Calvert County is only about 10 miles wide, but it is 60 miles long. So, there are firehouses at Solomon Island, Lusby, Prince Frederick, Huntingtown, Northbeach, and Dunkirk. The firefighters and emergency medical personnel are all unsalaried volunteers. The departments' operations are supported by their communities, fundraising, and the County government.
The Huntingtown firehouse was chartered in 1972 by some of Huntingtown's determined citizens. The firehouse and equipment is funded by contributions, some federal funding, weekly bingo, and an annual raffle of a vintage Corvette.
There are about 50 active members (firefighters or emergency medical teams) who must pass over 100 hours of education and continued training to qualify.
Other
specialized requirements of a rural fire department are providing lighting for
nightime emergencies and access to remote, roadless areas. The Huntingtown Department
owns a brush unit and a newly-purchased customized Jeep for wild land firefighting
and rescue.
