Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist

Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist
Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Md Troopers Assoc #20 & Westminster Md Fire Dept Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist
Showing posts with label Westminster Fire Dept qv Fire CC Depts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Westminster Fire Dept qv Fire CC Depts. Show all posts

Friday, July 04, 2008

20080703 Westminster Fire Department Engine 32 on Main Street

Westminster Fire Department Engine 32 on Main Street in Westminster

July 3rd, 2008 Kevin Dayhoff

Engine 32 of the Westminster Volunteer Fire Department in Westminster, MD is seen here returning from a call at the crosswalk on Main Street in front of the Westminster branch of the Carroll County Public Library and Locust Street park.

Thursday, June 05, 2008

20080522 Westminster Volunteer Fire Department Big Money Raffle Results

Westminster Volunteer Fire Department Press Release

Thursday, May 22, 2008 Westminster Volunteer Fire Department Big Money Raffle results

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release:

The Officers and members of the Westminster Fire Engine and Hose Company No.1 wish to thank all of the community members who either donated items or purchased our raffle tickets for the Annual Raffle drawing held on Thursday, May 22nd at 9:00 PM. The winners are:

1st Drawing $15,000. Pamela Snyder Westminster

2nd Drawing $ 2500. Westminster Fire Police Westminster

3rd Drawing $ 1,500. Carlton Trite Westminster

4th Drawing $ 1000. Ann Marshall Manchester

5th Drawing $ 500. Forest Howell Westminster

6th Drawing $ 250. Doug Honig Westminster

7th Drawing $ 100. Karen Hersh Westminster

8th Drawing $ 100. Catherine Ebaugh Westminster

The tickets were drawn by 11 year old Alexis Croft.

The fund raising events for the month of July will be the annual Crab Feed held on Saturday, July 19, 2008, from 6 PM to midnight. Tickets for the Crab Feed are $30.00 each, (advance sales) and $35.00 each at the door. For information or tickets, please call 410-848-1800 or 410-259-5143.

Daniel Plunkert,

President & CEO

20080522 Westminster Volunteer Fire Department Big Money Raffle Results


Saturday, February 09, 2008

20080209 Westminster Fire Department Battles Dwelling Fire With 1 Civilian Trapped

Westminster Fire Department Battles Dwelling Fire With 1 Civilian Trapped

From our Frontpage, Josh Evans Author:

Westminster Battles Dwelling Fire With 1 Civilian Trapped

February 09, 2008-On the early morning of February 9, 2008 at 4:15 a.m., the Westminster Fire Department was alerted for an apartment fire at 352 Colonial Ave with possibly 1 civilian trapped. Upon arrival, Firefighters found a 2 story duplex with heavy smoke showing. As the crew from Engine 32 began to setup their attack line, members of the crew could hear the victim screaming inside. The crew quickly went to work and encountered heavy fire and smoke conditions in the basement of the dwelling. The pipeman of 32's crew found the victim lying next to a dryer in the basement, unconscious. Reese's engine crew quicky came to assist with removing the victim and quickly transferred him over to the medic crew that was standing by. Tower 3's crew quickly laddered the building and Truck 2's crew performed vertical ventilation by cutting a hole in the roof. As more units arrived from Pleasent Valley and New Windsor, they extended more hoselines into the building, knocking fire on the first and second floors.

Approximately 30 minutes into the incident a second alarm was requested by the Incident Commander. After about 1 hour, the fire was deemed under control. The fire was contained to the intial dwelling with smoke and water damage to the adjoining structure. The Red Cross also responded out to assist the 2 families who were displaced. At this time it is estimated that approximately 150,000 dollars in damage was done.

2 Civilians were treated at scene. One was transported for unknown injuries to Carroll Hospital Center and the gentleman who was rescued from the basement apartment was flown to the Burn Center at Bayview Hospital in Baltimore, Md. The patient was in critical condition but did regain consciousness before being loaded into the helicopter. Also one Westminster Firefighter did suffer minor burns to his wrist.

