On Sunday, April 27, 2008, the members of the Pocomoke City Volunteer Fire Company proudly dedicated their new fire headquarters located at 1410 Market Street. Although there was a steady drizzle throughout the morning, the rain didn’t dampen the spirits of the firefighters. Instead of holding the ceremony as scheduled outside in front of the building, they simply moved the festivities into the building’s massive engine bay. Obviously the wet weather wasn’t a deterrent to the members of the community either as a crowd estimated at well over 500 attended the event.

The Ocean City Pipe and Drum Band kicked off the celebration at 1:45 PM with a performance of time-honored bagpipe music. At precisely 2:00 PM the fire whistles throughout the town blew and the last alarm was sounded for the 5th Street firehouse. At that time, the Pocomoke City Volunteer Fire Company ceremoniously marched in mass from the 5th Street quarters to the new facility.

Although the Pocomoke High School band was to lead the procession, it was decided that to protect their uniforms and instruments from the damp weather, the band would forgo the march but instead entertain the crowd gathered at the new firehouse while they awaited the arrival of the fire company.

Over 50 Pocomoke City firefighters participated in the procession down Market Street. The line of march included an honor guard, a marching unit, the fire company’s 1884 Clapp and Jones steamer pulled by a team of horses, the 1888 hose cart and the 1923 motorized American LaFrance pumper – the company’s first motorized apparatus. The modern equipment included Engine 101, the oldest of the company’s active pumpers and Tower 1, the company’s newest piece of apparatus.

When the firefighters entered the new firehouse, they were greeted with a rousing standing ovation, a sight and sound that the members of the fire company will not soon forget. As the firefighters stood at attention and saluted, the Pocomoke High School band performed the National Anthem. This was followed by Michael Dean, fire company chaplain, offering the dedication prayer and the playing of Amazing Grace by the Ocean City Pipe Band. Kelly Sharpley, Miss Pocomoke Fire Prevention, then recited the Fireman’s Prayer and she was followed by remarks by Fire Chief Dicky Gladding and fire company president Jimmy Hammond.

Speakers included Pocomoke City Mayor Michael McDermott, Worcester County Commissioner and Pocomoke firefighter Robert Cowger, State Senator Lowell Stoltzfuz, State Delegates Jim Mathias, Norman Conway and Page Elmore, John Guntow of the Maryland State Fireman’s Association, and Troy Patton of United State Senator Barbara Mikulski’s office. Many of the dignitaries presented the fire company with congratulatory proclamations and Senator Mikulski presented a United States flag that flew over the U.S. Capital. A host of other city, county and state dignitaries were also in attendance as well as representatives of fire companies from throughout the lower Eastern Shore.

The fire company then recognized the many donors who contributed to the Capital Campaign to help make the firehouse possible. A goal of $400,000 was set when the campaign kicked off last spring. But due to the outstanding generosity of the Pocomoke City Community, $501,000 has been raised to date to support the construction project. An impressive Wall of Honor paying tribute to the contributors is mounted in the lobby of the firehouse.

Others who were recognized included the Ladies Auxiliary, the building committee, and the top solicitors of the Capital Campaign. The past fire chiefs of the organization were honored for their outstanding service to the fire company. They are George Henderson, Merrill Lockfaw, Marion Butler, Jr., Larry Fykes, Mike Thornton and Jimmy Landon. Terry Blades, President of Mervin L. Blades and Son, General Contractors for the project, was publically thanked for his company’s exceptional work on the building.

The ceremony concluded with the Ocean City Pipe Band leading the fire company around the new facility while they performed the traditional march, Scotland the Brave. Again the crowd rose to their feet and gave thanks to the fire company with a long round of applause. The public was then treated to refreshments, including Smith Island cake, as well as tours of the facility. A continuous slide show of fires, rescues and other activities was on display in the meeting room. The fire company also raffled off a leather fire helmet while commemorative mugs as well as Cat Meows containing the image of the new firehouse were available for sale. The day concluded with the pushing back of a fire engine into the new building.

The dedication of Pocomoke City’s new firehouse came about after many years of research and planning. Approximately five years ago the fire company formed a committee to search for a site for a new station to replace the 5th Street firehouse that was completed in 1937 as a project of President Roosevelt’s Works Progress Administration. That firehouse had become inadequate for the modern needs of the fire company, even though additions were made and an auxiliary building was constructed to the rear of the main building to house the expanding equipment fleet.

Although several potential sites for a new firehouse were identified, none were deemed ideal. Then in 2004 the former A&P/Drug Fair shopping center in the 1400 block of Market Street became available for sale. The shopping center had been vacant for several years and became an eyesore in the community, but was centrally located and large enough to meet the needs of the fire company. After inspecting the property and determining that it would serve well as a firehouse and community center, the fire company decided to purchase the property.

A building committee was then formed and they concluded that the best action would be to demolish the former A&P store and construct the new firehouse on that site. They also determined that although in need of a new roof, the remainder of the shopping center was structurally sound to support a community center. Following the recommendations of the building committee, the grocery store was demolished, a new roof was installed on the former Drug Fair and work began on the design of the building.

At the end of 2006, AWB Engineers of Salisbury presented the final designs of the building to the fire company for approval. After obtaining financing from Calvin B. Taylor Bank, Mervin L. Blades and Son of Pocomoke City was awarded the contract to construct the new firehouse. Work in earnest began in February, 2007 and the building was completed in March, 2008. In addition to the construction of the new firehouse, the exterior of the remainder of the complex was renovated to match the new building.

The $2.2 million firehouse contains 16,500 square feet with five engine bays facing Market Street and two bays on the 14th Street side of the building. The facility features a showcase lobby where the fire company’s 1884 Clapp and Jones steamer along with the hose cart will be on permanent display. Other areas include a meeting/training room, lounge, recreation room, bunk room, administration and operation offices, fitness area, engineers’ work room, and various storage and mechanical rooms.

Safety features include an automatic carbon monoxide removal system in the engine bays with full fire sprinkler and detection systems throughout the facility. An electronic access system provides entry to the building and a video surveillance system provides security. A 100,000 watt generator supplies power in emergency situations.

The next phase of the project is to convert the former Drug Fair into a Community Center with a full commercial kitchen and banquet seating for over 400 people. This facility will replace the current dining room at the 5th Street firehouse still in use by the Ladies Auxiliary that has seating for only 140. An added benefit of the new Community Center is that it is on street level, a major advantage over the second floor location at the 5th Street firehouse. The fire company also plans to establish a museum as part of the Community Center to house memorabilia that has been accumulated during the 120 year history of the organization.

Additional details regarding the dedication of the new firehouse as well as more information about the Pocomoke City Volunteer Fire Company can be found at www.pocomokefire.com.