| On January 26, 2013 the 65th annual Installation of Officers Banquet was held at the Ridge Volunteer Fire Department Fire Hall. To start off the evening, the administrative, operational and auxiliary officers were sworn in by Chuck Shaw and Bobby Lacey, Presidents of the Southern Maryland Volunteer Fireman's Association.
2013 Administrative Officers:
President – Timothy Ridgell
Vice President – James Raley
Secretary – Charlie Bradburn
Assistant Secretary – John Morrison
Treasurer – Johnny Wathen
Fire Chief – Bruce Raley
Board of Directors-
Tom Trossbach
Francis Raley
Justin Raley
Timothy Ridgell
Charlie Bradburn
James Raley
Joe Raley
Johnny Wathen
Bruce Raley
Mike Ridgell
George Franklin
2013 Line Officers:
Fire Chief – Bruce Raley
Assistant Chief – Eddie Raley
Deputy Chief – Ray Mercure
Captain – Charlie Langley
Captain – Darius Hawkins
Captain – Justin Raley
Lieutenant – Leroy Owens
Lieutenant – Matt Ridgell
Safety Officer – Phil Cooper
Safety Officer – Francis Raley
Water Supply – Brian Cooper
Chief Engineer – Peanut Gatton
Honorary Chaplain – Msgr. Carl Chimiak
Engineer – Bradley Cooper
Engineer – John Morrison
Engineer – Heavy Ridgell
Engineer – Mike Ridgell
Engineer – Ron Hafner
Engineer – Keith Raley
Engineer – Tony Ridgell
Engineer – Robbie Wood
Engineer – Charlie Bradburn
Engineer - John Keister
2013 Auxiliary Officers
President – Becky Wathen
Vice President – Debbie Fairfax
Recording Secretary – Ashleigh Andrews
Corresponding Secretary – Aggie Owens
Treasurer – Darlene Wood
After the swearing in, an outstanding dinner prepared by Bailey's Catering was served. Following dinner, Past Chief, Joe Cooper led us into a memorial ceremony to honor the deceased members of the department. They following deceased members were added to the memorial located in front of our station this year - Lucy Wood, Ross Raley and Joseph Wood. Family members were escorted to place flowers in remembrance.
The awards program followed, under the helm of Master of Ceremonies, Former St. Mary's County Commissioner Dan Raley.
Congratulations to the following award recipients:
President's Award – James Raley
Chief's Award – Ray Mercure
Fireman of the year – James Raley
Rookie of the year – Karen Raley
Chief Engineer's Award – Bradley Cooper
Joe Titus Fire Prevention Award – James Raley (Presented by Titus Family)
Auxiliary Presidents Award – Phil Cooper
Auxiliary Member of the year – Mary Wise
Several Appreciation Awards were presented to members by President Ridgell and Auxiliary President Wathen for their support.
Top 10 Emergency Responders:
1. Karen Raley
2. Keith Raley
3. Phil Cooper
4. Ray Mercure
5. George Gatton
6. Joe W Raley
7. Bruce Raley
8. Francis Raley
9. Tom Fairfax
10. John Morrison
Length of Service Awards:
5 Years – Paul Tennyson, Alex Pulliam, Mike Combs, Ashleigh Andrews (Aux), Bonnie Ridgell (Aux), and Christy Merrell (Aux)
15 Years – Bradley Cooper, Ray Mercure, Steve Bradburn and Aggie Owens (Aux)
20 Years – Ron Hafner and Father Carl Chimiak
30 Years – Bruce Raley, Mike Ridgell and Howard Fenhagen
35 Years – Bobby Balta and John "Peanut" Gatton
40 Years – Keith Raley - Presented with a shadow box and gold watch from the Dept. and proclamations from elected officials.
45 Years - George Gatton and Emerick Norris
60 Years – James Raley - Presented with a grandfather clock from the Dept. and proclamations from elected officials
Chief Bruce Raley presented Life Save Awards to members that responded to three seperate incidents that occured during 2012. The following members received the Medal of Valor:
Karen Raley
George Gatton
Kathy Keister
Phil Cooper
Darius Hawkins
Keith Raley
Todd Norris
Leroy Owens
Bradley Cooper
Shawn Tennyson
Francis Raley
Justin Raley
Ray Mercure
Eddie Raley
Tony Ridgell
Charlie Bradburn
A dance followed with music by DJ Coop.
The Officers and members of the Ridge VFD also would like to thank the members of Bay District VFD for covering our area during the installation.
Also, a special thanks to Mary Franklin for the pictures. |
