Page 20 - Dec 2016 BNP ALL
P. 20
Page 20 December 2016 The Catoctin Banner Newspaper www.TheCatoctinBanner.com Published by www.EPlusPromotes.com
by Theresa Dardanell
Department
Spotlight
Pictured are Rocky Ridge Volunteer Fire Company members, Betty Ann
Mumma and Dennis Mathias.
Rocky Ridge Volunteer Fire Company
— Protectors of the Ridge —
In 1951, the Rocky Ridge relocated in 1966 and then moved Secretary; Christina Hurley, Assistant
Volunteer Fire Company spent seven- to its current location on Motters Secretary; Bernard Wivell, Treasurer;
and-a-half hours trying to save the Station Road in 1997. The first fire Bonny Hurley, Assistant Treasurer;
Mt. Tabor Park “giant” wooden pumper, a 1931 Model A Ford, was Rev. James Russell, Chaplain;
slide from a devastating fire. It was purchased in 1951 from the Vigilant Alan Hurley, Chief; Jim Rice, First
their first fire call since they were Hose Company. This pumper has Assistant Chief; Larry Humerick,
organized on May 9, 1949. Since that been renovated and is now used for Jr., Second Assistant Chief; Kevin
time, the company has responded to parades. Currently, the department Albaugh, Captain. Board of Directors
many calls in Rocky Ridge and has has two pumpers, one engine tanker, members are Craig Hovermale; Steve
also provided mutual aid to other fire two brush trucks to fight fuel and Orndorff; Leon Stover, Jr.; Wesley
departments in the area. brush fires, and a special unit to carry Burrier; Ronnie Eyler; Charlie Riggs;
medical supplies to give first aid until and Ronnie Hahn.
Dennis Mathias, vice president an ambulance arrives at the scene.
of the company, has been a member Fundraising is a joint effort of the
since he was sixteen. He and Betty Today, the company has grown Fire Company and the auxiliary. The
Ann Mumma, president of the from the original 61 members to auxiliary provides the food for bingo,
Auxiliary, recently shared some of approximately 110 members. Thirty dinners, banquets, and the carnival.
the company’s history. They both active members are the firefighters Fundraising events sponsored by the
recalled the Christmas Day house fire who respond to calls and fight fires. Fire Company include bingo, the
in 1968. It was so cold that the water Anyone age sixteen and older can annual carnival and parade, gun and
used to fight the fire created icicles become a member and begin the meat raffles, a car show, a fund drive,
that hung from the trees, the house, training to become a firefighter. Social and butchering. The carnival and
and the firefighter’s gear. They also members help with the fundraising, bingo have been annual events since
had problems keeping the hoses from which sustains the department. the 1950s. Some of the fundraising
freezing that day. They recalled that Junior members, ages ten to fifteen, events held in previous years were
1960 was a quiet year; there were no help with fundraising, activities, and turkey shoots, skating parties, card
fire calls at all that year. However, learn about the equipment. parties, auctions, and “donkey ball.”
the company responded to 208 According to Dennis, donkey ball is a
emergency calls in 2012. Along with Dennis Mathias, softball game with a twist. Instead of
Rocky Ridge Volunteer Fire running the bases, the player jumps
The fire station was originally Company officers are: Dale Kline, on a donkey and rides around the
located on Longs Mill Road. It was Sr., President; Paulette Mathias, bases.
Some activities are just for fun.
The annual Halloween party for the
children is held at the fire hall. In
December, Santa joins the firefighters
on the fire engine to visit children in
the community and deliver bags of
treats.
The Rocky Ridge Volunteer
Fire Company is an all-volunteer
company. Betty Ann Mumma said
that they are fortunate to have
dedicated people in the department
and the auxiliary, who are “striving
for the same thing, to be here for
the community.” She said that
the tremendous support from
the community has sustained the
department. With continued support,
the Rocky Ridge Volunteer Fire
Company will be able to continue the
mission: “Protecting the Lives and
Property of the People in the Ridge
and Vicinity.”
by Theresa Dardanell
Department
Spotlight
Pictured are Rocky Ridge Volunteer Fire Company members, Betty Ann
Mumma and Dennis Mathias.
