Honoring & Remembering Maryland Fallen Heroes.

Westminster VFC ~ Carroll County ~ Maryland

January 26,1931

At approximately 10:00 a.m. on Monday, January 26, 1931, the Westminster Fire Engine & Hose Co.No.1 responded to the Oscar Hess residence, on Manchester State Road near Cranberry, for a gasoline stove explosion in the kitchen. The flames were quickly extinguished by the Westminster firemen. The kitchen was mostly destroyed from the blast, but the rest of the house was saved, having suffered only smoke damage and some broken window panes.

While the firemen were performing salvage and overhaul, Fireman Joseph G. Hahn suffered a heart attack and fell over. Before medical aid could be summoned, death occurred.

Fireman Joseph G. Hahn was 46 years old

January 22, 2021 Westminster, Md. – It is with deep sadness that the men and women of the Westminster Fire Engine and Hose Co. No. 1 announces the passing of Westminster firefighter Bob Ruby.

Bob left this earth to be with his beloved wife Shirley Ruby at 6:47 p.m. Friday evening Jan. 22, 2021, at Dove House in Westminster. He was surrounded by a roomful of firefighters who never left his side for a second from the minute he arrived at Dove House and held his hands through his last breath of air.

Firefighters, first responders. EMS providers, correctional officers, dispatchers, and police officers are a family. We stand behind each other, we look after each other, and we never leave anyone behind.

May Bob Rest in Peace. Brother Bob – your watch is over we will take it from here, you duty is done here, God has your place in heaven.

Funeral arrangements for Bob Ruby will be announced next week as soon as they are available. Questions text – do not call. – Text Chaplain Dayhoff 410 259 6403

Please join me in a moment of prayer

O god of grace and glory, we remember our brother Bob Ruby. We thank you for giving him to us to know and to love as a companion in our pilgrimage on earth. In your boundless compassion, console us who mourn.

Our thoughts and prayers are with our firefighter community at this time.

Those we love don’t go away. They walk beside us every day, Unseen, unheard, but always near, Still loved, still missed and very dear.

May memories of happy times sustain us, the support of family and friends comfort us, and may God’s love embrace you and your family and bring you peace.

Rest in paradise my friend. See you again someday. God be merciful to your good soul.

Thinking of you as you find peace during your journey and sending strength to your family as they mourn. I pray that peace will be found for all.

Amen

Westminster Fire Engine and Hose Co. No. 1 Chaplain Kevin Dayhoff

Click below to watch the 2021 Big Money Drawing. Click HERE for the full list of prize winners.  Thank you to everyone who has helped us by buying a ticket and to our event sponsors.

Shift Lt. Guy Garheart and his shift personnel were surprised today with a number of food and goodie packages for the holidays. Teresa Richardson delivered the packages on behalf of St John’s Church in Westminster. The Department is always grateful for the continued community support and extend our thanks to Teresa and the St John’s members.

Photo from Guy Garheart and WFD Facebook post

While it was a difficult decision, our Board decided to postpone the Big Money Raffle, which was scheduled for May 28, 2020, for the safety and wellbeing of our community during this unprecedented time.

On Thursday, July 30th at 7 PM we held a virtual event to draw the winning tickets. All winners will be notified and you can click here to see the list. You can replay the event here.

Westminster Fire Department was pleased to be able to host the recording of the 2020 Virtual Public Safety Award message of the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce.

Westminster Police Officer and Firefighter Elwood Kauffman, 88
John Elwood Kauffman October 6, 1931 – May 12, 2020

Friday, May 15, 2020 – by Westminster Fire Dept. Chaplain Kevin Dayhoff

It is with great sadness that the Westminster Fire Engine and Hose Co. No. 1 announces the passing of Westminster Fire Department Life Member Elwood Kauffman, 88. Kauffman passed away on Tuesday May 12, 2020.

• At the family’s request, viewing will be on Friday, May 15, 2020 at the Westminster Fire Department at 28 John Street in Westminster Md. from 3:00 PM-5:00 PM. It will be a drive-through format.

Elwood was the beloved husband of Iris B. Kauffman, his wife of 35 years.

He served as a full time engineer for the Westminster Fire Department in the late 50’s – until 1959. He then worked for the Westminster and Howard County Police Departments.

He worked many years as a Deputy Md. State Fire Marshal FM-1 where he was an arson investigator in the Carroll and Howard County region. After his retirement from the Fire Marshal’s Office, Kaufman was a bailiff for Carroll County Circuit Court for over 12 years.

