*The Alarmers had 136 runs in 2007
*The Alarmers had 103 runs in 2008
*On January 5, at the regular monthly meeting, Keith Hammack was sworn in as a new board member, and Kevin Reilly was reelected to the board of directors. President Bertha Saghy, vice president Ray Neall Jr, treasurer Brian Turley, secretary Dave Neall remain the principal officers. Logan Starr and Bill Tudor join permanent charter member Will Brandt as the other members on the board of directors.
*On January 12, the installation dinner was held the Golden Corral, in Arundel Mills. Family members were invited, and many attended. The dinner was enjoyed by all, and we had a relaxing evening out.
*On Saturday afternoon, January 17, The Alarmers were requested to provide food for the security detail, as President-elect Barack Obama's train traveled from Philadelphia to Union Station in Washington, DC. CW-2 was at the Odenton MARC station for 4 hours. Also on Saturday evening, members of The Alarmers served food at the Members Appreciation Dinner at Station 11.
*On January 19, the new apparatus committee made an inspection visit to Custom Mobil Food Company, in Hammonton, New Jersey, to check on the progress of the new vehicle. New CW-1 is near completion, most of the major interior work is done. Work now is on the interior trim and cabinets. They were mounting the LP gas tank while we were there, and waiting for the generator to be delivered. We will make a final inspection on Saturday, February 7, and take delivery. New CW-1 will be here probably after 2:00 pm on that Saturday. All are welcome to see our new unit. There will be some minor work at Singer Associates in Linthicum, and we should take final delivery about February 10th. We plan to have our new CW-1 in service on March 1.
*On Saturday afternoon, February 7, New CW-1 arrived at Alarmers' quarters from the factory in New Jersery. Most members were present to get a first look at the new unit. We managed to get a couple of test drives in before sunset.
*On Monday evening, February 16, the Alarmers held our second quarter auction at the Ferndale Fire Hall. We very nearly had a sell-out. Many of the Alarmers and their family members attended. There was also a bake table, and all items sold out. This has been a successful event for us, and we look forward to another.
*On Saturday afternoon, Rick Ward from Singer Associates, conducted a training class for the Alarmers on the operation of new CW-1. He is a representive of Pierce Fire Apparatus, and explained the operation of the vehicle part of CW-1. Representives from Custom Products were also on hand to explain the workings of the galley area of new CW-1.
*At 4:30 on Saturday afternoon, March 14, our President, Ms. Bertha Saghy, made the broadcast to fire alarm that new CW-1 was officially in service. Members have been out doing driver's training on the new unit during the day. It's been a long road since the design and bid process began, but we are very happy with our new unit.
*On Tuesday afternoon, March 31, CW-1 had its first two responses in a span of about 3 hours. The first call for CW-1 was a 2nd alarm dwelling fire on Wallace Ave in Brooklyn Park. Eighteen members were on the first call. The next call came about an hour later, a 2nd alarm building fire on Newtowne Drive, in Annapolis.
*From January through March, the Alarmers have responded to 17 -All-Hands fires, 12 -2nd Alarms, 1 -3rd Alarm, and 17 -Special calls. Over that period, the Alarmers have served 102 dozen doughnuts, 17 gallons of coffee, 272 cups hot chocolate, 160 sodas, 20 cases of water, 56 egg&sausage sandwiches, 440 hot dogs, 24 cans of beef stew, 1 can of beef ravioli, and 1 can of chilli. Alarmers members provided 479 man-hours of volunteer time on these calls.
Scenes from the Bull Roast
*Our 50th Bull Roast was held on Saturday night, April 4, at the Earleigh Heights Fire Hall. This was our best Bull Roast in several years, and we thank all who came and shared it with us. This is a big part of our fund raising efforts, and the proceedes will go toward our new unit fund. (top l) Charlie, Ron, and Logan take the ticket money at the door. (top r) Greg & Bob work the Big 6 Wheel, always a crowd favorite. (Bottom l) The Woodland Beach table (bottom r) Local 1563's table
*On Thursday afternoon, April 9, the Alarmers responded with CW-1 to multi-agency drill at the YP docks on the Naval Academy. Units from the US Coast Guard and area swat teams were conducting a law enforcement drill involving a water taxi near the Annapolis Harbor. The Alarmers served hot dogs, chips, water and sodas.
