Prince Frederick, MD – Earlier this month, the Prince Frederick Volunteer Fire Department (PFVFD) held a groundbreaking ceremony, to officially mark the start of construction on their new firehouse.
The event was held August 6, inside the garage of the current Company 2 station.
The building will will be torn down and replaced with the new structure.
“This current building has been the home of company 2 for nearly 60 years… hopefully this new nearly 30, 000 square foot facility will survive and serve them well for the next 60 years,” said Calvert County Department of Public Safety Deputy Director, Al Jeffery. .
Originally built in 1959, the firehouse was designed to house just over 30 firemen. Today, the Company 2 station has around 100 volunteers.
“Taking care of people is one of the biggest things you do,” Calvert County Commissioner President Tim Hutchins [R-district 2] said to the crowd of volunteers.
Hutchins and the other four county commissioners were present, along with representatives from Sen. Cardin’s and Gov. Hogan’s offices for the groundbreaking.
Hutchins also said that the improvements would be a tremendous asset to the community, county, and region.
He called the new building a “50-year design,” that was well worth the County’s investment. “The biggest effort you have before you is not building this firehouse but is building the future that firefighters are going to follow.”
Before venturing outside to the dirt pile, hardhats, and shovels, PFVFD President Patrick Hassler took to the podium, thanking the commissioners and county staff for their work in helping make the new fire station a reality.
Also participating in the groundbreaking, was former commissioner Pat Nutter, who was a big proponent of the new fire station.
Set to be completed in the spring of 2021, the Prince Frederick volunteers will temporarily operate off Armory Rd. in an area of the old National Guard Armory complex.
Contact Jerold at staffwriter@thebaynet.com.