The History of The Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department, INC

The 2000's

2001

• Motion passed to move forward on having the Custom Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department tags made (November 2001).

• Work began on Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department license plates (December 2001).
• Feedback from Working House Fire (web site 11/18/01) Subject: 6500 Oliver Shop Road Fire
  "I want to thank everyone who came to my Father's rescue on Nov.13! There truly are no words to express my appreciation to all the units that risked their lives to save my Father and his home of 54 years! I pray that those firemen that were hurt are recovering! The most important thing is that my Dad was spared by the consideration and heroic deeds of rescue workers and people just driving by. My daughter and I thank you all from the bottom of our hearts!"
  God Bless you,
  Barbara Ann Francis (Mr. Forbes grateful daughter)
• Our crew of seven did an outstanding job on the working house fire in Charles County. We picked up a lot of slack being that 3 firefighters from the Engine Crew of Hughesville were injured right away. Just for your information, the firefighters that suffered burns were treated and transported by EMS crews on the scene. The injuries were minor and all of them have returned home.
• Crew makes save on Lockes Crossing Road(website 10/01)
• On Sunday, August 12 at 0823 hours Squad-2 responded to a reported subject not breathing at 37595 Lockes Crossing Road. They arrived on scene and immediately began patient care. CPR was initiated by family members and the crew, which consisted of Captain Stillwell, Safety Officer Denton, Firefighter/EMT's Jason Kurtz, Garrett Strzok and Firefighter Lamar Smith, continued CPR as well as applied the AED. The individual was breathing on his own and had a good pulse in the emergency room at St. Mary's Hospital.

2002

• Board of Directors approve the refurbishment of Engine 24 and the purchase of Engine 23 (BOD October 2002).
• Candle Lighting Project Success (website 10/02)
• Our candle lighting project on MVFD was overwhelmingly successful.

A copy of an article from a local newspaper.

More than 17,000 people have visited the Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department’s Web site at www.mvfd.com created by Ron Raley to light a virtual candle to commemorate the victim’s of last year’s terrorist attacks.

People have been searching for appropriate ways to commemorate the victims of last year’s September 11th terrorist attacks. Special church services, tree plantings, moments of silence and displays of the flag are planned to remember this anniversary.

The Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department came up with a particularly

creative idea. It’s an idea that has clearly struck a chord with a wide-ranging group of people – people in St. Mary’s County as well as throughout the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Japan, Cyprus and even Togo.

The idea is to light candles – thousands of computerized virtual candles.

Visitors to the Mechanicsville Department’s Web site at www.mvfd.com are given an opportunity to light a virtual candle to honor those who suffered the most from last year’s attack on the United States.

“It’s a way to remember all those who were lost in the 9-11 terrorist attacks and their families,” said Ron Raley, a lieutenant with the department and the creator of the department’s Web site.

Members of the department hoped they could attract enough visitors to their Web site that maybe 1,000 of the virtual candles would be lit, Raley said. The fire department, however, drastically underestimated the project’s appeal.

After being launched less than two weeks ago on September 1, the initial goal to light 1,000 candles was quickly reached. The goal was raised 10 times over, to 10,000. That goal was reached over the past weekend.

As of yesterday morning, more than 17,000 virtual candles were lit.

“It kind of took us by surprise,” John Raley, the department’s chief, said

Saturday. “We never thought it would take off like it has.”

Traffic to the site has multiplied to 50 times its normal rate. The company that hosts the department’s site contacted Ron Raley September 6 about the increased traffic. The company had to move the Web site to a more powerful server and open up more ports to handle the influx of people wanting to participate in the fire department’s project.

In addition to lighting a candle, visitors to the site are given the opportunity to enter a message into the guestbook. “God bless America,” “Thanks for all you do,” and “We will remember” are common notes to the firemen.

“Great ideas with candles … you will get 10,000 +. Canadians have all of you in their prayers. God bless. Never forget,” wrote Elizabeth Crummy of Nova Scotia, Canada. People very close to last year’s attacks lighted some of the virtual candles. And many were sent by firemen in departments in other parts of the country.  “Great site guys. Keep up the good work. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers,” wrote Mark Gimbl, a firefighter with the Brooklyn Fire Department in New York City.

The messages sometimes reveal how shaken many people’s sense of security still is, even a year after the attacks. “Remember to hug and kiss your love ones as if there were no tomorrow,” wrote Gigi Johnston of Columbia, S.C.

