Assistant Chief

The Baltimore Fire Department plans to promote eight of its members today, bolstering the minority representation at the top of the command chain.Shift Commander Carl E. McDonald will become assistant chief of support services, making him the only black among four assistant chiefs under Fire Chief Herman Williams Jr., who is black.With the promotions, the department has re-created the position McDonald has taken after eliminating it a year ago.The lack of minority representation in the Fire Department, particularly in the upper ranks, has been an acknowledged problem for years.

With lights flashing and sirens blipping, a steady stream of Bel Air Police Department cruisers and unmarked vehicles drove in a procession down Main Street early Monday afternoon, paying tribute to the department's late deputy chief, Armand Dupre. A 33-year-veteran of the town police department, Mr. Dupre died at his White Hall home on July 26 after battling cancer for a little more than a year. He was remembered by former colleagues as a dedicated, true blue police officer.

From this day forward, Assistant Chief Gary Frederick's only use for a hose may likely entail watering his front lawn. For Frederick, 59, today is the first day of his retirement from the Baltimore City Fire Department after 37 years of service. "This is really the only job I've ever had," says Frederick, who lives in the Lauraville community. He joined the Fire Department in 1963, as soon as he met its age requirement of 21. Battalion Chief Hector Torres, a Fire Department spokesman, said that as a youth, Frederick was known as a "house cat," who hung around the stationhouse and ran errands for firefighters.

Baltimore Fire Chief James S. Clack announced yesterday that two veteran firefighters - one from inside the department and the other with nearly three decades of experience in Miami - will be his top deputies. Donald W. Heinbuch, a 38-year city Fire Department veteran who was born and raised in East Baltimore, will be the deputy chief of operations. Joseph T. Pryor, a 29-year veteran of the Miami-Dade County Fire Rescue Department, will be his deputy chief for planning and administration.

After 30 years of service, Baltimore City Fire Department Assistant Chief Raymond Lehr stepped down yesterday to pursue other interests. Lehr, 48, officially retires in June, but with accrued vacation time, was able to leave early. He plans to begin work Monday for Virginia-based TRW, developing communications systems for such locales as the United Kingdom and Austin, Texas. As assistant chief in charge of planning and technical services, Lehr had helped design the department's 800-megahertz radio system, through which he coordinated helicopter landings during last February's Charles Tower fire in downtown Baltimore.

Manchester Fire Company installs officers The Manchester Volunteer Fire Company recently installed new officers at its annual banquet. Administrative officers for the year are: Steve Miller, president; Robert Wheeler, first vice president; Dave Marshall, second vice president; Anna Rae Marshall, recording secretary; Malcolm Helwig, financial secretary; Ralph Dull, treasurer. The board of directors are: Chris Horrigan, Clyde Kreitzer, Bill Black Sr., Brian Graf and Jamie Horrigan. County Firemen's Association representatives are Gary Eppley and Ralph Dull.

The Manchester Fire Engine and Hook & Ladder Company installed new officers recently at its annual banquet.Administrative officers for 1999 are: Gary L. Eppley, president; Robert Wheeler, 1st vice president; Steve Miller, 2nd vice president; Anna Rae Marshall, secretary, and Elwin Wagner, assistant; Ralph Dull, treasurer, and Harvey Nott, assistant; Richard Dell, financial secretary, and Malcolm Helwig, assistant financial secretary.The directors are: Chris Horrigan, Clyde Kreitzer, Mike Moxley, Brian Graf, Jamie Horrigan.

The Annapolis city council approved a resolution last night that will allow the new police chief to proceed with a reorganization of the department despite concerns that the changes would mean two fewer patrol officers.The reorganization would create two majors' positions and eliminate the position of assistant chief. Two patrol positions that are currently vacant would also be eliminated.Assistant Chief Joseph S. Johnson announced the reorganization plan almost three weeks ago -- a few days after he was named acting chief of the 123-member department.

Three Carroll County volunteer fire departments have announced this year's officers and awards for last year. Westminster Fire Engine and Hose Company recently held its 125th annual installation and awards banquet. The Eugene F. Muse Memorial Firefighter of the Year Award went to Charles Dorm. Top fire responders for last year were: Peter Johnson, Robert Cumberland Jr., Andrew Finkner, Jeff Alexander, Kevin Utz, Joey Falise, Douglas Spencer, Patrick Bonsall, Jason Pinner and James Falise Jr. Top ambulance responders for last year were: Susanne Robinette, Joey Falise, Andrew Finkner, James Falise Jr., Jason Pinner, Peter Johnson, Bradley Utz, Gilbert Roper, Timothy Crewes and Melanie Cheche.

