The Volunteer Fire Company of Halfway has a long history dating back to 1949 when the company was first established.  All starting with the name of our Company.  At first, the name “Halfway” would certainly sound like an unusual title for anything.  Especially a fire department.  This was one of the thoughts of the founders of this volunteer fire department, which was to serve approximately 500 homes in 1949.  Several names for the department were discussed.  Not wanting to have a common name, the decision was made to use the “nick-name” of halfway that area residents had given their small unincorporated community that lies halfway between the City of Hagerstown and the Town of Williamsport.  The Volunteer Fire Company of Halfway, MD, Inc. was established by charter on March 16, 1949 to provide fire and emergency service protection for the community of Halfway, MD.  The Company was organized by a small group of citizens who were concerned with the community’s rapid growth and building fire loss potential. 

Our founding members worked towards forming the organization and were able to purchase  a used fire truck.   The truck they were able to acquire was a 1945 International with a 500 gpm pump.  The pumper was purchased and placed in station in mid 1950.  The 1945 International served as our primary piece for around six years.  Once the truck was outfitted with equipment, the company was ready to be put into service and were ready to respond in March of 1951.  On  March 16th of 1951  The Volunteer Fire Company was alerted for a Bulldozer Fire on Lincoln Avenue Extended.  We were official in-service and ran our first fire call. 

We ran with the only the International Pumper for six years before ordering a second pumper.  In 1957 the new pumper was ordered upgrading our services to two pumpers.  

In 1966, the community around us was rapidly growing and with it, the need for additional equipment which meant the need for a bigger firehouse.  The decision was made to construct a new metal butler building on the site of the old Halfway School house.  Upon completion of the new building, plans were already in progress to purchase a new pumper to replace the 1945 International.  In 1969, we took delivery of a 1969 International Maxim Pumper.  The new pumper featured a 1,000 GPM Hale Fire Pump and a 500 gallon water tank.  The company also saw the need for more water with the rapid rural growth of the are and acquired a 1958 International navy tanker a 2,000 gallon water tank.  The company ran the tanker for four years before having it refurbished in 1973.  The company purchased 1973 Ford 900 series truck to replace the tanker's chassis.  The water tank was transferred over and a 450 GPM/PTO pump was installed.  A group of our volunteers lead by Chief Joe McDaniels worked to get the refurb of the tanker done saving the company thousands of dollars.

By the mid 70s, the little community of Halfway had grown so much and was still rapidly growing.  With the recent construction of the Valley Mall and the future commercial growth in the area, officer of the company began discussing the need for a Ladder Truck.  We didn't want to depend on other departments to have to cover the area we were here to serve.  After multiple discussion it was agreed and a committee was formed to begin planning the purchase of a new Ladder Truck.  After months of meetings and planning, the company placed an order with Pierce Manufacturing in 1975 to order an 85' elevating platform ladder truck along with a Pierce Mini-Pumper as a package deal.   The company took delivery of the Mini-Pumper in 1976.  The unit was outfitted with hose and equipment and was designated as Engine 26-4.  The ladder truck ordered took a little longer since the truck was being built from the ground up to meet the departments specifications.  After two years of waiting, in 1977 the company took delivery of their brand-new 1977 Pierce / Hendrickson 85' LTI Elevating Platform equiped with a 1250 GPM pump and 1,000 feet of 4" supply line.  The two closest Towers similar to the one purchased were located in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania and Gaithersburg, Maryland.

As the year fly by and the call volume continues to rise, so does the risk our crews take each time they go out the door.  In 1980, our department lost our 1973 Tanker in a near fatal tragedy.  While responding to a brush fire on Interstate 81, the truck rolled over at the Route 11 and Halfway Boulevard intersection.  Both the operator and co-driver were trapped in the cab but were able to be pulled from the wreckage by a service station attendant before additional help could arrive.  Fortunately no one was seriously injured. Due to the rural area And limited water sources, the tanker was an invaluable piece of equipment for our department.  Without hesitation, the planning quickly began to replace the unit.  In less than a year, our department took delivery of a 1981 CF Mack / Pierce pumper-tanker foam unit, and was designated as Engine 26-3.  This unit was powered by a Mack 686 350 HP engine with an Allison automatic transmission HT 740. The unit had a 1250 GPM Waterous two-stage pump, a 2,000-gallon water tank and a 1400 GPM Fecon around the pump proportioning foam system with a 150-gallon foam tank. The enclosed cab was added to seat upto six in 1990 at Pierce Manufacturing in Appleton Wisconsin. Engine 26-3 carried 1,000 feet of 4-inch diameter supply hose, numerous pre-connected hose lines, and a full compliment of tools and equipment for engine, tanker and foam operations.

The department entered into the world of EMS starting with one-P/L Custom 1995 Ford E350 Custom Medallion Ambulance. Our career EMS staff began with 1-full time EMS Coordinator/Paramedic and 13-partime advanced life support personnel (Paramedics / Cardiac Rescue Technician) 

On September 19, 1995 Medic 26-9 ran its first Call for a seizure patient with Paramedic Matheny and EMT’s Anderson and Carter. 

On October 16, 1995 The Volunteer Fire Company of Halfway proudly held a Ground Breaking Ceremony for the Fire Station Expansion Project.  A second project was also started around 1995 with the Company as a whole.  The growing number and size of the apparatus along with the growing membership called for a larger station.  After multiple meetings, a construction project began into the rehab of the firehouse.  The firehouse we built back in 1966 was reformed in a two-year project to what we have today.  The project when complete gave us four drive through bays, a new watch office, a new lounge and kitchen area, a new training room, new living quarters for Fire & EMS crews as well as a new locker room area.  We were also able to add additional offices as well as a fitness room for our personnel to us. 

Volunteer Fire Company of Halfway ~ Washington County ~ Maryland May 3, 1998 Captain Joseph Kroboth,Jr., appropriately wearing a reflective safety vest and utilizing a flashlight with safety wand, was directing traffic at the scene of a serious motor vehicle collision on I-81 near Hagerstown. The scene was very busy and a medevac helicopter was in the process of landing. Suddenly, a passing pick-up truck changed lanes, striking Captain Kroboth and throwing him some 150 feet. He died of massive head and chest injuries. Captain Joseph Kroboth ,Jr, was 59 years old and had served for 39 years. 

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In 2015, Halfway was beginning to see more of a decrease in Volunteerism which was being felt throughout the country.  A large decrease in firefighters and qualified operators forced the company to re-evaluate some of its practices in operations.  With a decreased need for Tanker services in the first due, the decision was made to place the 1981 Mack CF Engine Tanker into reserve status and later being advertised to be sold.