Kauffman was born in Carroll County on October 6, 1931 to the late Margaret Essich Kauffman and J. Ralph Kauffman.

He was a graduate of Westminster High School’s Class of 1949.

Kauffman was a former member of St. Benjamin’s Lutheran Church in Westminster. Upon moving to Plum Creek in Hanover, Pa, he attended Grace United Methodist in Hanover.

A drive-through visitation for Kauffman will be held on Friday, May 15, 2020 from 3 to 5 pm at Westminster Fire Engine and Hose Company 1, 28 John Street, Westminster. Upon arrival, please remain in your vehicle and staff will direct you.

A private funeral service will be held at 11 am on Saturday, May 16, 2020 at Pritts Funeral Home & Chapel, 412 Washington Road, Westminster with Deacon Charles Barnhart, Jr. officiating.

Private Interment will follow at Meadow Branch Cemetery in Westminster. Although attendance at Elwood’s funeral service will be limited to immediate family, other guests are welcome to join virtually or by phone.

The Nathan Chris Baker Foundation provides dinner to the Westminster Firefighters

On Friday, May 1, 2020: The Nathan Chris Baker Foundation had Genova’s pizza delivered to the Westminster Fire Department to thank them for their service and bring smiles to their faces as well.

In a Facebook post, the foundation said, “‘Let’s all Go Out Be Great’ right now by spreading greatness through our community.”

The Westminster Fire Department would like to express its thanks to The Nathan Chris Baker Foundation for its generous and thoughtful support at a difficult time. Stay safe – stay in the house. (Hat Tip: Jeff Leppert)

By Westminster Fire Department Chaplain and PIO Kevin Dayhoff May 1, 2020

April 23, 2004 – April 23, 2020 by Kevin Dayhoff

WW II Marine Veteran, Small Business Owner, Welder, and an Avid Motorcyclist

On Friday, April 23, 2004, Carroll County and the greater Westminster community suffered a great loss with the passing of Robert Emerson DuVall, 81, of Westminster.

He was a 1939 graduate of Westminster High School.

During World War II, he served with the 3rd Marines, 4th Air Wing in the Marshall Islands, Guam, and Pelilu.

Mr. DuVall was born July 12, 1922, in Carroll County, he was the son of the late G. Wilmer and Mercedes Brown DuVall.

Surviving, in addition to his wife of 53 years, Leona Hammett DuVall, are daughter and son-in-law Donna and Robert Shaeffer of Westminster; son and daughter-in-law Robert Emerson DuVall II and Patsi DuVall of Atlanta; sister and brother-in-law Donna DuVall Sellman and Russell A. Sellman of Westminster. Granddaughters Nicole DuVall Pomeroy and husband Tim, and Laci DuVall Shaeffer; grandson Robert Emerson DuVall III; and great-grandson Daniel DuVall Pomeroy.

He was a 1939 graduate of Westminster High School. During World War II, he served with the 3rd Marines, 4th Air Wing in the Marshall Islands, Guam, and Pelilu.

He was the owner of Mobile Welding Service, which he founded in 1948. He was the 11th state certified welder in Maryland. 

An avid motorcyclist and trap shooter, he was the Maryland State Trapshooting Handicap Champion in 1966. He was a member of Westminster United Methodist Church, VFW Post 467 and a life member of North Carroll and Carroll County gun clubs. He was a past chief of Westminster Fire Department.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his family as they adjust to life without him. This Memorial Tribute by the Westminster Mayor, Common Council and the Staff of The City of Westminster on behalf of the citizens of the City of Westminster, was signed in Westminster City Hall, this April Twenty-fifth in the year Two Thousand and Four. Westminster Mayor Kevin Dayhoff

Set #1: https://www.facebook.com/kevindayhoff/posts/10219434529947509

Set #2: https://www.facebook.com/kevindayhoff/posts/10219434553668102

Friday, May 1, 2020 by Westminster Fire Department Chaplain and PIO Kevin Dayhoff

The Westminster Fire Engine and Hose Co. No. 1 would like to give a shout out to Brent Whalen for his generosity. Mr. Whalen, a Certified Mortgage Planning Specialist at FitzGerald Financial Group, a division of Townebank, has provided lunch for the on duty and volunteer personnel 4 days in a row this week – so that he would be able to feed all four Westminster Fire Dept. shifts and as many folks as possible.

God Bless Mr. Whalen for his generous sport. (Hat Tip: Lt. Guy Garheart)