Currently viewing the tag: "Department Spotlight"

Department Spotlight

By On · Add Comment · In Columns

by Theresa Dardanell

Thurmont Public Works Department

Everyone in the Thurmont Public Works Department believes in the importance of cooperation, teamwork, and flexibility. These standards ensure that the residents of Thurmont can depend on the department, which is headed by Superintendent Butch West, and consists of several divisions with seventeen full-time employees. I recently met with West and department heads: Water Superintendent Harold Lawson, Streets and Parks Supervisor Tim Eyler; Electric Supervisor Lee Hanvey; Wastewater Treatment Superintendent Randy Eyler; and Zoning and Utility Inspector Kelly Duty.

Teamwork is important.  Although each department has separate responsibilities and all employees perform individual duties, they are all willing to work together, especially during emergency situations. West said that if someone in town does not have water or electric, they stop what they are doing and get to it right away. Lawson would like residents to know that they try very hard to work on a maintenance schedule, but emergencies require that they respond immediately.

Flexibility is required when daily jobs are put on hold so that employees can work on special events. Almost any activity in town involves members of the department.  Colorfest is the event that requires the most staff, but employees are also essential during the carnival, parade, concerts in the park, Halloween in the Park, Christmas decorating, Fun Fest, and more.

Cooperation is apparent between Public Works Department employees, the town office staff, the elected town officials, the Police Department, and the residents.  The departments work together to help citizens of the community stay informed and keep safe.  Information is available on the town website, Facebook page, and channel 99. Emergency help is available around the clock by calling 301-271-7313.

West believes that experience is also an important factor in the success of the department. He has been with the department for over forty years. The other supervisors have also been with Public Works for many years: Randy Eyler for thirty-four years, Tim Eyler for thirty-nine years, Lawson for twenty-seven years, and Hanvey for eleven years.

 

Water Department

The Water Department consists of Superintendent Lawson, along with employees Lynn Bass and David Stevens. They maintain and repair twenty-five miles of distribution system piping, as well as 2,500 residential and commercial water meters; they treat approximately half a million gallons of water a day from five wells and three treatment plants to ensure that the water meets state and federal drinking water regulations. Their goal is to provide residents with a safe and dependable supply of drinking water.

 

Streets and Parks Department

Supervisor Tim Eyler, along with employees Steve Nicholson, Colby Savage, and Russell Sanders, work together to maintain and repair twenty-three miles of paved and unpaved streets, as well as sidewalks. They also maintain Community Park, East End Park, Eyler Park, Carroll Street Park, Pleasant Acres Park, Orchard Hills Park, Ice Plant Park, Woodland Park, Memorial Park, and the Square Park with the help of seasonal employee Josh Sevario. These parks provide residents with athletic fields, picnic pavilions, hiking trails, tennis courts, basketball courts, and other recreational facilities.

“There are people who travel for miles to come up and enjoy the Community Park. They bring their kids and let them play on the equipment. They say they are well maintained and that we are doing a good job,” said Tim Eyler.

 

Electric Department

According to Supervisor Hanvey, the job of the Electric Department is “to make sure the lights stay on.”  Hanvey, Garrett Ridenour, and Joe Lucas work as linemen, and Brad Weddle is the meter technician.  West said that Thurmont is one of the few municipalities to have their own electric company. The department serves approximately 6,000 residential and commercial customers. Jobs include reading meters, installing electric service, and trimming trees around power lines.

 

Electric Department

Superintendent Randy Eyler, Diana Willard, Troy Wastler, and Jeff Kilby work together to maintain the treatment plant, which has the capacity to treat one million gallons a day, as well as the collection system, which consists of about 2,700 taps. They make sure that all state and federal regulations are met, and do all paperwork and required lab testing in house.

 

Projects

Zoning and Utility Inspector Kelly Duty performs inspections, handles building permits, maintains records, and supervises contractors working with the Public Works Department. She is also the project manager for many of the special projects handled by the department.  Some of the recent projects include the Moser Road bridge near the library, the food bank parking lot, and the Eyler Road Park improvements.

Upcoming projects include the Trolley Trail paving and the Moser Road sidewalk project.

Pictured from left are Randy Eyler, Harold Lawson, Butch West, Lee Hanvey, Tim Eyler, and Kelly Duty.

