From September 7 through 11, the member companies of the Anne Arundel County Volunteer Firefighters Association (AACVFA) held its annual convention, commemorating 92-years of service to the citizens of Anne Arundel County and the City of Annapolis. The convention was hosted by the Odenton Volunteer Fire Company (OVFC) who are celebrating their 90th anniversary. The Odenton community is celebrating its 150th anniversary.
Wylie Donaldson had the convention book dedicated to him for his outstanding service of 68-years and still going strong. Several OVFC members received prestigious awards. William “Bill Rose” and Patricia “Pat” Rose were inducted into the AACVFA Hall of Fame, an honor reserved for those who have given a lifetime of volunteer service to their community. Gareth Davis was selected as the Greg Kroft Rookie of the Year, an award recognizing the contributions of new members at their very early stages of a volunteer career. The OVFC received the Jesse Fisher trophy with 5504 hours of training. This award recognizes the fire company that has dedicated the most hours to fire, rescue, or EMS related training during the year. Cynthia Kovacich received the Boots Raynor award which recognizes the individual who dedicates the most hours to Fire, Rescue, or EMS related training during the year. Cynthia finished the year with 888.5 hours. Last, but not least, Robert “Bob” Rose received the Fire, Rescue, EMS Individual of the Year award which is considered the highest award given by the Association that can be conferred on an individual other than that of heroism. It is awarded on a highly selective basis to an individual who, in the opinion of the judges, has made an outstanding contribution to the future welfare of volunteerism with his/her company, to Anne Arundel County, and the State of Maryland. The OVFC also received the booster ad trophy for collecting 492 boosters to help defray the cost of the annual convention book.
It was announced on June 23, 2021, that Past Chief and Life Member Ramon “Ray” E. Hodgson, Jr. has been posthumously inducted in the Maryland State Firemen’s Association Hall of Fame.
Ray joined the Odenton Volunteer Fire Company (OVFC) on January 10, 1967 at the age of 16 and remained a very active member until his passing on October 30, 2015. He served in many administrative and operational positions, ultimately serving as OVFC Fire Chief in 2012 and 2013. In recognition of his more than 40-years of outstanding service to OVFC and to Anne Arundel County, Ray was bestowed Life Membership in the fire company and was inducted in the Anne Arundel County Volunteer Firefighters Association Hall of Fame in 2016.
Although Ray accepted a career position with the Anne Arundel County Fire Department in 1972, he continued to serve OVFC in various administrative capacities, including the annual carnival and other fundraising programs. After retiring from Anne Arundel County in 1994, he accepted a position with the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute (MFRI) as a Logistics Coordinator and immediately returned to an active responder role with OVFC. He rose through the operational ranks, reaching Assistant Chief in 2005 and Fire Chief in 2012.
Ray’s special interest was in training. He became a Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute (MFR)I instructor in 1988 and served several tours at the Anne Arundel County Fire Training Academy as a Recruit Training Officer. He also taught many volunteer personnel, often without compensation, Firefighter I, Firefighter II, Hazardous Materials, and his, specialty Technical Rescue. He established and trained the first Trench Rescue Team for Anne Arundel County. Ray was also a member of the FEMA Pennsylvania Task Force One, which culminated with his deployment as a Rescue Specialist on the debris pile at the New York World Trade Center following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. As a MFRI instructor, Ray worked with national committees on fireground and rescue safety and provided assistance to local departments on training programs.
Ray served as a member of the Maryland State Firemen’s Association (MSFA) Training Committee for many years, both as a department member and as a MFRI liaison. Because of his own personal knowledge, skills, and experience, he was able to offer much to the committee to help advance the training level of Maryland’s responders. In his position as MFRI Logistics Coordinator, he could ensure that MFRI training and equipment was always made available to support the volunteer fire and EMS service needs.
