109th Annual CVVFA Convention Parade Results
Hancock MD August 7, 2010
 
Best Appearing Fire Company with Music First Place-Citizens Fire Company of Newport PA
 
Best Appearing Engine 1250 GPM or Larger
                First Place-Volunteer Fire Company of Halfway MD
                Second Place-Potomac Valley Fire Company of Sharpsburg MD
 
Best Appearing Engine under 1250 GPM
                First Place-Williamsport MD Fire Company
                Second Place-Hancock MD Fire Company
 
Best Appearing Aerial Device
                First Place-Rouss Fire Company of Winchester VA
                Second Place-Citizens Fire Company of Newport PA
 
Best Appearing Engine/Tanker
                First Place-Hancock MD Fire Company
                Second Place-McConnellsburg PA Fire Company
 
President’s Award
                First Place-Needmore PA Fire Company
                Second Place-McConnellsburg PA Fire Company
 
Best Appearing Rescue or Squad
                First Place-Berkeley Springs WV Fire Company
                Second Place-Hancock MD Fire Company
 
Best Appearing Ambulance/Basic Life Support
                First Place-McConnellsburg PA Fire Company
                Second Place-Williamsport MD Fire Company
 
Best Appearing Special Unit
                First Place-Washington County MD Emergency Rehab of Hagerstown MD
                Second Place-Aetna Hose, Hook and Ladder Company of Newark DE
 
Best Appearing Brush Truck
                First Place-Needmore PA Fire Company
                Second Place-Swoop Fire Company of Stanton VA
 
Best Marked Fire Apparatus for Highway Scene Safety
                First Place-Williamsport MD Fire Company
 
Best Marked Ambulance for Highway Scene Safety
                First Place-Williamsport MD Fire Company
 
 
Best Appearing Hand Drawn Pumper or Hose Reel
                First Place-Aetna Hose, Hook and Ladder Company of Newark DE
 
Best Appearing Antique Fire Apparatus Driven in Parade
                First Place-Keyser WV Fire Company
                Second Place-Independent Junior Fire Engine Company #3 of Hagerstown MD
 
Fire Department Owned Apparatus Coming the Longest Distance
                First Place-Delaware City DE Fire Company
 
Best Appearing Privately Owned Antique Fire Apparatus
                First Place-Old Dominion Historical Fire Society Shepherdstown WV
 
Judges Awards
                Funkstown MD Fire Company
                Patterson Creek WV Fire Company
                Aetna Hose, Hook and Ladder Company of Newark DE
                Steve Austin Newark DE
               
 
               
 
 
 

The CVVFA has just wrapped up its extremely successful 109th annual convention in Hancock, Maryland. The Hancock Volunteer Fire Company and its Chief and new CVVFA President Greg Yost are to be commended for arranging a first-rate convention with a mere six months lead time. 

Convention got underway at the Hancock Middle/Senior High School just after 9 AM on the morning of Thursday, August 4th, with the presentation of the colors by the Hagerstown Professional Firefighters and recitation of the National Anthem. Following this, and deviating from the time it is normally presented, President Walter Robertson presented to Past President Ray Mowen the E. Wade Thomas Member of the Year award. Ray, who was only able to attend convention for a brief period due to other commitments, was surprised and eternally grateful to have been named the recipient of this meaningful award.
 
Following the reports of officers, convention recessed mid-morning to enable us to gather at the nearby St. Peter’s Catholic Church for the CVVFA’s annual memorial service. There, CVVFA Chaplain Charlie Barnhart remembered all members who had passed in the preceding year, and offered a spirited extemporaneous sermon memorializing in particular the five Past Presidents lost this past year – Larry Smallwood, Lee Holler, Joe Bukowski, Harry Alt, and Robert “Peck” Diehl, as well as Karen Brennan, the daughter of Past President J. Allen Brennan. Following the memorial service, we were treated to an all-you-can-eat spaghetti lunch at Hancock’s station.
 
