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Lewistown District Volunteer Fire Department Holds Annual Banquet

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Deb Abraham Spalding

The members of the Lewistown District Volunteer Fire Department held their annual banquet at their station in Lewistown on Saturday, February 2, 2019. The welcome was given by the outgoing president, Scott Martin. Chief Wayne Wachter reviewed company stats, indicating the total number of calls in 2018 was 755 consisting of 586 EMS calls and 169 fire calls. The busiest month was June with 71 calls.

Members of Boy Scout Troop 270 executed the Presentation of Colors and the National Anthem was sung by Catoctin High School students, Danielle Baker and Lily Gadra.

A memorial was held for three company members who passed away in 2018. They were Charles Michael, Flossie Layton, and Ruth Powell.

Scott Martin introduced 2019 Administrative Officers: Scott Stonesifer, President; Vicky Martin, Vice President; Karen Stull, Secretary; Mary Frances Bostian, Assistant Secretary; Vincent Schrader, Treasurer, Donald Martin, Assistant Treasurer; and Paul Stull, Steve Stull, Donald Stull, Sr., Mike Stull, Thomas Minnick, and Mike Fogle, Board of Directors; and Line Officers: Wayne Wachter, Jr., Chief; Vicky Martin, Deputy Chief; and Mike Stull, Assistant Chief.

The installation of officers was conducted by Dale Kline with the Frederick County Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association.

Top Responders for 2018 were 10. Thomas Minnick (47 calls), 9. Brianna Wachter (67), 8. Frani Wachter (79 calls), 7. Mike Stull (85 calls), 6. Steve Stull (92 calls), 5. Stephanie Wachter and Donald Martin (129 calls), 4. Gerald Stull (149 calls), 3. Wayne Wachter (174 calls), 2. Beth Wachter (185 calls), 1. Vicky Martin (195 calls).

Lewistown Fire Police: Diana Bryant, Rodney Myers, Steve Stull, and Thomas Wachter were recognized.

A certificate was presented to Scott Martin for his service as President, Assistant Chief and Training Officer for 2018.

As chairman of the fundraising committee, Karen Stull presented her top ten fundraising, those earning the most LOSAP hours for fundraising: #10 Amber 141.5 hours, #9 Tyrell 146 hours, Amber and Tyrell got married in the firehouse in 2018, #8 Frani Wachter 176.5 hours, #7 Brianna Wachter 203 hours, #6 Vicky Martin 233 hours, #5 Stephanie Wachter 240 hours, #4 Wayne Wachter 288 hours, #3 Gerald Stull 304 hours, #2 Beth Wachter 309 hours, and #1 Steve Stull 355 hours.

Scott Martin shared, “We have a lot of pride in what you’re doing. This job is a true calling. We love doing what others can’t or won’t. The calling is impossible to explain to someone who is not in the Brotherhood. People most likely won’t thank us, and most of the time ignore us. We are the ones who wait for something bad to happen so we can go and fix it. The job is always changing. Training is the key. We don’t fight fires like we did years ago. It is not that fire changes, it’s the box it comes in. Buildings are built quickly and with less bulk, and that means they will fail quickly and faster.”

He presented Dedicated Service awards to several individuals for providing dedicated service to the department and the community with pride, honor, and distinction, and he stressed, “Not just this year but every year!” These awards were presented to Mary Frances Bostian, Beth Wachter, Donald Martin, Wayne Wachter, Wayne Stull, Delbert Stull, Mike Stull, Brianna Wachter and Stephanie Wachter.

Presidents Awards in recognition for hours of exemplary dedicated service were presented to Steve Stull and Karen Stull. Steve Stull is chair of the Fire Prevention committee, chair of Membership committee, the bingo caller, he runs calls, fire police, and helps with fundraising; Karen Stull is chair of the Fundraising Committee, is in the background putting in a lot of hours and makes sure food is at the ready for firefighters, even in the middle of the night.

