In 1947, the following men gathered at Caple's garage in Reese to discuss the possibility of starting a fire company. Lexly Caple, Sterling Shipley, Harry Woodward, Cleveland Knight, Russell Knouse, Chester Taylor, Joseph Taylor, Irving Blum and Holloday Blizzard were in attendance. After much discussion among themselves, they each contributed money to purchase post cards to be sent to the surrounding communities. A meeting was also called to be held in Caple's garage for the purpose of organizing a fire company. On the evening of January 26, 1948, several people of Reese and the surrounding communities held a meeting at the garage to discuss the pros and cons of establishing a volunteer company. The meeting was opened by Mr. James R. Shilling, who explained the necessity for such an organization. It was decided that a governing body be elected to start the groundwork and get more information. At this time Mr. George Gassman was elected as a temporary president. He selected Mr. James Hook as secretary and Mr. James Shilling as treasurer. It was also decided that the name of the new company would be The Reese and Community Volunteer Fire Company of Carroll County. This name was later changed to the Reese and Community Volunteer Fire Company, Inc.

On March 15, 1948, an election was held to obtain officers for the company. The results were as follows:

President: Arthur Sullivan
Vice President: Paul Grundeman
Secretary: Robert Eckert
Treasurer: James Shilling

The first boards of directors were: James Shilling John Peeling, Sr. Charles Bush Lester Caple

The company was incorporated on April 7, 1948. Thereafter, the ladies of the company founded an auxiliary with Mrs. A.W. Myers as their first president.

On May 7, 1948 the company ordered an International KB-8 chassis with a KB-10 engine from the Gore Motor Company of Westminster Maryland. It was also decided to purchase and American Marsh Pump rated at six hundred (600) gallons per minute and a portable pump rated at three hundred fifty (350) gallons per minute. The cost of this equipment was twenty thousand ($20,000) dollars.

On December 15, 1948, the truck arrived. A place was needed to house this truck. Mrs. Edna Caple furnished the building; however, the building needed remodeling to house the truck. 


The first Fire officers were elected on December 20, 1948.

The officers included:

Fletcher B. McAlister . . . . . . . . . . . . Chief
Holloday Blizzard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Assistant Chief
Lexly Caple . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . First Lieutenant
Harry Nickole . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Second Lieutenant

In March of 1949, the work on building to house the fire truck was completed and the fire truck was moved in. This building became the permanent fire house and meeting place until the new and present fire house was established in 1955.

The present carnival grounds were purchased from Stoner's Nursery on October 7, 1950. The tract of land contained 16.5 acres and was purchased for five thousand ($5,000) dollars. At which time the company first considered building on the tract of land adjoining the present grounds which was for sale. It was thought to be an ideal location for the permanent fire house. This land was purchased in April 1954, for the sum of two thousand ($2,000) dollars. In August ground was broken for the new building and was dedicated on March 26, 1956.