23-04-2025
Volunteers honored for service, dedication to fire and rescue
Lauren Fulmer had a solemn responsibility Monday night.
Her grandfather, George W. Fulmer Sr., had been scheduled to be recognized for his 65 years of service to the Independent Hose Company at the annual awards ceremony of the Frederick County Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association and Auxiliary.
But the 96-year-old World War II Army veteran died earlier that day, as Tim May, the FCVFRA's chaplain, announced at the start of Monday's ceremony.
So, it fell to Lauren to accept the recognition in her grandfather's honor.
He was proud of his service, and would always wear his Army veteran's hat when they went out, she said.
That dedication carried over into his volunteer work with the fire company.
'Helping his community was just really important to him,' Lauren said after receiving the award.
Fulmer was one of three Independent Hose members recognized for their service to the company, along with Jack Fleischman and Robert Whitmore.
The county's volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel provide hundreds of thousands of hours of dedicated service, in responding to calls, helping with fundraisers, or other services, said Tom Coe, chief of the county's Division of Fire and Rescue Services.
The work they provide is critical to the success of the service, County Council President Brad Young told the audience.
'When the phone rings, when the bell goes off, folks are helping to protect and serve their neighbors,' he said.
Samuel Dmuchowski of the Walkersville Volunteer Fire Company was named the association's firefighter of the year.
Dmuchowski, who was unable to attend Monday's ceremony, is very active in the company, is good at figuring out ways to use technology, and always helps with training younger members, Walkersville Chief Chad Barrick said.
The EMS member of the year went to Andrew Davis, of the Brunswick Volunteer Fire Company.
Davis said he enjoys EMS work because it gives him a chance to work with individuals more than other calls do, and allows him to have a more direct impact.
'There's so much service that we all put in,' Davis said.
Jenna Lakin, 18, of the Jefferson Volunteer Fire Company won the association's Winona 'Winnie' Crum Rookie of the Year Award.
She's the third generation of her family to volunteer. She said she's always wanted to help people and serve her community.
The association also welcomed seven longtime volunteers into its Hall of Fame Monday night: Dean Remsburg, Michael Fogle, Michael Gladhill, Wayne Wachter, Ida Young, Ronald Ahalt, and Thomas Angleberger.
The honor means that people appreciate what you did for them, Ahalt said.
He said he's most enjoyed meeting people and the camaraderie with his fellow volunteers from his time in the volunteer service.
Angleberger said his volunteer work has given him a lifetime of service and friendship.
Monday's ceremony featured another honoree who died earlier this year.
Donnie Corun of the Jefferson Volunteer Fire Company, who died in January from cancer, was given the Heart of a Volunteer award.
Corun worked until the middle of December, and being around the firehouse helped keep his mind off his illness, his wife, Susan Corun, said Monday.
'He loved to socialize with people,' and enjoyed talking to people and telling jokes, she said.
She said her husband would have been honored to receive the award, but would have said he didn't deserve it, she said.