The most emotionally touching part of the evening was when Scott Martin recognized Mike Stull for being inducted into the Frederick County Fire & Rescue Hall of Fame in 2018. Scott also acknowledged Mike’s moving into the position of Assistant Chief of Lewistown Fire Department and following in his father’s (Raymond Stull, Jr.) footsteps in these accomplishments. Scott gave Mike’s father’s Chief helmet shield for his own helmet.

Scott added, “In order to succeed in the fire service and in your own personal life in life, you have to take risks, you have to fail. You won’t be successful if you don’t do these two things. You have to have faith and take risks. What we couldn’t get to work here is working there. I spent 29 years in Frederick County Volunteer Fire Department. Though they are the best 29 years I can remember, it was time for me to move on.”

Scott gave some parting thoughts: continue to learn this job, it is always changing and if you let your guard down you will get hurt. Share your knowledge with others. Treat others how you would want them to treat one of your family members; get out the door quick or your fire will be my fire; always show a calm exterior no matter what you’re feeling on the inside, your demeanor can drive an incident in a positive or negative direction; don’t be afraid to ask questions or to ask for help, show up ready to do your job; take care of your crew; admit when you’re wrong or make a mistake and learn from it; different is not wrong it’s just different; and above all, love and enjoy your family for they are, your support system and they serve just as much as you do; life is better lived when you center it on what’s happening inside of you rather than what is happening around you; don’t think too much for you create a problem that wasn’t even there in the first place.

Members of the Guardian Hose Company served as the standby crew. Catering was by GT’s Catering.

Mike Stull, serving as assistant chief and on board of directors; Vicky Martin, serving as vice president and deputy chief; Wayne Wachter, serving as chief; Donald Martin, serving as assistant treasurer; Steven Stull, serving on board of directors; Mary Frances Bostian, serving as assistant secretary; Karen Stull, serving as secretary; Donald Stull, serving on board of directors; Mike Fogle, serving on board of directors; Vincent Schrader, serving as treasurer.

(above) Top Responders: Brianna Wachter (67 calls), Frani Wachter (79 calls), Mike Stull (85 calls), Steve Stull (92 calls), Stephanie Wachter (129 calls), Donald Martin (129 calls), Wayne Stull (149 calls), Wayne “Skeeter” Wachter (174 calls), Beth Wachter (185 calls), Vicky Martin (195 calls). Not pictured: Thomas Minnick (47 calls).

(above) President, Scott Martin, presents Mike Stull with his father’s helmet shield.

Photos by Deb Abraham Spalding

Department Spotlight – September Lewistown District Volunteer Fire Department

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Lewistown---Department-SpotWhen you think of a volunteer fire department, the first thing that comes to mind is the serious nature of the firefighter’s job and all the dedicated volunteers who take on this responsibility. However, that’s only one side of the story. The other side of the story: Volunteers of all ages come together to work hard, and have some fun, while serving their community.

I met with several of the members of the Lewistown District Volunteer Fire Department: Mike Fogle, Chief; Donald Stull, Sr., President; Karen Stull, Secretary; Lena Stull, Treasurer; and Steve Stull, Board of Directors, to learn about the volunteers who make up the department. It was immediately apparent to me that this group works very hard, yet also genuinely enjoys each other’s company and has a great time. They spoke with pride about the volunteers who work extra time during severe weather or emergency situations. They also mentioned the fun they always have during the annual awards banquet.

Company 22 serves approximately thirty-three square miles, which includes Lewistown, Utica, and Mountaindale. The department was established in 1970 and began service to the community with Engine 222, the first diesel fire truck in Frederick County. Engine 222 was eventually replaced and sold. However, according to a recent fundraising letter sent to the community, “This year we have been afforded the opportunity to receive back one of the department’s original fire trucks from a very gracious gentlemen that had purchased it.”

I was especially interested in the volunteer opportunities available. The jobs that require training and certification are: Firefighter, Firefighter/Emergency Medical Technician, Emergency Medical Technician, Firefighter/Emergency Medical Responder, and Emergency Medical Responder. To find out more about these positions, contact your local fire station. If you have the desire to be a part of the team, you will need to join the department. Training is provided free for members of the department. Certifications are required for all three jobs. Although Frederick County career staff supplement the Lewistown department, volunteers are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Raising funds to keep the department running is a monumental task that requires lots of volunteers. Activities at the fire hall include the famous ham, turkey, and oyster suppers; bingos; raffles; weddings; and other private events, as well as school and community events. You don’t need any training to volunteer for events. If you like to cook, you can help with food preparation. Servers and clean-up crew are always appreciated. According to Karen Stull, you can sign up on the website to be a volunteer or just show up. “We will find you something to do and try to make it fun for everybody.”

