995 Walter E. Lee
1996 Walter E. Lee
1997 Walter E. Lee
1998 Norman E. Marquess
1999 Norman E. Marquess
2000 Norman E. Marquess
2001 Norman E. Marquess
2002 Norman E. Marquess
2003 Norman E. Marquess
2004 Norman E. Marquess
2005 Norman E. Marquess
2006 Norman E. Marquess
2007 Norman E. Marquess
2008 Norman E. Marquess
2009 Norman E. Marquess
2010 Norman E. Marquess
2011 Norman E. Marquess
2012 Norman E. Marquess
2013 Norman E. Marquess
Treasurers
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1971 William B. Clark
1972 William Baker
1973 Larry J. Spry
1974 Earl Adams
1975 William B. Clark
1976 William B. Clark
1977 Frank W. Muller, Jr.
1978 Frank W. Muller, Jr.
1979 N. Keith Sinclair
1980 Shirley E. Herring
1981 Shirley E. Herring
1982 Michael L. Dixon
1983 Michael L. Dixon
1984 Michael L. Dixon
1985 William Baker
1986 Gerald Widdoes
1987 Joseph L. Fisona
1988 Joseph L. Fisona
1989 T. Joseph Gipson
1990 T. Joseph Gipson
1991 Joseph L. Fisona
1992 Phillip B. Sco.
1993 Phillip B. Sco.
1994 T. Joseph Gipson
1995 N. Kay Trego
1996 N. Kay Trego
1997 N. Kay Trego
1998 Kathleen Morgan Browne
1999 N. Kay Trego
2000 N. Kay Trego
2001 Janet Wolfe
2002 Robert F. Muller
2003 Robert F. Muller
2004 Robert F. Muller
2005 Robert F. Muller
2006 Robert F. Muller
2007 N. Kay Trego
2008 Phillip B. Sco.
2009 Phillip B. Sco.
2010 Andrew M. Budzialek
2011 Andrew M. Budzialek
2012 Robert F. Muller
2013 Cheryl Norman
Ambulance Director/Asst. Chief for EMS
1971 Walter A. Morgan III
1972 Walter A. Morgan III
1973 Walter A. Morgan III
1974 John W. Fears
1975 Donald S. Hicks
1976 Donald S. Hicks
1977 Donald S. Hicks
1978 Victor J. Costa
1979 Norwood Atkinson
1980 Norwood Atkinson
1981 Norwood Atkinson
1982 Joseph G. Zurolo
1983 Joseph G. Zurolo
1984 Shirley E. Herring
1985 Shirley E. Herring
1986 Shirley E. Herring
1987 Shirley E. Herring
1988 Shirley E. Herring
1989 Shirley E. Herring
1990 Shirley E. Herring
1991 Shirley E. Herring
1992 Shirley E. Herring
1993 Shirley E. Herring
1994 Shirley E. Herring
1995 Shirley E. Herring
1996 Shirley E. Herring
1997 Shirley E. Herring
1998 Shirley E. Herring
1999 Shirley E. Herring
2000 Shirley E. Herring
2001 Shirley E. Herring
2002 Shirley E. Herring
2003 Shirley E. Herring
2004 Shirley E. Herring
2005 Shirley E. Herring
2006 Shirley E. Herring
2007 Shirley E. Herring
2008 Shirley E. Herring
2009 Shirley E. Herring
2010 Shirley E. Herring
2011 Michele M. Debold
2012 Michele M. Debold
2013 Michele M. Debold
Membership Secretary
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1971 Mar�n Ruckman
1972 Walter Trego (ac�ng)
1973 James Brewster
1974 James Brewster
1975 Vince McMahon
1976 Vince McMahon
1977 Walter Trego
1978 Ernest Null
1979 Russell Strickland
1980 David Goodwin
1981 David Goodwin
1982 David Goodwin
1983 David Goodwin
1984 David Goodwin
1985 David Goodwin
1986 Joseph Skelley
1987 Joseph Skelley
1988 Joseph Skelley
1989 Joseph Skelley
1990 Joseph Skelley
1991 Joseph Skelley
1992 Joseph Skelley
1993 Joseph Skelley
1994 James Norman, Sr
1995 James Norman, Sr
1996 Joseph Skelley
1997 Walter Trego
1998 Walter Trego
1999 T. Joseph Gipson
2000 T. Joseph Gipson
2001 T. Joseph Gipson
2002 T. Joseph Gipson
2003 T. Joseph Gipson
2004 T. Joseph Gipson
2005 T. Joseph Gipson
2006 T. Joseph Gipson
2007 T. Joseph Gipson
2008 Michael Norman, Sr.
2009 Michael Norman, Sr.
2010 Michael Norman, Sr.
2011 Michael Norman, Sr.
2012 Michael Norman, Sr.
2013 T. Joseph Gipson
Engineers
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The nearly one hundred year old fire bell that had stood watch over Elkton for decades, arousing fire-
fighters from their slumbers in the dead of winter nights or calling them from their labors on hot sum-
mer days was ringing out for everything that an octogenarian could put forth on a Saturday in May
1971. Years ago, before electronic alarms silenced it, this instrument mounted in the belfry high atop
the town’s first fire sta�on, alerted volunteers when a blaze threatened the community.
