Station 11

The Wachapreague Volunteer Fire Company, Inc. located in “The Little City by the Sea”, was founded in 1942 by a group of local citizens that thought it was time to have fire protectors in their own town. Before, if a fire broke out in the town, the townspeople had to wait for an established company approximately 12 miles away to respond to the fire. The company officially became incorporated in March of 1945.

In 1951, the original firehouse was moved to Bayview Avenue in Wachapreague, so a new firehouse could be built in the same location. After the Firemen and Ladies Auxiliary raised just over $10,000, construction of the building began and was completed in 1951. The concrete block, two-story firehouse included two (2) engine bays and a second floor, which featured a banquet/community room. This original portion is the center of the present station. In the early 1980's, the auxiliary was re-activated and functioned for a number of years before being dissolved; its membership was absorbed into the fire company's general membership.

Over the years, the building was enlarged and modified to house the additional units; beginning with an ambulance bay to the left and years later two more bays were built to the right of the original portion to house an engine and tanker.

Outside our building is a plaque for lifetime member, James R. Paul. He was inducted to the Delmarva Firefighter’s Hall of Fame. His son (Kerry) and grandson (Justin) are both active members in the company to date.