A Lucky Second Chance

Lion Ruth Heaney

Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow on February 2, but that will not stop the Thurmont Lions Club from giving everyone a lucky second chance! Guardian Hose Company Fire Chief Charlie Brown and Assistant Fire Chief Chris Kinnaird are rescheduled as our speakers on Wednesday, March 12, at 6:30 PM in St. John’s Lutheran Church, 16 N. Church Street.

Fire Chief Brown says with heartfelt pride that he is a fourth-generation member of the Guardian Hose Company. His son, Chad, is the fifth generation in the Guardian Hose Company. Both Chief Brown and Mayor John Kinnaird hold their heads up a little higher knowing that their sons are members of an organization whose purpose is explained in the following paragraph.

The Guardian Hose Company was created in 1887. It is their mission to “… assist in protecting the lives and property of the people of Thurmont and vicinity, and to assist in rescuing persons and conveying them to a place of safety; to extinguish the fire and prevent its spreading to adjacent property; in case of a collapsed building, to rescue all persons or bodies; to clear debris and to remove all weak or dangerous parts of the building.”

Chief Brown explained in an email that “Career staff started working day work at the end of 2020, and then in 2022, the career staff went 24 hours a day. Our volunteers work during the day and losing some volunteers has made us ask the county for help.”

Being a first responder is not a job for the faint of heart. It is a job to expect the unexpected. 911 calls are made in times of panic for multiple reasons; whatever the reason for calling, be it minor or major, the firemen go into a situation only knowing what was heard on the 911 call. Each call is different and requires quick adaptation to what is needed once the firemen arrive at the destination. What was initially thought to be the remedy must be changed to fit the solutions. A 911 call for a fire can be catastrophic in many aspects.
We do not have to travel far to grasp the massive destruction that fire can do to a structure and the amazing job done by the Guardian Hose Co. and other emergency responders. Looking at the remaining structure still standing due to a recent fire in a Thurmont home belies the extreme bravery shown by the Guardian Hose Company and others. People who watched from their homes as the flames engulfed the family’s burning house saw firefighters who risked their lives to save as much as possible structure-wise and to rescue the family.

The meetings are open to the public at no charge. Attending this meeting is supporting the Guardian Hose Company which comes to our aid when needed. Likewise, the Thurmont Lions Club helps the community in many ways. Come join an evening with those who are active in your town!