But on this spring aNernoon that unmistakable, deep bass reverbera�on booming from the relic of an
earlier age was ringing out because two Singerly members were tugging on the gong. Their yanking
wasn’t because of some emergency as the modern organiza�on had radio controlled devices, personal
pagers, and shrill electronic sirens to take care of those alerts. Instead these two veterans were marking
a special occasion with the help of the cast iron instrument, the dedica�on of the company’s newest fire
sta�on at the edge of town.
Singerly had last opened a sta�on in 1950 in the center of the town. But this celebra�on in a spring 42
-years ago marked the start of tremendous professional advancement as the organiza�on emerged out
of a simpler mid-20th century past where volunteers fought fires and hauled people to the hospital.
To start with, beginning this day the company commenced answering calls out of two sta�ons as the
volunteers expanded to serve the growing rural parts of its territory. Out in the countryside, many of
those old farm fields that once sprouted corn were now growing housing developments as a replace-
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ment crop in the expansive territory of 82 square miles. It is a first due district that stretches from the
Pennsylvania and Delaware lines to five or six miles south and west of Elkton. So in a profession where
seconds count the �me for building addi�onal firehouses for residents of outlying areas had arrived.
But as members and the community reflected on that loud echoing up on Newark Avenue it brought
forth memories of horses, steam engines, hose carts and hook and ladder, an en�rely different era of
firefigh�ng, to some in the crowd. In the large assembly of fellow firefighters, public officials, Maryland
State Firemen’s Associa�on Officers, and the public was 90-year-old John J. Denver. As a young man
growing up in Elkton he joined in 1906 and was one of the senior members, having served the ci�zens
for 65-years. There was also Harry Denny, another 90-something who remembered the early days of
steam-powered firefigh�ng and the department’s benefactor, William Singerly.
These were members who recalled racing out of the first North Street sta�on on cold winter evenings
to answer alarms. A team of galloping horses pulled the Amoskeag Steamer past the old courthouse
and down the street, while usually right behind them a group of men tugged strenuously on the
Gleason and Bailey Hook and Ladder. And if it was a general alarm they would roll out the two hose
carts, which wouldn’t be far behind. These were the sorts of recollec�ons those proud veteran fire-
fighters would have though of on that important day.
The master of ceremonies for the dedica�on was G. Mitchell Boulden, the president of the company
from 1950 un�l 1962. Following remarks by President Jack Fears, Chief Jack Cooke, poli�cians and fel-
low firefighters, the tradi�onal housing of equipment took place. Members of visi�ng fire companies
gave the engines and an ambulance a push into the new firehouse.
Those present that day observed a moment of silence in memory of Ernest Foster., Sr., as the compa-
ny dedicated the program book to his memory. Mr. Foster served the organiza�on for over thirty years.
President Fears said his contribu�ons while holding office as a director, secretary, treasurer and chief of
department had make it possible for the dedica�on of the new building. Following the formal ceremo-
ny the new firehouse was open for inspec�on to the public and there were free rides on the snorkel
and pumper. The day’s fes�vi�es concluded with a banquet.
Although plenty of volunteers reflected on their previous fights with the flames and smoke that day,
bigger changes were in the works in the upcoming decades. In 1971, the first responders protected a
territory with 17,000 residents while forty some years later the popula�on has nearly tripled, with the
company protec�ng nearly 50,000 people. The call volume for Emergency Medical Services has soared
from 1,100 to over 6,000, while the fire response has climbed from 300 to over 1000 dispatches. To
provide the response the community expected, the department ran 6 engines, one truck, 1 tanker, 2
brush trucks, and 3 ambulances in the mid-1970s.
By the dawn of the 1970s, the na�on was ready to use its trauma-care experience from the Vietnam
War to improve survival from accidents and medical emergencies; the days when someone with li.le
training could drive to an accident scene, bundle the injured into the back of the ambulance, and cart
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them off to the hospital were quickly fading. In the first step toward providing pre-hospital emergency
care, fire company members started comple�ng the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) courses in
1972, when the first program in Cecil was held at Sta�on 13. This training expanded capabili�es well be-
yond those of earlier personnel; now they were learning techniques such as pa�ent assessment, cardio-
pulmonary resuscita�on, and fracture and shock management.
