Statistics for 2006 include: 170 fire/rescue calls
The History of LSVFD
In November 1957 Bylaws were established using Neck District
Vol. Fire Co. Bylaws as a guide. Officers were elected, even a
chief when we didn’t even have a fire truck. Next came fundraising,
covered dish dinners at Salem Church Community Hall, dinners at
Friendship Church Hall, dances with “cake walks” at Camp
Thendera, bakes sales, turkey shoots and raffles. The community
supported these events as well as offering flour, eggs, canned
goods, sugar and baked items.
1958 was a Big year - First Basic Training Class with 20 men
taught by Pete Borga in Salem, the purchase of a 1939 Dodge fire
truck (formally owned by Rescue Fire Co.) for $200 dollars. It was
stored by Julian Vincent in his garage in Linkwood, land was
purchased at the present site for $1,000 dollars from Lina
Henderbrand (she donated back $500 dollars). The Ladies
Auxiliary was formed and a fire house was built with lumber donated
by Robert Dickerson and Tom Gleason, Bill Lewis did the cement
and chimney work and the water was tapped from Mr. Lewis’s well
and we now had an 18’x26’ fire house. Sharptown Vol. Fire
Company also donated a 1926 LaFrance. Now the little fire
company on the side by the road is packed.
In 1963 with a $5,000 loan, construction of a 78’x32’ cinder block
building was built to house the trucks and hold dinners and bingo.
At this point and for the next 2 decades Linkwood-Salem would
create their own fire trucks. A pump purchased from Taylors Island
Vol. Fire Co., a 1200 gallon tank donated by Hop Malone and a
truck bought for $70 from Jessup. Another truck from Jessup and
under the direction of Arnold Gilliard with work by members
including welding by Elzey Willey and Bill Linthicum and we now
have two tankers.
In 1969 a truck would be built that was “the Pride of Linkwood-
Salem”. Lawrence Knauer scaled a 1” to 1/2” model on cardboard,
manufactured and spot welding by Salisbury Steel, cab bought from
Phillips Ford and hours and hours of work by the members. The
truck was then painted by Herman Hughes. What a pumper she
was. With just a siren in Linkwood and one in Salem, several ladies
called firemen by phone as many were out of hearing range.
Two more truck would come along the same way. A 1974 3000
gallon tanker painted by Dennis Roe and a Rescue Truck painted
by Jess Jr. and Sons. Lettering was done by Burton Whaley.
In 1969 the Tall Cedars assisted the members with BBQ chicken.
A fundraiser that continues today.
1971 saw another change, the Ladies Auxiliary disbanded and
became Linkwood-Salem Vol. Fire Co., proving to be an asset for
us. We may have been the first company to take the big step. Hard
work continued but now as one.
In the late 1970’s early 80’s were times of change too! First truck
house was built, remodeling of the dining hall and an addition to the
kitchen with the direction from Jackie Gore and Bicky Roche.
The first new factory built fire truck, a 1984 pumper American Built
by Collins Industries in Kansas cost $50,000. Jerry Willey and Tink
Collins flew to Kansas and drove it home. Another proud day as we
were all working in the BBQ Pit when they arrived.
For fun along the way we marched in parades under the direction of
Jackie Molisani, played in softball tournaments with Jack Smith and
Alva Lee Henry as managers, participated in Dorchester County
Hose Lay competitions, bringing back trophies that would fill two
cases built by Nick Molisani and Alva Lee Henry. Of course the
ladies assisted.
In 1989 we would also add to our dining hall with monies left to us
by Percy Davenport. A cadet program was started with already
existing junior members and a Holmatro Rescue Tool was
purchased.
1996 we bought our second factory built pumper, Freightliner by
Firemaster from Delmarva Fire Apparatus for $196,000 and also
saw an addition to the truck house with grant monies from Maryland
State Firemen’s Association.
Needing a larger tanker in 1999 Darling International donated a
tractor, Hess Oil Co. donated the trailer and with the help from
Delmarva Refurbushing including painting the unit, we now had a
6000 gallon tanker.
In 2004 we would sell our Rescue Truck, 3000 gallon tanker and
Antique donated by Mr. Paul and in 2005 would buy a Freightliner
by Firemaster Rescue/Engine for $270,000 with a Low Interest
State Loan. Hebron Vol. Fire Company donated a 1981 brush truck
and Queenstown Vol. Fire Co. donated a 1984 Ford Bronco that
serves as a utility vehicle.
Many fundraisers have brought us this far, bingos, bull roasts,
bazaars and dances but the chicken BBQ and chicken and oyster
suppers are our main fundraisers along with the golf tournaments in
September at the Linkwood Family Golf Course. Hard work
continues today with a fundraiser every month but December.
