In a county facing rapid growth and rising demands, Frederick’s newest firefighters embody the spirit of service and family that binds it all together
On Friday, July 25, I had the privilege of delivering the keynote address to the Frederick County, Md., Fire and Rescue Services Recruit Classes 38 and 39, welcoming 42 new firefighters into our great profession. It was an inspiring evening, marking and celebrating the culmination of their 28 weeks of rigorous training. The smiles, pride, and excitement on the faces of the recruits and their families reminded me why ceremonies like this are so important.
What struck me most was the unmistakable emphasis on family, a theme echoed by every speaker that evening. Yes, it is about becoming a firefighter and the beginning of that journey. However, it was equally about becoming part of something bigger, a second family bound by duty, trust, loyalty and care for one another. However, it is also a reminder and celebration of our first families, our loved ones, who become the backbone of our careers and whose support sustains us through the highs and lows of this job.
One of the most powerful moments was the badge-pinning ceremony. Each new firefighter selected someone significant in their life to pin their badge – a deeply symbolic and emotional gesture. Each would join their new firefighter on the stage. Proud parents, spouses, partners, siblings, and children, some of whom wore the uniforms of their professions – firefighters, law enforcement officers, and more. One young boy, no older than 10, even came on stage dressed in properly fitted bunker gear to help pin the badge on his firefighter. His pride was written all over his face, perhaps a future recruit in the making.
A Warm Welcome at Station 29
Before the ceremony, we stopped by Station 29, where warm, inclusive hospitality and a fresh cup of coffee, greeted us. There are few things better than firehouse coffee and good conversation with like-minded brothers and sisters.
Frederick County, like many communities, is growing rapidly. The pace of development is outstripping infrastructure in some areas, placing increasing demands on emergency services. That kind of growth requires thoughtful, forward-looking leadership – to anticipate higher call volumes, new neighborhoods, and new fire stations.
While predicting the future is difficult, what’s not difficult to see is the exceptional quality of the people serving in this department, starting with the 42 new firefighters. Equally impressive were the leaders guiding them: from Fire Chief Coe, whose commitment to mission and people is clear, to the instructors and officers responsible for the recruits’ success: Battalion Chief of Training Chief Malta, Captain Winters, Lieutenant Pressman (RC38), and Lieutenant Verno Love (RC39).
Those who joined us on stage, and the on-duty members we met at Station 29, including Battalion Chief Fisher and Engine Captain Johnson, echoed their dedication. Engine Captain Johnson proudly told me he is a Firehouse Vigilance Vigilante. That alone told me he is into the job.
A Profession Like No Other
As I reflect on that day, the visit to the station, the graduation ceremony, the focus on family, and the deep bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood, it serves as a poignant reminder. I’m reminded why the fire service is unlike any other profession. It’s a calling, a commitment, and a bond like no other.
And it’s a family.
And a reminder that we are, indeed, the lucky ones.
