Fire Prevention

Michelle Bethanie Gallion, appropriately dressed in a fire-engine red satin gown, held her breath as Richard Brooks, the emcee for the night announced the 2004 Harford County Miss Fire Prevention at the Level Fire Company. When he called out her name, the 16-year-old John Carroll School junior beamed. Her mother, Sandi Gallion, president of the Ladies Auxiliary, let out a scream as she jumped to her feet, clapping. Gallion was crowned Harford's 21st Miss Fire Prevention on Nov. 15 in an evening that honored former winners and introduced a new scholarship for the Harford County victor.

Starting this year, the winner of the Harford County Miss Fire Prevention title will get more than just a crown, flowers and a sash - she'll also get a $2,000 college scholarship. "We wanted to make it [the contest] something the girls would be attracted to," said Walter Kerr, president of the Harford County Volunteer Fire and EMS Association. Previous winners have done a lot of public speaking but haven't always gotten a lot in return for their efforts, he said. Kerr said he got the idea after his daughter, Jennifer, won the title for 2001-2002.

Eugene Mellin, an assistant fire chief at Mount Airy Volunteer Fire Company, has been awarded the Silver Spring Trophy for fire prevention from the Maryland State Firemen's Association.The Silver Spring Trophy is the state association's highest individual fire prevention award."It's given to the person who does the most fire prevention in their community," Mellin said.As fire prevention coordinator for Mount Airy in 1995, Mellin started a Little Miss and Mister fire prevention contest for elementary school children, instituted year-round visits to neighborhoods and shopping centers, participated in the Christmas in April project and revived the Miss Mount Airy Fire Prevention queen contest.

Every summer, Carroll Countians crown their fire prevention queens. But this year, there's just one problem: a severe shortage of would-be queens.At the Sykesville Fire Department's contest this month, a total of two contestants vied for the title of Miss Fire Prevention. Nobody has entered Mount Airy's competition, set for today. And a similar lack of entrants has prompted the Gamber fire company to run newspaper ads -- "Girls Wanted for Miss Gamber" -- to drum up interest in its contest, scheduled for Aug. 6.Potential queens became hard to come by about five years ago. But in 1990 all 14 of Carroll's volunteer fire companies still held fire prevention queen contests, usually attracting six to eight entrants.

Carroll County firefighters and ladies auxiliary members won several awards at the 110th annual Maryland State Firemen's Association convention last month in Ocean City. Award winners included: John Means Sr. of the Pleasant Valley Community Volunteer Fire Company, who won the Marbery F. Gates Service Cup for more than 50 years of service to his company and county and state associations. C. Oscar Baker of Mount Airy Volunteer Fire Company, who was given the Gladhil-Thompson Trophy for outstanding contributions to the future welfare of the MSFA.

Ensuring that children aren't the only ones to receive fire prevention education is Angela Bowen's goal for the next year.That's why the Hampstead resident -- who recently won the Carroll County Fire Prevention Queen contest -- is offering to plan fire drills for county churches."

Carroll County firefighters, fire prevention queens and ladies' auxiliary members earned awards during the Maryland State Firemen's Association's annual convention June 15-19 in Ocean City. Two families, both from the Pleasant Valley Community Fire Company that have three or more generations in the fire service, were recognized. The families were: John Means Sr., John Means Jr., Donna Geiman, Lucas Geiman and Zack Means; and Scott Smith, Richard Smith, Robert Smith, Jason Smith and Kara Smith.

Suspect sought in robbery yesterday at Westminster bank Westminster police are looking for a man who robbed a local bank yesterday. Capt. Randy Barnes said a man walked into BB&T Bank in the 100 block of E. Main St. at 10:20 a.m. and gave a note to a teller demanding money. No weapon was displayed, Barnes said. Authorities said the teller gave the robber an undisclosed amount of money before he fled on foot. No one was injured, Barnes said. Barnes described the suspect as a black man about 40 years old, 5 feet, 6 inches tall and 170 pounds.

MARK YOUR calendar for the 71st annual Mount Airy Volunteer Firemen's Carnival to be held July 20-25 at the Mount Airy carnival grounds at Twin Arch Road and Route 27.Ricky Baker, past president of Mount Airy Fire Company, is the chairman of the carnival committee this year. Bill Lawton, first vice president of the fire company, is co-chairman.This is the largest fund-raising event of the year for the fire company and promises excitement for the whole family, with food, live entertainment, rides and games, including ride-all-night for one price from July 20-22, a $6,000 cash giveaway, the Mount Airy Junior Fire Company raffle, and the Firemen's Parade at 7 p.m. July 23.The fire company auxiliary will serve buffet dinners every evening from 5 p.m. in the air-conditioned activities building on the carnival grounds.

MOUNT AIRY Volunteer Fire Company is looking for a new Miss Mount Airy Fire Prevention Queen. The fire queen's duties include participating in parades and appearing at schools and community events to increase fire prevention awareness. The queen also represents Mount Airy in the annual Carroll County Fire Prevention Queen contest. Applicants must be between the ages of 16 and 21 (as of Sept. 30, 2000), childless, and live within the immediate response area of the Mount Airy Volunteer Fire Company.