(1/21) The Walkersville Volunteer Fire Co. (WVFC) held their annual award banquet on Jan. 18 to recognize the volunteers who have served the community of Walkersville over the past year.
This year, the Honorary Life Membership Award, the highest award issued by the Company, was awarded to Linda Grossnickle. The award is intended to recognize an individual’s commitment to the Company during their lifetime of membership. In presenting the award to Grossnickle, WVFC President Jim Graham noted that Grossnickle, who had joined the company in 2010, had been his right-hand person in keeping everyone up to date on the coming and goings of the Company. She has been instrumental in the operations of the Company’s kitchen, and for the past three years has served as the Company’s Secretary.
Life Membership Awards were received from the following individuals: Gary Baker, Kathryn Baker, Randy Davis, Judy Getzandanner, Debbie Gilbert, Karen Green, Joan Hill and Mary Leatherman. The award recognizes any member who has been a part of the Company for 10 years and is at least 65 years old.
The Member of The Year Award, which is presented to an individual who has exhibited outstanding service to the Company during the year, was awarded to Kristi Staley. In presenting the award, Graham described Staley as an individual who has taken extensive fire training, served as a line officer, apparatus driver and a member of the Board of Directors. Staley, one of the Company’s top 10 responder also organized monthly training and Chairs the Company’s Cadet program.
Retiring Board of Director members, Andrew Skidmore, Linda Grossnickle, and Bill Horine, were all honored for their service to the Company. In presenting the awards, Graham said Skidmore served the last three years as the assistant treasurer of the organization. He was also an understudy to Vaughn Zimmerman while operating the carnival grounds. Grossnickle was described as a dedicated kitchen staff member, pit beef server and carnival grounds rental staff helper. Graham noted that Horine has served on the Board many years, as well as serving as Vice President of the Company.
The Company’s Most Valuable Responder Award was received by Brennen Clinesmith. According to Chief Chad Barrick, the award is given to a top responder and also to a firefighter that goes above and beyond for the organization. "He [Clinesmith] was a top 10 responder with 167 calls," Barrick said.
The annual Firefighter of the Year Award was presented to Sam Dmuchowski. "This is the highest individual award a member can receive on the operational side," Barrick said. Dmuchowski joined the Company in September 2023. He passed driver’s training quickly and drove on 83 calls, according to Barrick.
Barrick also recognized the Company’s top 10 responding firefighters, with Matt Staley being singled out as the top responder with 448 calls. "These firefighters continue to show their commitment [to] answering emergency calls throughout the year," Barrick said.
Barrick described 2024 as "challenging but successful" for WVFC. The Company, he said, responded to over 1,083 calls last year, a 38% increase over 2023 where we ran just over 700 calls. Barrick said that every member of the Company has made a choice to help their community. "Company 11 is probably the strongest fire company in Frederick County," Barrick said.
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