The convention resumed Thursday afternoon, and was highlighted by a keynote speech by Skip Gibson of Cherry Hill NJ an ISO field representative who educated attendees about the latest developments in community fire ratings. Thursday’s events were topped off with a Hootenanny picnic at Hancock’s huge brand new pavilion located down multiple dirt roads in the middle of nowhere. There, we were treated to barbecued chicken quarters from the largest chickens ever seen, with sides of tender baked potatoes and beans. The evening closed with a return by many of us to the convention headquarters hotel, the Berkeley Springs Best Western Inn. This is the fourth time the Best Western has hosted us for conventions in Berkeley Springs or Hancock since its opening in 2002, and we appreciate their continuing to welcome us with fair rates and good treatment, as well as their new breakfast featuring fresh-made Belgian waffles.
 
Friday at convention marks President’s Council and Training Day. At the President’s Council, representatives from the firemen’s associations of a host of states in the mid-Atlantic gather to share news and information. This year was no different, with representatives from the States and Commonwealths of Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware, New Jersey, and New York in attendance. Common themes echoed by many centered upon the toll the economy is taking on us all, and how we all need to do more with less. The Maryland delegation, in particular, is to be commended for its continued excellent representation that included representatives from MSFA as well as MIEMSS, the Shock Trauma Center, MSP, the MD State Fire Marshal's Office, MEMA, and MFRI. At Training Day, a cadre of more than 25 local fire and special police officers gathered for our signature Highway Safety and Flagger training, including didactic and practical components, under the tutelage of Chief Allen Baldwin.
 
The business of the convention drew to a close Friday evening with our annual banquet hosted by Hancock’s Park-N-Dine restaurant. The Park-N-Dine feted us with a huge buffet meal enjoyed by all that included salad, roast turkey, roast beef, roast pork, pasta, steamed shrimp, and an array of veggies that really set the high water mark for CVVFA banquets. Hanover Virginia Division Chief Eddie Buchanan spoke about leadership in the fire service, reminding us that it takes the leadership qualities that we each possess to make a difference. The J.R. Haines and Kenny Butts Memorial Scholarship winners, William Ball, IV of Williamsport, MD and Lindsay Carns of Newport, PA then thanked the Association – this marking the first time both scholarship winners have attended a convention. CVVFA Queen Erin Drumheller was awarded the Chief Gary “Happy Jack” Easton Youth Leadership Award, sponsored by Kevin Greenlee of the Fire Store and received a leather fire helmet. In a moving tribute, Joe Bukowski was posthumously awarded the new Joe Bukowski Highway Safety Educator award, which was received by Joe’s widow Karen. The evening closed with the installation of officers for the upcoming year.
 
Saturday brought good weather for the CVVFA’s annual grand parade through downtown Hancock, followed by hot dogs, drinks and the award of prizes at Widmeyer Park, which also officially brought the activities of the 109th annual convention to a close.
 
By Howard Cohen
 
 
 

One Hundred and two representatives kicked off the 2010 CVVFA Convention in Hancock MD amid a mixture of celebration and sadness. Upbeat business meetings paused for the annual memorial service that honor the members who answered the final alarm last year. That list included five past presidents.

A full afternoon featured Keynote Speaker Skip Gibson from ISO with a review of the changes in the ISO grading scheduled.

The day was topped off by a picnic at Hancock Fire's new picnic shelter. The convention continues tomorrow August 6.

Past President “Peck” Diehl (1971) died July 15, 2010 at age 97 following a long illness. Peck as he was known to his friends was born on February 11, 1913 at Deer Park, MD. Interment was in the Potomac Memorial Gardens, Keyser.

He was a 1931 graduate of Keyser High School. Peck was employed as a brakeman with the B&O Railroad and retired from the Chessie System after a long career.

Peck joined the Vigilant Reel and Hose Company #1 the predecessor of the Keyser Fire Department where he served for over one half a century. He joined the CVVFA in 1953 and was elected President in 1971. Past President Diehl was best known for his Chairmanship of the “Sparky” Fire Department program that incorporated the National Fire Protection Association’s groundbreaking fire prevention education for children. Under his leadership Sparky or Junior Fire Departments were established in elementary schools throughout the Mid Atlantic States with each department required to appear each year at the CVVFA Convention to present their results. Minutes show Peck was a strict taskmaster when it came to the required lessons each Sparky Department were required to present. It was this work that helped established the CVVFA as a national leader in children’s fire safety education in the mid 20th century.

