RIDGE, Md. — The Ridge Volunteer Fire Department (RVFD) and Auxiliary held its annual installation and awards banquet on Jan. 25, 2025, recognizing its members for their service and officially swearing in the 2025 administrative, operational, and auxiliary officers.
Joe Cooper, past president of the Southern Maryland Volunteer Firemen’s Association, administered the oath to the administrative officers, board of directors, operational officers, and engineers. Becky Wathen, past president of the Ladies Auxiliary to the Southern Maryland Volunteer Firemen’s Association and the Maryland State Firemen’s Association, swore in the auxiliary officers.
Newly Elected Officers for 2025
Administrative Officers
- President: Ron Hafner
- Vice President: Chris Bender
- Secretary: Bonnie Ridgell
- Assistant Secretary: Carley Hadley
- Treasurer: Rob Dodge Sr.
Board of Directors
Ron Hafner, Chris Bender, Bonnie Ridgell, Rob Dodge Sr., Brian Cooper, Philip “Heavy” Ridgell, Allen Raley, Francis Raley, John “Peanut” Gatton, Robb Bickel, Johnny Wathen
Operational Officers
- Chief: Brian Cooper
- Assistant Chief: Bradley Cooper
- Deputy Chief: Francis Raley
- Captain 4: Scot Best
- Lieutenant 4: Robb Bickel
- Lieutenant 4A: Rob Dodge Sr.
- Sergeant 4: Steve “Stevie” Gatton Jr.
- Health/Safety Officer 4: Phil Cooper
- Incident Safety Officer 4A: Tom Trossbach
- Incident Safety Officer 4B: Darius Hawkins
- Chief Engineer: John “Peanut” Gatton
- Engineers: Steve Bradburn, Charlie Langley, Keith Raley, Tony Ridgell, Ray Mercure, and John Ridgell
Auxiliary Officers
- President: Debbie Fairfax
- Vice President: Jessica Snyder
- Recording Secretary: Darlene Wood
- Corresponding Secretary: Lisa Gibbs
- Treasurer: Laura Cook
2024 Awards and Recognitions
Following the installation ceremony and dinner, members were recognized for their outstanding contributions in 2024.
President’s Award: Leon “Dictator” Cullison and Robb Bickel
Chief’s Award: Leon “Dictator” Cullison
Chief’s “Brotherhood in Action” Award: Holton Bickel, Jonathan Boley, and Kermit Tillett
Firefighter of the Year: Robb Bickel
Rookie of the Year: Kermit Tillett
Engineer of the Year: Johnny Morrison and Robbie Wood
Joseph C. Titus Public Safety and Fire Prevention Award: Jessica Snyder
Top Responders (Including Stand-By Support)
- Keith Raley – 267 alarms
- Heavy Ridgell – 242 alarms
- Tony Ridgell – 226 alarms
- Francis Raley – 210 alarms
- Ron Hafner – 206 alarms
- Scot Best – 188 alarms
- Johnny Morrison – 179 alarms
- Robb Bickel – 176 alarms
- Tyler Dodge – 174 alarms
- Robbie Wood – 168 alarms
Top Apparatus Responders (Rode Apparatus to the Incident)
- Keith Raley – 167 alarms
- Francis Raley – 143 alarms
- Brian Cooper – 113 alarms
- Tyler Dodge – 107 alarms
- Bradley Cooper – 101 alarms
- Scot Best – 93 alarms
- Ron Hafner – 91 alarms
- Robb Bickel – 88 alarms
- Johnny Morrison – 87 alarms
- Charlie Russell – 64 alarms
Length of Service Awards Operations
- 5 Years: David Cullison
- 10 Years: Michael Balta and Jannet Keister
- 15 Years: Carley Hadley, Charlie Langley, and Danny Reppel
- 20 Years: Matt Langford
- 30 Years: Kathy Keister and Leroy Owens
- 35 Years: Tom Trossbach
- 45 Years: Tony Ridgell and Johnny Morrison
- 50 Years: Jimmy Cooper, Francis Raley, Heavy Ridgell, and Robbie Wood
- 55 Years: Danny Gatton
Length of Service Awards Associates
- 15 Years: Freida Franklin, Dawn Gatton, Lisa Gibbs, Shannon Langley, Tracy Owens, Mary “Snookie” Raley, Bonnie Ridgell, Cheryl Ridgell, Wanda Trossbach, and Becky Wathen
Length of Service Awards Auxiliary
- 40 Years: Dawn Gatton, Becky Wathen
Special Recognition Awards
- Auxiliary Service Member Award: Scot Best
- Special Recognition Award: Johnny Wathen, for 20 years of service as department treasurer
As the Ridge VFD and Auxiliary step into 2025, they remain committed to serving and protecting the community while honoring those who dedicate their time and effort to fire and emergency services.
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