About Our Department
Learn more about our history, our fleet, and our team.
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The roots of the Oakland Volunteer Fire Department (OVFD) trace back to the late 19th century, born out of a critical need for organized fire protection in the growing mountain community of Garrett County. Established as an all-volunteer force in 1894, the department was formed by civic-minded citizens who recognized that reliance on informal bucket brigades was no longer enough to protect the town’s expanding residential and commercial footprints. Operating with primitive equipment by modern standards, these early volunteers relied heavily on physical grit, mutual trust, and community fundraising to acquire basic firefighting gear and establish a reliable presence in the county seat.
Throughout the 20th century, the OVFD steadily modernized its apparatus and infrastructure to keep pace with technological advancements and the expanding needs of the region. Transitioning from horse-drawn or hand-pulled carts to motorized fire engines, the department positioned itself as a progressive emergency response agency. Because Oakland serves a sprawling and topographically challenging territory within the county, the department historically managed a larger service area than many neighboring companies. Over the decades, generations of local families have stepped into the ranks, transforming the department from a small municipal fire brigade into a highly trained rescue and suppression team capable of handling complex modern emergencies.
Today, operating out of its station on South Third Street, the Oakland Volunteer Fire Department remains a foundational pillar of community safety and local pride. Maintaining its status as an all-volunteer organization for over 130 years, the OVFD continues to evolve, recently pursuing state-of-the-art facility upgrades to enhance response times and improve health and safety conditions for its active personnel. Beyond responding to fires and emergency calls, the department is deeply woven into the social fabric of Oakland, regularly hosting community events, supporting regional initiatives, and standing as a lasting testament to the enduring spirit of small-town volunteerism.
A major fire that threatened all of downtown Oakland destroyed the historic Fireside Inn and the Gonder Insurance building. The 100th anniversary of the department was celebrated. Individual firefighter photos were taken for that celebration.
New fire department vehicle tags which included the OVFD emblem became available from the MVA.
New roof put on community room. A new pickup was purchased. Discussion began on prospects of obtaining the adjacent Coke building/property.
It was determined that a new roof was needed on the engine room. Several significant changes were made to the by-laws to prevent discrimination when it came to voting in new members, including race, color, creed, gender, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, and ancestry. Alarms included another downtown Oakland fire which destroyed the pet store building located adjacent to Englander's Pharmacy along Alder Street.
The aforementioned new roof was put on the engine room.
Yet another downtown fire in Oakland (January) destroyed the former Miller's Market building, at the time housing ICE Electronics, at the corner of Second and Liberty streets, again threatening adjacent buildings. The minimum age for to qualify for membership in the department was reduced from 21 to 18. A new pumper/quint was purchased for approximately $247,000, and approximately $10,000 was allocated for new uniforms.
A by-laws amendment was passed establishing an OVFD junior firefighters program, open to persons age 16-18. Among the first members of that program were current department chief Justin Hinebaugh and current department president Todd Hetrick. Engine #41 was sold.
Nothing of substance.
Current department treasurer Dave Turney died suddenly while at work as an emergency dispatcher. Utility 45 was sold to Terra Alta VFD. A $10,000 donation was received from the estate of Gladys "Happy" Nordeck, used for new uniforms. A grant of nearly $83,000 was received and utilized to purchase new equipment, including an air cascade system.
New uniforms were received.
The loan for the aforementioned pumper/quint was paid off. The department approved the expenditure of $310,000 for a new E-One pumper, taking delivery in 2005.
E-42 pumper was sold to a company in Wisconsin.
A website for the department was designed (www.ovfd40.com).
Garrett County Pipes and Drums became affiliated with the department.
A contract for a new tanker was signed for just under $500,000. A cash bash held in March garnered a profit of approximately $43,000, which was a record high amount for any fundraiser. The department took delivery of new Tanker 46.
Cash bash yielded approximately $50,000.
Fire destroyed the Proctor Kildow Post 71 American Legion building located along Memorial Drive. The department purchased a mini-pumper from Bloomington VFD. An offer of $392,000 to purchase the adjacent Coke property/building was accepted by the seller.