The Westminster Fire Department would like to thank all companies who assisted on the fire. They were Reese, Pleasent Valley, New Windsor, Union Bridge, Hampstead, Manchester, Gamber, Lineboro, Sykesville, Taneytown, and Winfield. We would also like to thank Lineboro and Sykesville for filling in our station. We apologize if we missed any stations.

We would also like to recognize the Westminster crews for their valiant effort on the 2 alarm fire. Engine 32's crew was Engineer Kevin Shiloh, Firefighter/Officer Bryan Van Fossen, Firefighter Todd Whitson, Firefighter Brendan Stevens, and Firefighter Ryan Groft. Tower 3's crew was Engineer Mike Glass, Lieutenant Kevin Utz (Incident Commander), and Firefighter Jeff Ausherman. Chief Jeff Alexander and PIO's Bob Cumberland and Robin Stansbury were also on scene. Also, a great job done by Paramedics Sarah Webster, Patricia Neal, Scott Clendaniel, and EMT Megan Riecke.

A JOB WELL DONE BY ALL!

Monday, December 10, 2007

30071210 Westminster Fire Department Santa Claus Detail




Westminster Fire Department Santa Claus Detail

December 10 thru December 13

18:30 til 20:30

During the week of December 10-13, Santa will be visiting the Westminster communities on our Fire Trucks. Click here (requires adobe acrobat reader) for the routes that will be traveled on any given evening from 6:30-8:30 PM.

Location Schedule

Monday, December 10, 2007

Greens of Westminster Westminster City (in town area)

Avondale Run Snowdens Manor

Furnace Hills Blue Ridge View

Stone Ridge Overlook Middlebrook

Whispering Farms

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Cliveden Reach Diamond Hills

Meadow Creek (across from Safeway) Willow Wind Gardens

Autumn Ridge Winchester Park

Brunetto Acres Friendship Overlook

Eden Farms Washington Court

Mary Dell

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Foxcroft Fairfield

Kalten Acres Calvins

New Mexico Development Poole Meadows

Carroll Heights

Windmere Acres

Tuesday, October 02, 2007

Thursday, July 05, 2007

20070703 Westminster firefighter has served for 30 years

News Briefs 07/03/07 Email this story to a friend

Mike Glass, a career engineer Westminster firefighter has served for 30 years

Members of the Westminster Fire Department last week took a moment to honor one of their own, Mike Glass, a career engineer who is celebrating 30 years of service.

As firefighters gathered around over sandwiches and ice cream cake, Westminster Fire Department Chief Jeff Alexander presented Glass with a plaque.

Chief Alexander noted that in 30 years Glass has seen "many changes, but through it all we could always count on Mike to be there."

Glass remarked that "it had been a pleasure" to serve all those years as he immediately fielded questions as to whether or not he would put in another 30 years.

At that point, members of the department could not help but mistake the otherwise serious ceremony for a roast.

Glass took some good-natured ribbing as stories of his three decades began to unfold. Glass, who was accompanied by his wife, Nancy, seemed to be able to give and good as he got.

One member was overheard to say, "Thirty years, wow, that's a long time. How did ya do it?"

"It wasn't easy. It wasn't easy," said Glass. "Now let's get back to work."

-- Kevin E. Dayhoff

Friday, June 22, 2007

20070622 Crab Feed and Bull Roast July 14 Westminster Fire Dept


20070622 Crab Feed and Bull Roast July 14 Westminster Fire Dept

Food – my favorite subject: Crab Feed and Bull Roast

Sponsored by the Westminster Fire Dept.

Saturday, July 14, 2007

7:00 pm until 12:00 AM at the Westminster Fire Dept.

