Emmitsburg

Emmitsburg has become known as “Firetown U.S.A.” because of its unique position in the world of fire and emergency services. Thousands of fire and emergency service personnel visit Emmitsburg every year to learn for the future and to pay tribute to those who have gone before., The National Emergency Training Center has hosted hundreds of thousands of students from fire departments and emergency management agencies from across the nation and sometimes beyond. Classes at the National Fire Academy, the delivery arm of the U.S. Fire Administration, as well as those of the Emergency management Institute, on the NETC campus have been widely proclaimed and attendance is highly coveted., Also at NETC, The National Fallen Firefighters Memorial includes the names of men and women, career and volunteer, who have died in the line of duty serving others. Each October, in concert with National Fire Prevention Week, well-attended memorial services culminate a weekend of remembrance of our nation’s emergency service personnel who made the ultimate sacrifice., The Frederick County Fire and Rescue Museum seeks to preserve and display artifacts that depict the rich history of firefighting in the country, with exhibits ranging from small badges to full-sized hand-drawn and motorized fire apparatus., Co-located with the Museum is the National Fire Heritage Center, which works to “Preserve the Perishable” – the written word of all aspects of Fire in America. The NFHC collection included documents, books, and other print materials regarding the firefighting services and fire protection disciplines., Officially established in 1884, as the Town (sic) was starting to install water mains, the 100% volunteer Vigilant Hose Company, located just west of Town Square, is today proud to be the most visited fire station in the world, owing in part to visitations from NETC students and instructors.