Antique engine #1 was relocated to the new transportation museum along Liberty Street.
An allocation of approximately $96,000 was made to place a new roof on the fire hall and the former Coke building. There were some major renovations made to the community room, and a marquee sign was erected along the street in front. The traditional chicken barbecue, which always featured a large raffle prize, ended.
An additional $15,000 was spent on community room improvements.
Nothing of substance.
Nothing of substance.
Approximately $20,000 was allocated for renovation/improvements to the kitchen, including walk-in coolers. A pre-owned bread delivery truck was purchased to be transformed into a hazz-mat vehicle (Response 40).
Truck 44 was replaced with a pre-owned Pierce 105-foot ladder truck, costing approximately $285,000.
A swift-water rescue team was formed, with several members electing to take the necessary training. Boat 40 was placed into service. A new pickup truck (Utility 48) was purchased. A FEMA grant of approximately $161,000 was received and used to purchase equipment, including breathing apparatus.
Nothing of substance.
Most fundraising events were canceled because of the Covid pandemic; however, the cash bash was held via a live online feed. The anniversary dinner and Oktoberfest were also canceled.
A new pumper, costing an estimated $1 million, was ordered. Oktoberfest was again canceled because of COVID.
A grant of $52,000 was received for the purchase of a new rescue boat.
ER-43 was sold for $130,000. The department took delivery on new boats, 40-M and Boat 40.
The department took delivery on the new pumper in March. The department purchased 13.26 acres of property along B Street and Maryland Highway in Mountain Lake Park. A grant of approximately $108,000 was received for the purchase of new hose.
A donation of nearly $118,000 was received from the estate of the late Jerry Stewart. State funding totaling $100,000 for the new building project was presented to the department by Senator Mike McKay and Delegate Jim Hinebaugh. A FEMA grant in the amount of $146,000 was received to purchase new turnout gear.
20XX F-450 w/ CET Fire Skid Unit
The backbone of the Oakland Volunteer Fire Department has always been its members—a dedicated group of local citizens who balanced their regular occupations with the unpredictable demands of emergency service. For over a century, the roster has been a reflection of the community itself, pulling together local business owners, laborers, and professionals who shared a common commitment to protecting their neighbors.
Joining the department has historically been a matter of generational pride for many Oakland families, with fathers, sons, and daughters passing down the tradition of volunteerism. This deep-rooted family connection created a tight-knit culture within the station, where long-term dedication was common, and veteran members frequently mentored younger recruits in the distinct challenges of fighting fires in Garrett County's rugged terrain and harsh winter weather.
To maintain operational readiness, OVFD members have always committed countless hours to rigorous training, national certifications, and station maintenance long before ever answering a call. As firefighting technology and emergency medical services evolved, the expectations placed on these volunteers grew from basic physical stamina to technical expertise in hazardous materials, vehicle extrication, and advanced rescue operations.
Beyond the physical and mental demands of emergency response, members have traditionally shouldered the responsibility of community engagement and fundraising, organizing local events and dinners to keep the department funded. Their collective effort represents a quiet, continuous sacrifice, sustaining a legacy where neighbors help neighbors entirely on a volunteer basis.
President: Todd Hetrick
Vice President: Alex Mellott
Treasurer: Taylor Crabtree
Asst. Treasurer: Preston Sharps
Secretary: Mike “Littleman” Saunders
Asst. Secretary: Christopher Gilbert
Chief: Justin Hinebaugh
Deputy Chief: John Feather
1st. Asst. Chief: Jason Sisler
Captain: John Savage
1st Lieutenant: Dakota Pritt
2nd Lieutenant: Taylor Crabtree
EMS Officer: Phil Rook
Chief Engineer: Mike Pritt
John Feather
Todd Hetrick
Mike Pritt
Dakota Pritt
Trina Donoghue
Bryan O'Connell
The volunteers and staff of Oakland Volunteer Fire Department are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Members and staff participate in many hours of training to be prepared for your time of need. Support like yours allows us to fulfill our operations budget along with maintaining our current apparatus.