In the late 1960's and early 1970's, the citizens of Fountain felt the need for fire protection in their area.  Members of the community met at Delmer Cook's store and sometime on the dirt bank beside the store to plan the start of a new fire company.  Soon their plans began to take shape.  Land was donated, a single bay steel building was constructed, and a used pumper was purchased.  After about one year of meetings and several discussions, the Fountain Volunteer Fire Company was chartered by the state of West Virginia on October 27, 1971.  The charter was signed by Secretary of State Jay Rockefeller IV.

The company's first officers were:  Leo Liller-President, Ralph Robertson-1st Vice President, Delmer Cook-2nd Vice President, Lynn Wigfield-Secretary, Carl Wagoner-Treasurer, Tom Kennedy-Financial Secretary, and Wendell Wagoner-Chaplain.  Today we still have 2 charter members on our roster:  Melvin Nester, a semi-retired lifetime member, and John Lehman, an active member who is the company's treasurer.

Fountain started by taking Keyser Fire Department's By-Laws and changing them to meet Fountain's needs.  These by-laws remained in effect unitl october 1995, when they were completely revised.  Generous donations by neighboring companies such as Keyser, McCoole, Shaft, Cresaptown and others allowed Fountain to get started along with the community's support.

Fountain's pride and joy was a 1947 REO Speedwagon Pumper.  This pumper, called unit 1, remained in service as a front line piece of apparatus until 1994.  It was later renamed 39-12, and was sold not due to lack of want but due to lack of space.  The number 39-12 was retired and the pumper is being antiqued by it's new owner.

In 1994 the departmet bought a Pierce Engine painted white with 3 blue stripes.  In 1999 the department bought its next Engine from Pierce.  The engine was placed in service as a rescue engine and was also painted whith with 3 blue stripes.  In 2003 the department bought 2 more pieces of equipment.  The first was a new brush truck.  The new brush truck was a 2003 Ford F-350 pickup.  The tank, pump, and all the equipment were taken off the old brush truck and placed on the new one.  Also in 2003 the department replaced its tanker.  The new tanker was purchased from Shaft. Vol. Fire Company in Allegheny County, MD.  Than tanker and brush truck were painted to match both engines.

The company continued to grow.  The building was expanded to two bays and a tanker was purchased and shortly after an equipment van was added.  Cash became very tight.  But the community did not fail the company and cash started to come in.  For the fire department at this time, things were a little rough

• ALERTING--If Fountain had a call, the initial call would come in to Keyser PD, who would then sound Fountain's siren.  The members who lived close enough to hear the siren, would respond to the station as their wives began calling other members.  As more modern technology arrived, things started to get a little easier.  Some members purchased plectrons, but the phone calls were still needed.  By the early 80's, every member had either a plectron or a pager and their wives did not have to call anymore.

• COMMUNICATIONS--The first firefighter at the station would call Keyser PD, and write on the board what and where the call was.  Other members arrived and a unit would go enroute.  All 3 vehicles and the station were equipped with CB radios.  Finally came the FM 46.14 West Virginia Fire Radio.  Again one was placed in units 1, 2, 3, and the base.  After the Mineral Countin 911 Center was started, the FM radios were no longer used.  Soon after the company's number took place of the unit's numbers.  Fountain was now Company 39.

• PERSONAL SAFETY--Cotton duck running gear, 3/4 length boots, red plastic helmets, one pair of brown jersey gloves, and one pair of red waterproof gloves was all the members had.  The breathing apparatus was Survivaire 30 minute steel bottles.

When responding to a call the tailboard was always full, no matter what the weather was.  There was no choice, most of the time the full crew was needed to help push the trucks so they could be drift started. 

As the late 70's approached, the community of Fountain was growing and unit 1 was getting old.  A new pumper was discussed and finally ordered.  Again the building had to be expanded to allow room for the fourth truck.  September 1980 unit 39-11 arrived.  I can remember hearing the late Melvin Spencer when he found out the $38,000 price on this truck, "Oh my god how are we going to pay for it?"  A 10 year loan was secured and in 5 years the truck was paid off.  I often wonder what Melvin would hav said in April of 1994 when we ordered 39-13 with a price tag of near $200,000.

During the 1980's no major changes occurred.  The building was remodeled a few times and a new kitchen was added.  Tankers and vans came and went.

 In 2005 the department bought a 26 foot pull behind trailer to be used by the Haz Mat Team.  The trailer already being white was sent to Frostburg for the decals and striping to match the rest of the equipment.  For the first time in the history of the company all of the equipment matched.  Also we are glad to say that we own all four pieces as well. 

On December 20, 2007, the company purchased an ambulance from Friendship Fire Department in Virginia.  The unit had the blue stripes added, and completely stocked including ALS Equipment.  On February 29, 2008, Ambulance 39-70 was placed in service by Asst. Chief 39.

The only thing left is a new station.  Currently the design of the new station is being discussed and planned.  The current station is filled to the max, with only inches between the trucks.  With continued support from the community, a new station will be built in the near future.