On Monday, May 13, 2024, during the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce Public Safety Awards, Marques received an award for responding as the Volunteer Battalion Chief to a house fire in the Manchester-Lineboro area. During that incident multiple victims were successfully rescued from the house.
Congratulations to our own Shane Shifflett who recently graduated from Baltimore County Fire Academy. During his time in the academy, he needed to take a break from volunteering, but we are grateful to have him back on the Volunteer crews here in Westminster.
Photo copyright the family Facebook collection.
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.
