VP Bryan Van Fossen has been working as the single Fire Protection Specialist for 30 years at Carroll County Government. On 12/19/2025, Bryan officially retires becoming the first retiree of the new Carroll County Department of Fire and EMS. In Bryan’s role, plans for ANY construction in Carroll County passed through his review.
Thank You, TSC!
We would like to extend a sincere thank you to Tractor Supply Company (TSC) for generously providing a smoker to the Westminster Fire Department at 50% off.
We truly appreciate TSC’s continued support of their local fire department. Partnerships like this make a real difference, and we’re grateful to have such a supportive local business standing behind us.
Thank you for supporting those who support the community!
Westminster will have the station open along with the museum in honor of National Fire Prevention Week.
Westminster Fire Department takes Best Appearing Elevated Platform, Chief, and Antique in the 2025 Maryland State Firefighters Association Convention Parade.
A huge thank you to Westminster Girl Scout Troop 3112 for their generous donation of Girl Scout cookies to our on-duty career and volunteer staff!
Congratulations to Margaret, our 3 of Diamonds winner on week 44 for $10,670.00.
On Tuesday, June 10th, members of the Westminster Volunteer Fire Department participated in an automobile stabilization and extrication training. The roads are always busy around town and with the travel season upon us, accidents are on the rise again. Members were able to learn various ways to make the vehicle safer to work around no matter the position it’s in. They also learned safer and easier ways to remove victims from the automobile once it’s stabilized. We would like to thank Reese Volunteer Fire Department for equipment usage and Condon’s Used Auto Parts for donating the vehicle. Because of their generosity, the firefighters in the department are truly better because of it.
Westminster Fire Department would like to extend a HUGE thank you to everyone who attended and supported our Big Money Drawing event Saturday May 31st. Your presence and generosity help us continue serving our community with dedication and pride. We are truly grateful for your ongoing support—it means the world to us!
Big Money Drawing Winners
1 10,000.00 Nicole Wilson
2 4,000.00 Amanda Leese
3 2,000.00 Chris Green
4 1,000.00 Leslie Stephan
6 500.00 Doris Zepp
7 250.00 O & J
8 250.00 Pritchett Controls
9 200.00 Mark Hoffman
10 200.00 Jerry Dell, Jr.
11 200.00 Desi Graham
12 200.00 Michael Robinson
13 200.00 Elwin Wagner
14 100.00 Betty Crisp
15 100.00 Fletcher Funeral Home
16 100.00 Gaven Bullock
17 100.00 Greg Nott
18 100.00 DeGasperi
Members of Westminster VFD participated in a training session that taught a technique to rapidly begin CPR on a firefighter if they were removed from a house fire in full gear. When seconds count to begin CPR, time shouldn’t be waisted. This technique showed how to rapidly begin CPR while the gear is being prepped and ultimately removed. This is yet another skill we hope we never need to use but will be thankful it was practiced before hand.
At the 2025 WFD Banquet held on March 22, 2025, Dennis Mann was named the 2024 Firefighter of the Year. Dennis was also recognized as the top responder for 2024, handling 754 calls for service. This serves as a testament to his commitment to the department and the community. His quick response times and reliability during emergencies have been invaluable to our team, ensuring we provide the highest level of care when it is needed most. Additionally, Dennis has demonstrated remarkable growth and initiative by obtaining his Commercial Vehicle Driver’s License, Aerial Operations Certification, and completing the necessary steps to become a Fire Apparatus Operator with WFD. His dedication to mastering the details of our equipment, ensuring the safe operation of our fire apparatus, and his ability to perform under pressure have been significant assets to our entire department.
Beyond his technical skills and achievements, what truly distinguishes this individual is his unwavering willingness to assist others. He is always the first to step up, whether it’s a challenging task, mentoring new firefighters, or volunteering for special events and fire prevention initiatives. His positive attitude, collaborative spirit, and tireless work ethic make him an invaluable team member. In 2024, he embraced and excelled in his role as one of the chairpersons of our Junior Firefighter Program. He is dedicated to passing on what he has learned to those who aspire to follow in his footsteps. Throughout 2024, this volunteer exemplified the core values of service, dedication, and leadership, consistently exceeding the expectations of his role as a firefighter.