*It is deep sadness that the Anne Arundel Alarmers Association announces the death of long time member Ben Barrell. Ben passed away Thursday, April 9, at his home after a long illness. Ben retired from the Baltimore City Fire Department in 1995, after 35 years of service. His last duty assignment was in Truck Company 13, at Hollins & Carey Streets. He used to carry his own ax with him in the tiller cab when he worked. He was an experienced and respected firefighter. Ben was a long time member of the Alarmers, going back to when our vehicles were kept on the parking lot of the Ferndale Volunteer Fire Company. He will be greatly missed by our organization.
*The Alarmers were invited to an open house at the Box 414 Museum, at Gay & Ensor Streets, in Baltimore. Box 414 operates the museum out of old Engine 6 house. CW-1 joined units from Box 234 and Central Alarmers for breakfast, and a tour of the museum. Several Baltimore City units stopped by as well. Here T-27 and a Special Operations unit are shown near CW-1.
*CW-1 took a 3rd place in the Special Unit catagory at the Maryland State Fireman's convention parade on Wednesday, June 17, in Ocean City. After the parade, members went to Hall's Restaurant on Coastal Hwy for dinner, before heading home.
*The Alarmers held their 2nd breakfast at the Odenton Masonic Lodge, on June 21, Father's Day. The breakfast was a success, we raised over $466 for our new unit fund. Nineteen members of the Odenton Volunteer Fire Company stopped for breakfast, and we thank them for their support.
*From April through June, the Alarmers have responded to 3 All-Hands fires, 8 -2nd Alarms, 2 -3rd Alarms, 3 -Special Calls, and 1 mutual aid run to Prince George County. Over that period, the Alarmers have provided 31 dozen doughnuts, 3 gallons of coffee, 150 sodas, 23 cases of water, and 208 hot dogs. The Alarmers have provided 330 man-hours of volunteer time on these calls.
*On Sunday, July 12, the Alarmers dedicated our new CW-1 in memory of co-founder and first president Mr. Louis "Al" Brandt. A crowd of about 85 guests were on hand for the dedication, held at station 34. The Rev. John Long of the County Volunteer Fireman's Association gave the invocation, and provided the ceremorial christening of the new vehicle. A plaque honoring the occasion was unveiled by Al's brother, Wil (far left); his wife, Marilyn (left); and his son, Barry (right). Vice-president Ray Neall Jr was the MC for the day (far right). The plaque will placed in the crew area of the new unit. The ceremony was attended by numerous local dignitaries, including State Senator James E. DeGrange, Sr., Delegates Pamela Beidel, and Theordore Sophocleus, Fire Chief Robert Ray, and Police Chief James Teare. We thank all who attended, and thanks to all our friends who have helped out so much to make our new truck a reality.
*Our new CW-1 was on display at the Firehouse Expo in Baltimore, July 23 - 26. Custom Products, who designed and built the kitchen area, had a lot of interest in the vehicle. The hit of the show was the outside soda service door.
* The Alarmers held a breakfast at the Odenton Masonic Lodge #209 on Sunday morning, October 18. The event was a success, and we thank everyone who came out to support us on that morning. Again we had amazing support from the Odenton Volunteer fire company, they showed up with about 25 members, and we thank them for their continued support. Here, Bob & Vince work in the kitchen ahead of time, getting things ready. All proceeds are going to our new unit fund.
*From July through September, the Alarmers have responded to 1 All-Hands Alarm, 1 -2nd Alarm, 2 Special Calls, 1 special call to assist County Police, 1 Mutual aid 2nd Alarm to Howard County, and 2 Mutual Aid calls to Queen Anne County, 1 a 3rd alarm dwelling fire. Over that time we have served 10 dozen doughnuts, 400 sodas, 19 cases of water, 6 gallons of lemonade, and 261 hot dogs. The Alarmers provided 147 man-hours of volunteer service on these calls.
*Christmas trees arrived on Wednesday morning, November 25. We have trees at both lots: next to Ferndale Fire Station; and next to Northway Liquors on Veterans Hwy. Every tree is still only $40, and we're open noon until 9:00 pm everyday.