Until illness prevented traveling Peck was a fixture at CVVFA meetings and conventions. He was never bashful about stating his opinion on the meeting room floor and was respected by young and old members alike.

 

Harry Alt, Past Captain (Chief) of the Keyser WV Fire Department died late Friday May 14, 2010 of cancer. He had fought the disease for 20 months with courage and valor.
Harry joined the CVVFA in 1976. He served as President twice, in 1983 and 1991. Past President Alt retired almost 2 years ago from the Mineral County WV school system as an Assistant Principal. He pledged to devote time to the CVVFA as an instructor for the Emergency Responder Safety Institute. Shortly after he returned from teaching highway scene safety in Colorado he fell ill.
 
Harry was elected Director from WV after his last term as President. He held the office until his death. He served the CVVFA in many capacities including membership on the Scholarship Committee which he chaired for a number of years.
 
Past President Alt was a most faithful member for 34 years. Until illness limited his travel he attended almost every CVVFA meeting and event.  
 
Harry was vastly proud of the Keyser Fire Department and his tenure as commanding officer. He was a member of Keyser’s Street Drill Team and marched in CVVFA convention parades throughout the years.
 
In addition to his fire service involvement Harry was a leader in the Masonic Lodge and served as an official in the Masonic hierarchy in West Virginia. He is survived by his wife Jeane. Expressions of sympathy may be mailed to Mrs. Jeane Alt, Box 675 Keyser WV 26726.
 
A link to the full obituary may be found by clicking on the title of this article.
 

Reckless and inappropriate conduct by a small minority of the nation’s fire service is eroding the high moral ground occupied by firefighters says a White Paper sponsored by the Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firemen’s Association, (CVVFA) a century-old organization dedicated to enhancing communication and continuing education among the fire service.

The contents of the White Paper represent a distillation of several fire service leadership meetings that identified a series of social, cultural, and ethical issues impacting the fire service nationwide that demand increased awareness.
 
The White Paper is intended as a wake-up call to the fire service. The detrimental impact from fire service members that engage in unethical, im­moral, inappropriate, criminal, or other activities reflects back not just to these individuals, but to their departments and communities, and to the fire service as a whole.
                                                           
Recognizing that the actions of a small minority of bad actors can have grievous widespread consequences, the fire service as a whole must be increasingly vigilant in policing itself. Through a combination of enhanced and improved internal controls, increased vigilance, and greater acceptance of personal responsibility perhaps including, but not limited to, abiding by a Code of Ethics, the fire service can ensure that it remains true to its roots and heritage of protecting and serving this great nation.
 
The Fire Service Reputation Management White Paper clearly identifies these individuals and behaviors in a clear and cogent manner, articulates some excellent solutions, and clamors for a Code of Ethics as the next logical step for our profession. We may never have the op­portunity again, and I urge all fire service leaders to develop, establish, disseminate, abide and enforce a Fire Service Code of Ethics” said Kelvin Cochran, United States Fire Administrator.
 
Copies of the White Paper are available at  www.cvvfa.org . In the next several weeks the CVVFA will launch www.firefighterbehavior.com a website that will chronicle inappropriate conduct by members of, the fire service. The website will serve to raise awareness of danger to the reputation of the fire service and will advocate for a code of ethics and standards for proper behavior.
 
The CVVFA wishes to thank Saint Joseph’s University Graduate Public Safety Program and Oklahoma State University’s Fire Protection Publications for their support in developing the White Paper.
 