People are hearing about the candle lighting project through a computerized chain reaction, Ron Raley said. People who hear about the project have been e-mailing everyone in their address book about the idea. Firefighters in the Mechanicsville department have even received e-mails from friends alerting them to their own project. That is how Dowana Starkovich of Albuquerque, N.M. heard about the Mechanicsville Web site. Her mother e-mailed her about the project.

“The reason I lit the virtual candle was because I felt that it was one way to show the world how much of an impact we could have … I, like others, was deeply affected by the tragic events of that day. Being able to be involved with people from around the country to show my support is one way that I feel us as a country can start to heal,”

Starkovich said in an e-mail. A friend e-mailed information about the project to Carole Incantalupo who works in Manhattan New York City. And she also lit a candle at the site.

“A friend sent the e-mail to me. I thought that it was a nice idea to do, and anything to help keep the memory alive of all those lost on September 11th is important. We must never forget!” Incantalupo said in an e-mail message. “Even though September 11th changed our entire country that day, living in New Yorkand working in Manhattan has changed my life even more. It’s a little scary riding the trains in and out of the city every day, but it is something that we all as New Yorkers must do to get the message out that we are strong and our morale will not ‘crumble’ to these terrorist acts.”

The Mechanicsville Web site is a joint project of both the original department and Mechanicsville’s Golden Beach substation. The two stations represent approximately 120 firefighters and cadets. The candle-lighting project is expected to be active on the department’s Web site until the end of this month.

2003

• December was a very trying month with the loss of Justin Mangum (January 2003).
• Ricky Stillwell reported that the cascade system booster pump has been mounted on the Squad (March 2003).
• The new Scott SCBA’s are coming in and we’re waiting to hear from Tennessee. Pat Guy said that a representative from the Tennessee fire department who will be buying SCBA’s from us will be here Saturday and they need someone to be here to meet them and accept the check (March 2003).
• It was motioned to sell old Engine 23, seconded and approved, with two opposed (March 2003).Board of Directors has voted not to sell old Engine 21 (March 2003).
•  FEMA GRANT (Apr 03)
• J. R. Guyther said that St. Mary’s Hospital Clinic in Charlotte Hall would be putting together a program for physicals to begin in July and finish by December. President Colonna said the Board of Directors was concerned about what standards would be set for physicals and J.R. Guyther added that the hospital clinic shared the concern. Chief Raley has been researching standards set by paid departments to help draw up department policy guidelines and consent forms.
• We have $85,000 left over from the grant that we can draw on for 10 new air masks.
• New Engine 23’s scheduled date for leaving the factory is May 31 (May 2003).
• The rip-and-run printers are in but are not hooked up yet (May 2003).
• President Colonna opened the only sealed bid for the sale of old Engine 23: a bid of $4,200 from Henry Fowler. The sale was motioned, seconded and approved (May 2003).
• President Colonna commended the Engine 23 committee for their hard work and thanked members for their part in the funeral ceremony for Michelle Fox and Hillary Copsey (May 2003).
• Our committee met with Commissioner Larry Jarboe about a two-acre site for the proposed Chaptico sub-station off Route 234 (August 2003).
• The cost estimate for Engine 24 rehab is at $66,000, not including the lettering (August 2003).
• Carol Nelson was nominated and elected as Captain for Company 22 (September 2003).

2004

• The rip and run printer in the radio room is supposed to be hooked up this week (February 2004).
• The committee is working on the next fiscal year by getting prices on the Jeep Wrangler Sport.  We will be purchasing two; one replacement for Station 2 and a new one for Station 22; there is a $60,000 budget (March 2004).
• Andy McWilliams was presented with a plaque and badge for Life Membership for 25 years of service (March 2004).
• The face pieces that were ordered with the grant have come in and will be passed out as soon as the fit tester machine is up and running (April 2004).
• The committee is working on a proposal to purchase two Wrangler Sport Jeeps with 6-cylinder Engines, 50 gallon water tanks, and Class “A” foam.  The cost is about $60,000 (April 2004).
• The cold-water rescue suits are in and we are currently working on scheduling training (April 2004).
• He has put in for a 2004 FEMA grant for Physical Fitness Program for $80,000.  This will include fitness equipment and smoke removal machines for both stations (April 2004).
• All bids are back and CMI came in under budget at $138,611.  There was a motion made and passed to except this bid (May 2004).
• Air system at Station 22 is in service now (May 2004).
• The Chief presented the Hurst Green Cross Awards to Ronnie Cox, Jason Kurtz, Ray Richards, Ben Woodill, Kenny Lloyd and Mark Trowbridge (May 2004).
• The purchase was for 7 SCBA air packs at the total cost of $25,740.77 (June 2004).
• Paul congratulated the company on winning awards in Ocean City.  Engine 24 got a trophy at the parade and we were recognized for our efforts in Class V Year Round Fire Prevention and received third place for overall Fire Prevention (July 2004).
• Past Chief and Life Member Elmer Johnson passed away (July 2004).
• Departments first “Morale” patch approved (July 2004).

