TRAPPE — The oldest firehouse in Talbot County, the Trappe Volunteer Fire Company, is raising funds for much-needed reconstruction.
Nick Newnam, chief of the Trappe Volunteer Fire Company described the building’s structure as “questionable at best.”
According to Newnam, the current firehouse structure dates from 1951 and no longer serves the needs of a modern fire company. The building’s engine bay doors only provide “inches” of clearance, requiring custom sizing for new equipment. Structurally, the engine bay doors could not be expanded to accommodate larger fire vehicles.
About a year ago, the company began planning to fix the firehouse’s problems. The estimated cost for the reconstruction, house fire equipment, training facilities, administrative space and housing quarters for a Talbot County Emergency Services Advanced Life Support unit would be $6 million, they discovered.
John Foster, president of the Trappe Volunteer Fire Company, said the company’s leaders have contacted federal officials for assistance in the next budget cycle and have committed to raising 25% as matching funds.
The company’s leaders are launching a “Raise a New Firehouse” fundraising campaign this summer, with a goal of $1.5 million over the next year.
The company set aside $450,000 to help accomplish the goal and is appealing to the community for help raising the remaining $1.05 million.
Along with the campaign, the company is seeking assistance from the community in developing fundraising efforts to achieve the annual goal.
“Right now, Volunteer Fire Companies are struggling in all aspects,” Newnam said. “We need more community members to sign up to be a part of the fire service. We count on our current members to help get the equipment out, keep up with training, and help fundraise, and they are still expected to go to their jobs every day and balance family life.”
Foster said the company receives operational funding from Trappe and Talbot County annually and conducts fundraisers year-round to support operations. Foster also said the company sets aside the necessary funding to maintain and acquire fire apparatus.
But the necessary funds to construct a new firehouse “far (exceed) the financial abilities of this small community,” he said.
“We are a 100% volunteer fire company operating as a non-profit organization, and we are dependent on the support of our community to continue to provide the exceptional response that our community expects and deserves,” Foster said.
“... Support for a new facility is absolutely necessary to allow this small-town organization to continue to provide life-saving services to the larger rural community on the Eastern Shore.”
The company provides services to Trappe and surrounding communities during emergencies and life-threatening situations. It currently has a satellite county ambulance within the firehouse with a 24-hour crew for emergencies. With the construction of a new building, the firehouse will be able to provide housing quarters for a Talbot County Emergency Services Advanced Life Support unit.
Newnam said because volunteers operate the fire company, the services provided continue due to the firefighters’ connection to the community. He believes that it will be through the community that the company will be able to reach its goal.
“Our members truly do it for the betterment of our community,” Newnam said. “Having help with fundraising is huge for small companies like ours; without it, we have a long road ahead that we hope our building can withstand until we get to our goal.”
To learn more about the fundraising efforts by the Trappe Volunteer Fire Company, residents can contact Cheryl Lewis at cheryllewis.trappe@gmail.com, Nick Newnam at 443-786-2035 or John Foster at 410-829-9073.
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