Shaft Fire Department

The Shaft Fire Department, officially known as the Borden Shaft Volunteer Fire Company No. 1, serves the Shaft community and surrounding areas in Allegany County, Maryland. The department was organized in October 1938 and officially chartered on December 22, 1938, during a time when coal mining communities relied heavily on volunteer organizations for emergency services. Its formation was driven by local residents who recognized the need for organized fire protection in the Shaft area.

One of the key figures in the department’s early history was Elmer Kight, a member of the Frostburg Fire Department and treasurer of the Maryland State Firemen’s Association. Kight donated the company’s first dollar, which was used to purchase a rope to pull a donated hose reel—marking the department’s very first piece of firefighting equipment. Early fundraising efforts included a raffle for twelve tons of coal, which raised enough money to buy several hundred feet of fire hose. The department’s first fire truck was a used 1923 Dodge, purchased for just $25 and kept in service for about eight years.

The department faced significant challenges during World War II, when nearly three-quarters of its members were drafted into military service. For four years, only eight volunteers remained to provide fire protection to the community. After the war, membership rebounded, and in 1947 the company purchased its first brand-new fire engine, a fully equipped REO pumper, along with new uniforms for its members—signaling a period of renewed growth and modernization.

From its earliest days, fundraising and community support were central to the department’s survival. In 1939, members built an outdoor dance floor on a local ball field to host events, though weather often interfered. Eventually, an engine house with a meeting room and bar—commonly known as the Shaft Fire Hall—was constructed. The fire hall bar served as the department’s primary source of income from 1939 until 1980. In 1948, the Ladies Auxiliary was formed, playing a major role in fundraising through dinners, soups, and community events.

In 1962, the department donated its original building to a local church and constructed a new engine house on land that once held a school, donated by the Borden Mining Company. Over time, the facility was expanded to meet growing needs, including the addition of Memory Hall, dedicated to honoring past and present members of the company.

As fire service demands evolved, the Shaft Fire Department continued to upgrade its equipment. From the late 1960s through the 1980s, the company added new pumpers, tankers, and rescue-capable vehicles, including one of the area’s first engines with a fully enclosed cab. These upgrades improved firefighter safety and operational capability. In the 2000s, additional modern apparatus and support vehicles were acquired to keep pace with changing emergency response needs.

During 2018–2019, the Shaft Volunteer Fire Department made a distinctive change to its apparatus appearance, transitioning from traditional fire engine red to black. This decision was made to honor and represent the Borden Shaft Coal Mine, the historic mining operation for which the department is named and which played a central role in the development of the Shaft community.

The black apparatus color serves as a tribute to the area’s deep coal-mining heritage and reflects the department’s strong connection to the working families and history of the region. By adopting this unique color scheme, the department not only set itself apart visually from neighboring companies, but also reinforced its identity and pride in the origins of the community it has protected since 1938.

Today’s fleet at the Shaft Volunteer Fire Department reflects a well-equipped, multi-discipline operation capable of handling fire suppression, rescue, and special operations incidents.

The department’s primary response unit is Rescue-Engine 17, a 2019 Spartan pumper. It carries 750 gallons of water and is equipped with a 1,500 GPM Hale pump. The apparatus is outfitted for technical rescue and vehicle extrication, carrying Holmatro Pentheon 50 Series hydraulic tools, including a cutter, spreader, combi tool, two rams, and a mini-cutter. Additional rescue equipment includes Res-Q-Jacks, Hurst Vetter rescue air bags, a variety of chainsaws, comprehensive rope rescue equipment including an Arizona Vortex, and structural collapse equipment such as Paratech rescue shores.

A key specialty apparatus in the fleet is a 2001 Pierce Dash 95-foot mid-mount tower ladder. This unit carries 300 gallons of water and features a 1,500 GPM Hale pump. Like Rescue-Engine 17, it is equipped with Holmatro Pentheon 50 Series extrication tools—including a cutter, spreader, and combi tool—along with rope rescue equipment and multiple chainsaws. Among these is a K-12 rescue saw fitted with a Warthog blade, allowing the unit to support forcible entry, ventilation, and technical rescue operations.

The department also operates a 2005 Hummer H2, acquired as a Department of Natural Resources surplus vehicle. This unit is primarily used for manpower transport, ambulance assists, and support functions. It carries EMS equipment and other miscellaneous tools that enhance flexibility during medical and rescue responses.

For wildland and weather-related operations, the department utilizes a 1995 Dodge Ram as its brush unit. In addition to brush fire response, this vehicle serves as a lead vehicle during winter weather operations, equipped with a plow to assist with access and roadway safety during snow and ice events.

In addition, the department houses and operates County-owned UTV 48, which is used for backcountry rescues, brush fires, and incidents in areas inaccessible to standard apparatus. This vehicle expands the department’s capability to respond effectively in rugged terrain and remote locations.

Today, the Shaft Volunteer Fire Department remains an active and progressive volunteer organization, protecting a service area of approximately 25 square miles. The department provides fire suppression, rescue services, and mutual aid to neighboring communities while emphasizing training, professionalism, and community involvement. Its long history reflects the dedication of generations of volunteers committed to protecting the Shaft community and preserving a strong tradition of service.

The Shaft Volunteer Fire Department is a 100% volunteer fire department providing emergency services to the communities of Shaft, Midlothian, Woodland, Carlos, Grahamtown, Klondike, and Wrights Crossing, while also responding on mutual aid to surrounding areas. Rescue-Engine 17 is equipped to handle a wide range of emergencies including structure fires, motor vehicle accidents, and technical rescues, with specialized rope rescue and structural collapse equipment. Truck 17 carries a full complement of extrication tools and is outfitted with a 95-foot tower, supporting both firefighting operations and complex rescue situations.

Shaft Fire Department is a Department participating in the Maryland Firefighter 5050® • Draw 46 event, presented by Maryland Firefighter.

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