On January 26, 2019 the 71st Annual Installation of Officers Banquet was held at the Ridge Volunteer Fire Department Fire Hall. To start off the evening, the administrative, operational and auxiliary officers were sworn in by SMVFA Representatives.
2019 Administrative Officers: President – Charlie Bradburn Vice President – Ron Hafner Secretary – Lori Raley Assistant Secretary – Eddie Raley Treasurer – Johnny Wathen Fire Chief – Ray Mercure Board of Directors- Ray Mercure Charlie Bradburn Robbie Wood Francis Raley Dickie Wood Ron Hafner Johnny Wathen Lori Raley Bruce Raley Rob Dodge Matt Ridgell 2019 Line Officers: Fire Chief – Ray Mercure Assistant Chief – Eddie Raley Deputy Chief – Darius Hawkins Captain – Danny Gatton Captain – Charlie Langley Lieutenant – Chris Bender Lieutenant - Jordan Andrews Lieutenant – Robert Simmons Lieutenant - Joe W Raley Safety Officer – Phil Cooper Safety Officer – Francis Raley Safety Officer - Tom Trossbach Chief Engineer – Peanut Gatton Engineer – Bradley Cooper Engineer – John Morrison Engineer – Heavy Ridgell Engineer – Ron Hafner Engineer – Tony Ridgell Engineer – Robbie Wood Engineer - John Keister Engineer - Brian Cooper 2019 Auxiliary Officers President – Dawn Gatton Vice President – Debbie Fairfax Recording Secretary – Darlene Wood Corresponding Secretary - Lisa Gibbs Treasurer – Margie Cooper
After the swearing in, dinner prepared by Rita B's Catering was served. Following dinner, Past President, Joe Raley led us into a memorial ceremony to honor the deceased members of the department. The 2018 deceased members Jerry Norris and Craig Foote were added to the memorial located in front of our station. Family members were escorted to place flowers in remembrance. The awards program followed, under the helm of Master of Ceremonies, Former St. Mary's County Commissioner Dan Raley.
Congratulations to the following 2018 award recipients: President's Award – Ridge Volunteer Fire Department Auxilary Chief's Award – Leigh Langford Fireman of the year – Chris Bender Rookie of the year – Chris Bender Chief Engineer's Award – Bradley Cooper and Brian Cooper Joe Titus Fire Prevention Award – Danny Reppell Auxiliary Member of the year – Laura Cook Auxiliary Outstanding Service Award - Tyler Gatton Auxiliary President Dawn Gatton presented the department with a check totaling $55,000 to be used for renovations to the fire prevention trailer, decontamination kits, PAT tag and ID machine and replacement of MSU-4. 2018 Top 10 Emergency Responders: 1. Kevin Lorence 219 calls 2. Keith Raley 172 Calls 3. Ron Hafner 171 Calls 4. Chris Bender 161 Calls 5. Danny Gatton 156 Calls 6. George Gatton 146 Calls 7. Francis Raley 141 Calls 8. Jannet Keister 133 Calls 9. Heavy Ridgell 128 Calls 10. John Morrison 127 Calls
Length of Service Awards: 5 Years – Lori Raley 15 Years - Josh Wise, Matt Ridgell, Scot Best, George Franklin, Joe W. Raley, and John Ridgell 20 Years - Tim Ridgell and Charlie Bradburn 25 Years (Life Member) - Brian Cooper and Steve Gatton 30 Years - Johnny Wathen 55 Years - Phil Cooper, Dickie Wood and Joe Raley
Auxiliary Years of Service: 10 Years - Lauren Fairfax 20 Years - Renee Russell 30 Years - Kay Carter and Margie Cooper 35 Years -Mary Raley
Carnival Chairman Mike Ridgell presented several years of service awards to citizens of the community for their years of commitment to the Ridge Carnival. A dance followed with music by DJ Wesley "Wild Wes" Briscoe.
The Officers and members of the Ridge VFD also would like to thank the members of Bay District VFD and NDWFD Webster Field for covering our area during the installation.
Also, a special thanks to Mary Franklin for the pictures. |