• There is a new water line along old Rt. 5 by the Veteran's Home (November 2004).

2005

• The “Seams Sew Old” building fire (January 2005)
• Paul made a presentation of a plaque and trophy to Harold Anderson for 40 years of service (March 2005).
• Binky wants to put us in for an '05 grant for 60 sets of new running, gear washers and a gear dryer (March 2005).
• Ferd attended a presentation about a program to take high school Juniors and Seniors and put them in classes to become firefighters (April 2005).
• He is checking into a grant for an inflatable boat for station 22.  It is a 15' boat with a 50hp engine with trailer that will cost the company $7,500 in the '07 fiscal year (April 2005).
• The ESC annual report was presented to the committee and revised. There is an ESE Scholarship available for members of the fire department (May 2005).
• Funeral sprays were sent to Neale Slater, John K. Parlett, Sr., Bernard Drury, Sr. and Harold Aloysius Anderson (May 2005).
• A funeral spray was sent to Al Hazel (June 2005).
• The Jeeps will be put in service shortly (July 2005).
• The Board of Education will put a Career Tech. class available at the tech center by 2006 school year (August 2005).
• House fire off of Whalen Road.  The contractor that was building that house, Diehl Construction, was very impressed with your work.  The insurance investigators could not believe that the fire department was at the house.  The construction company was so grateful they gave the department a $1,000 donation (September 2005).
• We donated $1,000 to the National Fire Council instead of having our annual Crab Feast.  The money would be for the Hurricane Katrina Fund (September 2005).
• Binky asked if we want to put in for a grant for a 17' Zodiac Rigid inflatable boat, motor and trailer for station 22. This is a 50/50 grant and our cost would be $12,000 (September 2005).
• President Wilkerson said that this year would have been Paul Lacey's 25th year of membership and he was really looking forward to becoming a Life Member.  He made a motion to vote him to Life Membership status now (September 2005).
• President Wilkerson reported that the company received a Fire Act Grant for $110,930.00. There was a lot of discussion on the web site as to what we will buy, but the ultimate decision will be made in a business meeting (October 2005).
• Dennis suggested that we celebrate the Jeeps finally being put in service (October 2005).
• Paul Lacey, a lifetime member passed away (November 2005).
• The Enterprise took a picture of the gear being replaced by the grant money (November 2005).
• Dennis Hooker received a $3,000 on behalf of the Mechanicsville Vol. Fire Dept. check from the Silver Hill Lions Club (November 2005).
• The fitness room is almost complete (November 2005).

2006

• S10,(old Jeep 22) it is now officially Utility 22 (January 2006).
• Changes to the by-laws to approved to appoint Lieutenants and Captains instead of electing them. (January 2006).
• Meeting to discuss the next phase of expansion of Station 2.  It will include a new meeting room and more bays.  It is still in the planning stage (April 2006).
• Engine 21 is out for a light refurbishment and will be back on June 1st (April 2006).
• Deer Lodge Fire Department is interested in our old MSA BA's, we have 11 units. Andy made a motion that was seconded by Dave to donate the MSA BA's to Deer Lodge Fire Department, the motion was passed (April 2006).
• The death benefits for member killed in the line of duty raised from $50,000 to $125,000. (May 2006).
• Thermal Imagers needed for Stations 2 and 22.  The cost for two is $19,550 and Plasma Cutter for the Squad will cost $1,800 (May 2006).
• Past Chief Fred Lewis passed away (June 2006).
• SCBA Face Pieces are needed at the price of $1,100 for the 10% to cover the grant. (June 2006).
• We have to make a decision about what we are going to do with the old gear (July 2006).
• We have been approved for an additional gear dryer for Station 22.  It has been ordered with left over grant money, our share is $230 (August 2006).
• Fire Chief, Mark Carawain of Scraton, NC is interested in our used gear for his fire station.  We need to get the gear cleaned before we send it to them.  Our gear is much better than the gear they are using now (September 2006).
• Freddie the Fire Truck has arrived and will be kept at Station 22 (October 2006).
• Raft 22 has to be in an ad in the paper for two weeks, which will take place in the next two weeks.  (October 2006).
• Brush 2 replacement planning meeting will happen soon (October 2006).
• There will be an apparatus committee meeting on Tuesday, November 21st.  The committee's suggestion for the new Utility is a 4-door pick-up, extended cab; for the Command Unit a Suburban type vehicle with an extended wheelbase; and for the Brush Truck a 4WD extended cab. The restoration of Engine 21 is going to start the day after Thanksgiving.  The tank cost is up 3%.  We are going to receive the bids on the boat next Monday night. We need to start the training for the boat now so when we get it we have a trained crew to use it.  We need to have a crew that is able to take the boat out in the winter, at night and in windy conditions.  It will be February before we know about the grant (November 2006).
• New Cascade system fill station is due here on Wednesday and the company installing the new unit (December 2006).
• Henry and Harold Anderson took old Engine 21 up the day after Thanksgiving to the restoration facility (December 2006).
• Phase I of “Pre-plan Books” complete (December 2006).
• Carol Craig elected to be the first female fire chief in the department and Southern Maryland (December 2006).
• The lowest bid was from Intercostals Inc./Cather Marine, a local dealer, for $29,553.  A motion was made by Andy and seconded by Terry to go with the lowest bid and the motion was passed. The company approved the whole amount of $32,877 but we have a matching grant that will pay $12,000, so the actual cost to the company is $20,877 (December 2006).