Singerly graduated the county’s first class of Advanced Life Support (ALS) providers in 1978, launching
the path to today’s modern EMS system. When the group of five taught by Frank Muller, hit the road
that year they could push drugs, defibrillate pa�ents and provide other advanced treatments under the
supervision of the Emergency Room physicians at Union Hospital. In that �me, as the creden�aling pro-
cess had not evolved to its advanced state of today, they were called paramedics. In Muller’s gradua�ng
group were George Johnson, Shirley Herring, Mike Dixon, David Herring, and Keith Sinclair. These volun-
teer ALS caregivers, answering calls from Warwick to Rock Springs, supported Basic Life Support provid-
ers throughout the county.
The increased conges�on on the road and calls for heavy industrial rescues created demands for spe-
cialized pieces of extrac�on equipment and vehicle rescue training. Singerly acquired its first specialized
rescue truck with many heavy response capabili�es in 1979. The company also acquired the Jaws of Life
entrapment tool.
A group of trailblazing volunteers came along in the mid-1970s, although they never dwelled on it.
This group broke barriers for women by becoming the first female members of the company as they
took ambulance training and started responding on medical calls. Rosemary Culley, Helen Atkinson, Ru-
by Spry, Anne Boulden and Shirley Herring were part of a group of who became the first female fire
company members in 1975 and 1976. ANer comple�ng an intensive EMT course, this group learned the
ropes and passed a demanding examina�on. Soon they were answering ambulance calls alongside male
colleagues. They never considered it a big deal but in later years, other young women joining the service
had female emergency responders for role models that weren’t available to those 1970s trail-blazers.
In 1984 the first female firefighter, Michele M. Debold, joined the company, advancing to the rank of
Deputy Chief. About that �me the
first African-American, Lester Alexan-
der, became an Elkton firefighter.
In 1978, Singerly opened a sta�on in
the far northern part of its territory
some seven miles from Elkton. Sta�on
14 at Kenmore served Fair Hill, Provi-
dence, Lewisville, Appleton, Cherry Hill
and other parts of the area most re-
mote from the county seat. It was
dedicated to Edgar (Speck) Slaughter
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Jr. who was chief from 1960 to 1969, President Gary Storke noted during dedica�on remarks.
Rigorous training became the standard, as the 1970s faded into the ‘80s. Originally it was basic, con-
sis�ng of 60-hours of fire suppression techniques, some elementary first aid, and perhaps a couple of spe-
cial schools. Proba�onary recruits were welcomed with a handshake and provided with turnout gear.
And when they climbed on the rear step of a unit, they were told to hang on during the ride by hooking an
arm through a bar stretched across the back of the engine. More than once a volunteer was jarred from
the rear step, as a truck raced to a blaze. Now there are na�onal standards, creden�als for prac�cally eve-
ry rank, and highly specialized schools in hazardous materials, heavy rescue, and advanced life support.
Also when a piece of apparatus rolls on a call, all the responders are buckled safely inside a cab wearing
highly specialized turnout gear.
Facing declining volunteer availability during the day�me, Singerly was instrumental in geRng the Mary-
land Legislature to pass a Volunteer Length of Service Award Program in 1985. The service award is a pro-
gram that encourages volunteers to con�nue to serve the community for decades and for this service they
are eventually able to collect a small s�pend aNer 25-years of service. On May 8, 1984, Governor Harry
Hughes signed the bill into law. Present at the signing were Singerly’s Larry Storke and Bill Denver. Also
there were Jim Penhollow, Delegate Ethel Murray, and Joe Biggs. This program has helped in the reten�on
of members over the years.
In 1992, the Company celebrated 100-years of service with a series of grand celebra�ons, including a
parade, historical reenactments, the reprin�ng of historical postcards, a formal black �e banquet, and the
commission of an oil pain�ng. As Singerly began planning its grand birthday in the mid-1980s, it started an
an�ques and collec�ble papers shows to aid in underwri�ng the cost of the big bash.
Two old veterans of many a fight with the flames, relics from the first half of the 19th century, were
hauled out of storage and transported by Jack Fears to the Nickle Mine Coach Shop in Chris�ana, PA.
There an Amish Carriage-maker, Chris�an Petersheim, carefully stripped away layers of paint, restoring the
old hand pumpers to their 19th century condi�on. Al Wills and Jack Robrecht of the Philadelphia Fire Mu-
seum, two experts in fire service history, aided the company by providing technical guidance and today
these valuable pieces are displayed in the museum.
