3rd Fire Camp - Highest success rate yet
 
July 8, 2025
 

The week of June 23rd proved to be the departments best year of fire camp since starting the program in 2023. Class III started and finished with 31 students. This was also the first year that camp sold out. The sell out came within 72 hours of opening registration.

The camp was sponsored by 27 local businesses and individuals. Camp consisted of tours to the Allegany County 911 center, MSPAC Trooper 5 hangar at the Greater Cumberland Regional Airport & Rocky Gap State Park. Students participated in auto extrication, hazmat leak & hazmat decontamination, high and low angle rope rescue, forceable entry, water rescue, raft racing, CPR, First Aid & Stop the Bleed.

The weather was challenging all week, with mid-day highs close to 100 degrees and the heat index that soared over 110 degrees for 3 days. Hydration was key all week, and keeping shaded areas and misting fans available helped ease the pain of the temperatures.

The department averaged 21 members a day throughout the week logging 945 volunteer hours while also handling 20 emergency incidents. Special thanks to the members from Company 4 (Baltimore Pike) & Company 8 (Bowling Green) who assisted throughout the week.

Congrats to all students who completed fire camp and received awards. the following awards were issued during the closing ceremonies on Friday:

Obstacle Course Winners

9-10 Year Olds
Male - Jaleel Taylor
Female - Kinley Dicken

11-12
Male - Silas Grabenstein
Female - Briley Keplinger

13-14
Male - Levi Nice
Female - Addy Bonham

Fitness Awards
Male - Zander Knotts
Female - Addy Bonham

Battle of the Barrel
9-10 - Abby Harding, Grayson Adams, Mason Ryan, Jaleel Taylor

11-12 - Jace Grabenstein, Silas Grabenstein, Briley Keplinger

13-14 - Mariam Bladen, Addy Bonham, Aleigha Inskeep, Cheyenne Burns

Instructors Leadership Award
Kinley Dicken