Firefighting in mountainous Allegany County has evolved from bucket brigades and hose reels to a paid fire department in the county seat of Cumberland and 23 modern volunteer fire departments. Highlighted in Firefighting in Allegany County is the Cumberland Fire Department, which formed in 1906 as the second paid fire department in Maryland. The oldest all-volunteer department, Frostburg, is also given extensive coverage as well as the volunteer fire companies in the coal-mining region of Georges Creek. The more rural area of eastern Allegany County and suburban Cumberland have been protected by volunteer fire companies since the 1930s and 1940s.
