On February 7, 1823 town trustees appointed Jacob Bishop and Edward Gibbs a committee to buy four long ladders, two short ladders, and 20 fire buckets for the use of the town.  They were to be placed in the Market House. 

 November 9, 1825 town trustees had been called to the scene of where two houses had been destroyed by fire the previous evening.  The topic of getting a "Hand" fire engine was discussed and a committee consisting of Conrad Hogermine, John Strothers, and Jacob S Lauck was put together to secure this.  The town treasurer was authorized to pay $500 dollars for the engine.  There are no further records until June 13, 1829 when it states a hand engine was purchased from Merrick & Agnew, of Philadelphia for $500.  The engine was shipped by rail from Philadelphia to Baltimore.  They then had to haul it to Martinsburg "over the pike". 

 On October 26, 1831 trustees ordered the construction of a cistern in front of the court house for use in case of fire.

 August 29, 1846 it was decided to build a new market and engine house. 

 May 12, 1859 John Biondel was instructed to examine a fire engine from Baltimore hose company #1 for purchase.  Seven days later the engine was purchased for $762.50.  

 On June 9, 1859 John Q.A. Nadenbousch and others petitioned the council for permision to use the engine and apparatus to form a fire company.  The new organization was named the "Mechanical Fire Company".  The council appropriated $30 annually for the salary of the fire superintendant.

 On July 22, 1867 council purchased a steam fire engine and two reels with hose from the Silby Engine Company of Seneca Falls NY for $8,175.00.  This was a result of a motion made by H.M. Couchman. This is the first steam engine owned by the city.

 March 9, 1868 council approved $500 towards the purchase of a ladder truck for the hook and ladder company.  

 The Martinsburg Fire Company was organized on December 12, 1870.  Col. John Q.A. Nadenbousch was fire marshal.  Twenty seven years later the department was divided into 5 companies.  Of those five companies only Westphal is still active today.   

 **MORE TO COME**