Seventh District VFD
Read More
St. Mary's County Company 5
Organized in 1949, the Seventh District VFD serves a 13 square mile response area encompassing the community of Avenue. Forty five active volunteers provide Fire and Rescue protection answering an annual average of 375 alarms.
Station 5
The second firehouse in the department's history, it was completed in 1978 new and later renovated for their 50th anniversary. Present day, it houses their entire fleet and features an impressive monument honoring past members/officers for their service.
Engine 52 - 2014 Spartan/CustomFire 2000 gpm/750 gal.
Seating six (all with headsets, five with SCBA), this rig is assigned to respond first due. Accordingly, it is outfitted with a 150' 1-3/4" pre-connect (packed in a Minuteman load) while the rear hose bed features a 400' 1-3/4" pre-connect,
250' of 2-1/2" attack line with a smooth bore nozzle, 300' of 3" and 1,000 of 5" LDH supply line.
Engine 51 - 1997 Simon-Duplex/Saulsbury 1500 gpm/2500 gal./50 gal. foam
Featuring a mid-mount engine with an internal pump panel in the crew cab, this rig was displayed at the Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC) in 1997. Seating eight (five with SCBA) and featuring a rear 8" Newton dump valve, it responds first due during the daytime followed by Tanker 5. It is outfitted with 150' 1-3/4" crosslays, a pre-connected Blitzfire® portable monitor, 400' of 3" and 900' of 5" LDH supply line.
Tanker 5 - 2011 Kenworth T800/US Tanker - 1000 gpm/3000 gal.
Having replaced a 1980 Pemfab/Sanford 1500/2000 pumper-tanker, this rig features side/rear dump chutes (including a 10" Newton dump valve) and two 3" rear inlets. It is outfitted with two 150' 1-3/4" crosslays and a 3,000 gallon folding tank.
2001 F550 XLT Super Duty/Marty Scott 1250 gpm
This one-of-a-kind water supply unit prompted me to visit Seventh District VFD as it is particularly unyque having been built on a four dour pick-up truck chassis (most LDH reel equipped rigs are constructed on heavy duty commercial chassis such as an International or Peterbilt). Constructed by a local builder known for custom purpose built rigs, this unyque unit features a reel carrying 1,400' of 5" LDH supply line as well as the pump controls located inside the
cab between the front seats! This rig was designed to allow one firefighter to establish a positive water supply after which they can remain in the cab monitoring the pump controls while maintaining climate control during extended operations
at remote fill sites. Featuring a front LDH intake, it is outfitted with 40' of suction hose and a 500 gpm portable pump.
Brush 5 - 2008 Ford 350?Marco 300/200
This rig features a skid mount pump/tank transferred from the former Brush 5 when it was converted to the Marine Support Unit. It tows a trailer with a John Deere/Kimtek UTV outfitted with a Fire/EMS module in the bed.
Squad 5 (Retired) - 1986 Freightliner/Saulsbury 300 gpm/250 gal.
Originally serving the Odessa Fire Co. in Delaware, Squad 5 was acquired in 2007 to replace a rescue/engine at which time it received a warning light upgrade. Seating eight, it featured a light tower, two pre-connected Amkus® reels and an eight bottle cascade system. Its' equipment complement included both battery and hydraulic powered extrication tools (spreader, cutter, ram and combi-tool) , a small portable power unit as well as high and low pressure
air bags. Retired in 2022, it was replaced with a two door tandem axle American LaFrance Eagle walk-in style heavy rescue that formerly served as Squad 3 of the Waldorf (Maryland) VFD with the former Squad 5 now serving Big Red's Spill
Response, a private spill response contractor in North Carolina.Seventh DistrictFreightlinerSaulsburyHeavy RescueWet RescueRetired
Marine Support Unit 5 - 2007 Ford F350 Super Duty - Boat 5 - 2001 Sea Ark Commander 500 gpm
Formerly assigned as Brush 5, this rig was converted to the Marine Support Unit in 2006 with the skid unit being moved over to the new Brush 5 and a bed cover/extendable equipment tray added. It is outfitted with wetsuits, four SCBA and side scan sonar. Boat 5 features twin 150 HP Yamaha® engines, GPS/radar and a remote control deck gun. It is equipped with 100' of 3" supply line as well as a 100' 1-3/4" pre-connect (which has been used to make an interior attack aboard a tugboat).
1951 Chevrolet/American Fire Apparatus 500/500
Original to Seventh District as the department's first new rig, it is fully restored and maintained in pristine condition.
Seventh DistrictChevroletAmerican Fire ApparatusAntiqueRetired