As part of the MFRI team, Ray was present at every MSFA convention. Ray would oversee the team’s preparations while still at College Park, getting information packets ready to be handed out at the convention. Then, the team would load up everything that was needed to make sure that the MFRI presence at the annual convention was well received by everyone that stopped by the booth to learn about training and certification opportunities offered by MFRI. If anyone else needed assistance around the convention center, Ray was quickly able to mass his crew together to provide the help needed.
Ray was also known for this community support activities. He annually scheduled Santa visits around the community on Odenton’s fire engines, even playing the role of Santa himself for many years along with his wife as Mrs. Santa. He was a strong supporter of the OVFC Ladies Auxiliary and their fundraising activities. Ray was also involved with the local community groups, including serving as a Director to the Greater Odenton Improvement Association and a member of the Odenton Heritage Society.
Ray was instrumental in transforming OVFC’s annual fire prevention open house event into “Odenton Day” where OVFC and all of the local community groups gather on the first Saturday in October to celebrate the heritage and history of the Odenton community. This event not only greatly increased the attendance at the fire company’s open house event but also provided the entire community with an opportunity to showcase its history and accomplishments.
Ray has dutifully served the interests of the OVFC and the fire service across Anne Arundel County and the state of Maryland for over 40 years. He was a strong proponent of training and firefighter safety and promoted the value of the volunteer fire company to the community.
The Rose family of the Odenton Volunteer Fire Company (OVFC) received the Maryland State Firemen’s Association Family Appreciation Program Award.
There have been many members of the Rose family involved in virtually every aspect of the fire company since 1963. The Rose brothers – Sunny, Bill, and Bob – and their families have actively served OVFC and the fire service in Anne Arundel County and Maryland for over 50 years.
John “Sunny” Rose, Jr. joined OVFC in 1963. Sunny served on almost every one of OVFC’s committees and fundraisers and held numerous leadership positions. But his true passion was training. He became a MFRI instructor in 1976 and continued to teach until his passing in 2015. His commitment to training is exemplified by the establishment of a MSFA award in his name. Sunny’s son Brian, an administrative member, and Sunny’s wife Karla help at our fundraisers.
William “Bill” Rose, Sr. also joined OVFC in 1963. Bill’s operational service was cut short by an injury, but he continued to serve on many committees and fundraising programs, on OVFC’s Board of Directors for 14 years, and as a MSFA delegate. Bill’s son “Billy” was company president in 1999.
Bob and Pat continue the Rose family legacy today. Robert “Bob” Rose joined OVFC in 1973 and Patricia “Pat” Rose in 2000. Bob has held many administrative positions in OVFC, including president for nine years. He skillfully handles many special projects and conducts training as an experienced Maryland Fire Rescue Institute instructor. Bob is currently the president of the county firefighters’ association and coordinates the 508 Program. Pat is OVFC’s treasurer and the cornerstone of the financial operations. She has modernized the financial and tax records. Bob and Pat’s two children were previously active responders.
Firefighter/EMT Toni Lyn Sanger will be receiving the John E. “Sunny” Rose, Jr. Memorial Training Award for 2021 from the Maryland State Firemen’s Association.
Toni joined Odenton Volunteer Fire Company in August 2019. Five members of the close-knit Sanger family joined in 2019. All are now responding members and have become key contributors to the fire company. The Sangers received the Maryland State Firemen’s Association Family Appreciation Award in 2020. Toni is representative of the commitment shown by each of the Sanger family members.
In much less than two years, Toni has become a fully certified Firefighter II in Anne Arundel County, even with the training obstacles presented by the COVID pandemic. She has quickly become one of the most active and committed responders. In 2020, she responded on 41 fire calls and 157 ambulance calls and is continuing on this pace in 2021. Firefighter Sanger continuously strives to improve both herself and the fire company. She seeks opportunities to learn and lead. In addition to her strong commitment to training and operations, Toni was also recently elected as Membership Secretary, a very demanding position. In calendar year 2020, Firefighter Sanger completed 462 hours of certified training. In addition to the above courses taken in 2020, FF Sanger took the required NIMS courses. In total, she has taken 548 hours of certified training and many hours of station-level training since joining less than two years ago!
