A Century of Service

CORDOVA – Just five miles from western Caroline County is a town numbering just over 550. Cordova in Talbot County may be small, but its volunteer firemen and auxiliary have had an outsized impact on town residents, Eastern Shore neighbors and visitors from all over.

Celebrating 100 years of service to the community is the anchor of the town, the Cordova Volunteer Fire Association, Inc., who are inviting friends and neighbors to its anniversary celebration from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 2, 2026,

A year’s worth of planning has gone into creating a festive 1 p.m. parade, exhibits, T-shirts, commemorative booklets, challenge coins and collectibles. Special guest appearances from Maryland officials, a truck dedication ceremony and presentations will begin at 3 p.m.

The CVFA has about 100 members on its roster, but not all are active as firefighters. Many are life members who went out on many calls in their younger years. A few members are also members of the neighboring Queen Anne-Hillsboro Volunteer Fire Company in Caroline County and vice versa.

“We have an excellent mutual aid policy where we go help each other,” Jimmy Eason of Cordova said. He is president of CVFA and has been a member for nearly 50 years. “Cordova and Queen Anne-Hillsboro have always been very close through all the years. We kind of cross-mingle just to make things work.”

The fire hall was recently renovated, the first time it’s been updated since the new station was dedicated in 1986 at a cost of $320,000. The exterior walls have been repainted with brick facing added, and the interior paneled walls are now a soft white with an elegant chair rail added to the frequently used hall that seats about 220. The foyer features a large display wall stuffed with trophies and memorabilia.

Helping organize the event is 67-year member Glenn Secrist of Cordova, who became CVFA’s first Fire Officer of the Year in 1978 and was inducted in the Eastern Shore Firemen’s Association Hall of Fame in 1991.

“I just hang around here,” Eason said. “Glenn keeps us straight.”

While he’s too young to have been part of CVFA’s founding, Secrist has been around for much of its history, which began Jan. 26, 1926, at then-Cordova High School. Fifteen men became charter members that evening. Elections were held, and $530 in pledges was raised to purchase the company’s first Model T engine, priced at $925.

Among CVFA’s prized equipment is a 1947 K7 International from Roanoke, Virginia, bought new. It was “one of the best on the road in its day,” Secrist said.

The first Cordova Firemen’s Carnival coincided with the arrival of the new engine July 7, 1926, which was stored in a local barn. “The bell from the old Lutheran Church would serve as the first fire alarm for Cordova,” CFVA’s 50th Anniversary booklet states.

In 1927, the Cordova firemen joined the Talbot County Firemen’s Association, of which Eason is currently president.

In 1929, four men received Red Cross first aid training. The first firehouse, a 36-foot by 26-foot building was constructed for $1,564 in 1934. It was used for a variety of community purposes – meetings, dances, shows and socials. Four years later, the association purchased an electric siren from Ridgely Volunteer Fire Company.

In 1935, the Ladies Auxiliary was formed with 22 charter members.

As the CVFA evolved, so did its buildings, type and number of equipment and apparatus, the role of the auxiliary, and various kinds of training.

In 1965, Cordova firemen responded to the tragic crash of a U.S. Air Force C124 cargo plane in a wooded area two miles northeast of town. Six crew members perished in the crash. Some 33 Cordova firemen fought the flames, assisted by Easton and Queen Anne-Hillsboro volunteer fire companies.

The firehouse was relocated in 1978 when the association bought 10 adjoining acres of land. The next year, the first ambulance was purchased and commissioned.

The present fire station, built for $320,000, was dedicated Oct. 12, 1986, It has four double bays for apparatus, a large main meeting room/banquet hall, a kitchen and more.

The fire hall has served as a training facility for Talbot County Emergency Services, a temporary worship space when Fairview Church of the Brethren was remodeled, and event space for Chapel District Elementary School during its current renovation and expansion.

The annual family-oriented Country Fair has been a community mainstay for 64 years, but it attracts visitors from all over. The 3-day fair has been held the first Thursday, Friday and Saturday in August since 1962.

“We don't have any outside vendors for our fair,” Eason said. “So 100% of the money stays here, either with the auxiliary or the fire company itself, and we encourage people to bring lawn chairs, sit back and enjoy yourself.”

“It's a community event, and it is our biggest fundraiser,” he said. “But even if it wasn't – if we didn't make any money – it's one of the things you kind of have to do for the community.”

Eason hopes younger, dedicated members will be motivated to join CFVA.

“Get involved,” he said. “You don't have to be a firefighter. You don't have to be a medic. You can be a fundraiser. You can help in an administrative role. There's all kinds of jobs here.”

Secrist agreed. “The biggest thing we need is the younger generation to get involved and stay involved.”

The firehouse and fairgrounds are located at 11864 Kittys Corner Road. The rain date for the 100^th anniversary celebration is May 9. For more information, visit the Cordova Volunteer Firemen's Association Facebook page.