Fire Departments of Maryland's Eastern Shore | Parsonsburg Volunteer Fire Company

A few months ago on a sunny but cold winter's day I drove home from Salisbury and passed the Parsonsburg Fire Company. Located in Wicomico County on Maryland's eastern shore, Station 6 sits directly on Old Ocean City Road, just a mile or two south of the original fire house. There is something quietly mournful about a flag at half-mast and so I took a photo of this first. The lowered flags marked the sad occasion of two lives lost just days before, as two Harford County Sheriff's Deputies died in the line of duty.

Delaware Fire Departments | the Georgetown Volunteer Fire Company

On the second Saturday of May, I was headed north for a much-anticipated date with Delaware history. I'd been looking forward to enjoying the the buildings which were open for the Georgetown "Stamp Tour" when my plans derailed (see the post here). Later that day I was standing in the Circle photographing the regal Courthouse building when I happened to glance down one of the side streets - and there it was - a gem of a fire engine, sitting all alone in front of the station, obviously just waiting for me to come over and visit. I scurried over and was please to note that the front doors of the station were closed and that no one else was busy checking out this vintage vehicle. For me, that's a good thing since I hate to take pictures with others around. Not always possible of course, but if there's a chance to take the kind of views I prefer, then being alone is a bonus. Here are a few views of the exterior of the building.

Image Directory for Station #73 in Dagsboro, Delaware

There are many photos of the Dagsboro Volunteer Fire Department. Since I had taken more than 400 pictures of the station and vehicles it seemed logical to divide them up - here's the breakdown to how they are arranged. I don't do things halfway so being able to include all the apparatus, photographs of the previous buildings up through the present, and a number of other details was important to me. To me, every place, building and location that I chronicle through images has a story, and in a way I hope to be able to paint a visual portrait of the history and people behind the pictures.

As it turned out, I was unable to keep this fire company to the standard five blog posts or albums as I've done in the past with others. The photos needed to be included and when I had to go back to the station for a second time to finish a few shots I wasn't able to get on the first trip, then I decided running over into six separate collections for their pictures wasn't that big a deal. After all, the album I struggled with was an important one and so the story of this department wound up needing an additional section.

In memory of Justin Townsend

Firefighter Justin Townsend was the first LODD death in the history of the Dagsboro Fire Department. Although he passed prior to the dedication of the new station in 2013, he is honored in the building and on the vehicles of the fire department and remains in the hearts of so many in our community.

   

 

The Dagsboro Fire Company vehicles by Altered Art, Part V

The two trucks in this post from Station 73 in Dagsboro, Delaware are both Fords, both long-time residents of the department. While the first one is stunningly restored and a real treasure to view, I actually would declare the second one to be my favorite vehicle in the firehouse.


From the website: "Engine 734 is a 1956 Ford with a 750gpm and 1,000 gallon tank and it was the second new piece of fire apparatus purchased by the DVFD. Engine 4 was retired in the fall of 2000 and given a complete restoration."