Our own Wylie L. Donaldson was recently honored by the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) with their Lifetime Achievement Award for his 66 years of service to the volunteer fire service. Wylie joined the Odenton Volunteer Fire Company in 1952 at the age of 14, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, who was a founding member. Throughout his 66 years of continuous service, Wylie has held every administrative and operational position in the Company, including president from 1968-1974 and chief from 1974-1989. Today, he remains an instrumental part of the company’s success in his current role as vice president.

In addition, Wylie has held leadership roles with the Anne Arundel County Volunteer Firefighters Association, including serving as president from 1998-99 and a volunteer representative to the Fire Advisory Board from 1982-1990. During his term as president, he followed a vision of bringing new life to the volunteer fire service and initiated a volunteer cadet program within the Anne Arundel County public school system. Most recently, he helped lead efforts to greatly enhance the Volunteer Length of Service Award Program (LOSAP) to reward volunteers for their service and provide a retention tool to retain active volunteers.

Wylie is also an active participant with the Maryland State Firemen’s Association (MSFA). He has served on many committees, most notably as Anne Arundel County’s representative on the MSFA Executive Committee from 1998 until 2012. He presently serves as chair of the Convention Exhibits Committee and as one of the assistant treasurers, acting as the association’s liaison to the Maryland Military Department and overseeing the administration of a $20 million loan program for MSFA member companies.