National Fire Heritage Center Holds 18th Annual Meeting at New Headquarters

CUMBERLAND, MD—OCTOBER 19, 2024—On a beautiful autumn Saturday in Western Maryland, the 18th annual meeting of the National Fire Heritage Center (NFHC) convened at its new headquarters in the Allegheny Museum. Directors gathered both virtually and in person, with representatives traveling from as far away as Texas and Washington State to conduct the nonprofit organization’s business.

The NFHC was established in response to a pivotal 2003 study by the U.S. Fire Administration, which highlighted the urgent need to collect, preserve, and provide access to the historical records of the fire service and fire protection disciplines across the United States. Since its formation in 2006, the NFHC has dedicated itself to preserving and celebrating the rich history of fire protection and fire department organizations.

The meeting commenced at 9 a.m., with the president, Dr. Lynn White, calling the session to order. The directors addressed several key business matters, including the election of a new director, Kevin Barkley, and the approval of the operating budget.

In the annual financial report, VP for Operations and Treasurer Willie Shelton, Jr. emphasized the organization’s need for donations to strengthen its capabilities. “As an all-volunteer organization, we keep our operating expenses to a minimum, allowing us to use the dollars coming in to maximize the preservation of fire department history,” Shelton noted. Donations of any amount can be made to support the NFHC’s mission by clicking this link.   

Executive Director Dick Devore reported on the recent relocation of the NFHC from its original facility in Emmitsburg, MD. This move represented a significant undertaking due to the extensive size of the collection and reflects the organization’s commitment to preserving and promoting fire protection history. The new headquarters will enable the NFHC to better fulfill its mission of preserving fire service and protection histories for future generations.

A highlight of the meeting was an update from Liz Rosenberg of the Internet Archive, who discussed the exciting new agreement between the NFHC and the online archive. Over the past few months, Executive Director Devore has collaborated with the Internet Archive to select records for scanning and digitization. This initiative will see substantial portions of the NFHC’s print, photo, and ephemera collections digitized over the next two years. This expanded platform will enhance the organization’s outreach and educational capabilities, making its extensive collection readily accessible to scholars, researchers, collectors, and the general public.

Additionally, Glenn Dorner and Don Bathurst provided updates on the status of the Ben Franklin Fire Writer’s Award and the Hall of Legends, Legacies, and Leaders.

The directors also approved the group’s five-year strategic plan to guide its actions. Following a productive discussion on concrete action steps associated with the plan, Executive Director Devore led a tour of the new NFHC headquarters.

The annual meeting concluded with a renewed commitment to preserving the history of fire departments and the fire protection industry.