History of the Pumper
The Ford 500 gpm pumper was supplied by the federal government in 1936. It was originally kept in a barn. Back then the fire department was organized under the direction of Public Safety by the Farm Security Administration. In 1955, when the federal government left Greenbelt and the Greenbelt Volunteer Fire Department was incorporated, this pumper was purchased by the GVFD for $1.

It was eventually sold to a member of the GVFD to raise money for new apparatus. In its new life it played a role of an irrigation pump and sat out in a field unprotected, year round. In 1999, GVFD had the opportunity to reacquire this piece of our history.

Until recently, this historic fire engine sat in back of the Greenbelt Firehouse under a half collapsed tent until the fire department found itself facing its 50th anniversary in 2005, and nostalgia and reality set in. This important piece of firehouse history could be lost to the elements if something wasn’t done soon.

In 2004 the GVFD membership put together a committee, chaired by Randal "Tick" Mangum, to oversee the restoration of the historic pumper. Under his guidance, the pumper was fully restored by Delmarva Fire Apparatus. Thanks to all the donations, of both money and of equipment, it was finished in time for the 50th anniversary and is currently housed in GVFD quarters on Crescent Road.