Book examines firefighting history of Frederick County

December 10, 2005|By ERIN CUNNINGHAM

FREDERICK, Md. -

Chip Jewell, director of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services, recently released his second book, "Firefighting in Frederick County."

The 128-page book contains more than 200 pictures and is available in Frederick and Washington counties. Jewell released a similar book about the history of fire companies in Frederick about a year ago.

The second book touches on each of the county's fire companies, with the first historical reference to an 1829 training summons.

"The exact wording of it is really interesting," Jewell said.

The summons requested that John Bader attend required training in Emmitsburg, Md., and asked that he bring "buckets and other requisites for company training."

Jewell, who is proficient in local fire company history, said as he received information and pictures from local stations and private collections, he discovered small details he hadn't known.

During World War II and the Korean War, women responded to fire calls for Braddock Heights Volunteer Fire Co.

"That was very rare then," Jewell said.

While most of Frederick County believed that Walkersville Volunteer Fire Co. was the first to have blue firetrucks, he found they were not.

"There really are a lot of neat little things in here," he said, referring to the book.

"Firefighting in Frederick County" was released Nov. 21, and is available at Borders, Waldenbooks and some independent bookstores.

The book was published by Arcadia Publishing's Images of America series.

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