| On Saturday, January 29, 2005, Ridge VFD's newly elected Officers took their Oath of Office. The night started with dinner prepared by Rita B.'s Catering. The Master of Ceremonies was St. Mary's County Commissioner Dan Raley. Following the opening remarks, the Administrative and Line Officers were Sworn in by John Gatton Jr., President of the Southern Maryland Volunteer Fireman's Association. The RVFD Auxiliary Officers were sworn in by Nancy Jones, President of the Southern Maryland Volunteer Association, Ladies Auxiliary. The Installation of Officers was followed by the awards program, and then music by DJ Brown.
2005 Administrative Officers:
President - Philip "Heavy" Ridgell
Vice President - Bobby Balta
Secretary - Phil Cooper
Assistant Secretary - Tom Trossbach
Treasurer - Johnny Wathen
Fire Chief - Francis Raley
Board of Directors-
Brian Cooper
George Gatton, Jr.
John "Peanut" Gatton, Jr.
Joe Raley
Timothy Ridgell
Bob Woodburn
2005 Line Officers:
Fire Chief - Francis Raley
Assistant Fire Chief - Bruce Raley
Deputy Fire Chief - Eddie Raley
Captain - Ray Mercure
Captain - Allen Raley
Lieutenant - Darius Hawkins
Lieutenant - Justin Raley
Chief Engineer - Tony Ridgell
Engineer - Bradley Cooper
Engineer - Brian Cooper
Engineer - John "Peanut" Gatton, Jr.
Engineer - Ron Hafner
Engineer - John Keister
Engineer - Keith Raley
Engineer - Mike Ridgell
Engineer - Philip "Heavy" Ridgell
Safety Officer - Phil Cooper
Safety Officer - Danny Gatton
Training Officer - Eddie Raley
Congratulations to the following award recipients:
President's Award - Fire Prevention Chair Scot Best
Chief's Award - Captain Ray Mercure
Firemen of the Year - Fire Prevention Chair Scot Best; Past Fire Chief John Morrison; Deputy Fire Chief Eddie Raley
Rookie of the Year - Senior Member George Franklin; Junior Member Joe W. Raley
Public Education (Fire Prevention) Awards - Senior Member George Franklin; Junior Member Matthew Ridgell
Fire Chief's Special Service Award - 15 Years in Engineer Position - Engineer Ron Hafner; Engineer Mike Ridgell; Chief Engineer Tony Ridgell
"Top 10" Incident Response - 1. Bruce Raley; 2. Bradley Cooper; 3. Eddie Raley; 4. George Franklin; 5. Matthew Ridgell; 6. Jeff Gerek; 7. Joe W. Raley; 8. Bobby Balta; 9. Josh Wise; 10. John "Peanut" Gatton, Ray Mercure, John Morrison
Life Member Awards - Past Chief John Morrison; Chief Engineer Tony Ridgell; Past Auxiliary President Dawn Gatton; Auxiliary Recording Secretary Becky Wathen
Length of Service:
5 Years - Senior Members Ben Bradburn, Mark Coontz; Robert Simmons; Auxiliary Member Dawn Gray
10 Yrs - Senior Member Leroy Owens
15 Yrs - Senior Member John Keister; Assistant Secretary Tom Trossbach
25 Yrs - Past Fire Chief John Morrison; Chief Engineer Tony Ridgell
35 Yrs - Life Member Danny Gatton
Auxiliary Member of the Year - Recording Secretary Becky Wathen
The Officers and Members of Ridge VFD would like to thank the members of Bay District VFD for covering our area during the installation. |