Music by DJ Gary

Tickets - $35.00 a person

Catered by Atlantic Caterers

Menu
Steamed Crabs, Choice Pit Beef, Turkey Breast, Country Smoked Ham, Fried Chicken, BBQ Pork Ribbies, Hot Dogs, Baked Beans, Corn on the cob, Macaroni & Cheese, String Beans, Fresh Fruit Bowl, Cheese & Crackers, Fresh Veggies & Dips, Pickled Beets, Potato Salad, Tossed Salad/Dressings, Cake, Coffee, Iced Tea, Bread, Rolls & condiments, Beer and soda.

Food Served from 7-11

For tickets call - 410-848-1800, 410-596-6482 or 410-848-4268.

####

Thursday, May 31, 2007

20070601 Westminster Fire Department Bingo Announcement


Bingo at the Westminster Fire Department

When: June 1st, 2007

Where: Westminster Fire Hall

John Street Quarters

28 John Street

Time: 7:00 PM (Doors open at 5:30 PM)

Kitchen will open at 6:00 PM.

Jackpot: $ 500.00

Website: www.westminstervfd.org

Phone: 410-848-1800

Refreshments Available

Wednesday, May 02, 2007

20070430 Fire destroys barn on historic Whittaker Chambers farm










Fire destroys barn on historic Whittaker Chambers “Pumpkin Papers” farm

Monday evening, April 30, 2007 approximately 35 fire fighters from Carroll County, Maryland and Adams County, Pennsylvania responded to a fire which destroyed a barn that was over 150 years-old on the Whittaker Chambers’ “Pipe Creek Farm” (the old Thomas Farm) just north of Westminster, Maryland.

April 30th, 2007 Kevin Dayhoff http://www.kevindayhoff.net/

References:

My Tentacle column for Wednesday, May 1st, 2007 is on the “The Legacy of Whittaker Chambers:”

On Monday evening, a tragic fire destroyed a circa-1850 barn on the historic Whittaker Chambers "Pumpkin Patch" farm just north or Westminster in Carroll County.

Interestingly enough, most of those attending the fire were not aware of the significance of the farm, which made history in 1948.

More than 45 years after his death on July 9, 1961, Whittaker Chambers continues to have a profound impact on the conservative movement in the United States.

Mr. Chambers was an accomplished writer and editor, who had been a member of the Communist Party of the United States from 1925 to 1937. He renounced communism in 1937.

After he defected from the Communist Party and abandoned his role as a Soviet spy, he became a courageous and vocal critic of communism and acquired lasting fame for outing Alger Hiss "as a fellow member of his underground Communist cell in the 1930s," according to Dr. Lee Edwards.

Dr. Edwards, writing for the Heritage Foundation in April 2001, called Mr. Hiss "a golden boy of the liberal establishment."

[…]

The site of the “Pumpkin Papers” has, over the years, come to be considered a national treasure by conservatives as many consider Whittaker Chambers to be a true American patriot of the first order.

[…]

In recent months, the “Union Mills Reservoir” project, first suggested by the City of Westminster in the mid-1970s has been revived by the Carroll County Commissioners. Unfounded concerns immediately surfaced that the much-needed water project has threatened the site of the “Pumpkin Papers,” and the Chambers’ “Pipe Creek Farm,” that was granted “national landmark status” in 1988 by Interior Secretary Donald P. Hodel.

Fortunately, I have been led to a clear understanding that the Carroll County Commissioners share the view of many that everything possible needs to be done to preserve the “Pumpkin Papers” site yet nevertheless, take care of the commissioners’ basic “health, safety, and welfare” responsibilities to greater Carroll County.

Read the rest of my Tentacle column here: “The Legacy of Whittaker Chambers.”

Penny Riordan, writing for the Carroll County Times also wrote about the fire:

Fire causes damage at historic farm A late afternoon fire burned a barn to the ground and severely damaged a shed at the historic Chambers Farm off Bachmans Valley Road in Westminster Monday. The farm, which is listed as a National Historic Landmark, was where former owner Whittaker Ch…

For other posts on Soundtrack about Whittaker Chambers please click: Chambers – Whittaker Chambers and the “Pumpkin Papers”

_____

Monday evening, April 30, 2007 approximately 35 fire fighters from Carroll County, Maryland and Adams County, Pennsylvania responded to a fire which destroyed a barn that was over 150 years-old on the Whittaker Chambers’ “Pipe Creek Farm” (the old Thomas Farm) just north of Westminster, Maryland.

