Poe and Dunkin Donuts celebrate Maryland Day by visiting the Westminster Fire Department

Monday, March 25, 2024 Westminster Md. – On Monday morning, the Dunkin Donuts truck – the Dunkin’ Community Cruiser, along with the Ravens’ mascot Poe, and Ravens staffers celebrated Maryland Day by visiting the Westminster Fire Department. (Photo by Kevin Dayhoff / Westminster Fire Department)
Monday, March 25, 2024 Westminster Md. – On Monday morning, the Dunkin Donuts truck – the Dunkin’ Community Cruiser, along with the Ravens’ mascot Poe, and Ravens staffers celebrated Maryland Day by visiting the Westminster Fire Department. (Photo by Kevin Dayhoff / Westminster Fire Department)
Monday, March 25, 2024 Westminster Md. – On Monday morning, the Dunkin Donuts truck – the Dunkin’ Community Cruiser, along with the Ravens’ mascot Poe, and Ravens staffers celebrated Maryland Day by visiting the Westminster Fire Department. (Photo by Kevin Dayhoff / Westminster Fire Department)
Monday, March 25, 2024 Westminster Md. – On Monday morning, the Dunkin Donuts truck – the Dunkin’ Community Cruiser, along with the Ravens’ mascot Poe, and Ravens staffers celebrated Maryland Day by visiting the Westminster Fire Department. (Photo by Kevin Dayhoff / Westminster Fire Department)
Monday, March 25, 2024 Westminster Md. – On Monday morning, the Dunkin Donuts truck – the Dunkin’ Community Cruiser, along with the Ravens’ mascot Poe, and Ravens staffers celebrated Maryland Day by visiting the Westminster Fire Department. (Photo by Kevin Dayhoff / Westminster Fire Department)
Monday, March 25, 2024 Westminster Md. – On Monday morning, the Dunkin Donuts truck – the Dunkin’ Community Cruiser, along with the Ravens’ mascot Poe, and Ravens staffers celebrated Maryland Day by visiting the Westminster Fire Department. (Photo by Kevin Dayhoff / Westminster Fire Department)
Submitted photo Monday, March 25, 2024 Westminster Md. – On Monday morning, the Dunkin Donuts truck – the Dunkin’ Community Cruiser, along with the Ravens’ mascot Poe, and Ravens staffers celebrated Maryland Day by visiting the Westminster Fire Department.

By Westminster Fire Department PIO Kevin Dayhoff (All photos by Kevin Dayhoff / Westminster Fire Department unless otherwise credited.)

Monday, March 25, 2024 Westminster Md. – On Monday morning, the Dunkin Donuts truck – the Dunkin’ Community Cruiser, along with the Ravens’ mascot Poe, and Ravens staffers celebrated Maryland Day by visiting the Westminster Fire Department.

Dunkin’ and Poe rolled into the Westminster fire station at 28 John Street to say thanks to firefighters with Maryland Day themed doughnuts and coffee. The Baltimore Ravens have a long history and tradition of honoring and supporting military and first responder personnel.

According to Jerry Jackson, writing for the Carroll County Times on Monday, March 25, “The Baltimore Ravens and Dunkin’ traveled to Carroll County on Monday, to deliver “Poegrams.” Ravens mascot Poe, staff members and the Dunkin’ Community Cruiser visited Carrolltowne Elementary School in Sykesville, Maryland State Police in Westminster, and Westminster Fire Department, to deliver Dunkin’s Maryland-themed donuts alongside freshly brewed coffee.

Poe became the official Ravens’ mascot in 1998, two-years after then-owner Art Model formed the team in 1996. Poe was named after the famous Baltimore poet Edgar Allan Poe. The name “Poe” comes the famous Baltimore poet Edgar Allen Poe.

1998 is the same year the Westminster fire company moved its fire station from Main Street to its current location at 28 John Street. This year the Westminster Fire Department is celebrating its 201st year of serving and protecting the Carroll County community.

The Westminster Fire and Engine Hose Co. No. 1 would like to express our gratitude and appreciation to the Baltimore Ravens’ organization for visiting our first responder family early Monday Morning, March 25. Thank you.

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Wirt & Knox Hand Pulled Hose Reel Returns to Westminster.

The Historical Museum of The Westminster Fire Department is proud to announce the return of another piece of our rich history.

The Wirt & Knox hand pulled hose reel was originally purchased in 1883 after a disastrous fire in town which destroyed 16 houses, Grace Lutheran Church, two businesses, and eight stables. After the fire, the City of Westminster built a new water system and ordered the chemical engine be sold and hose and a reel be bought.  This reel would be the first of five reels to serve the city over the years. Some being housed on each end of the city as well as the main firehouses. 

