History

In October 1947, Edgar Henson sustained serious leg injuries when his trousers caught fire during an early morning butchering. Neighbors rushed to help him, preventing certain death.  The following morning several of those neighbors engaged in conversation in the home of Jacob Warrenfeltz.  The conversation centered on the necessity to organize and fund what ultimately became the Fairplay Volunteer Fire Company, Inc. The Company was established and incorporated in 1947 by Adrian Diebert, Sr., John Hammond, Roy May, Jeremiah Mongon and Jacob Warrenfeltz.  These men, their wives and area residents banded together in building the Company that has endured for 73 years.

In 1949 the first fire engine rolled into Fairplay!  The Dodge still sits in the fire station, waiting for donations of time and money for refurbishment to her glory days.

In 1953 Edwin and Ethel Eakle donated property for a new station and adjoining land designated for a carnival or park.  Their niece, Katherine (Eakle) Hartle is still an active member of the Company and her husband Richard has been instrumental in restoring the original siren.

Fundraising events included suppers, dances, vaudeville shows, ten cent movies, food sales at the ‘Great Hagerstown Fair’, and our carnival described by many as ‘the best in the county’.  Food was prepared for those events initially in the tiny kitchen of Elta Warrenfeltz with help from her mother Harriet Showman, her twin sister Harriet Draper, her aunt Harriet Boyer, with contributions from Eloise Hartle, Sarah Batt, Shirley Berger, Pearl Davis, Mary Davis, Edna Diebert, Minnie Huntsberry, Iola and Paul Metz, Martha DeLaughter, Francis Litton, Mildred Ford, Annie Talbert and many more.  Their husbands helped transport tons of beef, ham, turkey, bread, rolls, pies, cakes and gallons of gravy in galvanized lard cans!

The young men who joined the Company in the early days went for training at the University of Maryland in Baltimore.  Without money for a hotel room, they slept in horse stables on the University campus.  Several recounted fond memories of those days as a great adventure in the big city! Meals were prepared and donated to them by the women auxiliary members of Baltimore area fire stations.

From that first Dodge fire engine No. 12, the Company grew to boast multiple emergency response units. An expansion of the existing fire station was completed in 1995 providing four apparatus bays, a banquet room and full-size commercial kitchen.  The 1953 section of the building still houses that 1949 Dodge and the prior banquet room and kitchen will soon be renovated into bunk facilities for fire fighters.

From 2008 to 2010 Fairplay’s response rate for its first due area began to fail for the first time in its 65-year history.  As the failed response rate stood at 26%, the Washington County Board of County Commissioners established a Task Force to determine the reason and seek solutions. As the Company 12 Officers refused all of the Task Force recommendations, the Commissioners ultimately suspended operations and assigned emergency response responsibility for District 12 to Sharpsburg, Williamsport, Boonsboro and Funkstown Volunteer Fire Companies.

Not satisfied to see the fire company out of service, community residents (including children of the founding members of the Company) met to discuss options.  One suggestion was to pursue a legal remedy, knowing it would be a long, difficult and expensive path to take.

A non-profit organization, CITIZENS for the Restoration of Fire Suppression and EMS in District 12 Area, Inc., was created.  From the first meeting in 2013 until the incorporated status was disbanded in 2017, CITIZENS’ members worked tirelessly to secure and fund well-qualified legal representation to tackle this unprecedented case.

Four petitioners were named and a three-year litigation ensued to address the issue of members being dismissed without cause which was in violation of Company Bylaws.  In addition, the actions taken by Company Officers were found to be oppressive and outside acceptable limits.

In February 2014 the court ruled in favor of the petitioners.  A Receiver was appointed to oversee all aspects of Company 12. Court orders included reinstatement of members, along with appointment of qualified members to correct the bylaw issue.  94 new members were sworn in within the first 30 days, 24 of those were certified fire fighters.  The Company was recertified and placed in operation at 10am on October 29, 2016.

Prior executive board members walked away, leaving legal fees of $225,000 unpaid. The new members found themselves responsible for that debt as well as needs for necessary repairs to damaged fire apparatus and neglected buildings. An extraordinary effort by hundreds of residents eager to donate time, talent, and funds resulted in multiple improvements to the apparatus, equipment, buildings and grounds.  First responders eagerly answered calls, proud to be ‘back in service’. We again heard the phrase: “I just want to do whatever I can to help.” By the end of the first year of operation Company 12 boasted a ZERO FAILED RESPONSE RATE.  In fact, we had the highest response rate in the County!

In June 2018 the once ‘great Fairplay Carnival’ made its return to the community for the first time in over a decade.  Hundreds of people enjoyed the famous fried country ham sandwiches, steamers and fresh cut fries along with entertainment and rides.  

Members continue working to build the company with well-trained, professional first responders.  2021 will mark the year a new tanker will be put in service.

We welcome everyone to be part of our Company and share in our community pride!  

Compiled by Barbara Shipe