After months of planning, preparing, cleaning apparatus and tidying up around the station, we were more than ready to host our Open House. While operating out of Station 22 and the barn on our former carnival grounds with only a porta-potty, no running water, and two temporary buildings to house the firetrucks, we are happy to be “home” in our new and improved Station. “Although we do not have everything in place, we have everything in one place”.

At 11:00 hours on Saturday, June 3, 2017, President John S. Montgomery welcomed the members, community and county and state officials to the Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department’s Open House. He opened the ceremony by thanking everyone who helped in making the day possible. After the pledge of allegiance, Pastor Todd of Real Life Wesleyan Church in Mechanicsville gave the invocation. Architect, Manns Woodward Studios and John Goldbach former superintendent of WM. Davis presented the department with a bronze plaque that will be placed in the entrance hallway of the station. The plaque was dedicated to all members, past and present. Heavy Ridgell, Second Vice President of the Southern Maryland Volunteer Firemen’s Association presented the department with a citation commemorating the opening of the station. Doyle Cox, Past President of the Maryland State Firemen’s Association presented the department with a building plaque. St. Mary’s County Commissioner John O’Connor and Maryland Senator Steve Waugh presented the department with two acrylic awards (one for station 2 and one for station 22).

After the opening, everyone was invited to tour the station and to help themselves to the refreshments. At 13:00 hours, everyone was asked to move to the apron (front of the firehouse bay area) to watch the hose uncoupling (aka ribbon cutting). President John S. Montgomery and Chief Mark Trowbridge along with all the members of the department uncoupled the hose marking the official opening of Station 2. That was then followed by the commemorative pushing of the firetrucks into the station. There were three pushes. First one was for God, the second was for Country and the third was for the Department. First firetruck to be pushed in was Old Engine 21, which is our 1950 Ford. All Board of Directors was asked to board the truck and was pushed in by the members. The second truck was the newer Engine 21 where all officers was asked to board. And the third truck was Engine 23 that had the remaining members. At approximately 13:30 some of the operational members participated in a two car extrication where they demonstrated their rescue tools during a mock car accident. Immediately following the extrication the firemen set fire to the inside of the burn trailer and showed the bystanders how to extinguish the fire.

MVFD would like to thank the community for their continued support. We especially want to thank all who shared in our special day.