On January 24, 2015 the 67th 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 our own Joe Cooper & Becky Wathen, Past Presidents of the Southern Maryland Volunteer Fireman's Association.

2015 Administrative Officers:

President – Francis Raley
Vice President – James Raley
Secretary – Phil Cooper
Assistant Secretary – Carley Dodge
Treasurer – Johnny Wathen
Fire Chief – Bruce Raley

Board of Directors-
Tom Trossbach
Francis Raley
George Gatton
Ron Hafner
James Raley
Joe Raley
Johnny Wathen
Phil Cooper
Bruce Raley
Mike Ridgell
George Franklin

2015 Line Officers:

Fire Chief – Bruce Raley
Assistant Chief – Eddie Raley
Deputy Chief – Ray Mercure
Captain – Charlie Langley
Captain – Darius Hawkins
Lieutenant – JC Trossbach
Lieutenant – Joe W Raley
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 – Ron Hafner
Engineer – Keith Raley
Engineer – Tony Ridgell
Engineer – Robbie Wood
Engineer – Charlie Bradburn
Engineer - John Keister

2015 Auxiliary Officers

President – Dawn Gatton
Vice President – Debbie Fairfax
Recording Secretary – Ashleigh Andrews
Corresponding Secretary - Aggie Owens
Treasurer – Darlene Wood

After the swearing in, 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. The following eleven deceased members were added to the memorial located in front of our station this year – Melvin Yost Sr., Larry Taylor, Francis Smith, Ed Healy, Harry “Snotty” Wright, Bart Mettam, Dickie Barnes, Ben Forrest, Shirley Kovich, Bertille Cooper and Peggy Owens. 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 – Keith Raley and John Morrison

Chief's Award – Keith Raley

Fireman of the year – Joe W Raley and Mike Ridgell

Rookie of the year – JC Trossbach

Chief Engineer's Award – Justin Raley

Joe Titus Fire Prevention Award – Mary “Snookie” Raley (Presented by Titus Family)

Auxiliary Member of the year – Millie Cullison

Several Appreciation Awards were presented to members by Past Auxiliary President Wathen for their support. The Auxiliary presented the department with a check totaling $25,000 to be used for various line items and activities.

2014 Top 10 Emergency Responders:

1. Phil Cooper 132 Calls
2. Kevin Lorence 130 Calls
3. Francis Raley 127 Calls
4. Keith Raley 120 Calls
5. Bruce Raley 116 Calls
6. Karen Raley 110 Calls
7. George Gatton 92 Calls
8. Ron Hafner 89 Calls
9. Joe W Raley 86 Calls
10. John Morrison 84 Calls

Length of Service Awards:

5 Years – Ashleigh Andrews, Carley Dodge, Freda Franklin, Dawn Gatton, Lisa Gibbs, Charlie Langley, Shannon Langley, Charlie Langley,Tracy Owens, Snookie Raley, Danny Reppell, Bonnie Ridgell, Cheryl Ridgell, Wanda Trossbach, and Becky Wathen

10 Years – Matt Langford and Shawn Tennyson

20 Years – Kathy Keister and Leroy Owens

25 Years (Life Member)– John Keister, Joe Parren Ridgell and Tom Trossbach

35 Years – Johnny Morrison and Tony Ridgell

40 Years – Jimmy Cooper, Herbie McKay, Bobby Fenwick, Heavy Ridgell, Francis Raley, Robbie Wood

45 Years - Danny Gatton

Auxiliary Years of Service

30 Years - Dawn Gatton and Becky Wathen

A dance followed with music by DJ Donnie Carter.

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.