Fire Department

Emergency equipment responding to incidents for assistance need the right of way. The Laurel Volunteer Fire Department's fire technicians or drivers have been instructed by county fire department driving regulations to come to a complete stop at all red traffic lights and stop signs, but we still need everyone's help to ensure that we can get there both quickly and safely. It could mean the difference between life and death. When you see lights or hear sirens, we ask you to: Immediately yield the right of way. This can be done by calmly and carefully pulling to the right edge of the roadway.

An article in the March 16, 1912, edition of The Argus praised the power and speed of the fire department's new fire engine. Since the inauguration, several months ago, of automobile service in the Fire Department at Catonsville, the efficiency of the service in that suburb has been greatly increased and the big motor car has proved its superiority over the slower horse-drawn apparatus many times. The Catonsville Fire Department claims that their new automobile is the fastest in the State.

The promoter of last year's Starscape Festival says a new event he's marketing that targets a similar audience won't have the safety problems associated with last year's June concert. Promoter Evan Weinstein says he wants to disassociate the new Moonrise Festival from the issues of Starscape last year. City officials said Starscape, the long-running electronic dance event at Fort Armistead Park, could not return because of issues at last year's concert, including overcrowding and drug overdoses.

Former City Councilman Nicholas D'Adamo was recently hired by the city's Fire Department to revive a charitable foundation that benefits city firefighters who are injured or who die, raising concerns about creating a paid position during a time when some fire company are being forced to close. As special assistant to the fire chief, D'Adamo will work on building up the Baltimore City Fire Foundation, a nonprofit that provides emergency financial assistance to firefighters who are injured or to their families, after a death on or off the job, said Chief James S. Clack.

The Anne Arundel County Fire Department and its staff have been recognized with a series of awards for their efforts. Awards include the Shock Trauma Hero Award from the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center, the Seal of Excellence from the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, the Unsung Hero Award from The 100 Club, the Optimist Club of Annapolis Respect for Law Award, and other individual awards. Recognition came from both national and local sources.

The International Association of Fire Chiefs has awarded the Life Safety Achievement Award to the Annapolis Fire Department for its work in promoting fire safety.The department has sponsored several fire safety programs in the past year, including fire station open houses, public safety announcements and a fire expo.Striders to mark anniversary with runThe Annapolis Striders will celebrate its 17th anniversary with a 15-kilometer run at 10 a.m. Sunday at Quiet Waters Park.Race-day registration is from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. in the Blue Heron room.

Anne Arundel County Fire Department will welcome Olympic torch runners to Marley Station today with a hook-and-ladder arch over the southbound lanes of Ritchie Highway.One truck is to be parked on the side of the road by the north entrance to the mall and the other on a median strip, their ladders extending across the highway, said David Casper, mall marketing director.Coca-Cola, one of the sponsors of the relay, is to set up a celebration site on the mall parking lot with music and promotional giveaways, he said.

Shaken by a widely publicized sex scandal, the Annapolis Fire Department is now facing complaints of harassment brought by two black firefighters.The firefighters told Alderman Samuel Gilmer, D-Ward 3, of alleged racial slurs and other incidents they believe indicate a pattern of harassment."

The Sykesville-Freedom District Fire Department recently installed its officers for 2005 and presented membership awards at its 71st annual banquet. Administrative officers are: Robert P. Althoff Jr., president; Joseph McCauley, vice president; Donna Althoff, secretary; Dennis Beard, treasurer. Board of directors members are Mary Bitzel, James Freeze, Dave Hoff, Matt Lynch and Les Paull. Fire suppression officers are: Ed Ruch Sr., chief; Ed Ruch Jr., deputy chief; Dave Barnes, captain; Brian Ruch, Kevin Shiloh, Corey Newton and Robbie Ruch, fire lieutenants; Christine Flanagan, fire prevention lieutenant; Gary McGinnis and Tom Nickoles, safety officers; and Ryan Dyson, fire sergeant.