The call for the fire went out at 4:40 pm and the fire was declared under control by 5:45 pm. (I arrived with the canteen crew at 6:15 and took these pictures of the scene after the fire had been gotten under control.

As I wrote in my Tentacle column which came out this morning, “The Legacy of Whittaker Chambers:” Interesting enough, most folks attending the fire were not aware of the history or the significance of the farm, which made history in 1948.

It was Whittaker Chambers (April 1, 1901 – July 9, 1961) who was called to testify on August 3rd, 1948 in front of the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC.) Mr. Chambers had been a member of the Communist Party of the United States from 1925 to 1937. He renounced communism in 1937.

In several sessions in front of HUAC, he identified Alger Hiss, “a golden boy of the liberal establishment, as a fellow member of his underground Communist cell in the 1930s,” but offered little in the way of corroborating evidence.

Subsequently, Mr. Hiss, who denied he was a communist spy, sued Mr. Chambers for libel on October 8th, 1948. Under pressure to provide materials to support his claims, and in response to a subpoena from HUAC, it was in December 1948 that Mr. Chambers retrieved various materials he had secreted in a hollowed-out pumpkin on his Carroll County farm. The press immediately named them the “Pumpkin Papers.”

Although it was not confirmed, the destroyed barn is believed to be adjacent to the December 1948 pumpkin patch. And a nearby building also heavily damaged, is hypothecated to be the “steer building” where Mr. Chambers and HUAC member Richard Nixon, once met to review the pumpkin patch materials.

______

When I turned in my copy for the Tentacle column, I had to cut it for word limit.

Pasted-in here are a few outtakes, juxtaposed in context:

[…]

Over 45 years after his death on July 9, 1961, Whittaker Chambers continues to have a profound impact upon the conservative movement in the United States.

William F. Buckley Jr., who later became steadfast friends with Whittaker Chambers, called him “the most important American defector from Communism.”

Mr. Chambers was an accomplished writer and editor who had been a member of the Communist Party of the United States from 1925 to 1937. He renounced communism in 1937.

[…]

After he graduated from high school in 1919 he enrolled in Columbia University, where his classmates came to consider him to possess a first rate mind and a gifted writer.

His classmates included the celebrated “Objectivist” poet, Louis Zukofsky; art historian Meyer Schapiro; and author and literary critic, Lionel Trilling, whose 1947 novel about an affluent communist family, “The Middle of the Journey,” is said to have been based on a main character fashioned after Mr. Chambers.

In her 2002 book, “Red Spy Queen: A Biography of Elizabeth Bentley,” historian Kathryn Olmsted referred to Mr. Chambers as being “brilliant, disturbed, idealistic, - and dysfunctional.”

In his first brush with public controversy, he abruptly left Columbia after he wrote “A Play for Puppets” in October 1922, under the pseudonym, “John Kelly,” for “The Morningside,” a college magazine which had been brought back to life by John Erskine in 1920.

The New York press excoriated him as an “enfants terribles,” for being, what was considered at the time, sacrilegious, profane, and blasphemous. (Read today, it would be considered “mildly ribald,” according to July 2006 essay by Tim Woods, “Zukofsky at Columbia” in “Jacket Magazine.”)

It is suggested that Mr. Chambers left Columbia in January 1923 in anticipation of being expelled for his writings in “The Morningside,” a college magazine, which the New York press excoriated as sacrilegious, profane, and blasphemous.

_____

This is the Westminster Fire Department Public Information Officer Report:

At 16:39 (4:39 PM) Carroll County firefighters from Westminster, Pleasant Valley and Reese were dispatched for a barn fire on Saw Mill Road near Bachman’s Valley Road. The first units on the scene found a 40 x 60 barn well involved with smoke visible for several miles. Chief 3-1 arrived on the scene first and assumed command. He immediately requested a tanker task force for water supply. There were exposure problems and access was limited to certain areas around the fire. Water supply was established from a pond on Bachman’s Valley road.

