Our 2023 Fireman of the Year, Collin Snyder graduated from the Class 7 of the Carroll County Sheriff’s Academy this week. Collin had been working in the Detention Center, then attending the academy and volunteering as a firefighter for us all at the same time. We are so happy for Collin and are proud to see Collin achieve his career goals. Congratulations Collin, be safe in your new role. Photo Credit: Family facebook.
Alex Carlson was awarded a Scholastic Letter at Westminster High School. Alex started with us as a junior member and moved to the senior membership in June of 2023. He currently in this year’s Emergency Services Training Program at the Carroll County Public Safety Training Center. Family photo credit.
March 23, 2024 – During our Annual Banquet Celebration of our 201st year in operation, Collin Snyder was named Fireman of the Year. Colin joined the department in April 2022 and has quickly progressed with his training and participation. In 2023, Collin responded to 582 emergencies. He currently is preparing to graduate from the Carroll County Sheriff’s Police Academy to continue serving his community in an additional capacity.
On meeting night, members gathered before the meeting for a drill with the Hasty Rescue strap. Participants practiced applying the straps and the proper way to utilize the strap to rescue a fellow firefighter.
During the March 2024 department business meeting, another member achieved 25 years of service and was awarded life membership. Chris Cull has served on committees, as an equipment driver and as President of the department in his first 25 years.
On March 8, 2024, members of the department gathered to pay final respects to our life member and Past-President Joseph “Joe” Ebaugh.
Prior to joining us, Joe first served in the US Army for 5 years, then going to the US Navy for 5 years. He spent the rest of his career with the Army National Guard.
Joe joined the department in April 1962. He held the office of Secretary, President, Assistant Historian, Treasurer, & Historian. Joe also served many years as a relief driver, on many committees and was also active in our Fire Police group. He had a passion for the history of our department, he spent many hours in the museum always looking to improve the display of our department’s history. He spent many hours transcribing old minutes starting in the 1800’s into digital format for permanent archiving.
For his many years of service Joe was awarded Life Membership in 1987, Fireman of the Year in 2007, and was inducted into the CCVESA Hall of Fame in 2020.
On Tuesday evening, February 20, 2024, members of Westminster VFD and CC DFEMS St-3 B-Shift participated in a rope drill. Participants practiced knots and rigging for slope evacuations with Tower 3. Participants learned about mechanical advantage systems and how to use them in rescue scenarios.
Training continues to make sure we are ready no matter what the emergency situation presents.
Our uniors held their February 2024 monthly meeting and training. The Junior Program is open to ages 12 through 16 and meets on the 2nd Monday of every month from 7 to 9pm. There is a small business meeting from 7 to 730 and training from 730 to 9. There is a different training topic each month to include hands on activities in both fire and EMS. Several of our Junior members have chosen to further their training through the Emergency Services Training Program. This program is offered as a concurrent enrollment option during their Junior or Senior year to prepare them to volunteer with their local department or start a career in the fire service.
If you would like to join our program, please email wvfd3rr@westminstervfd.org or check out our website.
Photos copyright WFD Recruitment/Retention team
February 7, 2024 – Life membership is granted to a member after 25 years of service to our department. During the February department meeting, Life Membership status was awarded to Amy Garber where she was given her special permanent membership card. The Awards committee also presented a few permanent life membership cards to four other life members. The cards were just not available when they achieved the status. Members: Walter Davis, James Falise, Jr., John Knorr, Jr., and Brenda Roper all achieved their Life Membership status in the past several years.
Currently, there are 37 members sharing this Life Membership status with some well past 25 years with the longest member past 60 years of membership.
