On Saturday, January 24th, the Ridge Volunteer Fire Department and Auxiliary installed their 2026 Administrative and Operational Officers, and recognized several members for their contributions during 2025.

Joe Cooper, Past President of the Southern Maryland Volunteer Firemen’s Association, swore in the Administrative Officers, Board of Directors, Operational Officers, and Engineers. Becky Wathen, Past President of the Ladies Auxiliary to the Southern Maryland Volunteer’s Firemen’s Association and the Maryland State Firemen’s Association, swore in the Auxiliary Officers.

2026 Administrative Officers
President – Ron Hafner
Vice President – Chris Bender
Secretary - Bonnie Ridgell
Assistant Secretary - Carley Hadley
Treasurer – Rob Dodge, Sr.

2026 Board of Directors
Ron Hafner
Chris Bender
Bonnie Ridgell
Rob Dodge, Sr.
Bradley Cooper
Allen Raley
Francis Raley
John "Peanut" Gatton
Robb Bickel
Johnny Wathen
Darius Hawkins

2026 Line Officers
Chief - Bradley Cooper
Assistant Chief - Francis Raley
Deputy Chief – Johnny Morrison
Captain 4 / PIO – Scot Best
Lieutenant 4 – Robb Bickel
Lieutenant 4A - Rob Dodge, Sr.
Sergeant 4: Steve “Stevie” Gatton, Jr.
Health/Safety Officer 4 - Phil Cooper
Incident Safety Officer 4A - Tom Trossbach
Incident Safety Officer 4B – Darius Hawkins
Chief Engineer - John "Peanut" Gatton
Engineers – Steve Bradburn, John Keister, Ray Mercure, Allen Raley, Eddie Raley, Keith Raley, Tony Ridgell

2026 Auxiliary Officers
President - Debbie Fairfax
Vice President - Jessica Snyder
Recording Secretary - Darlene Wood
Corresponding Secretary - Lisa Gibbs
Treasurer – Laura Cook

After the swearing in of the Officers and dinner, the awards ceremony followed with acknowledgement of members’ achievements. Congratulations to the following 2025 award recipients:

President's Award: Alex Pulliam

President's Certificate of Appreciation: Johnny Morrison

President’s Administrative Award: Carley Hadley

Chief’s Award: Piper and Jase Cooper

Firefighter of the Year: Lilly Keister

Rookie of the Year: Holton Bickel

Joseph C. Titus Public Safety and Fire Prevention Award: Kermit Tillett

Top 10 Responders (includes stand-by support):
1. Keith Raley (285 alarms)
2. Heavy Ridgell (248 alarms)
3. Ron Hafner (234 alarms)
4. Scot Best (213 alarms)
5. Tony Ridgell (209 alarms)
6. Robb Bickel (207 alarms)
7. Francis Raley (202 alarms)
8. Holton Bickel (187 alarms)
9. Robbie Wood (174 alarms)
10. Johnny Morrison (166 alarms)

Top 10 Riding Apparatus (rode apparatus to the incident):
1. Keith Raley (197 alarms)
2. Scot Best (149 alarms)
3. Francis Raley (146 alarms)
4. Ron Hafner (131 alarms)
5. Robb Bickel (115 alarms)
6. Holton Bickel (114 alarms)
7. Bradley Cooper (111 alarms)
8. Danny Gatton (98 alarms)
9. Lilly Keister (94 alarms)
10. Tony Ridgell (80 alarms)

Length of Service Awards:
5 years: RJ Dodge, Charlie Keister, Charlie Russell, James White
10 years: Tyler Gatton, Tyler Mercure
15 years: Bertie Birch, Debbie Fairfax, Clyde Ridgell
20 years: Tom Fairfax, Shawn Tennyson
25 Years (Life Member): Darius Hawkins
35 Years: Eddie Raley
40 Years: David Sewell
60 Years: Joe Cooper

Length of Service Award (Auxiliary):
5 Years: Christinia Klobnock
15 Years: Mary Wise
30 Years: Jessica Snyder

Auxiliary Persons of the Year Award: Alex Pulliam, James White, Jimmy Cooper, Howard Fenhagen, Keith Raley, Tony Ridgell, Robbie Wood

Outgoing Chief Award: Brian Cooper

Auxiliary President Debbie Fairfax and Vice President Jessica Snyder presented the Department with several new operational and departmental items. These items included: 10 Honeywell BW Clip single-gas detector, 60 new chairs, 20 6ft and 8ft tables. Additionally, money has been allotted for the replacement of our Walk-in/Freezer. They are also currently working with the Chief to help outfit our new Raft with needed operational and safety equipment. In total, the Auxiliary provided approx. $48,000 worth of goods and services!

The Officers and members of the Ridge VFD and Auxiliary would like to thank our Master of Ceremonies, Arthur Pilkerton for the laughs, Rita B’s Catering for the amazing food, DJ Wild Wes for the great tunes, and Mercedes Forrest (Mercedes Leigh Photography) for the great pictures. A special thanks to the members of Second District Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad for covering our area during the installation and awards banquet.