The Shaft Volunteer Fire Department recently had four of their member complete the University of Maryland's Fire and Rescue Institute's Fire Officer IV course. The course itself is 60 hours in length, and is the highest level of Fire Officer Certification offered by the Maryland Fire Service Personnel Qualification Board. Prior to completing the Fire Officer IV course, students must complete 168 hours of Fire Officer I, II, and III certification. Due to the rigid course requirements, and time commitment, this is the first Fire Officer IV course successfully completed in Western Maryland.

Fire Officer IV graduates include Assistant Chief Jeff Pfister, Assistant Chief Roger Bennett, Chief Scott Yates, and Deputy Chief Ryan Chapman.

On October 29, 2011, four members of the Shaft Volunteer Fire Department successfully completed the Maryland Fire & Rescue Institures' 84-hour, Structural Collapse Technician course. Major topics of instruction included safety and security, building materials and structural systems, collapse patterns, hazard identification and building monitoring, strategy and structure size-up, tools, shoring basics, shoring construction, breaching, breaking, cutting and burning operations, lifting and rigging, and victim considerations. Methods of instruction include lecture, discussion, team-focused practical exercises and written examinations. The prerequisite for this rigorous course included Rescue Technician (60 Hours). This makes 8 firefighters from the Shaft Volunteer Fire Department that have successfully completed this course and serve on the County's all Volunteer Structural Collapse and Trench Technical Rescue Team.

Recent graduates pictured are Assistant Chief Jeff Pfister, Lieutenant Mike Neilson, Captain Jesse Jeffries, and Chief Scott Yates.

The Shaft Volunteer Fire Department held their annual banquet on October 29th, 2011 celebrating thier 73rd year of service. Picture above the recipient of the Firefighter of the Year Award: Center - Mike Neilson, Firefighter of the Year; standing beside him our the past 3 year's winners: Steve Baughman (09), Jackie Kroll (09), Jeff Pfister (10), and Kody Kroll (08).

Pictured to the right the recipient of the President's Award: Jesses Jeffries presented by Vice President Jeff Pfister.

Pictured to the left the recipient of the Chief's Award: Roger Bennett presented by Chief Scott Yates.

FROSTBURG — Hugh Caldwell Speir, 83, of Frostburg, passed peacefully on Friday, May 20, 2011, after a lengthy illness, at the Western Maryland Regional Medical Center.
The son of Agnes (Scollick) and Alexander Speir, Hugh was born on Dec. 10, 1927, growing up on Railroad Street in Lonaconing. Mr. Speir was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Jean Speir Kline and Alice Speir Flanagan and a nephew, Thomas Kline.
Hugh is survived by and embraced by the love and caring presence of his dear wife of 57 years, Leah; devoted daughter, Debra Mann and her husband Alan, of Queens, N.Y., a son, David Lee Speir and partner Mark, of Frostburg, and nephew, James Kline and wife Barbara, of Laurel, Del.
Mr. Speir served in the U.S. Army and the U.S. Naval Reserve during World War II. Work took him and his young family to Baltimore where he was employed at Martins Aircraft Company. He then returned to this area, where he retired from the Celanese Fibers Corporation and the Potomac Fire Equipment Company selling Pierce Fire Apparatus for 40 years. He attended the Church of the Brethren, Frostburg.
Hugh was a life member of the Shaft Volunteer Fire Department serving as Assistant Chief, President and Treasurer; also a member of the Corriganville Volunteer Fire Department serving as Fire Chief. He also served as President of the Allegany-Garrett County Volunteer Firefighter’s Association and also with the Allegany County Sheriff’s Office Fire Police, serving as Captain and Training Officer. He was a member of Farrady Post 24 American Legion. His life was devoted to serving others.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Shaft Volunteer Fire Department, 19303 Shaft Road SW, Frostburg, MD 21532; Corriganville Volunteer Fire Department, 12501 Corrigan Drive, Corriganville, MD 21524; St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, PO Box 2151, Memphis, TN 38101-2151 or the Alzheimer’s Foundation, 322 Eighth Ave., 7th floor, New York, NY 10001.
Mr. Speir’s wishes were to be cremated with no services.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Many of Frostburg State University's students, as is the case of the students of probably any university, are involved in on-campus extracurricular activities. Such activities range from athletics, to writing for the school's student newspaper. However, many students are not fully content with or fulfilled by the activities offered by the school. While these students do often create (or at least attempt to create) their own organizations, some seek involvement elsewhere. FSU students Dexter Wallis, senior, Jon Radovich, junior, Stephanie Gwinn, senior, Steve Baughman, senior, and Kevin Schoelkopf, freshman, are amongst such students. Instead of the typical after-class activities or simply retiring for sleep once their classes are done, these individuals volunteer at Frostburg's Shaft Fire Department. Here, they have been receiving training in automobile accident rescues.

Located just over two miles from campus in a fairly remote part of the city, the Shaft Fire Department offers excellent - and nontraditional - ways for students to learn the "ins and outs" of the underappreciated firefighting and rescuing industry. On April 26, in an almost ceremonial manner, the aforementioned FSU students participated in a demonstration car extrication. That is, These students participated in a demonstration automobile accident rescue.

After a brief period of relaxed conversation, participants headed into the station's meeting hall for a safety question and answer session led by Deputy Chief Ryan Chapman. Here, participants were reminded of the potential dangers a car extrication brings with it. They were warned of the risk of flying projectiles, and of the dangers that could result from negligent cutting. They were also reminded that vehicular crash victims have roughly an hour to receive help for their best chance of survival, and that there should always be a 30 to 50 foot radius around the accident that uninvolved bystanders cannot enter. Chief Scott Yates would later add that there is no routine crash. After this briefing session, all involved put on their protective firefighting suits and headed to the station's back lot. There, a simulated car wreck awaited them, and the organized process Deputy Chief Chapman calls very "systematic" took place.

