On Saturday and Sunday, April 25 and 26, 2026, the Southern Maryland Volunteer Firemen’s Association (SMVFA) proudly held its 79th Annual Convention, including the election of officers, parade, and awards ceremony. This year’s event was hosted by the Solomons Volunteer Rescue Squad and Fire Department (SVRSFD), marking a special occasion as one of their own—a Past Fire Chief and Past President—was installed as President of the SMVFA.
The weekend brought together fire and EMS personnel, families, and community members from across the region to celebrate service, dedication, and excellence within the volunteer fire service.
2026–2027 SMVFA Officers
The following officers were elected to lead the Association in the upcoming year:
- President: John Pardoe – Solomons VRSFD
- 1st Vice President: Edward Godwin – Newburg VRSFD
- 2nd Vice President: Joseph “Charlie” Bradburn – Ridge VFD
- Secretary: Darby Byrd – Dentsville VRS
- Treasurer: Donald Gibson – Dunkirk VFD & RS
- Chaplain: George Kennett – Seventh District VRS
Fire Prevention Awards
Recognizing outstanding efforts in public education and fire prevention:
Class II
- 1st Place: Cobb Island
- 2nd Place: Benedict
Class III
- 1st Place: Newburg
- 2nd Place: Potomac Heights
- 3rd Place: Hughesville
Class IV
- 1st Place: Second District
- 2nd Place: Ridge
Class V
- 1st Place: Bay District
- 2nd Place: Mechanicsville
- 3rd Place: Leonardtown Rescue
- Overall Duke Award: Bay District
Individual & Special Recognition Awards
- Frank Cutrufo Award: Darius Hawkins – Ridge
- Gott Award: Kermit Tillett – Ridge
- Citizen Life Saving Award: Nikolas Weber
Unit Citation Awards
Prince Frederick
- Kaden Boggs
- Roger Reardon
- Cody Davenport
- Carter Canchola
- Mickey Delehantey
Solomons
- Thomas Yowell
- Freddy Holtzburger
- Devin Denton
- Austin Cooper
- Skylur Nero
- Paul Lacey
- Brian Platz
- Kytalin Johnson
- Jason Bretz
- Brian Bowen
Life Saving Awards
Second District
- Francis Bean
- Redtop Henderson
- Mike Stroud
- Andrew Jones
- Ben Windsor
- Joe Slade
- Paul McNeel
- Marvin Jones
- Darrick Henderson
Ridge
- Bradley Cooper
Parade Awards
The annual parade highlighted the pride and professionalism of participating departments, with awards presented across numerous categories:
Kids Awards
- Morgan King – Dentsville EMS, Fire & Auxiliary
- Cheyenne Collentis – Ridge VFD
- Kyleigh Weems – St. Leonard VFD
- Gage Weems – St. Leonard VFD
- Baylee Hill – Seventh District VFD
- Corinne Crisman – Hollywood VFD
- Jason Bean – Seventh District VFD
Firematic Competitions
- 5-Person Standing Hookup (2.5”): Seventh District VFD
- Firefighter Challenge: Prince Frederick VFD (Team 2)
- Bucket Brigade: St. Leonard VFD
- Tug of War: Prince Frederick VFD
- Battle of the Buckets: Seventh District VFD
- EMS Competition: Prince Frederick VFD
Judges Awards
- Leonardtown VFD (Antique Hose Cart)
- Smokey the Bear – Maryland Forest Service
- Maryland Forest Service Dozer #3
- Scott Seftou / Waldorf E31
- New Market VFD
- Centerville VFD
- Waynesboro VFD
Special Awards
- Company Traveling the Farthest Distance: Ridge VFD
- Company with the Most Uniformed Personnel: Indian Head VFD
- Best Appearing Commercial Unit: Scott Enterprises Construction LLC
- Best Appearing Mascot: Ember – Ridge VFD
- Best Appearing Junior Fire Chief: Jason Bean – Seventh District VFD
- 2nd Best Appearing Junior Fire Chief: Andrew Crisman – Hollywood VFD
- Best Appearing Auxiliary: Seventh District VFD
- Best Appearing Honor Guard: Leonardtown VFD