2007

• The 1984, S-10 will be sold as is by sealed bid to a department member only.  The bids will be opened at the July business meeting. The old utility will be kept for the Auxiliary's use and for transporting more than 4 people.  The old command unit will go down to station 22 to tow the boat (February 2007).
• Joe Guyther reported that there is information about Boat 22 on the web site.  It should be delivered beginning of April and then it has to go to be outfitted, that should take 3-4 weeks.  We should take delivery of the boat around May 1st.  (March 2007).
• Chief Craig said we were approved for a MIMS grant last year for $750 to purchase 50 reflective safety vests to wear on traffic accident scenes (March 2007).
• Joe Guyther told everyone that there FEMA Grants available to us for training on EMS, Practicals, and Burning Buildings, etc.  We need to start thinking about the ones we want to apply for.  One of the grants is for a mobile burn building unit (March 2007).
• The county accepted the proposal for residential sprinklers to the county commissioners.  Now they need to take the next step with public hearings before the ordinance is written and voted into law (April 2007).
• The 75th Anniversary Committee list is in Vice President 2 and the Assistant Chief's hands.  They will post it as soon as they get the sub-committee list together.
• MX of Nations for September 22-23, 2007 from 8-5 p.m. We will break the stand by into (2) 4.5 hour stand-bys. 8 a.m.-12 :30 p.m. and 12:30 p.m.- 5 p.m.  We will have an Engine and/or Brush – Jeep.

2008

• Congratulations to Wade Mahaffey, Justin Bowers, Mark Trowbridge, Ronnie Cox  and Bill Hemming for an AED save with Hughesville EMS in our 1st due. The patient is in Washington doing much better, thanks to your quick response and immediate actions a man gets to spend the future with his family (January 2008).
• Joe Guyther said that we got a grant for 26 sections of hose at a cost of $15,288; our part of the cost would be $764.40 (March 2008).
• Joe Guyther said that DNR has a 50/50 $10,000 grant available to pay for some equipment for the MSU (April 2008).
• MIEMSS:  Assistant Chief Raley said that this grant is a 50/50 for traffic safety upgrade.  This includes a new Hurst tool; upgrade the 32A and a mini-cutter (SBM April 2008).
• FEMA: Joe Guyther said this grant is a 95/5 grant for $130,715.  The grant is to buy hose, which we have already ordered, and for a training prop trailer for live fire operations (SBM April 2008).
• The bathrooms will be up-graded during carnival. The Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary gave us $30,000 to do this upgrade. The cost will be $33,000 and the Ladies are also going to pay the $3,000 more! THANK YOU LADIES!!! (May 2008).
• There was a work session at the Board of County Commissioners (B.O.C.C.) office today. I did attend this session to represent this department.  The B.O.C.C. approved to move forward with a .046 tax increase, the final approval would be May 27, 2008 (May 2008).
• New gas meters have been placed on Squad 2, Engine 23 and Engine 224 (May 2008).
• Old Engine 21 will be picked up this weekend. Henry Fowler will pick it up on 6/12 and display it at the Antique Truck Association of America event in PA (June 2008).
• July 2008 the department held a “Meet and Greet” for past members to meet with members of the anniversary committee to tell stories, gather pictures and other documents to help complete our history.