Huntingtown, MD – The Huntingtown Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad (Company 6) held a dedication ceremony Sunday, Aug. 9 at their fire station.

As Company 6 was placing one new ambulance and one new engine into service, they were also dedicating them to individual members of the department.

The ceremony started with Company 6 President Dale Bowen  welcoming everyone to the station, which was followed by prayer from Father John Dakes.  Then there was the “Pledge of Allegiance” followed by the “Star Spangled Banner” sung by the Chesapeake Community Chorus under the direction of Director Larry Brown.

After that, Bowen introduced many of the special guests who were present, such as Johnnie Roth, president of Maryland State Firemen’s Association, George Hayden, president of Southern Maryland Volunteer Firemen’s Association, Senator Mike Miller, Delegate Michael Jackson from Prince George’s County and Calvert County Commissioners’ President Steve Weems.  There were many more guests from other fire stations as well as family and friends for Kenneth Wells and Ricky Ward.

Bowen gave a brief summary on the starting of the Huntingtown Volunteer Fire Department, which lead to the dedication of Ambulance 69 in the name of Kenneth Wells.  Mr. Wells has been involved Company 6 since the start, in firefighting and EMT service, and was one of the main individuals involved in many of the EMT ambulance calls for many years. He has been one of the driving forces behind the fire station for many years. The ambulance was placed in service and will have a plaque with Mr. Wells’ name placed on it.  The ambulance 69 is a 2015 International 3400, with a PL Custom 170” box.  This unit is a twin to Ambulance 68 that Huntingtown received earlier.  This unit is ALS equipped, with equipment from the Calvert ALS.

Then there was the dedication of Engine 61 in the name of Ricky Ward. Mr. Ward has also been involved with Company 6 as a firefighter and EMT and held officer positions while at the station. He has been involved in every fire apparatus that has ever been used at the company, including the new Engine 61. The engine was placed in service and will have a plaque with Mr. Ward’s name placed on it. Engine 61 is a 2015 Pierce Enforcer. This unit has a 750 gallon water tank, with a 1500 gallon per minute pump. This unit carries 2,100 feet of supply line and 1,700 feet of attack line.  This unit is the first flat roof enforcer cab built by Pierce, thus making it the first of its kind in the United States. This unit was sold by Randy Schwartz from Atlantic Emergency Solutions.

Both Mr. Wells and Mr. Ward received recognition as well from President George Hayden and President Johnnie Roth.

Then Father John Dakes did the blessing of the engine and ambulance with holy water and prayed for God to help all the members of Huntingtown VFD in their role as firefighters and EMTs and all the things they do to lead them in their jobs with Huntingtown and in life.  After that, there was the song “America the Beautiful” sung by the chorus and then final benediction by Father Dakes.

All guests were invited to enjoy refreshments in the Huntingtown Banquet Hall afterward.