Ambassador & Prevention
- Best Appearing Little Fire Ambassador Queen: Kayleigh Jackson – Cobb Island VFD & EMS
- 2nd Place: Callie Copsey & Cassie Copsey – Seventh District VFD
- Best Appearing Fire Prevention Entry: Seventh District VFD
- 2nd Place: Ridge VFD
Apparatus Awards
- Best Antique (Out of Service): Engine 201 – Prince Frederick VFD
- Best Antique (In Service): Jeep 1 – Leonardtown VFD
- Best Rapid Responder: MSU-7 – Ridge VFD
- 2nd Place: MSU-7 – Potomac Heights VFD
- Best Ambulance: A149 – Newburg VRSFD
- 2nd Place: A18 – North Beach VFD
- Best Special Unit: MCU/Rehab 7 – St. Leonard VFD
- 2nd Place: MSU5 – Seventh District VFD
- Best Command Unit: Command 4 – Ridge VFD
- 2nd Place: Car 2 – Hughesville VFD
- Best ATV/UTV: BUTV2 – Hughesville VFD
- 2nd Place: UTV1 – North Beach VFD
- Best Brush Unit: B7 – St. Leonard VFD
- 2nd Place: E64 – Cobb Island VFD & EMS
- Best Rescue Engine: RE42 – Ridge VFD
- 2nd Place: S6 – Second District VFD & RS
- Best Pumper Tanker: ET2 – Hughesville VFD
- 2nd Place: E74 – Hollywood VFD
- Best Tanker: T2 – Hughesville VFD
- 2nd Place: T4 – Ridge VFD
- Best Squad: S2 – Prince Frederick VFD
- 2nd Place: SQ8 – Tenth District VFD
- Best Engine with Aerial Device: T2 – Prince Frederick VFD
- 2nd Place: T1 – Leonardtown VFD
- Best Engine (1250 GPM or More): E22 – Mechanicsville VFD
- 2nd Place: E12 – La Plata VFD
- Best Engine (1500 GPM or More): E72 – St. Leonard VFD
- 2nd Place: E71 – Hollywood VFD
- Best Fire/Rescue Boat: Boat 6 – Second District VFD & RS
- 2nd Place: Fire Boat 7 – Potomac Heights VFD
Company Awards
- Best Appearing Company (Out of Association, 2+ Pieces): Laurel Rescue
- Best Appearing Company (In Association, 3+ Pieces): Hollywood VFD
- 2nd Place: Seventh District VFD
- Best Overall Company (3+ Pieces): Ridge VFD
2026 Hall of Fame Inductees
As detailed in the official program:
Charles County
- Joe O’Neill – Benedict
- Thomas Dean – Hughesville
- Patty Therres – Hughesville
- Robert (Doug) Hutchins – La Plata
Calvert County
- Ron Nahas – Huntingtown
- Renee Crampton – Solomons
St. Mary’s County
- Eva Jones – ALS
- Matthew Ridgell – Ridge VFD
- Christy Ridgell – Ridge VRS
- Brian Evans – Ridge VRS
- Jennifer Huntington (Posthumously) – Seventh District
50 Years of Service Awards
Honoring five decades of dedicated service:
Charles County
- William “Bill” Henderson – Benedict VFD & RS
- Kathy Kilinski – Cobb Island VFD & EMS
- Beverly Jarboe – Hughesville VFD & EMS
- Tony W. Rose, Sr. – Hughesville VFD & EMS
- Theodore R. Davis – Ironsides RS
- John Durrer – Waldorf VFD
Calvert County
- Randy Smith – Dunkirk VFD
St. Mary’s County
- Francis Bean – Second District VFD & RS
- Samuel Ray Carter – Second District VFD & RS
- Catherine Koegel Caulder – Second District VFD & RS
- Charles L. Henderson, Sr. – Second District VFD & RS
- John “Speedy” Nelson – Seventh District VFD
The SMVFA Convention continues to serve as a meaningful tradition, honoring the commitment, bravery, and professionalism of volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel across Southern Maryland. Events like this not only recognize outstanding achievements but also strengthen the bond between departments and the communities they serve.
Residents are reminded to support their local volunteer fire and EMS departments and to ensure their homes are equipped with working smoke alarms and practiced escape plans. Never leave cooking unattended and test smoke alarms monthly to help keep your family safe.
