The 32nd Annual Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association’s Awards Ceremony was held on Monday, April 21st at the Walkersville Volunteer Fire Company’s Social Hall.

The 2024 recipients are:

The Clint Hughes Departmental Fire Prevention Award was presented to Junior Fire Company for its year-long efforts to inform the Frederick County community about fire prevention and life safety.

Mike Hahn II received the James H. Stavely III Fire Prevention Award for his many years promoting fire prevention and life safety to the Frederick community. His dedication and passion allowed Citizens Truck Company to provide monthly demonstrations and education events at first Saturdays in downtown Frederick during 2024. The most popular event involved roasting marshmallows and making your own smores while Mike quizzed them on fire prevention knowledge.

The Louise Lenhart Auxiliary Encouragement Award was presented to Lorilee Runion of the Middletown Volunteer Fire Company Auxiliary which she joined in 2020. She participated in many of the auxiliary’s committees but has shown a flair for the Publicity Committee and served as secretary for the auxiliary. She is an inspiration and role model for anyone who wants to contribute in a positive way to the fire service and their community.

Martha Houck of the Carroll Manor Fire Company earned the Cletta Abrecht Auxiliary Member of the Year for 2024. She joined the Auxiliary in 1994 and has served as president of the auxiliary since 2011. Her greatest strength is knowing the strengths and weaknesses of each volunteer, assigning them to tasks that suit their personality and showing her appreciation for everyone’s efforts for a job well done.

Winona “Winnie” Crum Rookie of the Year was awarded to an individual who has less than two years of service with a fire and/or rescue company. Jenna Lakin of the Jefferson Volunteer Fire Company earned this award by becoming a nationally registered EMT while completing her training as a CNA through the Frederick County Public Schools Career and Tech program. As well as responding to calls, she is an active volunteer in fundraising events and community activities. Jenna is a great example for all young members to emulate.

The Charles “Mutt” Deater, Jr. Apprentice of the Year was given to a member who is under the age of 18. Riley Smith of the Urbana Volunteer Fire Department enrolled in the Frederick High School Work Based Learning Internship program where he is one of the top students. He spends many additional hours riding with the career staff assigned to UVFD watching, learning, assisting on calls and helping as needed. Riley is a great help with fundraising events, especially the carnival. He sets the example for all members, new and old.

The Everett W. Gaver Department/Church/Community Service Award was presented to Jerry Free of the Rocky Ridge Volunteer Fire Company. Besides being a valuable volunteer working fundraising and community events, he spends many hours at Rocky Ridge Brethen Church serving in many roles. Jerry plays the organ and sings at several churches in the area. Additionally, he sings the National Anthem at civic and other fire company ceremonies.

Jamison Mathias of the Rocky Ridge Volunteer Fire Company was the recipient for the Robert L. Renner Departmental Service Award. He has been an operational member for over 30 years but recently has shined on the administrative side. He assists with all fundraising events, shows up for work details, is involved with the community events such as the Halloween Party for children and is the driver for Santa Details. His greatest achievement is being a role model for his three daughters who have all joined the company.

The Mumma Outstanding Service Award was presented to Rodney Masser of the Independent Hose Company who has been an active volunteer for over 40 years. He has held many leadership positions both operationally and administratively. In 2024, he served on the Board of Directors and chaired the Purchasing Committee. His meticulous financial planning over the years has ensured the Company remained solvent while funding critical capital improvements and equipment acquisitions.

Michael Rabaiotti. Deputy Chief of the New Midway Volunteer Fire Company earned the Milliard M. “Mick” Mastrino Instructor/Safety Award for 2024. He has been an exemplary leader and driving force behind our training initiatives, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to the development and safety of the operational members. Mike, alongside Chief Pescatore, transformed the firehouse from a cluttered storage area into a functional training facility. His ability to connect with members at all levels is evident, as he not only trains senior operational members but dedicates time to mentoring junior firefighters.

