The juniors of the Sykesville Freedom District Fire Department recently contributed items to make a local family's holiday season a bit brighter.

The idea took root earlier in the fall when the juniors decided that it would be good to try to make a positive difference in the community.

Working in conjunction with Neighbors Helping Neighbors of Carroll County, the juniors worked over the months of ... (Full Story & Photos)

Around 10:45 p.m. on December 3, crews from Winfield and Sykesville (Engines 141 and 124) were alerted for a commercial fire alarm at Century High School.

When units from Station 14 arrived, they reported an odor of burning in the building and requested to upgrade to a full box alarm assignment.

With the upgraded assignment Tower 12, Chief 12-2 (Polikoff responding as Battalion Chief 3), and. ... (Full Story & Photos)

At approximately 12:45 on Sunday, December 1, Tower 12 and Engine 123 were alerted to assist Howard County fire units with the reported recreational vehicle fire in the 14000 block of Red Lion Way. Chief 12-3 (Larkins) also responded.

Arriving units found a fully involved RV parked next to a house. Crews were able to extinguish the fire, and checked the nearby house for fire extension. No injuries ... (Full Story & Photos)

Starting Sunday evening, December 15, weather permitting, Santa Claus will continue his annual tradition of riding on the Sykesville fire engine, and we’re excited to have him back!

See below for a tentative schedule for Santa’s trip around the area. The schedule is subject to change due to weather and emergency calls, so watch our Facebook page for updates!

Each night, we will post a link on our ... (Full Story & Photos)

The new Rescue Squad committee has been working very hard to get the new Rescue Squad 12 in service. Part of the process is getting equipment mounted so it can be used safely and efficiently.

On October 21st, a few members of the committee headed down to Hollywood Maryland and met with First Due Apparatus Solutions for the mounting. Our members, along with the the crew from First Due, worked hard ... (Full Story & Photos)

At approximately 7:35 p.m. on Saturday November 30, Sykesville and mutual aid companies were alerted for the possible house fire in the 6700 block of Marriottsville Road #2.

Chief 12-2 (Polikoff) arrived to find a 15’ x 30’ woodshed away from the house, fully engulfed in flames. Engine 124 with volunteers and CCDFEMS career staff arrived and stretched a 400’ hoseline to attack the fire.

Baltimore ... (Full Story & Photos)

The Sykesville-Freedom District Fire Department has taken delivery of its brand new “Utility 12” built by 911 Rapid Response.

This unit will replace the current Utility 12 and will be providing Fire ground support and EMS response in the Sykesville/Eldersburg area.

This is yet another example of responsible, aggressive fleet management to ensure that the department's volunteers have the most current ... (Full Story & Photos)

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has implemented a statewide ban on open air burning, effective in all Maryland counties.

Open-air burning such as campfires as well as charcoal grilling are not permitted under the burn ban, but state law does permit the use of propane grills. The law defines open-air burning as a fire where any material is burned in the open or in a receptacle other than ... (Full Story & Photos)