The reel was sold in 1922 to the newly formed Parkville Fire Company of Hanover, PA. More recently the reel was on display at the Greater Hanover Area Fire Museum.

The prior owner Bruce Yealy,  graciously loan the reel to us during our 200th Anniversary in 2023 to display in our museum .  When Mr. Yealy picked up the reel the last thing we said to him was “If you ever part with it, let us know”. 

So much to my surprise, I received a text from Mr. Yealy in February.  He said it was available.  He told me it belongs back in Westminster, and we couldn’t have agreed more.  

Through a recently received grant, we were able to bring this classic piece of firefighting equipment back home to Westminster.  It can be seen proudly displayed alongside our 1897 Wirt & Knox hose reel and our 1898 Holloway hose carriage.  In addition to this classic hand drawn apparatus, our museum also proudly displays our 1924 American LaFrance City Service Truck as well as our 1933 American LaFrance 300 Series fire engine.

These and many other items showcasing our deep history can be seen by visiting The Historical Museum of The Westminster Fire Department.  Located at our fire station at 28 John Street Westminster, Md.

Our Museum’s next open house featuring the Easter Bunny will be on March 28, 2026 10:00am-2:00. Pm. 

Jeff Ausherman
Historian, Life Member

Crews Train on New Technology to combat Electric Vehicle Fires

On January 22nd, personnel from Westminster learned about new technology to combat Electric Vehicle fires. This new nozzle also enables responders to be better prepared for fires in airplanes at the airport, unreachable fire in collapsed structures, and dangerous basement fires. This multi-purpose nozzle allows our responders be better prepared for modern fire emergencies that we are presented with more and more every day. Thank you to Manchester VFD for allowing us to demo this nozzle.

Congratulations to Vice-President Van Fossen

VP Bryan Van Fossen has been working as the single Fire Protection Specialist for 30 years at Carroll County Government. On 12/19/2025, Bryan officially retires becoming the first retiree of the new Carroll County Department of Fire and EMS. In Bryan’s role, plans for ANY construction in Carroll County passed through his review.

Thank You TSC

🔥 Thank You, TSC! 🔥

We would like to extend a sincere thank you to Tractor Supply Company (TSC) for generously providing a smoker to the Westminster Fire Department at 50% off.

We truly appreciate TSC’s continued support of their local fire department. Partnerships like this make a real difference, and we’re grateful to have such a supportive local business standing behind us.

👏 Thank you for supporting those who support the community!

Open House for Fire Prevention Week

Westminster will have the station open along with the museum in honor of National Fire Prevention Week.

Westminster Wins Multiple Awards at 2025 MSFA Parade

Westminster Fire Department takes Best Appearing Elevated Platform, Chief, and Antique in the 2025 Maryland State Firefighters Association Convention Parade.

Girl Scouts Donate Cookies to Fire Station

A huge thank you to Westminster Girl Scout Troop 3112 for their generous donation of Girl Scout cookies to our on-duty career and volunteer staff!

First 3 of Diamonds has a Winner

Congratulations to Margaret, our 3 of Diamonds winner on week 44 for $10,670.00.

Automobile Stabilization and Extrication Training

On Tuesday, June 10th, members of the Westminster Volunteer Fire Department participated in an automobile stabilization and extrication training. The roads are always busy around town and with the travel season upon us, accidents are on the rise again. Members were able to learn various ways to make the vehicle safer to work around no matter the position it’s in. They also learned safer and easier ways to remove victims from the automobile once it’s stabilized. We would like to thank Reese Volunteer Fire Department for equipment usage and Condon’s Used Auto Parts for donating the vehicle. Because of their generosity, the firefighters in the department are truly better because of it.

2025 Big Money Winners Announced

Westminster Fire Department would like to extend a HUGE thank you to everyone who attended and supported our Big Money Drawing event Saturday May 31st. Your presence and generosity help us continue serving our community with dedication and pride. We are truly grateful for your ongoing support—it means the world to us!

Big Money Drawing Winners

1 10,000.00 Nicole Wilson

2 4,000.00 Amanda Leese

3 2,000.00 Chris Green

4 1,000.00 Leslie Stephan

5 500.00 Pritchett Controls

6 500.00 Doris Zepp

7 250.00 O & J

8 250.00 Pritchett Controls

9 200.00 Mark Hoffman

10 200.00 Jerry Dell, Jr.

11 200.00 Desi Graham

12 200.00 Michael Robinson

13 200.00 Elwin Wagner

14 100.00 Betty Crisp

15 100.00 Fletcher Funeral Home

16 100.00 Gaven Bullock

17 100.00 Greg Nott

18 100.00 DeGasperi