Firefighters and EMTs need to continually train to learn new skills and refresh seldom used ones to maintain proficiency through participation in formal training as well as station drills. The Fire/Rescue Department Training Award was earned in 2024 by the following companies:

1st Place Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company - 60 hours per volunteer
2nd Place New Market District Volunteer Fire Company – 55 hours per volunteer
3rd Place United Steam Fire Engine Company – 51 hours per volunteer

The Firefighter of the Year is Samuel Dmuchowski of the Walkersville Volunteer Fire Company. In 2024 Sam responded to over 200 incidents and continued his training taking classes through MFRI and the Department of Natural Resources. He shares his knowledge and experience at in-station training classes and impromptu drills for operational and junior members. Sam has pursued enhancing our technology usage through new email and gear tracking data systems. He helps at fundraising events demonstrating to junior members that volunteers not only train to be a better firefighter, but also, needs to help support the company through fundraising activities.

The Dr. James Marrone EMS Member of the Year was presented to Andrew Davis of the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance and Rescue Company. In 2024 Andrew responded to over 100 calls for service, in addition to starting the station’s drone program. He mentors new members and assists students enrolled in EMT classes. He has developed relationships and earned the respect of the paramedics working in the area. Andrew is a man with a positive attitude who perseveres until his goal is reached, is accountable for his actions and is loyal to his company.

Deputy Chief Christopher Smith of the Urbana Volunteer Fire Department and Urbana Volunteer Rescue Squad was presented the Michael Wilcom Officer of the Year Award. Chris joined the UVFD as a junior member in 1999. He studied, trained and worked hard to become an accomplished firefighter, EMT and leader. He mentors new members ensuring they feel welcome and valued as a volunteer. At an incident scene, Chris looks out for the welfare of the responders, physical as well as mental health. Chris works with career leadership to develop new policies and procedures, volunteers to teach classes about the implementation of these policies and procedures and writes after action reports. He values training and is constantly scheduling in-station drills and training to coordinate how career staff and volunteers can work together. Improving Urbana’s fire and rescue services to the community is always important to Chris.

The Bruce L. Reeder, Sr. “Golden” Service Award was given to a volunteer with 50 years of active service in one or more Frederick County fire, rescue, or ambulance companies. Vaughn Zimmerman of Walkersville Volunteer Fire Company received this award for his 60 years of dedicated service to the fire and rescue service. Vaughn has served in every operational position from lieutenant to chief. On the administrative side, Vaughn served on many committees, making his most important contributions to the Finance Committee guiding WVFC through the construction of its new fire station in the 1980s. He has chaired the Carnival committee, the company’s largest fundraiser, from 1998 to the present day. Vaughn served as president of the Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association and served on many of its committees. He guided the growth of Walkersville Volunteer Fire Company and the Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association with his dedicated service for 60 years.

Donnie Corun of the Jefferson Volunteer Fire Company was presented with the Heart of a Volunteer Award. Donnie originally joined Braddock Heights Volunteer Fire Company in 1966. In 1970 Donnie helped establish the Jefferson Volunteer Fire Company, sharing his knowledge and experiences from Braddock Heights. He was very active both operationally and administratively until he was diagnosed with cancer in 2015. Even while battling cancer for 10 years, he showed up to help when he felt able, always a smile on his face and jokes to share. He never complained. Donnie was a respected and well-liked member of the Jefferson community and fire company. Unfortunately, this award was presented posthumously, as he passed away on January 12, 2025.

The inductees to the Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association’s Hall of Fame are dedicated volunteers who have served their company or auxiliary in an operational or administrative capacity for at least 25 years. Many continue to volunteer for the betterment of their company. Each inductee has distinguished himself or herself in the form of leadership or creative participation that significantly impacts and advances the fire and rescue service or auxiliary.

Hall of Fame Inductees for 2024 are:
Ronald Ahalt of the Jefferson Volunteer Fire Company
Thomas Angleberger of the Independent Hose Company
Michael Fogle of the Lewistown District Volunteer Fire Company
Michael Gladhill of the Middletown Volunteer Fire Company and Auxiliary
Dean Remsburg of the Jefferson Volunteer Fire Company
Wayne Wachter, Jr. of the Lewistown District Volunteer Fire Company and
Ida Young of the Carroll Manor Volunteer Fire Company.

Congratulations to our dedicated volunteers for your dedication to the volunteer fire and rescue service.