Subsequent units responding in addition to those on the initial alarm were from Taneytown, Manchester, New Windsor, and Littlestown in Adams County, Pennsylvania. There were approximately 35 firefighters from the above department.

The fire was placed under control at 17:45 (5:45 PM) and the tanker task force was released at 18:45. Units stayed on the scene until 20:00 (8 PM) for overhaul.

The barn was over 100 years old and was on the farm known as the Whitaker Chambers Farm. Cause and determination of the fire is under investigation by Maryland State Fire Marshall.

April 30th, 2007 Kevin Dayhoff http://www.kevindayhoff.net/


Thursday, June 29, 2006

20060628 KDDC Two alarm fire at Westminster auto dealership










Pictures (c) Kevin Dayhoff and Westminster Fire Department

Two alarm fire at Westminster auto dealership

Wednesday evening, June 28th, 2006

Len Stoler Auto Dealership, 343 Baltimore Boulevard (corner of Center Street and Rte. 140) (Box 0301) in Westminster.

For additional information contact:

Incident Commander: Westminster Fire Department Lieutenant

Bill Brehm; or Public Information Officer: Westminster Firefighter Kevin Utz at the Westminster Fire Department

_________________

Westminster, MD - Over 70 firefighters and public safety personnel responded Wednesday evening to a two alarm fire at the Len Stoler automobile dealership at 343 Baltimore Boulevard in Westminster.

According to Westminster Fire Department (WFD) public information officer (PIO),) Kevin Utz, the first call went out at 8:51 PM. Within a minute of Westminster Fire Department engine 32 arriving on the scene at 8:56 PM, Westminster Fire Department Lieutenant Bill Brehm, the incident commander, called in a second alarm.

Among the seventy public safety personnel who responded, twenty-five firefighters from Westminster responded to what was initially dispatched as a truck fire in the building. When firefighters arrived, they found a working vehicle fire in the auto dealership’s shop in a rear building.

Several teams of firefighters were necessary to fight the fire from the inside of the building, the back of the building, from the roof and the showroom approach. One team was assigned to maintain water supply. Additionally, safety, EMS and rehabilitation personnel were required.

Except for a minor case of heat exhaustion and a few scrapes, no firefighters were seriously injured. One person was treated on the scene for unknown injuries, immediately upon the arrival of the first responders to the incident. It was not known as to whether the person injured on the scene, was an employee of auto dealership.

As the evening wore on, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, police officers from thirteen agencies responded. Seven fire companies, including Westminster - Engines 32 and 33, Tower 3, Utility 3, Special Unity 3, Medic Units 39 and 37, and Brush 35; Pleasant Valley – Engines 61 and 63, Squad 6; Reese – Engines 91, 92 and 95, Medic 99, and Rescue 9, New Windsor – Engine 102 and Rescue Engine 101, Lineboro Air Unit 7; Mount Airy Duty 1 (Incident Safety Officer,) and Hampstead Truck 2; all sent a total of twenty-one fire fighting apparatuses to the fire.

Also responding was Maryland State Police, Carroll County Sheriff’s Deputies and Westminster Police Department officers. Traffic at on Center Street was closed off until midnight, although traffic on Rte. 140 was not affected.

The WFD “Canteen Unit” provided bottled water and Gatorade to help relieve firefighters throughout the warm and humid evening.

Baltimore Gas and Electric, the Maryland Department of the Environment Hazmat Response Team and the Maryland State Fire Marshall’s Office also were on location.

According WFD Lt. Brehm, “the incident is under investigation by the Maryland State Fire Marshall’s office.” The fire was under control within twenty minutes, said, Lt. Brehm. However, firefighters remained on the scene until midnight looking for extensions of the fire, smoke removal, safety review and clean-up – or what Lt. Brehm referred to as “extensive overhaul.”

