Several Waldorf VFD Members Recognized
at June 2004 MSFA Convention

Philip Stevens receives the Colburn Trophy from Princess Anne Fire Chief David Donohoe. Mr. Phil Hurlock (left) MSFA Trustee and Past MSFA President looks on.

John Durrer being congratulated by Waldorf Chief Dan Stevens after receiving the Smith Stathem Safety Officer of the Year Award

Deputy Chief Vernon Monday receiving the
Josiah A. Hunt EMS Person of the Year Award from MSFA EMS Committee Chairman Wayne Tome and Craig Coleman, Sr. representing MIEMSS

During the Maryland State Firemen's Association Convention in Ocean City in June several Waldorf VFD members received awards or recognition:

EMS Deputy Chief Vernon Monday received the prestigious Josiah A. Hunt EMS Person of the Year Award, the highest EMS award presented by MSFA.

Deputy Chief Monday is a 22 year veteran of the Waldorf Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. and has worked his way up through the ranks of the Department from a member of the Engineering staff to Deputy Chief of one of the busiest EMS units in the State. EMS Division 3 ran over 8,000 calls during 2003/04. Vernon has consistently been among the top runners since joining the Department.

Vernon's nomination letter outlined his administrative involvement in the Department and County as well as his operational dedication. He served 10 years as the County EMS Chief and implemented many changes to move the county system forward. These included upgraded standards, altered running assignments, and bolstering relationships with other counties, government entities, hospitals and among the EMS departments in the county.

Most recently Vernon's involvement in county EMS activities intensified as he was appointed by Waldorf Chief Dan Stevens to represent the Department at the SWOT evaluation of the County EMS system. The series of intense meetings were facilitated by Dr. Alcorta, the Maryland EMS Medical Director from MIEMSS and evaluated the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats to the EMS system in Charles County. The results of this self evaluation were a comprehensive set of recommendations to the EMS leaders and a roadmap of how to improve the BLS and ALS delivery to the citizens of Charles County. Vernon's insights, open-mindedness and dedication to providing the best possible EMS service to the citizens of Charles County were extremely valuable in this process.

Vernon is married, has 4 children and lives in the St. Charles section of Waldorf. His wife Crystal and three of his children are also involved in the Fire Department.

Safety Officer John Durrer was also recognized at the Convention as the recipient of the Smith Stathem Memorial Safety Officer of the Year Award.

Safety Officer John Durrer is a 27 year veteran of the Waldorf Volunteer Fire Department and has been Safety Officer for three years. John is also a career Captain with the Washington Metropolitan Airport Authority assigned to Regan Washington National Airport.

John's nomination letter outlined his involvement in enforcement of rules, investigating personal injury and property damage incidents involving Department personnel, reviewing new equipment from the safety perspective, reviewing apparatus specs, and recommending policy and procedure changes to reduce injuries and damage to department property and personnel. He has also been a proponent of the OPTICON Traffic Control system and all 14 of the Department vehicles over 10,000 GVW have the system installed.

Safety 3 (John's radio designation) can be heard responding on all major incidents if he is available. He also responds to any line of duty incidents involving WVFD apparatus or personnel to investigate and insure the proper documentation is made and the insurance company is notified.

John's latest project is his involvement in updating the Charles County SOPs that deal with safety issues. He has worked on the Mayday and Accountability procedures to insure they are similar to surrounding jurisdictions to reduce the confusion during mutual aid operations.

John has a 10 month old son and lives in La Plata.

Adam Buckingham an EMT with Waldorf EMS 3 Division received a MSFA Scholarship during the Convention.

Adam Buckingham received a $3,000 per year scholarship from the MSFA Scholarship program. The scholarship is sponsored by the R. Adam Cowley Shock Trauma Center and was presented by Shock Trauma Vice President John Spearman. Adam graduated from St. Mary's Ryken High School in June 2004 and earned a place on the Presidents List for his academic achievements. He plans to attend the University of Maryland Baltimore County this fall to pursue a RN/Paramedic degree. Adam's career goal is to be a flight medic with the Maryland State Police.

Adam joined the Waldorf VFD in August of 2002 and completed his EMT-B training in July of 2003. He was cleared to ride as the OIC in September of the same year. He has been among the top runners at EMS 3 since he received his EMT certification. He consistently runs over 40 calls a month.

