Calvert County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association 2017 Hall of Fame Class, from left to right, Gene Farrell, Richard Weems, James H. “Bo” McKenny Jr., David Devere and Michael Moore Jr.
St. Leonard, MD – The Calvert County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association (CCVRA) held its annual awards banquet and installation of officers Friday, May 5 at the St. Leonard Volunteer Fire Department (Company 7). Among the highlights were the induction of five new members of the county’s Fire/Rescue/Emergency Medical Services Hall of Fame, recognition of annual award winners and presentation of awards for students participating in the Calvert County Cadet Program at the Career Technology Academy (CTA).
The 2017 CCVRA officers, who were sworn in by Southern Maryland Volunteer Firemen’s Association President Dale Bowen, were: William “Billy” Freesland, president; Dwight Arminger, vice president; Lori Lodge, secretary: Mark Carrico, treasurer; and Mike Bowen, chaplain.
The Hall of Fame inductees were: Gene Farrell of the Huntingtown Volunteer Fire Department (Company 6), David Devere of the North Beach Volunteer Fire Department (Company 1), Richard Weems II of Company 7, Michael Moore Jr. of the Prince Frederick Volunteer Fire Department (Company 2) and James H. “Bo” McKenny Jr. of Company 6.
Dunkirk Volunteer Fire Department (Company 5) Assistant Chief Toby Sealey received the Larry Cox Award for being the CCVRA’s Firefighter of the Year. Farrell was presented with the President’s Award/Administrator of the Year. The association also recognized Vernon Horsmon Sr. for his 75 years of service with Company 2. Stanis Inscoe earned the Dowell-Showalter Award for Emergency Medical Service person of 2017. Horsmon and Inscoe were not present to receive their plaudits.
Cadet program students received praise from several speakers, including Calvert County Recruitment and Retention Specialist Ginger Manifold and CTA Teacher Specialist Gayle Lloyd. “We have great kids and behind them are great parents,” said Manifold. Lloyd, who has supervised the fire and rescue certification program for several years declared that no matter who experienced a student later becomes “these cadets are always mine!”
The cadets recognized at the banquet were: Haley McClanahan, Caitlyn Stanbery, Brady McKee, Joe Watson, Matt Watson, Ethan Johnson, Chase Beyer, Clark James “CJ” Butner, Haley Jarboe, Collin Minor and Stephanie Higgs. McKee was presented with the 2017 Firefighter Cadet Award and Johnson was presented with the EMS Award. Johnson was also applauded for finishing second in SkillsUSA competition.
For more information on Calvert County fire, rescue and EMS services, visit this website.
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com
