Prior to 1924 Fire protection for the town of Ridgeley was handled by the City of Cumberland Fire Department.

The Ridgeley Volunteer Fire Dept was organized in 1924, by a group of citizens from Ridgeley who understood that a town no matter how small or large, must have adequate fire protection.

This day was an important day to the town of Ridgeley as the fire department in Ridgeley was incorporated and chartered on November 5th 1925, to be known officially as the Ridgeley Volunteer Fire Department, Inc, with its active membership not to exceed 64 members and no less than 26 members and with a company motto of:
"We Labor to Protect, Educate, and Prevent"

• R A Radcliff • H R Knight • H M Brown • J L Biggs • L P Walker • S J Folk

• JB F Magruder • J H Simmons • H E Metger • John Byer • J L Hughes

The first piece of fire fighting apparatus used by the department was little more than a Model T pickup truck with hose and other equipment being carried in the bed. This vehicle was used until the delivery of a 1926 Seagrave pumper.

The Ridgeley Volunteer Fire Department took delivery of a 1926 Seagrave pumper with a 350 gallons per minute rotary pump and a 60 gallon booster tank. This vehicle was the backbone of the fire department for many years and was owned by the fire department until 1963, when it was sold to make room for a newer vehicle.

Also during 1926 the Ridgeley Volunteer Fire Department built a dance hall, with the proceeds being used to help raise funds for the purchase of equipment, vehicles, etc.

During the period from 1926 to 1940 the fire department rented space for the vehicle from the Ridgeley Motor Company owned and operated by B F (Frank) Magruder who was also a charter member of the department for the sum of $4 per month. The Ridgeley Fire Department meetings were held upstairs over the old Ridgeley Bank Building.

John Brehany was chairman of the committee who added on and built a two-bay garage and meeting room on the existing dance hall and it was the first time since it was organized that the Fire Department was consolidated into one building.

Under the leadership of then department President R B McFadden the Ridgeley Volunteer Fire Department purchased the building then owned by the Ridgeley Distributors, Inc., located across the street from the old Ridgeley High School. This allowed the Fire Department more room for additional vehicles and expansion.

The department remodeled areas of its equipment building adding a new meeting room, office and training classroom and in July 1977 it was dedicated in memory of Wm E Shuck Sr and for the second time since it was organized the department had all its necessary fire fighting functions in one building.

The department officially organized its first Ladies Auxilliary and elected as its First President Mrs Mary Jane Lindsay.

Other charter members include:
Louise Kincaid, Tita Crigar, Margaret Jones, Rebecca Steele, Donna Schoenadel, Vonnie Pollock, Paula Detrick, Clara Dawson, Sylvia Carr, Esta Bowers

The Ridgeley Volunteer Fire Department updated their apparatus fleet with the purchase of a 1995 Pierce Saber which the department still operates as its 2nd line engine. This unit is designated Engine 25-11.

The members voted to buy a new engine to replace the 1976 Pierce that the department still owns. In August of 2007 Pierce delivered its third piece of equipment to the department a 2007 Pierce Enforcer. This unit is designated Engine 25-13.

To this very day The Ridgeley Volunteer Fire Department is still living up to their motto of:
"We Labor to Protect, Educate, and Prevent"

The Ridgeley Volunteer Fire Department is a Proud member of:
The Mineral Co Fire Fighters Association, The Potomac Valley Fire Fighters Association,
The West Virginia State Fireman's Association (since it was organized on March 2, 1926.)