Award Purpose
Outstanding citizenship and exemplary job achievement.
Award Sponsor
Chillum-Adelphi Volunteer Fire Department
Award Administration
Award Purpose
Outstanding citizenship and exemplary job achievement.
Award Sponsor
Chillum-Adelphi Volunteer Fire Department
Award Administration
Description
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. Qualified nominations will be judged by the Firefighter of the Year Committee appointed by the President of the MSFA.
The committee solicits your support in this fine program and asks that you select someone in your department or from a member department of the MSFA for the award.
Submission Deadline: April 15
Award Rules
The rules and guidelines for the Firefighter of the Year Program are as follows:
1. Nominee must be from a member department of the Maryland State Firemen’s Association.
2. Any active member of a department of the Maryland State Firemen’s Association may submit the name of a nominee for the award.
3. Nominations must be submitted on an individual basis only on official letterhead or department stationary with the official MSFA Firefighter of the Year Nomination Form attached. Form must be signed with title of person submitting the nomination. A photograph of the nominee shall be submitted with the form.
4. Nomination must be submitted to the Chairperson of the Firefighter of the Year Committee no later than April 15th of each year. Any late entries will not be considered. The mailing address for the entries is:
William B. “Bill” Lay, Sr., Chairperson
MSFA Firefighter of the Year Committee
2210 Old Joppa Road
Joppa, MD 21085
5. Guidelines for selection of nominee:
a. Outstanding citizenship, i.e., activities by a firefighter to better his/her department and community at large, etc.
b. Exemplary job achievement, i.e., lecturing at school on fire safety, setting up a program of fire inspections, fund raising, etc.
c. This award will be for calendar year only.
NOTE: This award will not be judged on acts of heroism. All heroism nominations should be directed to the Colburn Trophy Award.
6. Awarding of the Firefighter of the Year Plaque and Certificates:
a. Award to be made at the Annual MSFA Convention and Conference.
b. Winner to receive large plaque annually
c. Winner receives the Firefighter of the Year Medal and Ribbon Bar, which was approved by the Executive Committee in 2002. The ribbon is red and white and the gold medal is inscribed as Firefighter of the Year, with the MSFA Seal in the center.
d. Awarding of plaque and medal to be made by the President of the Maryland State Firemen’s Association.
e. Certificates will be presented or mailed to all nominees.
| Year | Recipient | Department | County |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Scott Thomas Hankinson | Hollywood VFD | St. Mary’s |
| 2020 | Kevon Williams | Odenton | Anne Arundel |
| 2019 | Anthony “Tony” Norris | Hollywood VFD | St. Mary’s |
| 2018 | David Michael Penhollow | North East Fire Co. | Cecil |
| 2017 | Anthony J. Simonetta | Odenton | Anne Arundel |
| 2016 | Eddie Tatum | Hollywood VFD | St. Mary's |
| 2015 | Timothy F. Dayton | Potomac | Allegany |
| 2014 | Oley G. Griffith | First Hose Co. of Boonsboro | Washington |
| 2013 | Jared W. Trossbach | Leonardtown VFD | St. Mary's |
| 2012 | Daryl T. Benner | Sharpsburg | Washington |
| 2011 | Michael Sullivan | Hollywood VFD | St. Mary's |
| 2010 | Jason Sharp | Prince Frederick VFD | Calvert |
| 2009 | Jeff Thompson | Chestertown | Kent |
| 2008 | Christopher Scully | Hollywood VFD | St. Mary's |
| 2007 | Derrick E. Lloyd | Joppa Magnolia | Harford |
| 2006 | Aimee Cenate | Mechanicsville VFD | St. Mary's |
| 2005 | William Hill, Jr. | Hollywood | St. Mary's |
| 2004 | Daniel J. Stevens | Waldorf | Charles |
| 2003 | James E. McClelland | Capital Heights | Prince George's |
| 2002 | Jeff Williams | Indian Head | Charles |
| 2001 | James B. Lyons, III | Joppa Magnolia | Harford |
| 2000 | Joseph Della-Camera | Prince Frederick VFD | Calvert |
| 1999 | Joseph Wayne Hardesty | Prince Frederick VFD | Calvert |
| 1998 | Joseph Wayne Hardesty | Prince Frederick VFD | Calvert |
| 1997 | Francis D. Jester | Church Hill VFC | Queen Anne's |
| 1996 | James "Deacon" Dick | Midland VFC | Allegany |
| 1995 | Barbara A. Knippenburg | Midland VFC | Allegany |
| 1994 | Steven W. Leatherman | Middletown VFC | Frederick |
| 1993 | James Jarboe | Takoma Park VFD | Montgomery |
| 1992 | Michael E. Tarquini | Level VFC | Harford |
| 1991 | Francis T. Mowbray, Jr. | Barton Hose | Allegany |
| 1990 | L. Jason Baer | Goodwill FC, Maugansville | Washington |
| 1989 | William J. Dousa, Jr. | Joppa-Magnolia VFC | Harford |
| 1988 | David C. Leftwich | Delta-Cardiff VFC | Harford |
| 1987 | Rhonda J. Thomas | Level VFC | Harford |
| 1986 | Diane May | Luke VFC | Allegany |
| 1985 | Ted F. Jackson | Church Hill | Queen Anne's |
| 1984 | Harry A. Pafel, Jr. | Fallston VF&AC | Harford |
| 1983 | Thomas Y. Miller | Level VFC | Harford |
| 1982 | Tony Sterling | Salisbury VFD #1 | Wicomico |
| 1981 | Joseph G. Burris | Church Hill | Queen Anne's |
| 1981 | Eugene L. Worthington, P.P. | Level VFC | Harford |
| 1980 | James J. Snyder | Laytonsville District VFD | Baltimore |
| 1979 | Richard A. Ayers | Community FC, Rising Sun | Cecil |
| 1978 | Herman E. Rhue | Hurlock VFC | Dorchester |