Department Spotlight

By On · Add Comment · In Columns

by Theresa Dardanell

Frederick County Fire & Rescue Museum

I’ve visited the Frederick County Fire and Rescue Museum twice this year because once was just not enough. There is so much to discover, not only about the equipment, apparatus, and artifacts, but more importantly, about the people who have dedicated their lives to protecting the residents of Frederick County.

Frederick County Fire and Rescue Museum President James Deater and Secretary Joy Deater gave me a tour of the museum, which is located in Emmitsburg at 300B South Seton Avenue, in a building that was previously occupied by the Emmitsburg Ambulance Company. Their knowledge of history is impressive and their enthusiasm is apparent.

The history of all twenty-six fire companies in Frederick County is on display. Some of the equipment is on loan to the museum. One example is the 1893 Hand-Drawn Hose Reel, a name which accurately describes its function. The fire hose was wrapped around the reel, which was pulled by hand by firefighters.  The separate pumper carrying water was also pulled by hand to the fire.  A 1939 Pumper, on loan from the United Steam Fire Engine Company No. 3, is also on display along with several other pumpers and hose reels.

Many of the artifacts have been donated for permanent display by firefighter families, fire and rescue companies, as well as the Frederick County Fire and Rescue Association and Maryland State Firemen’s Association. There are uniforms, helmets, firefighting gear, and equipment. One room holds early radio communications equipment and pictures. Hanging on a wall is a life net that was used to catch people who jumped from buildings to escape fires.  Display cabinets contain newspaper clippings, photographs, and other historical objects. The Frederick County Fallen Firefighters and Rescue Personnel Memorial Wall, sponsored by Stauffer Funeral Homes PA, is a tribute to the twenty-three firefighters who died in the line of duty in Frederick County.

The building is also home to the National Fire Heritage Center, an organization committed to preserving the history of the American Fire Protection Services.  The Heritage Center houses a collection of books, documents, and other historical items. Together with the museum, they are currently hosting the traveling exhibit of the National Smokejumper Association.  On display is a fully outfitted smokejumper mannequin, along with firefighting tools and information panels. Later this summer, a new display will take its place.

The museum is open Saturdays and Sundays, from 12:00-4:00 p.m., April through October. However, tours are available by appointment at any time. Individuals and groups are always welcome. To arrange a special tour for a group, contact Jim Deater at 301-639-1290 or by e-mail at jdeater@comcast.net. Put the museum on your list of places to visit this summer.

Jim and Joy Deater are shown seated in front of the 1893 Hand Drawn Hose Reel, which is on loan from the Independent Hose Company #1. In the background is the Frederick County Fallen Firefighters and Rescue Personnel Memorial Wall.

Department Spotlight

By On · Add Comment · In Columns

by Theresa Dardanell

Emmitsburg Volunteer Ambulance Company

One of the questions I asked the administrative members of the Emmitsburg Ambulance Company was, “Why do you volunteer?”

Some of the responses were, “It lets me help other people,” “It gives me a great feeling,” and “Volunteering is in our blood.”

There are currently sixty-two members that serve in an operational, social, or administrative capacity. Operational members run the ambulance calls, while the social and administrative members take care of the fundraising and the business aspects of the organization.

Because there is always a need for more Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT), Emergency Medical Responders (EMR), and ambulance drivers, the company plans a mentoring program for new recruits. Free training is provided right here in Frederick County for anyone who is at least sixteen years old. The process begins with the application that is available on the Company website at emmitsburgems.net, or you can stop by the station and complete an application.  After the application is accepted, training begins with the Frederick County “Gear Up” class, in which trainees learn CPR and how to put on the gear and also visit the 911 center. The final steps to become certified are a hazmat class, along with other EMT or EMR classes.

Currently, Bingo is the only fundraiser that supports the Company, evidence of extraordinary community support.  Large crowds join in the fun on Wednesday afternoons and Friday evenings. Because payouts are based on the number of people who attend, the jackpot can be as large as $750 on Wednesdays and up to $5,000 for the progressive jackpot, along with a guaranteed jackpot of $1,000 on Fridays. Company President Mary Lou Little said that money from additional 50/50 drawings is donated to local non-profit  organizations “…as a way to give back to the community for all of the support they give us.”

The Emmitsburg Ambulance Company has been in operation since 1946. They were a part of the Fire Department until 1986, when they became a separate company and moved to South Seton Avenue.

