Organized on September 15, 1912, eight companies—Frostburg, Mt. Savage, Chapel Hill, Cumberland Hose, Good Will-Lonaconing, Midland, Tri-Towns, and Potomac #2—organized the Allegany County Association. Peter McFarland of Good Will-Lonaconing served as the first president, and eighty-five men and women representing twenty-eight departments in the two-county area have followed in his footsteps.
In order to strengthen and unify the voice of the firefighters of the Allegany and Garrett County areas, the two county associations—the Allegany County Association and the Garrett County Association—joined together to form the Allegany-Garrett Counties Volunteer Firefighters Association on August 14, 1930. To reflect the growing number of rescue squads joining the Association over the years, the Association formally changed its name to the Allegany-Garrett Counties Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association on June 2, 1990. Today, the Association represents more than 30 member departments across Allegany and Garrett Counties.
Eight members of the Allegany-Garrett Counties Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association have served as president of the Maryland State Firefighters Association (MSFA). They include John Stump, Cumberland, in 1898; Peter McFarland, Good Will-Lonaconing, in 1908; Conrad Herpick, Cumberland, in 1919; James McAlpine, Good Will-Lonaconing, in 1922; Cromwell Zembower, LaVale, in 1951; David E. Kirk, Bowling Green, in 1953; Robert H. Shimer, Potomac #2, in 1988; and Robert E. Knippenburg, Midland, in 1998.
The first secretary for the MSFA from the bi-county area was John Stump of Cumberland in 1896, who was elected during the annual convention held in Cumberland. Since then, four firefighters have followed: Harry Smith, Cumberland, 1907–09; Edward Stevenson, Good Will-Lonaconing, 1911–13; Charles Davis, Potomac #2, 1913–15; and William Weagly, Potomac #2, 1916–17.
The Allegany-Garrett County region has provided eight treasurers for the MSFA, spanning a period almost continuously from 1909–2003. William Wilson of Midland served the longest tenure, with thirty years from 1945–75, followed by David E. Kirk of Bowling Green from 1975–90. Robert Saville of Bowling Green served from 1990–2001, and John Shuhart of Barton served the Association from 2001–03.
Francis Fatkin of Clarysville served a twenty-six-year tenure on the MSFA Board of Trustees. Robert H. Shimer of Potomac #2 served eight years, including two years as chairman of the Board of Trustees. Following Shimer’s untimely death in 2003, Robert E. Knippenburg was appointed to fill the unexpired term from 2003–04.
There are several members of the fire and rescue services in Allegany and Garrett Counties who have distinguished themselves by serving the Maryland State Firefighters Association as officers and committee members. Those living and currently serving in various positions include:
- Barbara Knippenburg, Midland — Volunteer Company Assistance Fund
- Timothy F. Dayton, Potomac #2 — MSFA Executive Committee, Training & Budget Committee
- Gene Kidwell, Good Will No. 1 — Allegany County Transportation Coordinator
- Thomas Morgan, Good Will No. 1 — Assistant Chaplain
- Donna Struntz, Bowling Green — Past President, LAMSFA
- Jonathan Dayton — Assistant Secretary & Editor-in-Chief
- Addy Dayton, Baltimore Pike — Volunteer Trumpet Committee
The Allegany-Garrett Counties Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association holds its annual convention no earlier than the last Thursday in May and no later than the second Thursday in June so as not to conflict with the Maryland State Firefighters Association convention and conference.
Departments select a member to serve on the Executive Committee, which meets bi-monthly between conventions at various stations throughout the bi-county area.