The subject car, which had actually once been Dexter Wallis', was first stabilized by "cribbing," and the extrication began. All windows were removed to prevent unexpected shattering as a result of tensions placed on the vehicle's frame. Yates had even joked that the car would be a convertible by the end of the night. Then the trainees took turns engaging in a series of cutting, separating, pulling, etcetera with $80,000 worth of high-power hydraulic equipment.

"You just can't cut some of the things we can cut," Chapman said at one point of the department's expensive tools.

After more cutting, separating, and so on, Chief Yates reminded participants that they should periodically check the vehicle's stability and reinforce the cribbing. Wallis's former car would ultimately end up door-less, roofless, and bent in half; much in the way Yates joked earlier. While there was somewhat of a playful excitement during the demonstration extrication (during which there were no lives at stake), each of the department's workers and trainees fully realize the severe and critical nature of an actual vehicular accident.

In all, the Shaft Fire Department offers opportunities that seem to be a brilliant combination of humans' desires to act heroically, while at the same time allowing them to explore the seemingly primal urges to destroy things. Any students interested in joining the Shaft Fire Department can call them at (301) 689-1535, or visit their station at 19303 Shaft Road. All newcomers are welcome.

The Shaft Volunteer Fire Department celebrated thier 72nd anniversary on Halloween eve - Saturday October 30, 2010. This was thier annual banquet and awards ceremony listed below are a few of the winners.

Cassie Yates President's Award
Jeff Pfister Firefighter of the Year 2010
Jeff Phister Chief's Award

Photo's »

Excerpt from the Cumberland Times-News — SHAFT — Mary Maxine Smith, 89, formerly of Shaft, died Friday, Sept. 10, 2010, at the WMHS Frostburg Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
Born in Midlothian Dec. 8, 1920, she was the daughter of the late George E. Wade and Della M. (Butler) Wade. She was preceded in death by her husband, William Q. Smith; a brother, Carl D. Wade; and a sister, Charlotte Kamauff.
Mary was a member of Shaft United Methodist Church, Shaft Volunteer Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary and the American Legion Farrady Post 24 Ladies Auxiliary.
She is survived by her daughters, Billie M. Groves and husband James, Carterville, Ga., and Marian Susan Symons and husband Robert, Cumberland; grandchildren, James William Groves and wife Samantha, Todd Matthew Groves and wife Tate, Roberta Susan Symons and Shelli Lin Symons; great-grandchildren, JJ Groves, Sydney Groves, Trevor Groves and Treyson Groves.
Friends will be received at the Sowers Funeral Home, P.A., 60 W. Main St., Frostburg, on Sunday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.
Funeral services will be conducted at the funeral home on Monday, Sept. 13, 2010, at 1 p.m. with the Rev. George M. Harpold officiating.
Interment will be in Sunset Memorial Park.
Pallbearers will be Joe Cokeley, Brian Miller, Joe Crawford, Aaron Winters, Mike Kamauff and Buddy Wade.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the Shaft United Methodist Church or the Shaft Volunteer Fire Company.

The Shaft Volunteer Fire Department visited the Midland Volunteer Department on Friday August 13th, 2010 for thier annual parade. Shaft was selected as the best appearing Engine.

The Shaft Fire Department Cash Bash will be held on October 2nd, 2010. A $20 ticket gets you as much beer and soda as you can drink and all the BBQ you can eat while having the chance to win 21 cash prizes ranging from $100.00 to $3000.00!!! Please purchase your tickets now! **You do not have to be present to win!** Doors open at Noon. For more information call the Station at 301) 689-1535.

Mother's Day Dinner today Noon till ? Stop bye and have a great meal !!!!! oh by the way HAPPY MOTHERS DAY !!!!!!!!!!

MIKULSKI, CARDIN ANNOUNCE MORE THAN $80,000 FOR ALLEGANY COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Barbara A. Mikulski and Benjamin L. Cardin (both D-Md.) today announced the Shaft Volunteer Fire Department has been awarded $87,945 in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFGP). Senator Mikulski is on the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee that funds the AFGP and fights each year to increase its federal funding. Senator Cardin is a member of the Budget Committee, which each year sets priorities for funding to federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security.

"I know how important this funding is to Maryland communities – often it's the difference between life and death. First responders protect our homes and communities, and the federal government has a responsibility to protect them by providing them with the tools they need to do their jobs safer and smarter," said Senator Mikulski. "Every day when our first responders report for duty, they don't know what they will face. That's why I fight every year for the equipment, training, and staffing our protectors and communities deserve."

Senator Cardin said, "First responders have always been on the front lines, keeping our families and our neighborhoods safe from harm. I thank these brave men and women for their continuing service and sense of duty to our community. I am proud to support federal investment through local grants like this, which is essential to ensure our community heroes have the equipment and training they need to do their jobs safely and efficiently."

The Shaft Volunteer Fire Department will use the funding to purchase personal protective equipment including 10 sets of turn out gear, six SCBA units, an RIT kit, fit testing equipment and two thermal imaging cameras. This is the second award for the Shaft VFD. In 2006, the department was awarded $97,185 to purchase new interoperable communications equipment, an emergency generator, and an air compressor. For more information, please contact Roger Bennett at 301-689-1535.

AFGP grants fund firefighting equipment, personal protection equipment, training, firefighting vehicles, firefighter/first responder safety projects, and staffing recruitment and retention. Since 2001, Allegany County fire and EMS departments have been awarded nearly $4 million in AFGP funding.

*Cassie Harvey*
*Press Secretary*
*Office of Senator Barbara Mikulski*
*202- 228-1122*