Chesapeake Beach Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department, Inc (CBVRS) is celebrating its 65th Anniversary this year. Buddy Griffith started the station in 1938 when he formed the Chesapeake Beach Volunteer Fire Department (CBVFD). In 1942, a charter was issued, and on April 30, 1948 CBVFD was incorporated as Chesapeake Beach Volunteer Fire Dept, Inc.View our Corporation Document

Shortly after forming, the CBVFD moved to a garage owned by Cliff Morris on Pleasure House Rd across the street from its current location. A 2 bay station was built in the late 40’s on Lake Drive near where the current Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel (CBBT) Toll Plaza now stands. This building was adjacent to the Bayside Men’s Club and Women’s Club. In 1962 when the CBBT was built, the land that housed the station was used for the CBBT and land was granted adjacent to the CBBT for the fire station in the location where it now stands.

CBVFD continued responding to fire emergencies until 1962 when they added medical emergencies and changed the name to Chesapeake Beach Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department, Inc. Medical calls were responded to in a Cadillac ambulance.

The station has been added to over the years. The original section consisted of 3 bays, a bunkroom, kitchen, meeting room and sitting room. The roof was constructed using concrete road spans from the construction of the Bay Bridge Tunnel. In the early 70’s another section was added which consisted of 2 long bays able to hold 4 emergency vehicles, a separate bunkroom, a sitting room and office spaces. This section now houses the CBVRS and the original section houses Engine Company 4 of the VBFD.

CBVRS has over the years updated the equipment used to respond to medical emergencies to 3 Advanced Life Support State of the Art ambulances and a 4 wheel drive Ford pickup called Storm 4 and a Kawasaki Mule called Cart 4. Storm 4 is designed to take the rescuers to where they need to be and bring the equipment necessary to get the victims out. Cart 4 is a miniature ambulance that is designed to go where a regular ambulance can’t go, provide medical treatment and bring the patient back to the ambulance for transport