The Leonardtown Volunteer Fire Department is a 100% VOLUNTEER organization committed to serving the citizens of St. Mary's County and surrounding areas.

Leonardtown Volunteer Fire Department, the first in St. Mary’s County, and therefore known today as Company 1, is such a friend, and today celebrates seventy five years of continuous volunteer service.

The tale I have to relate involves the evolution of this noble company from uncoordinated, well-meaning, untrained efforts of the citizens of Leonardtown to an organized fire-fighting force second to none.

Now, a little of the historical past. From the date of its establishment in 1710, the basic purpose of Leonardtown was to be the county seat of St. Mary’s County and therefore, it was to be the location of the County Courthouse. According to the act “establishing towns” originally dated 1683, it was also the place where duties on imports and exports would be collected.

Leonardtown was originally named Seymour Towne in honor of the Royal Governor (1704-1709), Colonel John Seymour. In 1728 when the Calvert family again ruled Maryland the town was named “Leonardtown” for the Governor Benedict Leonard Calvert. As a matter of record, the seal of Leonardtown and the identification seal of each piece of Leonardtown Fire Apparatus is taken from the Coat of Arms of Governor Seymour. The motto was thought to be very appropriate to the Leonardtown Volunteer Fire Department (Faithful To Duty).