In 2007, they moved to 17701 Creamery Road, their current location. They are equipped with two ambulances and a utility vehicle. Their mission statement is: “The Emmitsburg Volunteer Ambulance Company is dedicated to providing the Emmitsburg community and surrounding areas with professional pre-hospital and medical services.  The Company is committed to providing quality care in a timely manner with a highly trained and certified staff.”

Their record of safety is impressive: Serving the Emmitsburg and surrounding community since 1946 with a 97.7 percent success rate, a two minute average career response time (four minute volunteer response), 100 percent EMT BLS certified operational members with an estimated 1,100 calls per year.

Operation Officers are: Acting Chief Lisa Eichelberger and Sergeants, Beth Ruppel, John Ruppel, and Brandon Murdorf.

Administrative Officers are: President Mary Lou Little; Vice President Eric Stackhouse; Secretary Vicki Long; Assistant Secretary Linda Miller; Treasurer Pam Bolin; Assistant Treasurer Beth Ruppel; and Directors, Bob Dinterman, Pam Ellison, Ed Little, and Donna Miller.

The website provides additional contact information for membership inquiries, social hall reservations, and Bingo.

Members of the Emmitsburg Volunteer Ambulance Company.

Department Spotlight

By On · Add Comment · In Columns

Fountaindale Volunteer Fire Department Adams County Company #3

State and county lines are no barrier when it comes to fighting fires. The Fountaindale Volunteer Fire Department is located in Adams County, Pennsylvania, but when needed, they provide mutual aid to Frederick and Washington counties in Maryland, as well as Franklin County in Pennsylvania.

Dave Martin has been Fire Chief of Company #3 for thirty-five years. He said that the most unforgettable incident during his years with the department was the Jacks Mountain fire in December 1998. The fire burned for three days and consumed eighty acres. Forty-five fire departments from Maryland, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania fought the fire, which almost reached the homes in the development at the top of the mountain. However, the fire was contained before any homes were damaged.

Chief Martin said that the company was founded in 1946, and started with only one fire truck. The fire station was not built until 1974, so the fire truck was housed in a garage next to the current station.  At that time, there was no 911 service, so calls were routed to the home of Earl “Polly” Shindledecker.  He and his wife took the calls and pushed the button to blow the siren.  The department has grown significantly, and the equipment now consists of a rescue engine, engine tanker, brush truck, and special unit.

Current officers are Keith Rudisill, President; Dale Buffington, Vice President; Sarah Ginn, Secretary; Karen Rudisill, Assistant Secretary; Peggy Martin, Treasurer; Dave Martin, Fire Chief; Sam Ginn, Deputy Fire Chief; Steve Yingling, Lieutenant. Board of Directors are Charles Berger, Chris Corle, Sam Ginn, John Ruppel, and Steve Yingling.

The department also has five junior members, who have been active in the department since they were fourteen years old. Junior members attend trainings and take classes where they learn the basics, as well as learn teamwork, leadership, responsibility, and discipline. They also help during fire calls by getting equipment for the firefighters. They plan to continue their training and become interior firefighters when they are eighteen.

Fundraising is critical to an all-volunteer organization.  Karen Rudisill said that they have had great community support for their events, which include twice-a-year drawings/dinners at the Fountaindale Fire Station and the monthly Bingo that is held at the Fairfield Fire Hall.  However, they are always looking for more volunteers. You don’t need to be a firefighter to help. If you can make sandwiches or bake cakes, you can be a valuable social member.

Community outreach is also important. They assist with fire prevention activities at Fairfield School and participate in the Carroll Valley National Night Out. Community events include the annual Christmas party, parades, and fire truck rides at the Blue Ridge Library.

In the short time that I spent with the members of Company #3, I could see that they are dedicated volunteers who work hard to provide service to the community, but it was also obvious that they have fun and enjoy being together.  Check out their Facebook page and call them when you are ready to volunteer.

Pictured are: Junior members (in truck) Lida Fitz, Colleen Rudisill, Olivia Scott, Claudia Rudisill; (standing) Dave Martin, Arley Scott; (seated) Dale Buffington, Becky Buffington, Peggy Martin (holding granddaughter, Emma Ginn), Sarah Ginn, Karen Rudisill, and Keith Rudisill.