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History
In 1977, recognizing the need to provide emergency medical service to the community of Walkersville, a group of dedicated people began to organize with the intent of starting an ambulance service. A meeting was held on May 17, 1977 with over 40 people in attendance. Vaughn Zimmerman chaired the planning committee. Through mass mailings in the fall of 1977, the community was solicited for donations and support. The letter indicated that the organization would be independent of the volunteer fire company, but the equipment would be housed within the fire hall, which is now the Town Hall. The request for donations and volunteers was heard by the people of the community. The Glade Valley Lions Club donated a 1969 Suburban ambulance (Ambulance 118) and a 1974 Horton 400 ambulance (Ambulance 119) was purchased from Bethesda Chevy Chase for $12,500. By October there were forty-three members studying to become Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT’s.In January, the “Walkersville Volunteer Ambulance Services, Inc.” began providing service to the Walkersville and surrounding community.
The ambulances were placed in service on January 18, 1978. In the first year, volunteers responded to 289 emergency calls. Also during that first year, it was recognized that the company was fast outgrowing the space provided by the fire company. A letter was again sent out to the community in March 1979 asking for donations for our own station. The Walkersville Volunteer Fire Co. graciously granted a 99-year lease on the northeast corner of their carnival grounds, and again the community heard and responded to our need for help. Donations started coming in, and with the help of the members of the organization and the community, we held our groundbreaking ceremony on April 1, 1979. Ray Dayhoff agreed to supervise the construction, and the volunteers donated 4,244 hours of their time in the construction of the building. Eight months later the community was invited to the dedication and open house of our new station. The building cost $60,000.
As calls continued to increase, training and fund-raising continued, and with that, the need for a third ambulance and a rescue squad was recognized. A vote was taken to add a third ambulance, which was added to the fleet in 1980. By the end of 1980 there was a total of 395 emergency calls. A 1980 Horton 450 MR was added to the fleet in 1981 and designated “Ambulance 118”. In 1982 the Company voted to change our company call number from 11 to 24, and to purchase a rescue squad. Our members began taking rescue training and in 1983, with the addition of a new E.V.F. rescue squad on September 2nd, we officially changed our station number to “24”. In 1984 we officially changed our name to the “Walkersville Volunteer Rescue Co., Inc.” We had 495 ambulance calls and 108 squad calls. Over the years we replaced our equipment that have served us well. One of the many things we can be proud of is the care and pride we take in our equipment. In 2001 we placed into service our new Pierce Heavy-duty Squad 24.
At this time, in addition to S-24, we currently have a 1990 Ford F-350 ambulance (A-249); a 1995 Horton International ambulance (A-248); a 2000 Horton International ambulance (A-247); a 1992 Ford EPO utility (Utility-24); and a 1991 Chevrolet Caprice sedan, chief’s car (Car-24). Fundraising has been a vital part of our company history. We have had Bingo ever since our existence and it is still one of our major events, along with money brought in through insurance billing, which was started in 1995. Serving food at the pancake breakfast, The Frederick Fair, Colorfest and the May Fair at Glade Elementary School. We have had car washes, Las Vegas Nights, 20/20 Club (now the 25 Club) and, of course, our annual fund drives. Providing standby coverage at the Glade Valley Youth Association and the Menfelt Horse Shows provides additional funding. New to our fundraising efforts is through providing space and services in our new Conference Hall. All fundraising activities are only possible through the many volunteer hours of donated time and energy by our members. Through the 25+ years of existence many people have come and gone, officers and committee members have changed, calls and equipment has increased. But, one thing has never changed; the commitment of the men and women of this organization in its dedication and commitment to our growing community. The willingness to help those in need is unsurpassed.
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