Click on the title of this article to download a PDF copy of the White Paper
 
 

Saturday March 6, 2010-The Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firemen’s Association Emergency Responder Safety Institute was honored with an Everyone Goes Home "Seal of Excellence" Award at the Safety Summit sponsored by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, MD. President Walter Robertson and ERSI Director of Training Jack Sullivan were surprised by the award presented in front of some of the nation’s top firefighter safety professionals. The award recognizes efforts by organizations to reduce injuries to firefighters. The "Seal of Excellence" is the third national award received by the CVVFA for its work protecting emergency responders on the highway.

 
Joseph W. Bukowski, Past President (1998) died suddenly at his winter home in Clearwater Florida on Thursday February 18, 2010. He was 57. Joe joined the CVVFA in 1979 as one of the original group of members from the Aetna Hose, Hook and Ladder Company of Newark DE who joined the CVVFA that year. Joe was a retired teacher having spent most of his career teaching history in the Cecil County MD school system.
At Aetna where he was a life member, Joe served as a firefighter EMT in his early years and later as a fire police officer. He served as Financial Secretary of the company until he moved to Florida during the winter months.
In Delaware Joe served as President of the New Castle County Fire Police Association and later was elected President of the Delaware State Fire Police Association.
At the time of his death Joe was the Chief Financial Officer of the CVVFA Emergency Responder Safety Institute. Joe served as President of the CVVFA in 1998 and was a Life Member at the time of his death. He was instrumental in establishing the J.R. Haines and the Kenny Butts Memorial Scholarships for the CVVFA that provides assistance for worthy students entering the public safety field.
Joe’s wife Karen, daughter Amanda, one grandson and his father survive him.
A celebration of Joe's life was held at Aetna Hall in Newark DE. Joe left instructions that he wanted a party not a funeral so his family honored him in a place where he put many hours of work as Bingo Chairman for Aetna and enjoyed leisure time at social functions.
 
Over 200 of Joe’s friends  attended many dressed in Joe‘s trademark, an Hawaiian shirt.
 

Queen Erin Morgan Drumheller and the rest of the the MD Fire Prevention Queens participated in the annual charity event. Prior to the Plunge the ladies set up a fire prevention display under the tent. Erin, a CVVFA member stayed out of the water this year but Melissa, last year's the MD Fire Chiefs Queen jumped right in. This dedicated group of young ladies raised just under $2500. The CVVFA contributed $100 to the effort. Erin who turned 21 this year is one of the CVVFA's most active young members. Be sure to click on the title of the this article to see all the photos.

Hancock MD Fire Company announced it would host the 2010 CVVFA Convention less than one day after Harrisburg PA advised the Association it was cancelling the event. The Convention dates remain the same. August 4-7, 2010. In an email to fellow CVVFA Officers Hancock’s Chief Greg Yost, CVVFA First Vice President invited the Association to hold the 109th Annual Convention. President Walter Robertson called Chief Yost and advised him “we graciously accept Hancock Fire Department’s invitation and thank them for stepping forward to host the convention at their hometown.” President Robertson quickly accepted the invitation in order to allow Hancock FD to begin planning the event. He praised Chief Yost for his leadership. “Greg provided real leadership in stepping up when the chips were down” he said. “Our members owe a debt of gratitude to the Hancock Fire Company”.

 
Normally CVVFA Conventions take at least one and often two years to plan. Hancock members will be very busy in the next several months dealing with a compressed time frame. Luckily Hancock hosted the 103th Convention in 2004 and knows how to host a great event. Check www.cvvfa.org regularly for updates and registration information. We will have it here as soon as arrangements are underway.

In an unprecedented move, the committee formed to host the 2010 CVVFA Convention cancelled the event in Harrisburg. With less than six months until the scheduled date the CVVFA is in a very difficult position with no alternative plan for the 109th Annual Convention.  The combined committee representing fire service interests in and around the city of Harrisburg PA voted to cancel.  The group had previously signed a contract agreeing to host the convention. Members of the CVVFA Convention Liaison Committee were present when the committee decided to cancel at February 3, 2010 meeting.

Earlier Harrisburg asked the McConnellsburg PA who originally requested the 2010 date to delay their convention to 2011. McConnellsburg graciously agreed to this change.
 
