In Memory of Past-President Joseph Ebaugh

On March 8, 2024, members of the department gathered to pay final respects to our life member and Past-President Joseph “Joe” Ebaugh.

Prior to joining us, Joe first served in the US Army for 5 years, then going to the US Navy for 5 years. He spent the rest of his career with the Army National Guard.

Joe joined the department in April 1962. He held the office of Secretary, President, Assistant Historian, Treasurer, & Historian. Joe also served many years as a relief driver, on many committees and was also active in our Fire Police group. He had a passion for the history of our department, he spent many hours in the museum always looking to improve the display of our department’s history. He spent many hours transcribing old minutes starting in the 1800’s into digital format for permanent archiving.

For his many years of service Joe was awarded Life Membership in 1987, Fireman of the Year in 2007, and was inducted into the CCVESA Hall of Fame in 2020.

WFD Celebrates 200th Year

On Thursday, December 21, 2023, Westminster celebrated the 200th anniversary of the signing of the Articles of Incorporation with a luncheon for members. President Plunkert welcomed everyone and noted a few long-term life members that were able to come in for the visit. Mr. Bill Logue is our most senior life member having joined the department in 1951. Also in attendance were five past chiefs.

This culminates a yearlong group of events to honor the long presence of the department continuing to serve the community.

Some photos of the day are located here.https://members.westminstervfd.org/apps/public/gallery/?Gallery_ID=6

WFD Welcomes MSFA Executive Committee

In honor of our 200th anniversary, Westminster Fire Department was pleased to welcome the Executive Committee of the MSFA for their December quarterly meeting which was held at John Street Quarters (Westminster’s Event Center). A social hour was held on Friday, December 1st during the evening hours in our museum. The meetings were then held on Saturday and Sunday in JSQ. You can see other photos at this link.

WFD Image.

Antique Hose Carts Featured at 131st MSFA Convention

In honor of our 200th Anniversary year, our two hose carts were transported to Ocean City Maryland for the 131st Convention and Conference of the MSFA (Maryland State Firemens Association. The carts were on display in the main ballroom of the Ocean City Convention Center. Transportation was donated by member Bill Brehm. This is just one of the many events that are being featured during 2023 in honor of the 200th year of the department.

New This Year: Baskets to be raffled off at the Big Money Raffle

This year, we have added a selection of Baskets that will be raffled off in separately purchased tickets. For these items, you must be present to win. Raffle tickets will be sold throughout the evening and the winners will be drawn at the end of the evening.

Coffee basket $200 value
Golf basket $350 value
Wine basket $250 value
Local restaurant basket $350 value
Brewery basket $300 value
Blackston griddle package $400 value
Yeti cooler package $500 value

WFD Paint Night

2023 Big Money Drawing

This years winners:

1st – Yvonne G; 2nd – Rex S; 3rd – Michael G; 4th – Brady Z; 5th – Hughes T; 6th – BJ H; 7th – Dawn R; 8th – Brandon H; 9th – Barbara R; 10th – Lynn S; 11th – Natalie K; 12th – Blaine F; 13th – Tim C; 14th – John P

Thank you to all who supported our annual event.

This year will feature updated refreshments and a live band.

The Westminster Fire Department is hosting our annual Big Money Raffle event Thursday, May 25th, 2023, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Station 3 at 28 John Street will open its doors to offer our community an opportunity to have dinner, play games, win raffle prizes, meet local firefighters, listen to a band, and overall have a fantastic time with family. 

This year we are celebrating our 200th year anniversary! Our Big Money Drawing has 14 opportunities to win cash prizes with the top prize of $10,000.00! We have multiple corporate sponsors to thank in aiding to make this event worthwhile. Without the help of our community and volunteers we couldn’t make this event as grand as it’s going to be.

Westminster Fire Department truly hopes you will come and be a part of this festivity. We welcome you with open arms and are grateful to have the opportunity to serve others.

New for this year:

1) 39 North Band
2) New to menu: Broccoli salad; Brats; Hot Dog
3) New Raffle baskets: 
Coffee basket: Keurig, assorted coffees, flavored syrups, gift card to American Ice Cafe with merchandise
Golf basket: Round of golf, cart rental, merchandise
Restaurant gift card basket: Paradisios, Stables, Rafs, Mission BBQ with merchandise, Lost Lion, Maryland Mallet
Brewery Basket: Pub Dog, Flood Zone and Fry’s
Wine basket: assorted wines
Party Cooler: Ozark cooler filled with drinks, coozies, can/beer opener
Grill basket: Flat top grill with bbq items, (sauces, cookware)
Kids basket: filled with games and toys for children

The Family of Frank B. Dillard (March 4, 2023)

In early January 2023, the Westminster Fire Department was contacted by the family of a past fire department member. The family of Frank B. Dillard was interested in learning the department’s history when he served. They had several artifacts showing that he was active in his time. After some research, Historian Jeffrey Ausherman found much information for the family. Historian Ausherman forwarded this to the family, who were excited to see how active he was. 

Frank B. Dillard was elected to membership in January 1914 and served until August 1938. He served proudly as President from 1925-1926. He also held the titles of First Vice President, Second Vice President, and Assistant Marshall. He was also very active in attending the County and State Conventions most of those years. 

Mr. Dillard served on the committee that purchased our 1924 American LaFrance City Service ladder truck, which remains in our museum today. He was assigned as a Ladderman, according to a booklet the family shared with Historian Ausherman. Mr. Dillard served our department when we purchased our first motorized fire truck, transitioning from using hand-pulled hose carts, which are still on display in our museum today.

On March 4, 2023, Historian Ausherman invited the family to tour The Historical Museum of the Westminster Fire Department. The family was very grateful for all our work and the great information they could obtain about their family member. Too much enjoyment for the family; they were able to see the equipment their grandfather was involved in purchasing and operated when he was a member. President Daniel Plunkert, Assistant Historian Jeffrey Alexander, and Member Bryan VanFossen assisted with the tour.

The family was kind enough to donate a few items to The Historical Museum of the Westminster Fire Department, pictured below. We are fortunate to receive such fine items for our museum. We humbly thank the Blizzard, Houseman, and Ratte families for their visit and thoughtful donation. After the visit, we presented the families with our new 200th Anniversary Challenge coins.  

2022 Santa Visits to the Westminster Community

It is best to follow the Santa Facebook Page here in case of last minute changes.

This year Santa is expecting to visit the Westminster community Monday, December 12 through the 16th, 6-9 PM. Routes and specific times are updated on the Facebook page soon and updated in real time during the evening visits.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the members of the Westminster Fire Department.

Photo from our Facebook page uploaded courtesy Jessica Klapstein

Make sure you LIKE, FOLLOW and SHARE the Facebook page with all of your friends!

Eugene Bauerlien-LODD October 19, 1996

Westminster Fire Engine & Hose Company #1~Carroll County ~ Maryland

October 19, 1996 Firefighter/Fire Policeman Eugene Bauerlien had been on-duty all morning at the Westminster VFC cooking for the fire company’s pancake breakfast. At about 11 am, he took off his apron, donned his fire police attire, and headed up to the Western Maryland College campus, located on the west end of the City of Westminster, to assist with directing college homecoming traffic. Afterwards, FP Bauerlien returned to the Westminster VFC pancake breakfast to help with cleanup and suffered sudden cardiac arrest. Sadly, all resuscitation attempts were unsuccessful.

Firefighter/Fire Policeman Eugene Bauerlien was 72 years old and had served 22.5 years.

*All information has been provided by the Maryland Fire Rescue Services Memorial Foundation