Darlington fire company leader calls for greater EMS funding

Feb. 18--The Darlington Volunteer Fire Company's annual banquet Saturday included multiple recognitions of company members and their supporters in the community, a slew of gag gifts and good-natured ribbing among the company leadership and elected officials who attended.

But amid the celebration was a serious call for greater local funding for EMS staffing, in recognition of Harford County's growing population, especially its population of senior citizens, and the increased calls for the fire and EMS service that come with it.

"I see so much change in EMS," past EMS Chief Jason Gullion said while giving his report for 2013. "It's changing at an exponential rate."

Fire companies have hired paid EMS staffers in recent years to support their volunteer squads, including smaller, rural companies such as Darlington, which has one paid EMS worker.

The company turns 65 years old in 2014. State Sen. Barry Glassman, who lives in Darlington, swore in the company officers for 2014 at the banquet.

Harford County Volunteer Fire & EMS Foundation officials have asked Harford County Executive David Craig to increase funding for EMS staffing countywide, Gullion said.

He said companies north of Route 1 are looking to expand their paid EMS crews.

Fire Chief David Weissert noted EMS calls increased by 34 percent from 2010 to 2013; Darlington responded to 759 EMS calls and 288 fire calls in 2013, according to the banquet program.

Inaugural citizen award

A Darlington-area resident who extinguished a fuel pump fire at a local gas station in September was recognized Saturday for his efforts, along with the owner of the gas station and her granddaughter.

Ryan Roddam, who could not attend the banquet, received the inaugural "Gold 9" award.

Weissert recounted the incident, which took place at the Peddler Run Citgo station on Conowingo Road around 7:25 p.m. on Sept. 14, 2013.

The chief said Roddam, who lives across the road from the station and convenience store, was watching television when he saw, through his window, sparks and smoke coming from the gas pumps.

Roddam is not a firefighter or emergency medical provider, but "he did something that not many people would do; he ran toward the problem," Weissert said.

Roddam told the employees to shut off the fuel pumps and call 911. He then grabbed a fire extinguisher and sprayed inside the pump, where the fire was.

"When Engine 914 and myself arrived, the fire was extinguished," Weissert said.

An investigation by the Office of the State Fire Marshal indicated the cause was an "electrical malfunction."

The station is owned by Rita Poole. She arrived on the scene with her 4-year-old granddaughter, Grace Hanks, and Grace's parents.

Weissert said he asked Grace to help him "make sure that everything was safe for her grandmother to go back to work."

The chief said later that Grace seemed apprehensive, and he took a flashlight and walked around the property with her to make sure everything was safe and secure.

"It was a relief to her, and also to her grandmother, to be able to do that," he said.

During the banquet Saturday, Weissert gave Grace a stuffed fire dog for her efforts.

The fire chief said the Gold 9 award, named for Darlington's designation as Company 9, will go to residents who are not part of the emergency services "for helping to mitigate an emergency."

Special awards

Long-serving EMS Capt. Samuel Sauers received the company's highest honor, the Jim Warner Award, which is named for the company's late treasurer and goes to a member who shows outstanding work ethic and "tireless effort," Weissert explained.

The members of the company vote on who should receive the Jim Warner Award each year.

Sauers was also named EMS Person of the Year.

"To allow me to receive this award in his name, I find that to be a great honor because that man definitely went above and beyond to make sure that we had what we needed, the lights stayed on and the equipment stayed on the road, so thank you for giving this honor to me this year," Sauers said of Warner.

Shirley Thompson, who is another long-serving member along with her husband, Alan, was recognized for her 12 years of service as the EMS secretary from 2001 to 2013.

"She made it a personal goal that the community was first, the company was second and she was last," Gullion said as he introduced Thompson as the recipient.

Robert Evans was recognized as the company's Fireman of the Year. Barbara and Willard Evans were honored as Administrative People of the Year.

Additional awards

Members of the company were also recognized for their years of service Saturday.

Fire Capt. Chris Cornett, fire Sgt. Mike Laslo and firefighter/EMT Ashley Northam were honored for five years of service.

Fire Lt. Arnie Hitchcock was recognized for 20 years of service and Sauers for 35 years.

The top fire responders for 2013 were George Rockey with 201 calls; Rhonda White, 170; Doug McMillan, 167; John Singleton, 152; Jim Rost Sr., 147; Nick Rockey, 142; Corey Morrison, 136; Raymond Evans, 133; Jim James, 127; and Robert Evans with 125.

The top EMS responders were Bruce Lyons with 184 calls; Linda Thomas, 98; Sam Sauers, 76; Vanessa Burns, 67; John Singleton, 63; Jim Kendall, 62; Sarah Anderson, 60; Jason Gullion, 56; Ashley Northam, 52; and Edna Reeves, 49.

The top administrative responders were Edna Reeves with 874.5 hours; Barbara Evans, 789.5; Mary Hickman, 757.5; Willard Evans, 708, Shirley Thompson, 533.5; Diane Jones, 427; J. Alan Thompson, 397; Thomas Taylor, 387; Donald Cassett, 335; and Jessica Churn, 290.

Community gift

Larry Burton, president of the Darlington Lions Club, presented a $500 donation to the company to help toward its purchase of a second replacement pumper truck.

Weissert said the company has already ordered its first replacement pumper and it should be delivered this summer.

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