2021 Maryland State Firemen’s Association Award Winners 129th Annual Convention and Conference
Gladhill-Thompson Award
Purpose of Award: Recognition of an individual for their outstanding contribution to the Maryland State Firemen’s Association
This award was originally established by Mr. Bernard D. “Buck” Gladhill and accepted by the MSFA Executive Committee in 1974. Mr. Gladhill saw the need to honor an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the future welfare of the MSFA and would be known as the Gladhill Trophy. The award will be considered the highest Maryland State Firemen’s Association award that can be conferred on an individual. It will be awarded on a highly selective basis to an individual who, in the opinion of the judges, has made an outstanding contribution to the future welfare of members of the MSFA or who has distinguished himself by exceptionally meritorious service of major significance to the MSFA or the Fire Service of the United States. In 1984 the award was changed to the Gladhill-Thompson Trophy in recognition of both Mr. Gladhill and Chief Thompson.
Barbara “Bobbi” Stevens
Waldorf VFD Charles
Marbery F. Gates Service Cup Award
This award was established by the Rockville Volunteer Fire Department and accepted by the MSFA Executive Committee in 1981 in Recognition of an individual with Fifty (50) Years of Continuous and Faithful Service.
C. Daniel “Danny” Davis
Hollywood VFD St. Mary’s
WILLIAM E. “RUDY” RADISCH
FIREFIGHTER OF THE YEAR
Recognition of Outstanding Citizenship and Exemplary Job Achievement
The Maryland State Firemen’s Association (MSFA) established the Firefighter of the Year Award in 1978, to be presented at the Annual MSFA Convention and Conference each year from nominations received from the member department or individuals. At the December 2, 2018 meeting of the Executive Committee, a proposal was presented by Chillum-Adelphi Volunteer Fire Department to Sponsor the award and renaming it. The proposal was approved and will be known as The William E. “Rudy” Radisch Firefighter of the Year Memorial Award
Kevon Williams
Odenton VFC Anne Arundel
Hall of Fame
Recognition of Distinguished Service to the Maryland State Firemen’s Association or an Individual Department or County Fire or Rescue Service
The Hall of Fame Award was established by the Maryland State Firemen’s Association (MSFA) Executive Committee in 1979 as a result of a recommendation from Past President Eugene J. C. Raney to recognize the distinguished service of individuals. The first emphasis to be service to the MSFA and then service to the individual department and local jurisdiction.
| NAME | COMPANY | COUNTY |
|---|---|---|
| Joseph D. Antoszewski | Arbutus VFD | Baltimore |
| George Edwin Arbaugh | Pleasant Valley | Carroll |
| L. Jason Baer | Maugansville | Washington |
| Janet Fisher | Ocean City | Worchester |
| Ramon “Ray” Eugene Hodgson, Jr. | Odenton VFC | Anne Arundel |
| Frank W. Muiller, Jr. | Singerly Fire | Cecil |
| Robert P. “Bob” Phillips | Rescue | Dorchester |
| Barbara “Bobbie” Stevens | Waldorf | Charles |
| Frank S. Tremel, Jr. | College Park | Prince George’s |
| SPECIAL | ||
| Scott Gordon | Maryland Military Department | |
| Charles R. Jenkins | Jolly Rogers Amusement | |
| Brian Geraci | State Fire Marshal |
ROBERT H. SHIMER
ADMINISTRATIVE PERSON OF THE YEAR AWARD
Recognition of the Outstanding Fire, Rescue or EMS Administrative Person of the Year
The Robert H. Shimer Administrator of the Year award was established by the Shimer family and accepted by the MSFA Executive Committee on February 22, 2004. The award was established to honor Robert H. Shimer, for the years of dedicated service he gave the volunteer fire, rescue, and EMS service as a President and a Trustee of the MSFA, President of the Allegany-Garrett Counties Fire and Rescue Association, President of the Allegany County Fire-Rescue Board, and President of the Potomac Fire Company.
Patrick “Pat” Hassler
Prince Frederick VFD Calvert
Past President C. Oscar Baker
Rookie of the Year
Recognition of the Outstand Rookie Firefighter/EMS Provider
The Past President C. Oscar Baker Rookie of the Year Award was established by the Mount Airy Volunteer Fire Company and accepted by the MSFA Executive Committee in 2002. The award was established to honor Past President C. Oscar Baker for his sixty (60) years of active service to the citizens of Mount Airy, the surrounding communities, Carroll County and the State of Maryland. Past President Baker has served as President of the Mount Airy Volunteer Fire Company, President of the Carroll County Volunteer Firemen’s Association and President of the Maryland State Firemen’s Association (1978-79). Past President Baker retired as Fire Chief of the National Bureau of Standards Fire Department and then served as the Volunteer Coordinator for Carroll County for several years. He was a field instructor for the Fire Service Extension and later the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute for several decades.
