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Md. Department Rebuilds After 'Snowmageddon'

April 11, 2011

SYKESVILLE, Md. -- The first phase of renovation at a local fire department that was victimized by "Snowmageddon 2010" is complete. The Sykesville Fire Department has remained hard at work serving the people of the Freedom district of Carroll County ever since back-to-back blizzards in February 2010 caused a roof collapse and fire.

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SYKESVILLE, Md. --

The first phase of renovation at a local fire department that was victimized by "Snowmageddon 2010" is complete.

The Sykesville Fire Department has remained hard at work serving the people of the Freedom district of Carroll County ever since back-to-back blizzards in February 2010 caused a roof collapse and fire.

"There was quite a bit of snow on the roof of the structure," said the fire department's Dennis Beard. "The roof collapsed, in turn major gas lines (were) struck, there was an ignition source somewhere and we had fire."

The three-alarm fire occurred in February 2010.

A firewall stopped the blaze from destroying the garage where the department keeps its trucks. But with no living quarters, firefighters had to sleep in tents and then trailers. Through it all, they never missed a call.

"It was tough, because a lot of hard work went into the building we had," Beard said. "I and a lot of people put a lot of volunteer hours into the building."

11 News reporter Kim Dacey said firefighters and EMTs enjoy a new lounge area and kitchen, individual sleeping rooms with beds and new and improved locker rooms and showers.

The completion of the first phase has lifted everyone's spirits within the department, Dacey reported.

"I think now they finally see some progress being made, and I think everybody's looking forward to that first scoop of dirt or whatever for Phase 2," Beard said.

Future plans include new classrooms, a social hall and more garage space to house new equipment. Firefighters are done looking back at the blizzards and are looking forward to the department's future.

"We'd worked hard, we'd paid off mortgages," Beard said. "Now we have another mortgage, and that means lots of fund raising."

Insurance money paid for Phase 1, Dacey said. The department is looking for donations to raise money to complete Phase 2. Click the fire department link above to learn more.