On February 10, 2026, Cathy Bigler received the Walter-Howard-Shaw VFW post 327 Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) of the Year Award for 2025.
Cathy first joined the fire service in September 2023 as a member of the Arundel Volunteer Fire Company, where she began her journey in emergency medical services. She earned her National Registry Emergency Medical Technician (NREMT) certification in March 2024 and subsequently joined the Odenton Volunteer Fire Company (OVFC) on June 11, 2024. That same day, she completed the Emergency Vehicle Operator Course (EVOC), further enhancing her operational readiness as an ambulance driver.
Cathy quickly became an active and dependable member of OVFC. In 2024, she responded to 55 ambulance calls (in addition to an unknown number while serving at Arundel). Her strong work ethic and dedication to excellent patient care have been consistently evident.
Since joining the OVFC, Cathy has demonstrated exceptional commitment to both her patients and her peers. From January through September 2025, she completed 63 shifts totaling 364 volunteer hours and responded to 118 ambulance calls. Her steady participation, enthusiasm, and positive attitude make her a valued and respected member of the EMS team. Cathy’s professionalism and compassion reflect the highest standards of the emergency medical services profession. Whether responding to a critical medical emergency or assisting in routine patient transport, she consistently provides quality care and serves as a dependable partner to fellow providers. Her continued dedication to training, reliability in response, and strong patient advocacy made her an outstanding candidate for the VFW Post 327 EMT of the Year Award.
If you wish to become a member of the OVFC please visit our membership page –> HERE.