Text of the email follows:This is just to let you all know the CVVFA Convention 2010 Committee last night voted to cancel the convention for this year. Reasons cited but not limited to, were:
A complete unknown about any cooperation that the new city administration might give us.

• A last minute change from the set agenda and difficulty with parade
• A last minute change and difficulty with Thursday night picnic
• Lack of interest in fundraising
• Lack of involvement with the city's 2010 committee 

After weighing all the options and the current situation and a possible further deterioration by August, the members of the committee present voted to pull out of the convention.  Representatives of the CVVFA were present and understand our plight.
When I get a chance I'll finish the minutes and as soon as any outstanding finances are resolved the checkbook will be closed out.
 


 

Chief Lee C. Holler Past President of the Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firemen’s Association (1999) died today Tuesday January 26, 2010 in Winchester Va. He served the CVVFA continuously for 60 years having joined in 1950. Holler was a highly respected Chief Fire Officer at the Regan National Airport in Washington DC prior to his retirement. He was a member of the Shawnee Fire Company of Winchester.

Services for Past President Holler are scheduled at 10:00 AM, Friday January 29th at the Shawnee Fire Company, 2210 Valor Drive Winchester, Virginia 22601. Phone 540-662-0855.
A reception at the station follows the service.  A precession route from Shawnee to the Clearbrook Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department will take place after the reception.
 
At Clearbrook a full military ceremony will be held and Lee's gear will be laid to rest at the station. Past President Holler has donated his remains to science.

Click on the title of this article for the Obituary.

New Year’s holiday telephone calls brought good news from three of CVVFA’s senior members Past President Harry Alt of Keyser WV, Chief Crawford Wiestling of Prior Lake MN,  and Chief Jack Peltier of Marlboro MA. All three men have been battling serious illnesses and all three are improving and look forward returning to their work with the CVVFA.
 
Harry expects to be in attendance at the Board of Directors Meeting. Jack who is still in rehabilitation following a serious illness over the last two months pledges to be in the Responder Safety booth at the FDIC in April in Indianapolis. Crawford who was under the weather during most of 2009 now is feeling much better. Following scheduled eye surgery later this month vows to be back helping with various CVVFA projects.
 
It is great to hear the optimism these members have about their improving health and their intention to see their fellow members again.
Click on the Camera Icon below to see Past President Alt's photo.
 

This is a bright kid but let's hope she doesn't learn how to blow this whistle anytime soon (unless mommy and daddy have earplugs). Jon Jones CVVFA's Educational Consultant holds granddaughter Evelyn while her mom gets her H1N1 shot at a clinic in Lunenburg MA. Evelyn's dad, Ken Jones is a career Lt. at LFD. Traffic control was set up in front of the clinic to handle the crowds.

The pacifier in question is the in fact the World's Loudest Whistle tested by the CVVFA Emergency Responder Safety Institute and available at the CVVFA Store (click on the tab on the left side of this page). We don't suggest it for your kids or grand-kids however it would make a great low cost gift for your favorite emergency responder.

Chief Larry Smallwood of Frederick County Virginia has died. Larry served as CVVFA President in 1977. Larry had a long career as a volunteer in Winchester and Frederick County at both South End Fire Company and Gore V.F.C. Chief Smallwood was a fixture at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend in Emmitsburg MD. Each year he was given the honor of leading the Color Guard Procession carrying a chief's trumpet filled with flowers. As a long time member of the CVVFA Larry held offices in the Association for many years making friends all over the mid Atlantic area. Chief Smallwood was an extremely active fireman in his younger years. He exemplified the best in the volunteer fire service. He will be missed by many and his memory will live on in the CVVFA an organization he loved. Arrangements are as follows:

Tuesday November 17th-Viewing at the Blue Ridge Grace Brethren Church from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9

Wednesday November 18th_ Funeral at the church 1 PM 

The church is off of  VA Route 37 at 1025 Cedar Creek Grade, Winchester VA 540-667-9399
Memorials may be made to the following:
Gore Fire Company P.O. Box 146  Gore,VA 22637
South End Fire Co. 17 W Monmouth St, Winchester,VA 22601