OUR HISTORY
Over a Century of Service
Organized by Ridgeley citizens in 1924 and officially chartered in 1925, the Ridgeley Volunteer Fire Company has protected generations of residents through volunteerism, sacrifice, and community support.
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*This page is a work in progress*
*This page is a work in progress*
Answering Ridgeley’s Call Since 1924
Answering Ridgeley’s Call Since 1924
Before Ridgeley established its own fire department, fire protection for the community was provided by the City of Cumberland Fire Department. In 1924, a group of Ridgeley citizens recognized that the growing town needed dependable fire protection of its own and organized what would become the Ridgeley Volunteer Fire Company.
The organization was officially incorporated and chartered on November 5, 1925, under the name Ridgeley Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. At a later date, the organization became the Ridgeley Volunteer Fire Company, Inc., which remains its official corporate name today. The organization continues to be commonly known as the Ridgeley Fire Department, Company 25, and Station 25. That charter date is why the company’s patch and official materials display “Est. 1925,” even though the first organizational work began the previous year.
The company’s original motto was:
“We Labor to Protect, Educate and Prevent.”
Our Charter Members
Our Charter Members
The following citizens were identified as the charter members who helped formally establish the Ridgeley Volunteer Fire Department in 1925.
R. A. Radcliff
H. R. Knight
H. M. Brown
J. L. Biggs
L. P. Walker
S. J. Folk
B. F. Magruder
J. H. Simmons
H. E. Metger
John Byer
J. L. Hughes
Milestones in the History of Station 25
Milestones in the History of Station 25
Apparatus Through the Generations
Apparatus Through the Generations
Model T Pickup
Model T Pickup
Year
Manufacturer and model
Pump and tank capacity
Years of service in Ridgeley
Whether purchased new or used
Department from which it came, when applicable
Where it went after Ridgeley
One or two notable details or stories
1926 Seagrave Pumper
1926 Seagrave Pumper
1926
Manufacturer and model
Pump and tank capacity
Years of service in Ridgeley
Whether purchased new or used
Department from which it came, when applicable
Where it went after Ridgeley
One or two notable details or stories
Engine 25 (retired)
Engine 25 (retired)
1949 Mack 3-door L-85 (L-Series)
750 GPM pump / 300-gallon tank
Years of service in Ridgeley
Whether purchased new or used
Department from which it came, when applicable
Where it went after Ridgeley
Part of Mack’s famed L-series fire apparatus production running from 1937 to 1954
1960 Ford C-850 / Central Pumper
1960 Ford C-850 / Central Pumper
1960
Manufacturer and model
Pump and tank capacity
Years of service in Ridgeley
Whether purchased new or used
Department from which it came, when applicable
Where it went after Ridgeley
One or two notable details or stories
Tanker 25-20 (retired)
Tanker 25-20 (retired)
1970 White 4000
500 GPM pump / 4000-gallon tank
Years of service in Ridgeley
Whether purchased new or used
Department from which it came, when applicable
Where it went after Ridgeley
One or two notable details or stories
Engine 25-?? (retired)
Engine 25-?? (retired)
1976 Pierce Ford C-8000
Pump and tank capacity
Years of service in Ridgeley
Whether purchased new or used
Department from which it came, when applicable
Where it went after Ridgeley
One or two notable details or stories
Squad 25-30 (retired)
Squad 25-30 (retired)
1985 Chevy Step Van
Years of service in Ridgeley
Whether purchased new or used
Department from which it came, when applicable
Where it went after Ridgeley
One or two notable details or stories
Engine 25-11 (retired)
Engine 25-11 (retired)
1994 Pierce Saber
Pump and tank capacity
Years of service in Ridgeley
Whether purchased new or used
Department from which it came, when applicable
Where it went after Ridgeley
One or two notable details or stories
Squad 25-30 (retired)
Squad 25-30 (retired)
2002
Manufacturer and model
Years of service in Ridgeley
Whether purchased new or used
Department from which it came, when applicable
Where it went after Ridgeley
One or two notable details or stories
Ambulance 25-71 (825) (retired)
Ambulance 25-71 (825) (retired)
2001 Wheeled Coach
Manufacturer and model
Year
Pump and tank capacity
Years of service in Ridgeley
Whether purchased new or used
Department from which it came, when applicable
Where it went after Ridgeley
One or two notable details or stories
Manufacturer and model
Year
Pump and tank capacity
Years of service in Ridgeley
Whether purchased new or used
Department from which it came, when applicable
Where it went after Ridgeley
One or two notable details or stories
Our Stations Through the Years
Our Stations Through the Years
Old Ridgeley Motor Company
Old Ridgeley Motor Company
Apparatus storage from approximately 1926 through 1940.
Former Ridgeley Bank Building
Former Ridgeley Bank Building
Location of company meetings during the same general period.
Dance Hall and 1940 Addition
Dance Hall and 1940 Addition
The dance hall generated fundraising proceeds, while the later garage and meeting-room addition consolidated company operations.
Former Ridgeley Distributors Property and Current Station
Former Ridgeley Distributors Property and Current Station
Acquired in July 1970 and developed into the company’s long-serving station property.
Planned New Home for Station 25
Planned New Home for Station 25
For many years, the Ridgeley Volunteer Fire Company recognized the need for a new Station 25. The formal planning process began in 2019, but the project faced several setbacks, including local political challenges, the loss of a proposed site, funding difficulties, the COVID-19 pandemic, and rapidly increasing construction costs. Despite these obstacles, the Company continued working toward the project and eventually secured the support needed to move forward.
The People Behind Station 25
The People Behind Station 25
Past Chiefs
Past Chiefs
Name
Name
Years served
Photograph, when available
Major accomplishments during the person’s term
Name
Name
Years served
Photograph, when available
Major accomplishments during the person’s term
Name
Name
Years served
Photograph, when available
Major accomplishments during the person’s term
Name
Name
Years served
Photograph, when available
Major accomplishments during the person’s term
Name
Name
Years served
Photograph, when available
Major accomplishments during the person’s term
Name
Name
Years served
Photograph, when available
Major accomplishments during the person’s term
Past Presidents
Past Presidents
Name
Name
Years served
Photograph, when available
Major accomplishments during the person’s term
Name
Name
Years served
Photograph, when available
Major accomplishments during the person’s term
Name
Name
Years served
Photograph, when available
Major accomplishments during the person’s term
Name
Name
Years served
Photograph, when available
Major accomplishments during the person’s term
Name
Name
Years served
Photograph, when available
Major accomplishments during the person’s term
Name
Name
Years served
Photograph, when available
Major accomplishments during the person’s term
Life Members
Life Members
Name
Name
Years served
Photograph, when available
Name
Name
Years served
Photograph, when available
Name
Name
Years served
Photograph, when available
Name
Name
Years served
Photograph, when available
Name
Name
Years served
Photograph, when available
Name
Name
Years served
Photograph, when available
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