Firefighting in Allegany County - Hardcoverby Warren W. Jenkins (Author) 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