While it was a difficult decision, our Board decided to postpone the Big Money Raffle, which was scheduled for May 28, 2020, for the safety and wellbeing of our community during this unprecedented time.

Even though we won’t be gathering in person on May 28th, the Big Money Raffle still goes on!  Westminster Fire Department will be holding its annual drawing for the Big Money Raffle on streamed Live on Thursday, July 30, at 7 PM. Follow us on Facebook and here, so you don’t miss it!  The raffle is our organization’s primary fundraising function for the year.  We ask you to consider supporting our mission by purchasing a ticket.  Please contact a member or call the station to get your raffle ticket.  You could be the next winner of the grand prize of $10,000.

Please review the attached copy of the press conference given by Maryland Governor Larry Hogan on March 19, 2020.

Practice good hygiene techniques, wash your hands, and if you feel sick, stay home and limit contact with other people. Practice social distancing strategies and limit groups of people to 10 or less (less preferred!).

In emergency situations, dial 911.

Please review the attached copy of the press conference given by Maryland Governor Larry Hogan on March 12, 2020.

Practice good hygiene techniques, wash your hands, and if you feel sick, stay home and limit contact with other people. In emergency situations, dial 911.

The MSFA has announced this year’s recruitment weekend for April 18-19.

Westminster Fire Department thanks Weis Markets for the water and the Gatorade

In the summertime firefighters and EMS providers go through a lot of water and Gatorade. It is not a luxury.

Westminster Md. June 6, 2019 – – The men and women of the Westminster Fire Engine and Hose Co. No. 1 would like to thank Weis Markets for donating water and Gatorade for the firefighters and EMS providers.

In the summertime firefighters and EMS providers go through a lot of water and Gatorade. It is not a luxury. When you spend long hours on automobile accidents, fires, and back-to-back EMS calls, staying hydrated is a critical life, safety, and welfare issue.

The best time to stay hydrated is yesterday.

According to Westminster Fire Department President Jamie Petry on Thursday, June 6, 2019, “Weis Markets is collecting water and Gatorade for WFD. Today we picked up almost 3 pallets of water and 2 grocery carts full of Gatorade” Petry added that the department really appreciates the support of the community – and Weis Markets. Thank you.

By Westminster Fire Department PIO and Chaplain Kevin Dayhoff

Courtesy Westminster Fire Co. – Open House at Westminster Fire Company Sunday, April 14th, 2019 from 12 pm – 5 pm. 28 John Street, Westminster, MD 21158

Westminster Fire Department Volunteer Recruitment Open House

Open House at Westminster Fire Company Sunday, April 14th, 2019 from 12 pm – 5 pm. 28 John Street, Westminster, MD 21158.

By Westminster Fire Company PIO and Chaplain Kevin Dayhoff April 8, 2019

The Westminster Volunteer Fire Department will be participating in the Maryland State Fireman’s Association’s statewide recruitment event on Sunday April 14th at the station on John Street in Downtown Westminster. Station and Apparatus tours will be offered and personnel will be available to answer any questions about becoming a member. Stop by between 12-5 PM to start your journey as a volunteer.

Interested in joining our growing professional team? Our team is comprised of individuals of many walks of life. As is the fire service in a whole, WFD fosters a “family” environment. Challenge yourself, build new skills, meet new people, and become a part of a tight-knit public safety community all while serving a purpose greater than yourself.

Benefits: While most members will agree that there are many intangible benefits of membership, there are also several other valuable benefits available to volunteers.

Following three years of qualifying active membership, members are eligible for the LOSAP program: $4,500.00+ Maryland income tax credit. And: Monthly retirement stipend after 25 years of active volunteer membership.

FREE World-Class training provided. All turnout gear and equipment provided.
On-duty insurance coverage/Workers’ Compensation. Tuition reimbursement program for College/Technical School students.

Westminster Fire Engine and Hose Company
28 John Street
Westminster, MD 21158
Sunday, April 14th, 2019 from 12 pm – 5 pm
For more information call: (410) 848-1800

Westminster Fire Company Open House recruitment Family Friendly

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Open House at Westminster Fire Company Sunday, April 14th, 2019 from 12 pm – 5 pm. 28 John Street, Westminster, MD 21158. https://www.facebook.com/events/2251279838417988/

https://patch.com/maryland/westminster/westminster-fire-department-volunteer-recruitment-open-house

From our PIO Kevin Dayhoff:

The Westminster Volunteer Fire Department will be participating in the Maryland State Fireman’s Association’s statewide recruitment event on Sunday April 14th at the station on John Street in Downtown Westminster. Station and Apparatus tours will be offered and personnel will be available to answer any questions about becoming a member. Stop by between 12-5 PM to start your journey as a volunteer.

