The rapid changes that have taken place in our fire department over the past several years have highlighted how important it is that we research and catalog our past. The fire service is rich in history going back into ancient times, while ours locally may not be that old, we know that our fire department has a long and proud tradition of voluntary service to the community.

We are in the early stages of researching and gathering information on the history of the New Martinsville Volunteer Fire Department before it slips away. We would ask the Wetzel Chronicle and its reader’s to lend us a hand in gathering that history.

If you have any stories, news articles, pictures, or other information pertaining to the recent or distant past of the NMVFD, please contact Deputy Fire Chief, Joe Smith at 304-771-1829 or Fire Chief Larry Couch at 304-771-1827. Or join us on the “World Wide Web” at www.fdnm.org.

The stories and photos are set to become a “Wall of History” at our Ohio Street Station. We will copy any photos or stories and you may have the originals back or, if you wish, you may copy the photos to either photo grade paper or an electronic data storage device and donate them to the department, either way we would truly appreciate your help.

With our sincere appreciation,

Larry Couch, chief

New Martinsville Vol. Fire Dept.