On February 13, 2016 the 68th 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 SMVFA Representative George Hayden and our own Becky Wathen, Past President, SMVFA.
2016 Administrative Officers:
President – Francis Raley Vice President – James Raley Secretary – Carley Dodge Assistant Secretary – Eddie Raley Treasurer – Johnny Wathen Fire Chief – Ray Mercure
Board of Directors- Tom Trossbach Francis Raley George Gatton Ron Hafner James Raley Bruce Raley Johnny Wathen Carley Dodge Bruce Raley Mike Ridgell George Franklin
2016 Line Officers:
Fire Chief – Ray Mercure Assistant Chief – Eddie Raley Deputy Chief – Darius Hawkins Captain – Charlie Langley Captain – Danny Gatton Lieutenant – JC Trossbach Lieutenant – Josh Wise Lieutenant - Robert Simmons Safety Officer – Phil Cooper Safety Officer – Francis Raley 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
2016 Auxiliary Officers
President – Dawn Gatton Vice President – Debbie Fairfax Recording Secretary – Darlene Wood Corresponding Secretary - Aggie Owens Treasurer – Margie Cooper
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 deceased members were added to the memorial located in front of our station this year – Bea Hafner and Patsy Raley. 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 – Bruce Raley
Chief's Award – Eddie Raley and Ray Mercure
Fireman of the year – Bruce Raley
Rookie of the year – Jannet Keister
Chief Engineer's Award – Charlie Bradburn
Joe Titus Fire Prevention Award – Quinton Ridgell (Presented by Phil Cooper on behalf of the Titus Family)
Auxiliary Member of the year – Mary Wise and Laura Cook
Auxiliary Outstanding Service Award - Cindy Bradburn
Auxiliary President Dawn Gatton presented the department with a check totaling $30,000 to be used for various ground and building improvements.
2015 Top 10 Emergency Responders:
1. Kevin Lorence 158 Calls 2. Keith Raley 154 Calls 3. Phil Cooper 147 Calls 4. Francis Raley 144 Calls 5. Quinton Ridgell 136 Calls 6. Bruce Raley 133 Calls 7. Karen Raley 129 Calls 8. Ray Mercure 114 Calls 9. Ron Hafner 110 Calls 10. Lori Raley 108 Calls
Length of Service Awards:
5 Years – Clyde Ridgell, Bertie Birch, and Debbie Fairfax
10 Years – Tommy Fairfax
15 Years - Darius Hawkins, Bob Woodburn and Justin Raley
25 Years (Life Member)– Eddie Raley
30 Years – Clancy Denhartog and David Sewell
45 Years – Robert Lee Owens
50 Years - Joe Cooper
65 Years - Dictator Cullison
Auxiliary Years of Service
5 Years - Mary Wise
20 Years - (Life Member) Jessica Titus
Carnival Chairman Mike Ridgell presented several years of service awards to citizens of the community for their years of commitment to the Ridge Carnival.
A dance followed with music by DJ Rich Wilson.
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. |