Facebook Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/2251279838417988/

Requirements & FAQs

Big Money Raffle Chances are now available for the raffle with the drawing on May 23, 2019.

By Westminster Fire Company PIO and Chaplain Kevin Dayhoff, kdayhoff@westminstervfd.org April 1, 2019

The Carroll County carnival and fire department fund raising season starts in May when the Westminster Fire Engine and Hose Co. No. 1 hosts its annual ‘Big Money Raffle.’

The raffle is one of the biggest fundraisers of the year for the Westminster Fire Company. This year’s event takes place on Thursday, May 23, 2019, from 6 to 9 pm in the engine bays at the station at 28 John Street in Westminster.

In addition to the cash drawings there will be plenty of fried chicken, hot dogs, and all the traditional summer picnic delights. It has become an annual tradition for friends, family, and neighbors to fill the fire station for a fun evening.

It is not known how many years the Westminster Fire Company has held this raffle, but the idea is certainly not new. Many years ago, the fire company gave away a Cadillac as the first prize.

According to research by historian Jay Graybeal, an article from January 1896 in the Historical Society of Carroll ‘J. Leland Jordan Collection,’ reports:

“In 1840 the citizens petitioned the legislature to pass an act enabling them to hold a lottery to raise $5,000 to purchase a new fire engine, build a new engine-house, town hall and market-house, but nothing came of it.”

There are only 3000 tickets printed. The cost per ticket is $10.00 each. There will be 14 winners – with a top prize of $ 10,000; 2nd prize is $ 2,000. 3rd prize is $1,000.

Refreshments are for ticket holders only. You do not need to be present to win. There will be 50/50 raffle tickets, and other games of chance available during the evening.

The Westminster Fire Department extends its appreciation to the following local Carroll County businesses for sponsoring the cash prizes: InfoPathways, Baugher’s Restaurant, Myers-Durboraw Funeral Home, Barnes Bollinger Insurance, Pritts Funeral Home, B&D Truck Hoist, Johanssons & O’Lordans, Ain’t That A Frame, The Cutting Garden, Hock Auto Upholstering, Haines Realty, Affordable Auto Maryland LLC, and C&O Distributors.

The Westminster Fire Department would also like to thank the following corporate sponsors for their support: RBC Wealth Management, Gauge Digital Media, Sams Creek Porta Pots, Penguin Random House, Westminster Car Care, Flowers by Evelyn, Chick-fil-A, Perry’s Vending, Swain Supply, Hughes Trash Removal, Canteen Vending, Brewer’s Market, Rafael’s Restaurant, Maggie’s Restaurant, and the Jeannie Bird Baking Company.

The tickets were printed compliments of Fletcher Funeral Home & Cremation Services, P.A. 410.848.7575, 254 E. Main Street, Westminster, MD 21157 www.fletcherfunerahome.net

Call the Westminster Fire Department at 410-848-1800 for more information.

Sunday afternoon fire heavily damages home in Finksburg

Sunday, March 24, 2019 by Kevin Dayhoff, kevindayhoff@gmail.com

The recent arrival of spring has kept Carroll County firefighters and emergency responders busy with a number of recent serious house fires in the area. On Sunday

Firefighters from Westminster, Reese, Pleasant Valley, Gamber, Hampstead, and Sykesville companies were dispatched to the house fire in the 2800 block of Armacost Avenue in Finksburg Sunday afternoon, March 24. Kevin Dayhoff photo.

the Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal reported, “Deputy State Fire Marshals … stay busy Saturday with a total of three investigations in less than sixteen hours…”

That was before yet another house fire occurred on Sunday afternoon. Firefighters from Carroll and Baltimore Counties responded to a report to the Carroll County Emergency Communications Center of a house fire in the 2800 block of Armacost Avenue, off of Old Westminster Pike and Route 140, in Finksburg, at approximately 2 o’clock.