Company administration includes: Line Officers—Chief Mike Fogle, Deputy Chief Mike Stull, Assistant Chief Wayne Wachter, Assistant Chief Doug Wallick Jr., and Assistant Chief Scott Stonesifer; Administrative Officers—President Donald Stull Sr., Vice President Chuck Jenkins, Secretary Karen Stull, Assistant Secretary Mary Frances Bostian, Treasurer Lena Stull, and Assistant Treasurer Lisa Monday; Board of Director members—Jacob Howell, Donald Martin, Scott Martin, Scott Stonesifer, Steve Stull, and Wayne Stull.

Many of the members are very involved in all aspects of the department. I first met Chief Fogle while he was working in the kitchen during the community yard sale at the fire hall. Steve Stull is not only on the Board of Directors, he is also a firefighter/EMT and works on various committees. If you would like to reserve the fire hall for an event, you can contact Karen Stull. Donald Stull, Sr. is the president, but he said that he does “anything that needs to be done,” including driving the fire truck. Everyone works together to help out. They are a family.

Lewistown District Volunteer Fire Department Banquet

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DSC_0208The Lewistown District Volunteer Fire Department held its annual banquet in their banquet hall on February 7, 2015.

President Donald Stull, Sr. presented the welcome, Renae Coolidge gave the invocation, and Chief Vicky Martin gave chief’s comments. Donald Stull awarded Life Membership to Joe Linton. About Joe, he said, “His pay’s about like mine… a big ‘Thank you,’ but we have a lot of fun!”

This past year, new floors and gear lockers were installed in the department’s engine bay. Drills were conducted for water rescue and vehicle entrapment extrication. The company handled 653 calls, more than the previous year.

Eric Smothers of the Frederick County Fire and Rescue Association swore in the officers. He said, “Traveling the county, I know it takes a lot of folks to make a department run. It takes a constant effort to get volunteers across the county and nationally. Thank you all very much for volunteering.”

Administrative officers included: President, Donald Stull, Sr.; Vice President, Chuck Jenkins; Secretary, Karen Stull; Assistant Secretary, Shari Jenkins; Treasurer, Lena Stull; Assistant Treasurer, Delbert Stull; and Board of Directors, Jacob Howell, Donald Martin, Kenny Miller, Scott Stonesifer, Steve Stull, and Wayne Stull.

Line Officers included: Chief, Vicky Martin; Deputy Chief, Wayne Wachter, Jr.; Assistant Chief, Doug Wallick, Jr.; Assistant Chief, Mike Fogle; and Captain, Scott Stonesifer. Scott Martin was assigned as Chair of the Training Committee.

A seven minute video was presented showing a review of the year in pictures. Renae Coolidge held a memorial service for Rosalie Keyser Garver who passed September 12, 2014.

ToDSC_0204p Fire Responders were:  Mike Stull (46), Lisa Monday (56, 70 EMT), Jake Howell (67), Donald Stull (83), Steve Stull(83, 46 EMT), Frani Wachter (83, 41 EMT), Mike Fogle (91, 41 EMT), Donald Martin (126), Wayne Wachter, Jr. (130, 122 EMT), Wayne Stull (133, 123 EMR), Beth Wachter (136. 122 EMT), and Top Responder Vicky Martin (175, 111 EMT). Also recognized for EMR responses were Brianna Wachter (81) and Stephanie Wachter (93).

Members of the Fire Police were recognized: Steve Stull, Thomas ‘Doc’ Wachter, Ronnie Myers, Diana Bryant, Mike Toms, and Bobby Black. Also recognized were new Fire Police Donald ‘Bud’ Howerton, Kenny Miller and Fred Baudrau.