About seventy-five bystanders gathered on the parking lot of the Seven-Eleven as the evening progressed.

Neither WFD Lt. Brehm or PIO Utz were able to place a figure on the amount of the property damage.

Soon after the fire erupted, employees and officials from the Len Stoler organization convened on the scene. Barry Stoler, vice-president of Len Stoler, was quick to praise the Carroll County firefighters who fought the blaze. “The fact is, that the fire departments were so attentive and responsive,” is why the fire was not worse than it was, remarked Mr. Stoler. “It is an old building... built in 1959. They saved the building. Their efforts made the difference.”

Mr. Stoler said that there was “no way to calculate the amount of the damage at this point in time,” as he was interviewed towards the end of the evening.

The Len Stoler organization purchased the dealership in 1997 said Dave Leibowitz, the Chief Financial Officer for the company. Operations manager Denver Huffman said that the dealership employs 65 at the Westminster auto facility.

Mr. Stoler remarked that (as a result of the quick actions by the firefighters) he “expected a minimum disruption to our operation” and “we’ll be open at 7 AM the next morning. Clean up crews and estimators will be on the site at 5 AM,” to get the business re-opened.

Mr. Stoler was also quick to praise his Carroll County employees as even he was “impressed by the number of employees from this dealership and others who arrived to help.” As a result, they were able to have a company meeting in the parking lot and arrive at working plan to address the results of the fire, beginning the very next morning.

As the firefighters were packing up fire hoses and equipment, Mr. Stoler was overheard to say that the response, efficiency and caring attitude of Carroll Countians is why his company has looked forward to expanding the dealership and bringing more business to Carroll County.

####

Wednesday, April 06, 2005

20050330 A Tribute to Richard N. 'Dick' Gehr


A Tribute to Richard N. 'Dick' GehrFirefighter, Veteran, Husband, Father and Friend

On March 30, 2005, the greater Westminster community suffered a great loss with the passing of Richard N. "Dick" Gehr.

Dick Gehr was born in Westminster on June 25, 1917, and lived here for 87 years. Uncle Dick was the son of the late Denton and Anna A. Whitmore Gehr. He was the husband of Charlotte L. Marker Gehr, to whom he was married for 25 years and the late Dorothy V. Starner Gehr, who predeceased him in 1977.

Dick Gehr graduated from Westminster High School in 1934 and attended Western Maryland College. He served in the Navy during World War II.

He was retired from the state of Maryland, where he worked as a project engineer. Following his retirement, he worked for Wadel Kitchens and for auctioneers, Russell Kerr and David Redding.

Dick Gehr was an active life member of Westminster Fire Engine and Hose Company No. 1, having served since August 2nd, 1939, and was one of the last members with over 50 years of service. He served as president, secretary and chaplain of the fire department. He later served on the Fire Police Auxiliary.

Dick Gehr was a member of the American Legion Carroll Post No. 31, the MD Retreads and Maryland Gold Wings and was an avid antique collector.

Surviving, in addition to his wife, are son Terrence N. Gehr of Westminster; stepdaughters Tamara Teaff of Lexington, Va. and the Rev. Sue Shorb-Sterling of Lusby; sister-in-law Juanita Senseney of Westminster; grandsons and spouses Anthony and Deborah Gehr of Manassas, Va. and Timothy and Juliana Gehr of Westminster; step-grandchildren Elizabeth and Robert Teaff, Margaret Sterling Brubaker and George and Christopher Sterling; great-grandchildren Kelsey, Dylan Richard, Zachary, Madison and Emily Gehr; nephews and spouses Thomas and Barbara Senseney, Jeffrey and Jill Senseney and Christopher Senseney and Darlene Rae Breining.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his wonderful family as they adjust to life without him. Our community will miss Uncle Dick very much.
This memorial tribute was signed in Westminster City Hall,
this April first, in the year Two Thousand and Five.

Westminster Mayor Kevin E. Dayhoff