Also in prepara�on for the observance, the firefighters commissioned Doylestown PA ar�st Gil Cohen to
produce an oil pain�ng and the company sold a limited edi�on print. When the company decided it want-
ed a unique scene showing the 19th century volunteers answering the alarm, they launched a search for
an ar�st who could accurately depict the technical nature of the seRng and capture the mood. The mem-
ber of the American Society of Avia�on Ar�sts and book illustrator, had done works for the United States
Coast Guard Bicentennial and for other major na�onal celebra�ons so he was selected.
A s�ckler for historical accuracy, Cohen did lots of research to recreate “the first alarm,” a scene from
another century. His first task was to visit Elkton to get a feel for the town and begin research for the pro-
ject. He walked down Main Street with a member of the Historical Society, studying old pictures and look-
ing at modern vantage points. He next u�lized company members dressed in turnout gear to pose for him
15
as he drama�cally portrayed their 19th-century counterparts. So on a cold Monday aNernoon in Febru-
ary 1992, Cohen had firefighters, including Bill Clark, Walter Lee, Bill Baker, Walter Morgan, Bill Caldwell,
Vince McMahon, and Walter Trego running down North Street and hanging off apparatus as bystanders
leaned over the railings on Howard House porch. As the sun set, long shadows became more apparent
on the buildings. It was just the look Cohen was aNer. His research also took him to fire museums in
Philadelphia where he interviewed experts on 19th-century apparatus and viewed old photos.
ANer he had visualized it all and completed his research, he submi.ed several rough sketches for the
company’s approval. Once the drawing was selected, the ar�st started to work on the oil pain�ng. Later
that year, the company unveiled Singerly’s Call to Alarm, a fiRng tribute to past firefighters who estab-
lished a tradi�on of service and to the present members who faithfully serve the community.
In 1992, Singerly opened a modern replacement Sta�on 3 on Route 40, which has easy access to the
main highway providing speedier eastern and western passage. It is located toward the growing south-
ern part of the first response district.
Despite the enhancements that were occurring problems were stacking up as calls for service increased
and the number of volunteers available in the day�me dwindled, amplifying concerns about �mely re-
sponse. The company tried many changes, but finally on Sept. 10, 2001, the first career personnel start-
ed a shiN at Sta�on 13 on Newark Avenue. And during that unforge.able week, Singerly become a com-
bina�on career volunteer system, as the company hired four professionals to staff the ambulances dur-
ing the day�me. They were Elizabeth Ansley, Donald Clemens, William Snyder and Curt Baldwin. Roger
Bowman supervised the career services department.
But this significant
opera�onal change
wasn’t what made it
a week that will live
on in memory for ev-
er. The excitement of
this important step
quickly diminished on
the second day, a
beau�ful Tuesday in
September, as the
na�onal warning sys-
tem, EAS, came to life
with urgent warnings
and television news
transmi.ed scenes of airplanes crashing into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. This terrorist
a.ack irrevocably changed the fire service, as jarred colleagues mourning the loss of around 400 first re-
sponders, quickly realized that the age of terror now made the homeland a primary target. The era
16
when fires, hazardous material spills, medical emergencies, natural disasters and such were the opera-
�onal focus faded rapidly away that autumn week. Singerly now has nine paid firefighters/EMS person-
nel working around-the-clock.
A sixty year old fire truck, a 1951 Oren, returned to Singerly on April 21, 2012, as the company cele-
brated phase I construc�on comple�on of Sta�on 13’s renova�ons with an open house and sta�on
blessing. Charles Richard Fox, a former Oren fire truck salesman, who purchased the re�red unit for
$200 twenty years ago, fully restored it. He returned it to Singerly last year, so we could exhibit this
specimen of early firefigh�ng days in Elkton. President Don Hicks rode in the officer’s seat, while Mr.
Fox backed the veteran of many an old fight with the flames into the new firehouse.
Today the William M. Singerly Fire Company of Elkton formally dedicates its recently renovated and
expanded fire sta�on. The new structure updates the central sta�on, which opened in 1971. Career and
volunteer crews have been working out of the modern headquarters facility for a few months now, but
this event marks the formal opening of the town’s newest facility, designed to serve Elkton and the cen-
tral part of the company’s first due district.
The new building has space for the department’s apparatus with entrances and exits for units placed
for high visibility and speedy response. It has eight bays for equipment, sleeping quarters for 20 fire-
fighters, along with a kitchen and support facili�es in the 28,0000 square foot addi�on. Sta�on #13
houses two engines, a tanker, a rescue, two ambulances, and a variety of other equipment. The combi-
na�on career volunteer sta�on also serves as the headquarters for the paid emergency responders.
This is a proud day for the Singerly Fire Company as we dedicate this facility, which enhances our abil-
ity to serve the community. And while these past 42-years have seen many changes in equipment,
staffing, training, and the complexity of calls our dedica�on to serve and protect the community has
stayed the same since we started ex�nguishing blazes with hand pumpers and a bucket brigade.
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