Baltimore Fire Chief William J. Goodwin Jr. named as his top deputies yesterday two veteran city firefighters who joined the department the same day and worked together recently in the city's busiest firehouses. The promotions mark the first moves made by Goodwin to reshape the department since his appointment by Mayor Martin O'Malley last month. A confirmation hearing on Goodwin's appointment is scheduled today before the City Council. The new deputies - 29-year veterans - are Battalion Chiefs Antonio R. Thomas and Michael A. Moritz, both acting assistant chiefs since late last month.

Three Carroll County volunteer fire departments have announced this year's officers and awards for last year. Westminster Fire Engine and Hose Company recently held its 125th annual installation and awards banquet. The Eugene F. Muse Memorial Firefighter of the Year Award went to Charles Dorm. Top fire responders for last year were: Peter Johnson, Robert Cumberland Jr., Andrew Finkner, Jeff Alexander, Kevin Utz, Joey Falise, Douglas Spencer, Patrick Bonsall, Jason Pinner and James Falise Jr. Top ambulance responders for last year were: Susanne Robinette, Joey Falise, Andrew Finkner, James Falise Jr., Jason Pinner, Peter Johnson, Bradley Utz, Gilbert Roper, Timothy Crewes and Melanie Cheche.

Baltimore Fire Chief William J. Goodwin Jr. named as his top deputies yesterday two veteran city firefighters who joined the department the same day and worked together recently in the city's busiest firehouses. The promotions mark the first moves made by Goodwin to reshape the department since his appointment by Mayor Martin O'Malley last month. A confirmation hearing on Goodwin's appointment is scheduled today before the City Council. The new deputies - 29-year veterans - are Battalion Chiefs Antonio R. Thomas and Michael A. Moritz, both acting assistant chiefs since late last month.

Mayor Martin O'Malley said yesterday that he is close to naming a fire chief to replace Carl E. McDonald, a 36-year veteran who is retiring today after a year as acting chief. "The search is going fine. We'll have a permanent chief soon," O'Malley said, even as union officials were criticizing the yearlong search to replace Herman Williams Jr., who retired in February last year after running the Fire Department for nine years. O'Malley, who has conducted two nationwide searches and interviewed people inside and outside the department, said he is taking time to "find the right person for the job."

Carroll County's assistant superintendent of administration, Vernon F. Smith Jr., will retire this summer after 30 years as a teacher and administrator in county schools. As director of school support services and then an assistant superintendent, Smith saw the school system through its most aggressive and productive construction era, building 11 schools in 14 years. But the building campaign also brought contention, as a Carroll County grand jury and a team of attorneys and former FBI agents hired by the school board investigated botched construction projects and alleged mismanagement in the school system.

From this day forward, Assistant Chief Gary Frederick's only use for a hose may likely entail watering his front lawn. For Frederick, 59, today is the first day of his retirement from the Baltimore City Fire Department after 37 years of service. "This is really the only job I've ever had," says Frederick, who lives in the Lauraville community. He joined the Fire Department in 1963, as soon as he met its age requirement of 21. Battalion Chief Hector Torres, a Fire Department spokesman, said that as a youth, Frederick was known as a "house cat," who hung around the stationhouse and ran errands for firefighters.

Manchester Fire Company installs officers The Manchester Volunteer Fire Company recently installed new officers at its annual banquet. Administrative officers for the year are: Steve Miller, president; Robert Wheeler, first vice president; Dave Marshall, second vice president; Anna Rae Marshall, recording secretary; Malcolm Helwig, financial secretary; Ralph Dull, treasurer. The board of directors are: Chris Horrigan, Clyde Kreitzer, Bill Black Sr., Brian Graf and Jamie Horrigan. County Firemen's Association representatives are Gary Eppley and Ralph Dull.

After 30 years of service, Baltimore City Fire Department Assistant Chief Raymond Lehr stepped down yesterday to pursue other interests. Lehr, 48, officially retires in June, but with accrued vacation time, was able to leave early. He plans to begin work Monday for Virginia-based TRW, developing communications systems for such locales as the United Kingdom and Austin, Texas. As assistant chief in charge of planning and technical services, Lehr had helped design the department's 800-megahertz radio system, through which he coordinated helicopter landings during last February's Charles Tower fire in downtown Baltimore.

The Manchester Fire Engine and Hook & Ladder Company installed new officers recently at its annual banquet.Administrative officers for 1999 are: Gary L. Eppley, president; Robert Wheeler, 1st vice president; Steve Miller, 2nd vice president; Anna Rae Marshall, secretary, and Elwin Wagner, assistant; Ralph Dull, treasurer, and Harvey Nott, assistant; Richard Dell, financial secretary, and Malcolm Helwig, assistant financial secretary.The directors are: Chris Horrigan, Clyde Kreitzer, Mike Moxley, Brian Graf, Jamie Horrigan.