December 28, 1936 - First Meeting

Meeting called to organize a volunteer fire department for Clinton. About 15 interested persons attended plus representatives from companies organized previously in Oxon Hill, Forestville, and Riverdale.

Mr. Hugh Bickford, local attorney and owner of farm where Surratts Gardens is today, presided. Mr. Alan Penn acted as secretary, both temporarily.

Mr. Bickford called for nominations and the following were elected President - Harry F. Bradley ; Vice President - T.S. Gwynn, Sr.; Treasurer - J. Frank Dent and Secretary - Wm. S. Pyles.

President Bradley appointed a By-Laws Committee - Hugh Bickford, Alan Penn, and Frank Reh. He appointed a member ship committee - Alan Penn, Millard Shultz, Eugene Goddard, and Luke Malovick.

Discussion ensued with representatives of fire engine companies. Meeting adjourned at 11 p.m. and the minuets concluded by a statement from secretary Pyles “Our Fire Department Has Started.”
January 6, 1937 - Second Meeting
Here begins the typical business that was to occur at the countless meeting over the next fifty years.

Wm. S. Pyles was elected first Fire Chief; Assistant Chief Ben Dellinger, and Chief Engineer, Howard Miskell.

An Equipment Committee was appointed as was a Fund Raiser committee.

A trip was planned to Annapolis four days later to inspect come fire engines. President Bradley was the only one to go there.

Of significance at this second meeting was the volunteering of several young men to become active members. These included: Thomas Miller, Jack Dyson, Bob Gwynn, Jack Gwynn, Alan Penn, Millard Shultz, Jake Taymen, William Glass, George Singer, and Fred Garner.

Attorney Bickford offered to file incorporation papers and the Treasurer Dent gave him the ten dollar incorporation fee - all before Jan 25. Letter writing to local business houses and private homes raised the first funds. At a report on Feb 15, 1937, $717.00 in cash plus $347.00 in pledges were on hand.

March 1937

At the March meeting of 1937, action taken to join both the Maryland and Prince George’s Fire Associations.

Uniforms were discussed as was the location of a site for the fire house. Two sites offered and the Department accepted a small plot on Woodyard Road behind The Clinton Bank donated by a Mr. Wilson.

April 1937

Millard Shultz was elected Captain.

Perhaps a major decision was made when the membership at its Feb 1937 meeting authorized the purchase of a second hand fire engine from the American La France Fire Equipment Company at $1500.00 and gave the Department 200 feet of hose and nozzles.

October 1937

First secretary and Chief Wm. S. Pyles left the community and T. Alan Penn was elected secretary.

Firehouse construction underway and prediction of its use by January. Engine being kept in a barn on Mr. Reh’s place.

November 1937

Membership adopted the first Corporate Seal and its design for the department.

Members awarded the first Life Membership to President Harry Bradley, especially for his valuable leadership, his efforts in construction of the firehouse, and time devoted to the department. At the same meeting Bradley was elected Chief.

December 1937

Treasurer Frank Dent reported that the cost to date of the firehouse was $1036.90.

The department had been authorized to borrow a $1000.00 from Clinton Bank at the November meeting; now there was a balance of $647.53. Of special significance at the meeting was the initial and first mention of the question by President Bradley of forming a Ladies Auxiliary. It was decided that all the members should promote this idea among the Ladies.

Also, another first at this meeting was authorization to buy the first siren at a cost of $324.00 plus remote control at $40.00 and an alarm box of $10.00.

January 1938

It was decided that the dates of January 19th 1938 be established as the time to form an Auxiliary and the men where asked to spread the word.

February 1938

For the second year of the Clinton Volunteer Fire Department, Inc., the following officers where elected: President and Chief - Harry F. Bradley

Vice President - Thomas S. Gwynn, Sr.
Treasurer - J. Frank Dent
Secretary and Assistant Chief - T. Alan Penn
Captain - Millard Shultz
1st Lieutenant - Robert Gwynn
2nd Lieutenant - George Singer
Chief Engineer- Howard Miskell
Assistant Engineers- Thomas Miller, Jack Dyson, J.J. O’Hara, Jack Gwynn, and J.G. Askew.

March 1938

At this meeting, authorization was given to appoint Delegates and Alternates to the Maryland State Convention. This custom has continued to this day.

April 1938
Authorization was given to mount the new siren on a tower. Of significance was the adoption of the first Constitution by the Department and this document, along with new By-Laws, served to guide and direct the organization.

August 1938
A typical motion of the new fire department: “(Captain) Shultz moved that we buy 6 pairs of gloves and two smoke masks. Upon being seconded by (Thomas) Miller, the motion was passed.”

The department was very conscientious of its duty as after some discussion, it was decided not to put the engine in the County Parade at Cottage City as it would be too long before neighboring engines could get here.

November 1938
Authorization was given to pay the telephone company to install a line that would automatically cause the siren to sound when the department’s telephone was rung. (Perhaps this was the beginning of automation)

March 1939
After holding several dances, several raffles, it was decided to return to letter writing to solicit funds for the department. This was authorized and a Committee was appointed to do this.

