The Shaft Volunteer Fire Department was organized in October 1938 and Chartered December 22, 1938 . The first meeting was held in December 1938, at which point the Constitution and By-Laws of the Shaft Fire Department was Amended. Shaft fire department was organized by Elmer Kight from the Frostburg Fire Department. He was treasurer of the Maryland State Fireman’s Association at the time and he donated the first dollar. We then spent that dollar on a rope to pull the hose reel, which was also donated to us.

The first official fundraiser was a raffle for 12 tons of coal as the prize. For the $500.00 Dollars we raised, we purchased several hundred feet of hose for the hose reel. Later on, we bought a 1923 Dodge Fire Truck from the Lonaconing Fire Department for $25.00. We used this truck for a total of only 8 years.

During World War II in 1941, three-fourths of the members were drafted into the army and only 8 remaining members kept the department running during the four years of war. When the veterans returned, the department had raised enough money to purchase a new fire truck. So we had bought a 1947 “Reo” Fire Truck, fully equipped, for $8,700.00. New uniforms were also purchased for parades and such. The main source of income at that time was an appropriation from the County Commissioner in the amount of $375.00 per year. In 1939, we built an outdoor dance floor on the ball-field, but that didn’t hold too well, since it rained almost every dance night. So, eventually we tore that down and built an engine house with a meeting room overhead. We kept our engine there and ran a bar in the room. Later on, we added additional space for the bar and tavern. This then became our main source of income from 1939 to 1980. during which time In 1948, the first Ladies Auxiliary was established.

In 1962, we donated the building to the church. The same year, we built an Engine House on the same site where the school that was donated by the Borden Mining Company was located. This is part of the present building. In 1968, we bought our 2nd Engine. It was a Ford 750 gpm, 1100 gallon pumper. We also converted a war surplus tank truck that carried 2,200 gallons of water. In 1975, we purchased a 1974 Dodge Mini-Pumper, which served the department until 2008. In 1979 – 1980, we built an addition to our station for social events. The hall was built by the membership of the Shaft Fire Department. It was dedicated in memory of all past and present firemen and it is now known as “Memory Hall.”

In 1987, we purchased a custom-built engine from Pierce Manufacturing for $140,000.00. Engine 172 has a 1000 gpm pump with 750 gallons of water. In 1988, the department purchased a 1988 GMC Tank Truck for $75,000.00. Tanker 17 served the Department until 2004. Our main income then came from the County and State, donations from the public, and a weekly bingo game. In May 2003, we purchased a 2001 Ford F-350. We put Utility 17 in service in July of 2004. And in September 2003, the decision was made by the department to purchase a new Pierce Arrow XT with the assistance of Laurel Mountain Leasing. The new apparatus (Engine 171) was placed in service in June 2004; it has a 1250 gpm pump with 750 gallons of water. In 2005, the department purchased a used 1995 Dodge Ram Brush unit; it is currently serving the department as Brush 17. In 2006 the department outfitted Engine 171 with a full complement of Holmatro rescue tools and air bags.

Since then, we have had several fund-raisers for our main income including the weekly bingo game, cash bashes, and Mother’s Day Dinner. We now operate four pieces of apparatus: two engines, a utility, and the Brush unit. It is hard to believe that all this has happened because of a one-dollar donation and a $500.00 profit for a 12 ton coal raffle. Whatever has happened has happened for the best and we still thank those who have helped our department. For 65 years we have been... “Few Serving Many.”