Vigilant Hose Company Holds Its Annual Banquet

Grace Eyler On January 7, 2017, Mother Seton School’s gym in Emmitsburg was the setting for Vigilant Hose Company’s 133rd annual banquet. While members and family members found their seating, GT’s Catering prepared a fresh meal to serve the crowd. The invocation was given by Fr. Kreig from St. Joeseph’s Parish in Emmitsburg. Past president, Tim Clarke welcomed other fire company representatives, their neighbors from the Emmitsburg Volunteer Ambulance Company, County Executive Jan Gardner, County Councilmen, Kirby DeLauter and Bud Otis, and other special guests. The three county representatives joined together to give their thanks to Vigilant. Emmitsburg Mayor Don Briggs stood up to praise Vigilant for their service in Emmitsburg. Mayor Briggs also recognized other members of the company, commissioners, recently-retired town manager, Dave Haller, and other Emmitsburg Town staff who attended the banquet. Chip Jewell, Director of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services, led the formal installation of Company 6’s 2017 officers. This year, Vigilant’s officers consisted of President, Frank Davis; Vice President, Dave Wilt; Treasurer, Steven Hollinger; Assistant Treasurer, William Boyd, Jr.; Secretary, Steven Valentine; Assistant Secretary, Thomas Vaughn; Board of Directors, Hugh Boyle, Elyssa Cool, Randy Myers, Douglas Orner, David Stonesifer and Carl White. Operational Officers include Chief, Chad Umbel; Deputy Chief, James Click; Assistant Chief, Chris Stahley; Captain, Joshua Brotherton; Lieutenants, Alex McKinna, Derek Rosensteel and Douglas Yingling. Fire Police include Captain Lynn Orndorff; 1st Lieutenant, Stephen Orndorff; and 2nd Lieutenant, Samuel Cool. Auxiliary Officers for 2017 include President, Tina Ryder; Vice President, Sharel Boyle; Secretary, Joyce Glass; Financial Secretary, Mandy Ryder; and Historians, Jennifer Boyd and Katie Davis. Following the installation of new officers, a moment of silence was taken to remember the ones lost over the year during their Memoriam. In 2016, Vigilant lost five valued members including Charles ‘Shorty” Hartigan, Sterling Orndorff, Larry “ReRun” Ridenour, Carroll “Gene” Newcomer, and William “Billy” Wilson.  Tim Clarke fondly recalled special memories of each individual while recognizing the family members in attendance. After recognizing those who passed, the company presented the video “The Fallen and the Brave,” a video developed by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, and produced by Dave Carroll in Emmitsburg. Many of Vigilant’s volunteers were a part of the production. Members applauded the moving presentation, Tim Clarke lightened the mood with some humor about the Christmas season. He called upon President Davis to recognize the Auxiliary for all that they do for Company 6. “Without them, we wouldn’t be what we are. That is in every way. They are there during major fires, fundraising, and most importantly their financial support that is a major part of our budget… we don’t say thank you enough,” said President Davis. Auxiliary President, Tina Ryder, stood to recognize the accomplishments of her team and present Vigilant with a check for $45,000. In 2016, Vigilant tended to 461 fire calls in Emmitsburg and the surrounding areas, with an average of eleven volunteers attending each call. The average time of response from the time of dispatch to being on the scene was a mere six minutes and fifty-eight seconds. The total fire loss this year was $93,500. The busiest days were tied between Wednesdays and Saturdays with 72 calls on each day and Monday earning third busiest with a total of 71 during 2016. Company 6 was busy with fundraisers, including the new “Six of Hearts Drawing,” an idea brainstormed by President Davis, being very successful so far. Service awards were presented to volunteers who have consistently served the company — with the oldest members serving the Company for 75 years. Five-year awards were presented to Eugene Fauble, Patrick Reaver, Derek Rosensteel, Greg Sterner III, Shawn Wetzel and Douglas Yingling. Other awards for service included, Charles Stuart (10 Years), Christopher Ryder (15 Years). and Paul Kreitz (20 Years). Frank Rauschenburg celebrated 25 years, receiving “Life Membership.” Other Life Members included John Glass (30 Years); Steve Hollinger and Hugh Boyle (35 Years); Herb Click, Jr. (40 Years); Larry Glass (45 Years); Michael Orndorff and Roland Sanders (50 Years); Patrick Boyle (65 Years); John Hollinger (70 Years); and Tom Hoke, who was honored with 75 years of service. The President’s LOSAP awards were presented to Dave Wilt (67 Points), Elyssa Cool (73 Points), Steve Hollinger (79 Points), Brandon Burris (82 Points), Thomas Vaughn (87 Points) Jim Click (88 Points), Matt Boyd (98 Points), Bill Boyd (119 Points), and Doug Yingling (124 Points). Joshua Brotherton received top recognition with a total of 148 points accumulated through the year. Randy Myers received the “President’s Award” from Frank Davis for his time given to the company during 2016. Chief Umbel recognized Top Ten Responders: Tom Ward (121 calls), Chuck Stuart (123 calls), Brandon Burris (125 calls), Alex McKenna (129 calls) Hugh Boyle (131 calls), Derek Rosensteel (145 calls), Dave Zentz (178 calls), Matt Boyd (182 calls), Frank Davis (209 calls), and Top Responder, Cliff Shriner (224 calls). Chief Umbel also recognized Vigilant’s top Fire Police Responders including Tom Vaughn (43 calls), Sam Cool (60 calls), and Steve Orndorff (79 calls). The Outstanding Service Award was presented to former Emmitsburg Town Manager, Dave Haller. Tim Clarke explained, “This individual went above and beyond to make sure that the fire company had the town’s backing and shared the town’s resources to the fullest,” he explained that without Haller’s assistance and expertise during his seventeen years of tenure with the town, projects like the demolition and rebuilding of the company’s administrative and volunteer facilities, “…would have been delayed and gone over budget.” Honorary memberships were presented to Jim Hobbs, Jr., Dave Hobbs, Andy Hobbs, and Steve Hobbs for the continued support they’ve provided to Vigilant not only financially, but with needed materials including the refrigerated truck used each year for Spring Fling. The Training Award was presented to Jeffery Redding who retained 140 hours throughout the past year. One of the most honorary awards given at the annual banquet is the “Hall of Fame Award.” Former President Clarke said, “Every year, a member is recognized for their lasting contributions to our fire department, community and region.” The nominees are voted on by the other Hall of Fame members who have already been inducted in previous years. This year’s recipient was Carl White who has been a member since September 14, 1982. He has served many roles, working both in operations and administrative. To this day, Carl is still an active responder and EMT, and a certified CPR instructor who trains members of the company and members of the community. Before members enjoyed entertainment from the band, First Class, the evening closed with Tim Clarke commenting on proposed considerations by Frederick County Officials regarding a Fire Tax, “I can’t stress this strongly enough. Implementing a fire tax will seriously curtail our fundraising events. History has shown no matter how often we educate our citizens, that a Fire tax is really an EMS tax.” He explained that people believe that since they are already paying a fire tax, they deem it unnecessary to make an additional contribution to the fire company when there are other non-profit organizations who are competing for the same dollar. “I firmly believe and support the current project initiated by Chief Owens to move our fire and rescue fleet into a program that charges our company monthly or yearly lease fees and incorporates a replacement formula that helps the entire county fleet remain functional.” Frank Davis inducted Carl White into Vigilant’s “Hall of Fame” on January 7, 2017. Tina Ryder, Auxiliary president presented Frank Davis with a check for $45,000 from the year of fundraising, during the Vigilant Hose Company’s Banquet.