The Apparatus Of The Shepherdstown, WV FD (Photos)

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This afternoon, I had the opportunity to photograph the fleet of the Shepherdstown, West Virginia FD. A very special thanks to Chief Morgan and his firefighters for their assistance in getting these shots.

Shepherdstown, WV is located in the eastern panhandle of West Virginia, located on the Potomac River about 1 hour outside of Washington, DC. It borders Maryland.

The Shepherdstown Volunteer Fire Department is the oldest in the state, founded in the 1700's, along with Shepherdstown. Their first due consists of a dense downtown main street, and dense area of houses built in the 1700's and 1800's. The district also includes a major university, hundreds of acres of Revolutionary War battlefields, and agricultural properties. They also provide EMS.

They raise all their own money for capital expenditures, such as apparatus purchases, via community fundraising, such as bingo, game dinners, and their famous apple butter.

They are a very proud, and progressive department. They are an all-volunteer department, with 7 live in members. The only career person is the Paramedic provided by the County to them.

THE FIRE DISTRICT MAP/COVERAGE AREA: http://www.jeffersoncountywv.org/home/showdocument?id=43

Their website is: http://www.shepherdstownfiredepartment.com/index.html

Engine 3 is a 2013 Pierce Velocity 2000/750

Rescue Engine 3 is a 2007 Pierce Dash 2000GPM/850 Gal/30 Foam

Truck 3 is a 1997 Pierce Arrow 75' 1500/500

Tanker 3 is a 2000 Mack RD/Semo 2000/3100

Brush 3 is a 2003 Ford F-450 4x4 200/150

EMS-3 is a 2005 Dodge Durango equipped for ALS response

Ambulance 3 is a 2007 Ford F-450 4x4/Medtec, which is being replaced in March 2016 with a Dodge/PL Custom

Ambulance 3-1 is a 2007 Ford F-450 4x4/PL Custom, which is being replaced in March 2016 with a Dodge/PL Custom

Duty 3 is a 1995 Chevrolet Suburban assigned to the Duty Officer as a take home vehicle when on duty

Here are some of the photos I got, hope you enjoy.

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Thanks for the photos and background Seth. Looks like they have a nice, well organized and equipped department. The live in program, administered properly, is a nice way to provide a quick out the door response for volunteer departments, particularly in rural areas.

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Why are all of the apparatus designated as "3?" Is there some significance to that number?

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Why are all of the apparatus designated as "3?" Is there some significance to that number?

Jefferson County designates a number for each department. For Shepherdstown, it is "3". So, Car 3 is the Chief, Engine 3 is the Engine. Now, let's say there are two Engines. One would be designated Engine 3, and the other Engine 3-1.

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I guess it's also somewhat like Rockland County's apparatus designations. Thanks for the clarification.

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For anyone who is interested, this is their fire district map. As you can see, their coverage area is quite large:

http://www.jeffersoncountywv.org/home/showdocument?id=43

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Here is a photo of the 1961 Mack C85 ladder. The phot was taken in 2014 while the truck was getting some work done to it. The truck is alive and well and should bee seen at some shows in the near future.

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Thanks a very cool truck! Looks like she's in great shape. I'm glad it's still alive! Thanks for posting the photo VAL327...let me know when it's restored...I'd love to get some photos!