The region’s top volunteers gathered in Huntingtown April 29 and 30 for the 70th annual Convention of the Southern Maryland Volunteer Firemen’s Association (SMVFA). In addition to an early afternoon memorial service, the Saturday, April 29 convention schedule included a meeting, dinner and awards ceremony.

The current president of the Huntingtown Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad, Dale Bowen, was chosen as SMVFA president for the coming year. Other officers are first vice president, Andrew Spalding, Newburg Volunteer Rescue Squad and Fire Department; second vice president, Phil Ridgell, Ridge Volunteer Fire Department; secretary, Darby Byrd, Dentsville Volunteer Fire Department; and chaplain, Michael Bowen, Prince Frederick Volunteer Fire Department.

During his remarks following the swearing in ceremony for the new officers, Bowen stated that each needed to get younger company members involved in the SMVFA. He challenged the Tri-County volunteer departments and squads to have at least two representatives 25-years of age or younger involved in the regional alliance.

“We work pretty well together,” Bowen told TheBayNet.com regarding the response relationship of the three counties’ volunteer companies following the ceremony.
Highlights from the dinner/meeting/awards ceremony included recognition for Vernon Horsmon’s 75 years of service with the Prince Frederick Volunteer Fire Department.

SMVFA Awards 2017
Life Saving Awards:
Cobb Island Volunteer Fire Dept. & EMS – Actions on March 24, 2016 at 1530 for CPR at Wicomico Beach Rd. and successfully revived the patient. Lt. Danny Hill, EMT Brianna Smith, Aide Alexis Smith, Chris Mattingly, FF/EMT Tanner Cox, FF Jim Bowling, James Kilinski, Bobby Higgs and William Lawman Jr.
Cobb Island Volunteer Fire Dept. & EMS – Actions on August 10, 2016 at 0400 for CPR at Duvall Dr. and successfully revived the patient. Joellen Lawman and FF/EMT Tyler Cox

Solomons Vol. Fire Dept & RS – Actions on May 1, 2016 at 10:00 on Popular Dr. to save a burn victim from a house fire. FF Britt Williams, Michelle Thrasher and Eric Anderson
Calvert Advanced Life Support Unit – Actions on May 1, 2016 at 10:00 on Popular Dr. to save a burn victim from a house fire. Paramedic Jonathan Siegel

St. Leonard Volunteer Fire Department & Rescue Squad – Actions on May 1, 2016 at 10:00 to save a burn victim from a house fire. FF Ricky Weems and FF Norman Bauer

Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department – Actions on August 13, 2016 on McIntosh Rd. for a car overturned and subject trapped with an impaled object through her abdomen. FF/EMT Kevin Gardiner, FF Tyler Insley, FF/EMT Bryan Riley, FF/EMT Eddie Tatum, FF Brandon Wible, FF David Yount, FF Freddie Bowles and FF/EMT Timmy Vallandingham

Solomons Volunteer Fire Dept & RS – Actions at 445 Lake Dr. for CPR in which the patient was revived. Joseph Ford, John Dalrymple, Brian Bowen, Christiania Morrison, Richard Morrison, Emily Shooks, Kaylee Curran, Matthew Brick and Michelle Thrasher
Calvert County Sheriff’s Department - DFC Jeff Hardesty
Unit Citations

Solomons Volunteer Fire Dept. & RS – Actions on May 1, 2016 at 10:00 on Popular Dr. for a house fire with a trapped patient with burns. Brittan Williams, Thomas Yowell, Joseph Adams, William Richardson, Joseph Leannarda, Larry Nuse, Charles Franklin, Brian Bowen, Johnathan Ford, John Dalrymple, Joe Ford Sr., Alex Velazquez, John Pardoe and Karen Pardoe
St. Leonard Volunteer Fire Dept. & RS – Action on May 1, 2016 at 10:00 on Popular Dr. for a house fire with a trapped patient with burns. Ernie Earnshaw

Huntingtown Volunteer Fire Department– Actions on June 4, 2016 at Hunting Creek Rd. for a MVA with ejection. Wayne Ward, Donald Wallace, Charles Threlfall, Gabriel Robinson, Michael Lanier, Michael Montgomery Sr., Matthew Montgomery, Gina Threlfall, Matt King and Alyssa Gibson

Calvert Advanced Life Support – Actions on June 4, 2016 at Hunting Creek Rd. for a MVA with ejection. Ginger Manifold
Huntingtown Volunteer Fire Dept. & RS – Actions on January 25, 2016 for CPR at Kings Landing Rd. and had a ROSC. Gina Threlfall, Kerstyn Katzer, Kyle Adams, Michael Lainer, Michael Clark, Tyler Burroughs, Michael Montgomery Sr., John Threlfall and Michael Threlfall

Calvert Advanced Life Support - Actions on January 25, 2016 for CPR at Kings Landing Rd. and had a ROSC. Robert Shapiro
Leonardtown Volunteer Rescue Squad – Actions on June 26, 2016 at Point Lookout Rd. for MVA with ejection. Deanna Goddard, Kevin Hancock, Lori Brighwell and Greg Schultz
LaVerne Stewart Memorial Award – Cathy Caulder
Gott Award – George Franklin
Frank Cotrufo – Francis Raley

Southern Maryland Volunteer Firemen’s Association Hall Of Fame 2017 Awardees: Gary S. Bell Sr. Leonardtown VFD; Joseph M. Gould, Bay District VFD; Scott E. Herbert, Hughesville VFD and RS; Edward O. Humphreys III, North Beach VFD; William A. Lawman Sr., Cobb Island VFD & EMS; Ronald “Ronnie” Lucas, Potomac Heights VFD& RS; John Michael O’Neil, Indian Head VFD& RS; David A. Smiley, Bay District VFD; Michael Wells Huntingtown VFD & RS; Charles “Chuckie” Zinn, Prince Frederick VFD; and Distinguished/Special Recognition Sgt. “Rollin Nolan” Scully.