Over 50 firefighters from Westminster, Reese, Pleasant Valley, Gamber, Hampstead, and Sykesville companies were dispatched in addition to firefighters from Reisterstown, Owings Mills, Franklin, Chestnut Ridge, and Glyndon in Baltimore County according to Gamber Fire Company assistant Chief Alan Barnes. The Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal and Baltimore Gas and Electric also responded and the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office provided assistance.

It was reported that the smoke from the fire was visible from as far away as across the reservoir in Baltimore County. Upon arrival, Barnes discovered active fire coming from the rear of a two-story single family home with a basement.

The family was home at the time. According to Gamber PIO Clay Myers, the family was in the basement at the time of the fire and managed to safely escape.

Firefighters secure a ladder to the roof at a house fire in the 2800 block of Armacost Avenue in Finksburg Sunday afternoon, March 24. Photo courtesy of the Westminster Fire Company.

A rapid intervention dispatch and a water tanker taskforce was immediately requested by Barnes. Myers reported that “Tankers from several companies set up a water shuttle and a draft site was established at Dede Road.”

The fire quickly spread throughout the house. The fire was brought under control 45-minutes later at approximately 2:45 p.m. No firefighters were injured fighting the fire. The fire remains under investigation by the Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal.

The fire is estimated to have caused $250,000.00 worth of damage to the structure and another $125,000.00 damage to the contents of the house. Observations from the street indicate that the house is a total loss. Friends and neighbors gathered quickly to assist and support the displaced family.

“This is about the third house fire in the Finksburg – Gamber area in the past several days,” said Barnes during the extensive cleanup after the fire. Fire crews stayed at the fire ground for about two-hours assisting the homeowners and the fire marshals; and cleaning-up and putting away equipment.

Other recent fires include a garage fire in the 1000 block of Cindy Lane in Westminster on March 23. That fire caused an estimated $25,000.00 in damage Approximately 40 firefighters fought the blaze. The lead fire company at that fire was the Gamber and Community Fire Company.

On March 20, a fire occurred at a two-story vacant home in the 2900 block of Hughes Rod in Finksburg, causing approximately $60,000.00 in damage. Again, the Gamber fire company was the lead agency fighting that fire. About 30 firefighters responded. It took over 30-minutes to put out that fire.

Many folks on social media have been alarmed by the recent number of fires. One comment, “omg what is causing all these fires,” was reflective of many of the responses to the recent house fires. All the recent fires remain under investigation by the Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal. Firefighters at the fire on Sunday afternoon, who have responded to all the recent fires, said on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment, that all the fires appeared to be vastly different in origin and no pattern could be detected. It just seemed to be a statistical anomaly – a coincidence. No one seemed alarmed – just very hungry, dirty, and tired.

Westminster fire company firefighter EMS Sergeant Emily Morris on the left, and Lt. Kim Zepp Darby carry equipment back to the Tower 3 after exiting from an interior fire suppression attack at the house fire in the 2800 block of Armacost Avenue in Finksburg Sunday afternoon, March 24. Kevin Dayhoff photo.

“The fire service reminds folks to stay vigilant about fire safety and be sure that your smoke alarms are properly functioning,” said Barnes as he was leaving the scene. A point that was reinforced in a phone interview with Gamber PIO Bruce Bouch, who wanted to remind citizens that you can never let your guard down when it comes to fire safety. Westminster fire company officials also cautioned folks to stay fire safe as the weather gets warmer and people get busier outdoors.

Times correspondent Kevin Dayhoff is also the chaplain, assistant secretary, and PIO for the Westminster Fire Engine and Hose Co. No. 1.

Related: Family displaced following Finksburg fire by Catalina Righter March 25, 2019

Over 50 firefighters from Carroll and Baltimore County took 45-minutes to fight a house fire in the 2800 block of Armacost Avenue in Finksburg Sunday afternoon, March 24. Photo courtesy of the Westminster Fire Company.

A family escaped from a blaze that seriously damaged a Finksburg home on Sunday, March 24. No injuries were reported to civilians or firefighters.

“This is about the third house fire in the Finksburg–Gamber area in the past several days,” said Gamber Fire Company Assistant Chief Alan Barnes during the extensive cleanup after the fire. Senior Deputy State Fire Marshal Oliver Alkire said that the fires are completely unrelated and are being investigated separately.

Read more here: https://www.carrollcountytimes.com/news/crime/cc-armacost-fire-finksburg-20190325-story.html

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