As the cracked, framed painting of the Fallen Firefighters Memorial was placed on a table next to a salvaged clock, Dennis Beard had to turn away, overcome with emotion.

He headed to a chair in the large, tented social area of the Sykesville-Freedom District Fire Department's "make-do" accommodations to regain his composure.

"I gave them that painting," Beard said, motioning to the table. "Some stuff is salvageable, but we lost some history.

"We lost a lot of history."

On Feb. 11, the roof of the Sykesville Fire Department's social hall collapsed under the weight of snow from the record snowstorms.

Shortly after the collapse, fire erupted, engulfing the building in flames.

"The fire hall is gone, and there is smoke and water damage to the administration part," said Beard, public information officer for the department. "The only part untouched was the apparatus building."

Damage to the hall, dedicated in 1985, is estimated at $4.5 million, Beard said, though the department is counting its blessings.

"On the positive side, not a single person got hurt," he said. "We have not missed a single call. The building is fully insured."

But some items, like the original marching banners from the 1930s, which were used by the fire department and its auxiliary, cannot be replaced.

For a department that marked its 75th anniversary in 2008, the loss of such historical items is a bitter pill to swallow.

"I've only been a member three years, and I have a lot of emotions," said Hank McCauley, a volunteer who was among those responding to the station fire.

"I can't imagine life members," he added. "You gotta keep pushing on. Nothing much else you can do.

Pushing on is exactly what the Sykesville fire department is doing in the wake of the blaze.

Currently, the department staff and volunteers are calling an elaborate system of "home base" tents.

The connected white tents — pitched on the fire department property at Route 32 and Freedom Avenue, include a shower/bathroom section, a bunk section that sleeps about 14, a large social area with couches, tables and televisions and even a commercial kitchen area.

Despite its comforts, it is only a temporary shelter.

"This is amazing, but it is only temporary," Beard said, confidently. "We're trying to see what is out there ... that would be a little bit more than tents.

"We want to make sure this place is what it should be," he added. "What can we do to make the temporary structure a little better?"

As for longer range plans to rebuild, Beard said hopes are high that a new structure will be up and ready by this time next year.

Bids have been received from demolition companies, and the board of directors will soon begin the next phase -- finding an architect.

"Lots of work needs to be done, but we're hoping," Beard said, of the future construction. "The building committee will decide which direction is next."

While the building is fully insured, Beard said donations are welcome to help with the daily operations of the department.

On the station's Web site, www.sykesvillefire.org, the company acknowledges the community's outpouring of support in the immediate wake of the incident, and notes, "We have been dealt a blow, but with your support, we will continue to provide the quality emergency services that you have come to expect from us."

"Donations are greatly appreciated," Beard said. "We don't want the public feeling we're misleading them. We do have expenses to make."

In addition to any costs associated with rebuilding, the company will see a loss of revenue from events that were scheduled in the hall.

"The hall was booked with numerous events," Beard said. "The hall still has a mortgage. It is not paid off.

Many community organizations, the Lions, the Rotary Club, church groups, Boy Scouts, different school groups ... they're all looking for other venues to host their events."

The department realizes that people are curious about the fire damage, but Beard asks that people stay away.

"We don't want anybody getting hurt," Beard said. "There are pictures to see some of the damage on our Web site."

More online

For more information, and to view photos and a guest book regarding the Feb. 11 fire at the Sykesville-Freedom District Fire Department, go to www.sykesvillefire.org. To learn more about possible donations, call 410-795-9311.

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