Firefighter/EMT Sanger is an outstanding and dedicated member of the fire company. She has shown a deep commitment to training and service. In less than two years she has accomplished what many members take several years to achieve. It is enthusiastic members like Toni that maintain the vitality of the fire company.
Kevon Williams received the Maryland State Firemen’s Association’s Firefighter of the Year Award for 2021.
Kevon joined the Odenton Volunteer Fire Company (OVFC) in May 2017 while still in high school. Due to his studies and his participation as a percussionist in the Baltimore Ravens Marching Band, he was not able to complete Firefighter I until December 2018. Soon after, he completed Hazardous Materials Operations and was cleared to ride on the fire apparatus. Kevon devoted himself to riding and improving his skills as a firefighter and was the top responder in 2019 with 690 fire calls. He received the Firefighter of the Year Award from the local Veterans of Foreign Wars post for his outstanding performance in 2019.
Kevon continued his training in 2020, taking Emergency Vehicle Operator, Emergency Medical Technician – Basic, Firefighter II, Firefighter Survival and Rescue, and Rescue Technician. Having this full complement of training enabled him to respond on all the apparatus and he made 573 fire calls and 38 ambulance calls in 2020. Once again, he was the top responder for the year despite the concerns about the pandemic. He has continued to contribute at this pace in 2021, making 107 fire calls and 20 ambulance calls in the first three months of 2021, even while working full-time for a private ambulance company.
Kevon continually seeks to increase his knowledge through additional training, and he volunteers to assist others as they train. He is always very willing to help in maintaining the apparatus and station, actively participates in training, and enthusiastically supports company functions. He conscientiously performs all tasks assigned to him with total commitment and professionalism. He is always one of the first to help when the call goes out for assistance.
The OVFC is proud to have members who have the dedication and drive that Kevon exhibits. He exemplifies the highest standards of the OVFC, the Anne Arundel County Fire Department, and the fire service in general, and is most deserving of this award for his capable performance, continual self- improvement, and valuable service to the community.
At our May 2021 company meeting, the Odenton Volunteer Fire Company Recognized Nilla & Gerry McIntyre of the Cedar Ridge community in Piney Orchard for their leadership in organizing fundraising efforts in their community for the benefit of OVFC. For the past several years Nilla & Gerry raised thousands of dollars from the Cedar Ridge community to support the fire company during these critical times when we were unable to provide the annual carnival and other events. The McIntyre’s will be retiring to Huntsville, Alabama, but they have ensured that Cedar Ridge will continue to support the fire company in the future. For their leadership of this effort, OVFC president Craig Harman presented them with an award of appreciation for their efforts and we wish them the best of luck in their retirement.
On April 17, 2021, David Lewis & Wylie Donaldson from the Odenton Volunteer Fire Company received distinguished service awards from the Maryland Fire Chiefs Association (MFCA)’s
David Lewis received the Chief John W. Hoglund Leadership Award for 2021. This award recognizes an individual who has displayed leadership in advancing the health, safety, and readiness of the Maryland fire, rescue, and emergency services. Director Hoglund never sought out awards and recognition but dedicated his life to America’s firefighters because he cared about every one of them. David carries that same passion and has made his own mission to improve the health and safety of every firefighter he meets. David Lewis exemplifies the qualities represented by this award through his actions at the local, county, state, and national level.
Wylie L. Donaldson, Jr. received the Chief Leslie B. Thompson Memorial Award. This award is presented annually by the MFCA to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the welfare of the fire, rescue and emergency medical services of Maryland, provided distinguished service to their department and other departments; and provided distinguished service to their county, other counties, regional organizations and the State of Maryland. Wylie Donaldson has made outstanding contributions to the OVFC and the fire service in Anne Arundel County and across the State of Maryland for over 68 years.
Congratulations to David & Wylie for receiving these recognitions of their decades of service and leadership to the community, the state, and the nation.