Pikesville Volunteer Fire Company was founded on Feb. 4, 1897 by a group of local citizens, making us the second-oldest volunteer fire company in Baltimore County. Today PVFC is the only station in Baltimore County that operates an engine, tower, squad/heavy rescue, and medic, offering a full range of fire suppression, rescue and EMS services for the community.

In 1898, Pikesville's original fire hall was dedicated near Reisterstown Road and Sudbrook Lane, not far from where the current station stands at 40 East Sudbrook Lane. That same year, the company’s first apparatus, a $500 horse-drawn Holloway, made its first response. The Pikesville VFC didn’t respond on an actual fire for the first 14 months of its existence, until being called to a home occupied by Joseph Althoff on the farm of John Walters in April 1898.

In 1900, a new firehouse was built for $475, and a new horse-drawn fire truck was specially built for a Gould hand pump bought the year before. Twelve years later, PVFC added an Atterbury truck, the company’s first piece of motorized apparatus and Baltimore County’s second. The year 1915 saw Pikesville place an American LaFrance pumper into service, and in 1921 a new 2-story firehouse was constructed to house PVFC members as well as career firefighters and police officers.

In 1930, PVFC added ambulance service with the purchase of a Packard ambulance, the second such service in Baltimore County. Nine years later, PVFC again was at the forefront of protecting citizens, adding the county’s first floodlight service. In 1956, PVFC again scored a first in the county, adding a heavy-duty rescue truck. A new Seagrave engine, new ambulance and floodlight unit were also added.

The 1960s saw PVFC hire paid staff, primarily to drive the ambulance during weekday daytime hours, and in 1976 Danelle England became the first PVFC female firefighter.

In 1986, the Baltimore County Volunteer Firemen’s Association approved PVFC restarting its ladder truck service, and the following winter a Seagrave 100’ aerial truck was delivered to Station 32. Allen Roody and Cleve J. Thompson were elected as the first Truck Lieutenants in the company’s history. In 1989, Firehouse Magazine named PVFC the fourth-busiest volunteer fire company in the nation, based on more than 4,400 runs.

In commemoration of the company’s Centennial, the old Gould hand pump wagon, affectionately known as “Old 21” was completely refurbished by Swab Wagon Co. The job took months of detailed work – every piece was dismantled, including the leathers in the pump; reworking wood and wheels; polishing brass; and reassembling. In 2005, PVFC members proudly walked “Old 21” in the annual Maryland State Fireman’s Association parade in Ocean City in honor of PVFC member Lee Sachs assuming the role of MSFA President.

The year 2001 again saw PVFC make history, when the Baltimore County Fire Department announced the promotions of three command staff with Pikesville ties to the position of Division Chief - Harold Cohen, Danelle England-Dansicker and Mark Hubbard. In 2003, PVFC took Truck 323 out of service to prepare for the next generation of aerial operations – which occurred when Tower 323, a 2003 Emergency One 95-foot tower ladder, was placed into service in May 2003. In the fall of 2003, PVFC dedicated a building addition, adding three additional drive-thru bays for the engine, tower and squad. In the summer of 2006, Pikesville’s Confined Space Team responded to its first working incident, working alongside other Advanced Tactical Rescue teams to extricate two construction workers from a confined space in Owings Mills.

Now celebrating its 110th year of service, the Pikesville Volunteer Fire Company will soon be welcoming new Squad 322, a 2007 American LaFrance heavy rescue, to the fleet. Our members look forward to continuing to protect residents of, and visitors to, Pikesville and areas beyond.