Guardian Hose Company Holds Annual Banquet

Allison Rostad A vision and hope for the next generation was prominent at the Guardian Hose Company’s annual banquet, held on Saturday, March 5, 2016, at the Guardian Hose Company’s Activities Building in Thurmont. Emcee of the night, President Wayne Stackhouse, welcomed guests to a dinner (catered by GT’s Catering of Cascade), with an invocation from Chaplin Reverend James Hamrick. Guests from surrounding fire companies, volunteer ambulance companies, and local businesses attended the banquet in support of the company. Reverend James Hamrick held a memorial service and asked for a moment of silence for the one deceased member, Donald Weddle, before beginning the presentation of the 2015 report, awards, and installation of officers. Chief Chris Kinnaird presented the 2015 report, mentioning several new equipment upgrades, including 5.5 Scott CVA Packs, a compressor and fill station, and computers. The total call volume was down from 2014 to 469 calls, with 373 of them being first-due calls. The total fire loss was only $25,500, which was a good low number for the year. Several new members joined in 2015. After announcing that Daniel Myers, a member’s son, had joined the company this past year, Kinnaird stated, “We need outsiders to come in, and we also need our families to continue this tradition of firefighting that we’ve started and that continues in this department for so many years.” The next generation of Frushour and Duble families are expected to become active within the next year, continuing the generation tradition within the fire company. Certificates of appreciation were presented by Chief Kinnaird and Assistant Chief Carroll Brown to the Top 5 Drivers: Steve Yingling (59 alarms), Mike Duble (143 alarms), Wayne Stackhouse (161 alarms), Larry Duble (169 alarms), and Terry Frushour (299 alarms); and for Top Firefighter Responders: Stacey Stackhouse (59 alarms), Mike Beard (75 alarms), Bobby Black (115 alarms), Steve Strickhouser (125 alarms), David Sanders (137 alarms), Brad Weddle (169 alarms), Christopher Kinnaird (173 alarms), David Easterday (183 alarms), Brian Donovan (240 alarms), and Chad Brown (256 alarms). Two additional Chief Awards were presented to Chad Brown and Brian Donovan, who “showed commitment, passion for their duties, and furthermore, a willingness to help out anywhere they could.” Both men continued their education; were top responders; helped at all, if not most, company functions; and planned and organized a new fundraiser for the company. They both responded to the Emmitsburg house fire on December 7, 2015, and assisted with the interior search and rescue of a downed subject. Brown and Donovan did what they were trained to do and, although the outcome did not go as expected, they were recognized for their courage and diligence in responding to the call and administering life-saving assistance where needed. Chief Kinnaird closed out his presentation with remarks regarding the year to come, and the hope of its success. Chief Kinnaird then turned everyone’s attention over to President Stackhouse, who introduced Vice President Terry Frushour to present a certificate of appreciation to Bill and Howard (non-members) for their support and reconstruction help of building and projects throughout the past year. President Stackhouse then invited the chairman of the events committee, Bev Frushour to award a certificate of appreciation to AJ Hahn, who has always provided help and assistance during Guardian Hose Company events. President Stackhouse then cut right to his presentation of awards for years of service: Brian Donovan (5 years), Joshua Bentz (15 years), James Demarais (15 years), Randy Demarais (20 years), Tisha Miller (20 years), Abby Valentine (20 years), Ross Smith III (30 years), Timothy Bentz (30 years), Carroll Brown II (35 years), Judith White (35 years), Steve Yingling (35 years), Terry Frushour (40 years), David Valentine (40 years), and Robert Wilhide (55 years). Life Membership awards were also presented to Roxanne Angel and Jody Miller. To conclude the evening, President Stackhouse thanked several businesses within the Thurmont community that stood behind the company and supported them with donations, along with anything that was asked of them throughout the 2015 year. “The standards we set forth in our operations to serve the community when we’re called to duty would be difficult for us to maintain without their support for the fire company,” expressed Stackhouse. Prior to the benediction, the 2016 Operational and Administrative Officers were installed. Administrative Officers: President—Wayne Stackhouse; President Emeritus—Don Stitely; Vice President—Terry Frushour; Secretary—Lori Borwn; Assistant Secretary—Tisha Miller; Treasurer—Russ Shantz; Assistant Treasurer—Pam Fraley; Trustees—Brian Donovan, Jody Miller, Steve Strickhouser, Chad Brown, and Joe Ohler. Operational Officers: Chief—Chris Kinnaird; Assistant Chief—Carroll Brown; Captain—Blaine Schildt; Sergeant—Chad Brown; Lieutenants—Sean Donovan and Will Gue.

Operational Officers

Administrative Officers