May 1939
An interesting motion: “A bill for $24.00 interest on the fire house was presented. It was decided to ask its Ladies Auxiliary to pay this.”
By this time of this year, the department in 4 ½ months has answered more calls than during all last year.

July 1939
The department launched the carnival era and named Mr. Bradley, Chairmen.

October 9, 1939
Final payment made on the fire house. The Chief reported that there had been no fires for 3 months.

January 1940
A new office was instituted in the election of officers, this being Fire Marshal and Griffith Oursler, Jr. was elected.

February 1940
Hugh McKinney accepted as member.

June 1940
Voted and accepted as an Associate member was T.S. Gwynn, Jr.

August 1940
Department purchased a Brockway Truck for $2047.00.

October 1940
Motion made to re-write the Constitution and By-Laws. Committee appointed to do such.

November 1940
Application was received from E.A. Webster for membership and was approved.

New Constitution voted affective at once. As a result, the first Board of Directors was Elected.

June 1941
Application received from E.A. Loveless, Jr. for membership. Voted acceptance.

September 1941
Department voted to add an addition to the firehouse to house the new truck.

October 1941
Mr. Raymond Shultz appointed engineer. At this meeting, Chief Bradley submitted his resignation as Chief.

January 1942
Mr. T. Alan Penn was elected as Chief. Mr. Bradley resigned as an active member.

Since the August 1941 meeting, the Department had been aware of defense measures and procedures for fighting incendiary fires that an enemy might start. After Pearl Harbor, a new alertness was evident since members where leaving for military service or moving elsewhere. Board Of Directors provided each active member with a key to the firehouse.

A motion was passed at the DEC meeting removing the restriction of limiting the member ship to only 25 active members. It failed to carry

February 1942
President Millard Shultz presided and continued this official position.

April 1942
Thomas Miller submitted his resignation as an active member but offering his services otherwise.

October 1942
Department was warned that care must be used when truck siren is on might be confused with air-raid sirens.

November 1942
J.T. White Jr. accepted as member. Bulletins received from Maryland Council of Defense and read.

January 1943
Department had bought two $100 Series F War Bonds using funds obtained from sale of scrap metal, etc.

February 1943
Department voted to accept auxiliary members over 14 years of age if parents consented. Manpower was needed.

November 1943
Department discussed obtaining land “on the main road” (this presumably Rt.5) for carnival and better firehouse. NOTE: Meeting was interrupted 2 hours while members went to get two horses out of the barn that had blown over in a storm.

January 1944
Department took out personal injury and property insurance.

February 1944
Application approved for membership of Earl White.

August 1944
Department voted to entertain Ladies Auxiliary at social AUG 30.

February 1945
Considerable discussion on building a new firehouse. Committee appointed to select site.

April 1945
Meeting held to discuss purchase of new truck, Committee appointed to consider various makes.

June 1945
Mr. Griff Oursler, Sr. offered to sell two lots for the new firehouse for $1750.00. It was accepted by the department. Purchase consummated FEB 1946.

October 1945
E.A. Loveless, Jr. returned from military service and accepted as an active member.

June 1946
Resignation of E.A. Loveless, Jr. accepted.

September 1946
Discussion of building new firehouse or adding to old one. Two committees appointed to investigate.

October 1946
Discussion of building new firehouse had consulted with John Schieble and Andy Stuart was drawing plans.

May 1947
Regular order if business suspended so that entire membership could review and examine plans for the new firehouse. Members were in substantial agreement of plans.

March 1948
Revised plans for the new firehouse presented which were favorably received.

September 1948
Membership agreed it seemed best to build the new firehouse by separate contract rather than one general contract.

October 18, 1948
Special meeting called to discuss construction of new firehouse. Consensus was to direct bids in sections of the building.

December 1948
Application for membership as junior firemen received from Aubrey A. Shultz. Accepted unanimously by members.

January 1949
Membership requested that Surratts district be included in a Legislative Bill for payment of a fire tax.

February 1949
Membership discussed new firehouse and a motion was made and passed to proceed with plans to build a one story building 60′x 100′.

May 1949
Building committee appointed and authorized to get plan and bids on new building.

August 1949
Special meeting called to allow the building committee to purchase seven steel trusses at a special price.

September 1949
Building Committee authorized to proceed to utilize the $12,000.00 cash in hand.

September 23, 1949
Special meeting of building committee. Review of impending costs for materials indicated the building would cost $27,000.00. This would enclose the first floor and allow heat to warm the area. Authority given for President and Secretary to sign masonry contract. Raymond Shultz elected Chairmen of Committee. Need for much Volunteer labor.

November 1949
Membership authorized that $15,000.00 be barrowed to be spent on a new firehouse. Also, to purchase and “lot” back of the firehouse for $1,000.00. The “lot” purchase was cancelled at the FEB meeting.

June 1950
Announcement made of formation of Allentown Road Fire Department.

August 1950
Chairmen of building committee, Raymond Shultz, Urged members to work two nights a week on construction of new building. Aubrey Shultz requested to change from junior to “active” membership. Approved. Question of concrete or asphalt paving in front of firehouse – decision was concrete. Question of selling the old firehouse was raised.