Adam lives in Waldorf with his Mom and Dad. Adam's father, Jim, is also a very active Driver/EMT-B with EMS Division 3. It is a familiar sight to see Jim and Adam riding the units together.

We wish Adam success at UMBC and look forward to seeing him on the ambulance when he is home on breaks.

Bill Olsen was installed as Chairman Emeritus of the MSFA Scholarship Committee.

Bill has been an active member of the Waldorf Volunteer Fire Department for 48 years and chaired the MSFA Scholarship Committee for 20 years. He has been active on the Committee since 1980.

Bill was obviously surprised and moved by the announcement made by Scholarship Chairman Ron Siarnicki during the scholarship presentations. Bill was presented a jacket and a briefcase by Chairman Siarnicki and MSFA President Terry Thompson.

Bill's dedication to the Scholarship Committee and the recipients of the scholarships is unparalleled. He personally knew most of the recipients during his tenure as Chairman and has stayed in contact with many of them. His personal interest in the students and their academic success has endeared the students to him as well.

Bill lives with his wife Alicia in Waldorf. They are both active in the Waldorf VFD. Bill has also remained active in the Charles County, Southern Maryland and State Associations.

Lt. Philip Stevens was awarded the coveted Colburn Trophy Award for his participation in a sucessfull ice rescue.

The Award was established in 1932 by retiring President George W. Colburn, Jr. to be awarded to a firefighter for some outstanding act of heroism.

Philip has been a member of the Waldorf Volunteer Fire Department for six years and served as Lieutenant during the 2003-04 year. He graduated from the University of Maryland University College in May of 2003 with a Bachelor's Degree in Fire Science.

On January 17, 2004 Philip was involved in an ice rescue in Waldorf that resulted in saving the life of a ten year old boy who had fallen through thin ice. He was the rescue swimmer that reached the child and brought him back to shore.

Philip was hired by the Washington DC Fire Department in January and is currently assigned to Engine Company 30 in Northeast Washington.

Philip is the son of Dan and Bobbi Stevens. Dan is in his 16th year as Chief of the Waldorf FD and Bobbi is the Department's Treasurer. Brother Matt is a Deputy State Fire Marshal assigned to the Salisbury Office and is a Member of the Board of Directors of the Waldorf VFD.

Photo #5 Caption: "Philip Stevens (right) receives the Colburn Trophy from Princess Anne Fire Chief David Donohoe. Mr. Phil Hurlock (left) MSFA Trustee and Past MSFA President looks on. The MSFA Trustees are charged with selecting the winner of the award.

The MSFA also recognized two Waldorf VFD families for three generations of active members currently serving the Department. The families of Mary Coates and Gloria Campbell were presented certificates, "In Recognition of a Tradition".

Mary Coates, a long time member of the Waldorf Ladies Auxiliary, is the mother-in-law of Mike Zdobysz a fire fighter at Waldorf, and grandmother of Ladies Auxiliary member Heather Zdobysz and Fire fighters Chris and Justin Zdobysz. Mike is a 27 year veteran with Fire Division 3 and Heather is Secretary for the Ladies Auxiliary.

Gloria Campbell is also a member of the Waldorf VFD Ladies Auxiliary who has three generations active in the Department. Gloria's daughter Maureen is currently President of the Waldorf Auxiliary and granddaughter Katie is an active member. Maureen was also installed as Chaplain to the Maryland State Firemen's Association's Ladies Auxiliary during the Convention in Ocean City.

F/F Duane Rice, Jr. was recognized by MSFA President Terry Thompson for serving on active duty during the Iraq War. Duane is a 7 year member of the Waldorf Volunteer Fire Department and is currently serving with the United States Air Force in Europe. Duane's Father Duane Sr. is a 27 year veteran of Fire Division 3 and Duane's sister Denise is a volunteer with EMS Division 3.

The Resolution signed by President Thompson extends sincere thanks to Duane and admiration for his courage and commitment to the United States of America.

Story and Photos by Chief 3, Dan Stevens

Bill Olsen (right) is congratulated by incoming MSFA President Robert Jacobs for his appointment as Chairman Emeritus of the MSFA Scholarship Committee

Waldorf VFD Awardees:
(Left to Right)
Adam Buckingham
Vernon Monday
Phil Stevens
John Durrer

Waldorf VFD Awardees
with Chief Dan Stevens