Brenden Donais
Potomac Heights Charles
John E. “Sunny Rose Memorial
Training Award
To recognize an individual who dedicates the most hours to Fire, EMS, and Rescue training during the year
John E. “Sunny” Rose Jr. joined the Odenton Volunteer Fire Company in 1963 and was an active member of the company until his death in 201S. Sunny served in many positions with the company including as a line officer, board member, and numerous committees. Sunny’s true passion throughout his fire service career was for Fire, EMS, and Rescue training. He started as a Field Instructor for the Maryland Fire and Rescue institute (MFRI) in 1977, and over his thirty-eight years as a MFRI Field Instructor, Sunny taught countless training classes across the State of Maryland and coached and mentored many aspiring instructors.
Toni Sanger
Odenton VFC Anne Arundel
SMITH N. STATHEM, JR., P.P.
MEMORIAL SAFETY AWARD
Recognition of an Individual Contributions toward firefighter/EMS Safety
The Smith N. Stathem, Jr. Memorial Safety Award is established in 1998 by the MSFA Safety Committee and the family of MSFA Past President Stathem. The award was accepted by the MSFA Executive Committee in 1997. This award is to be presented each year at the Annual MSFA Convention and Conference to an individual who does the most to promote firefighter / EMS safety within his/her department/company.
Eric M. Olson
Ocean City Worcester
Edward L. Emkey, Sr., Cadet Program Award
Recognition of the Outstanding Company Cadet Program
Upperco Junior Fire Co. Baltimore
Josiah A. Hunt, M.D., EMS Person of the Year
The award was established to recognize outstanding individual accomplishments by an EMT/A, or above. The award is considered to be the highest award conferred upon an individual within the Maryland emergency medical services community.
The Josiah A. Hunt, M.D., (EMS Person Of The Year) Award was established in 1991 and accepted by the Executive Committee. Doctor Hunt was a local physician in Harford County who was very instrumental in the establishment of ambulance service in that area. He often would leave his practice to ride on the local ambulances providing quality emergency medical service to the communities of Harford County.
Donna Averion-Laird
Abingdon Fire Co. Harford
Family Appreciation Award
To recognize families of Volunteer Fire/EMS members, who sacrifice their time with the member, for the good of the community.
The Rose Family Odenton VFC Anne Arundel
Senator William H. Amoss Memorial
Legislative Award
Recognition of individual contributions and determination in promoting the betterment of Maryland fire, rescue and emergency medical service through successful legislation and the legislative process
The Senator William H. Amoss Memorial Legislative Award was created to honor an individual who served over 20 years actively representing the Maryland fire, rescue, and emergency medical services, throughout the State, in a legislative capacity both in the House of Delegates and the State Senate.
Senator Douglas J. J. Peters District 23
Delegate Maggie McIntosh District 43
Silver Spring Trophy
The Silver Spring Trophy was established in 1981 by the Silver Spring Volunteer Fire Department and accepted by the MSFA Executive Committee. This award is presented each year at the Annual MSFA Convention to an individual who does the most in fire prevention for his/her community. The award is for an individual effort and, therefore, submission of the entry must be for one individual rather than a group or department effort.
Ashley Elizabeth Paulson
Hampstead Carroll
Zembower Fire Service Training Award
Recognition of a department’s participation in formal training
The Zembower Fire Service Training Award was established in 1976 by Mr. & Mrs. Bruce Zembower in memory of his late parents, Mr. & Mrs. Cromwell Zembower of LaVale, and accepted by the MSFA Executive Committee. Cromwell Zembower was a Past President of the MSFA and a member of the Training Committee for many years. The Zembower Fire Service Training Award is based on the average number of formal training hours per active member for fire and rescue training completed in the fiscal year prior to the award. The original award was based solely on the formal training offered by MFRI, however, in 1995 the award will be based on formal training offered by other recognized agencies.
New Market District VFD – Frederick
Fire Prevention
Overall Winners
| NAME | COMPANY | CLASS |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Place | Cape St. Clair VFD | Class IV |
| 2nd Place | Cobb Island VFD | Class I |
| 3rd Place | Bay District VFD | Class V |
| 4th Place | Mechanicsville VFD | Single Entry |