The Laurel Ladies Auxiliary is a charter member of the Prince George's County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association's Ladies Auxiliary having joined in 1930. The Laurel Auxiliary joined the Maryland state Firemens Association Ladies Auxiliary in 1932.
A decade before Civil Defense and during World War II, when there was a shortage of men during the daytime, a company of twelve women of our Ladies Auxiliary were trained by then Chief Norris Beall and Assistant Chief Norris Beard as firefighters. The women proved that they could carry on the work of firefighters on a twenty-four hour a day basis. The Editor of Fire Engineering magazine honored their excellent performance in his editorial commentary. Repeated performances also gave them other well earned national recognition in magazines and newspapers. The women drove the 1928 American LaFrance pumper affectionately known as "Old Liz". "Old Liz" has been restored and is the baby of the life members of the department.
Past President of the Auxiliary Goldie Hoffman was honored in 1980, the 50th Anniversary of the County Ladies, with the first special anniversary years of service pin set with a diamond. Goldie and the ladies were a mainstay in the County Ladies Auxiliary. They hosted many meetings and functions of both the County and State Auxiliaries through the years and earned a reputation for their generosity and cooking.
Many of the Laurel Ladies have chaired and served on many of the County and State auxiliaries. Four of our members have been elected to serve as President of the Prince George's County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association's Ladies Auxiliary. Annie Beall was elected in 1941, Judy Lau in 1985, Rosa Maher in 1988 and Marian Nicholson in 1992. Rosa Maher decided to run for office in the Maryland State Firemens Association's Ladies Auxiliary in 1992 and will serve as president in 2003. Several of our ladies have been inducted into the County Ladies' Hall of Fame for their many years of service, dedication and accomplishments.
The Ladies Auxiliary decided around 1986 to change their name to reflect the fact that they now had male members. The name of the auxiliary is now the Auxiliary to the Laurel Volunteer Fire Department.
In 1980, the department decided to remodel the kitchen, at 901 Montgomery Street. The Ladies purchased all new equipment to outfit the newly remodeled kitchen. The Auxiliary served crab cakes from a stand across from the firehouse during many 4th of July celebrations. The Auxiliary provides catering services for weddings, parties, shrimp feasts, bull roasts, picnics and almost any function you can think of. They provide what services they can for many of the local community groups. They hold craft fairs, yard sales and car washes. When there is a large fire, the Auxiliary provides canteen services for all the firefighters at the scene and back at the station when requested by the chief officers of the department.
The Auxiliary helped the Company move into the new station at 7411 Cherry Lane in October, 1990. There was a lot of cleaning and setting up to be done for the "Open House". The Auxiliary served refreshments throughout the day of the open House to politicians, local community leaders and the area residents.
The Auxiliary's purpose is to serve and assist the Laurel Volunteer Fire Department and the Laurel community. Throughout the year the Auxiliary will provide whatever financial and moral support they can for the department. At the annual anniversary banquet, the Auxiliary will either purchase a gift that is needed or make a donation to the department.
The Laurel Auxiliary meets the first Wednesday of each month at the firehouse. We have a roster of 60 members. We enjoy a very good working relationship with our department which has certainly helped us to maintain our long and successful career. We look forward to many more years of service and dedication to our firefighters and our community.