Emmitsburg Volunteer Ambulance Company Holds 26th Annual Banquet
Allison Rostad
The Emmitsburg Volunteer Ambulance Company held its 26th Annual Banquet and Awards Ceremony on Saturday, January 31, 2015, at their station. The event included a social hour with music by Mike Mahoney of Dr. Mudcat’s Medicine Show D.J., followed by a dinner buffet provided by Sunnyway Catering Services. Father John Holliday of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church led the invocation.
The awards ceremony opened with Eric Stackhouse, assistant chief operational officer and vice president administrative officer, emceeing the program. Stackhouse first introduced guest speaker Clarence “Chip” Jewell, Director/Volunteer Chief with the Division of Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services (DFRS), who gave a presentation on the necessity of having volunteers remain within the field. Following Jewell’s presentation, Company President Mary Lou Little, gave her remarks on the past year’s trials and tribulations.
“Members have learned to work very well with each other,” Little explained about the company and their overall reaction to being placed on second due status this past year. “Our supporters never gave up on us,” she continued, “they stuck by us as always.” The banquet’s underlying message was unity and perseverance.
“Another big challenge we faced was having our county funding withheld, because we’re not running first due calls due to the career staff being removed and housed at the fire company,” said Little. “We now had to pay 100 percent of all operating costs…we live every day, every week, every month by our original income budget. We raise every dime to continue to save the county millions of dollars.”
Although the company was hit with a tough year, they managed to raise over $5,000 to donate to scholarships to help students at Catoctin High School and Mother Seton School, as well as other non–profit organizations within the community.
Little stated, “It is very important to us to be able to ‘give back’ to our community.” To close her remarks, she asked that each member of the ambulance crew stand so she could recognize them with the 2014 President Award, as it was a “no brainer” for her to choose the entire company for their efforts in keeping the company up and running.
Chief Rose Latini then took the stage to present her remarks on the past year as well, calling the station “The little engine that could.”
Although the company was on second due status for the majority of the year, they still managed to gain twelve new operational members, and are still recruiting.
“The past year has been a very rewarding road,” Latini explained, referencing Little’s statement about losing the career staff. “It allowed us time to take a look into the house and work with DFRS to get things where they are today. We’ve bonded as an operational team. I realized during that time the passion that our operational members had,” added Latini.
She applauded the members and presented the 2014 Chief’s Award to all members of the company saying, “There’s not one person in this company that did not rise to the occasion.”
Stackhouse returned to the stage and began calling the names of every member, as they all were to receive a reward from both the chief and president for their outstanding achievement throughout the year.
Little then presented Life Membership awards to members who had earned their gold cards: Eric Stackhouse, Beth Ruppel, and John Ruppel. The Training Award was presented to Smiley and Judy White, who came down to the station to help train EVAC members so they could qualify for their certifications.
Dan and Anne Reaver were presented a special award by Little, where she mentioned that the Company, “wouldn’t know where they’d be without them.”
Stackhouse recognized the Top 10 LOSAP: Pam Bolin (267); Vicki Long (285); Ed Little (349); Diane Kelly (380); John Ruppel (398); Kim Bolin (427); Beth Ruppel (513); Mary Lou Little (572); Dallas Bucheit (582); and Jim Wormley (596).
Top 10 Responders were: (1) Rose Latini; (2) Jennifer Frushour; (3) Eric Stackhouse; (4) Colt Black; (5) John Ruppel; (6) Beth Ruppel; (7) C.N. Burriss; (8) Dallas Bucheit; (9) Brandon Burriss; (10) Lisa Eichelberger.
Lastly, Stackhouse recognized the members of Thurmont Ambulance Company 30 with a bronze plaque of their new social hall being built as a thank you for all their assistance throughout 2014.
As part of closing the ceremony, Stackhouse had a few presentations he wanted to give away himself. He invited both Little and Latini back up to the stage, where he presented each with an award. For Little, the Board of Directors decided to pay for the first month of internet service to be set up at her house, as she’s only been able to send and receive emails while at the station. She was also rewarded with a gavel from Stackhouse to have and use at meetings. For Latini, she was awarded a Company 26 winter jacket, as it seems she’s always cold. A round of applause was given for both for their hard work and dedication.
Judith White, Secretary of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association, installed officers. Operational Officers: Chief—Rose Latini; Assistant Chief—Eric Stackhouse; Lieutenants—Sara Johnston, Rose Mercandetti, and Rachel Rosebrock; Sergeants—Beth Ruppel and John Ruppel; and Honorary Lieutenant—Ed Little. Administrative Officers: President—Mary Lou Little; Vice President—Eric Stackhouse; Secretary—Vicki Long; Assistant Secretary—Kim Bolin; Treasurer—Pam Bolin; and Assistant Treasurer—Beth Ruppel. Board of Directors: Bob Dinterman—Donna Miller, Diane Kelly, and Ed Little.