Rocky Ridge Volunteer Fire Company
— Protectors of the Ridge —
In 1951, the Rocky Ridge relocated in 1966 and then moved Secretary; Christina Hurley, Assistant
Volunteer Fire Company spent seven- to its current location on Motters Secretary; Bernard Wivell, Treasurer;
and-a-half hours trying to save the Station Road in 1997. The first fire Bonny Hurley, Assistant Treasurer;
Mt. Tabor Park “giant” wooden pumper, a 1931 Model A Ford, was Rev. James Russell, Chaplain;
slide from a devastating fire. It was purchased in 1951 from the Vigilant Alan Hurley, Chief; Jim Rice, First
their first fire call since they were Hose Company. This pumper has Assistant Chief; Larry Humerick,
organized on May 9, 1949. Since that been renovated and is now used for Jr., Second Assistant Chief; Kevin
time, the company has responded to parades. Currently, the department Albaugh, Captain. Board of Directors
many calls in Rocky Ridge and has has two pumpers, one engine tanker, members are Craig Hovermale; Steve
also provided mutual aid to other fire two brush trucks to fight fuel and Orndorff; Leon Stover, Jr.; Wesley
departments in the area. brush fires, and a special unit to carry Burrier; Ronnie Eyler; Charlie Riggs;
medical supplies to give first aid until and Ronnie Hahn.
Dennis Mathias, vice president an ambulance arrives at the scene.
of the company, has been a member Fundraising is a joint effort of the
since he was sixteen. He and Betty Today, the company has grown Fire Company and the auxiliary. The
Ann Mumma, president of the from the original 61 members to auxiliary provides the food for bingo,
Auxiliary, recently shared some of approximately 110 members. Thirty dinners, banquets, and the carnival.
the company’s history. They both active members are the firefighters Fundraising events sponsored by the
recalled the Christmas Day house fire who respond to calls and fight fires. Fire Company include bingo, the
in 1968. It was so cold that the water Anyone age sixteen and older can annual carnival and parade, gun and
used to fight the fire created icicles become a member and begin the meat raffles, a car show, a fund drive,
that hung from the trees, the house, training to become a firefighter. Social and butchering. The carnival and
and the firefighter’s gear. They also members help with the fundraising, bingo have been annual events since
had problems keeping the hoses from which sustains the department. the 1950s. Some of the fundraising
freezing that day. They recalled that Junior members, ages ten to fifteen, events held in previous years were
1960 was a quiet year; there were no help with fundraising, activities, and turkey shoots, skating parties, card
fire calls at all that year. However, learn about the equipment. parties, auctions, and “donkey ball.”
the company responded to 208 According to Dennis, donkey ball is a
emergency calls in 2012. Along with Dennis Mathias, softball game with a twist. Instead of
Rocky Ridge Volunteer Fire running the bases, the player jumps
The fire station was originally Company officers are: Dale Kline, on a donkey and rides around the
located on Longs Mill Road. It was Sr., President; Paulette Mathias, bases.
Some activities are just for fun.
The annual Halloween party for the
children is held at the fire hall. In
December, Santa joins the firefighters
on the fire engine to visit children in
the community and deliver bags of
treats.
The Rocky Ridge Volunteer
Fire Company is an all-volunteer
company. Betty Ann Mumma said
that they are fortunate to have
dedicated people in the department
and the auxiliary, who are “striving
for the same thing, to be here for
the community.” She said that
the tremendous support from
the community has sustained the
department. With continued support,
the Rocky Ridge Volunteer Fire
Company will be able to continue the
mission: “Protecting the Lives and
Property of the People in the Ridge
and Vicinity.”
