John Schmidt recognized as
 WFC’s Member of the Year

(2/1) At this year’s Walkersville Volunteer Fire Company award banquet, John Schmidt was recognized as the company’s Member of the Year. While only being a member here for 7 years, John has decades of service providing fire/rescue services to Frederick County.

"John works in the kitchen during weekly bingo and fundraising and participates in the monthly apparatus checks and helps at the annual carnival." Said President Jim Graham. "Every time John has been asked to assist with projects around the fire company, he has agreed to do so. "

"Our Younger members and cadet members,’ Graham said, "should look to John as an example of what it takes to contribute to making this a successful organization."

Josh Barrett was honored as the Walkersville Firefighter of the year. This is the highest individual award a member can receive on the line side. This award is given to a member that is active in all aspects of operations. This includes answering calls, helping with fundraisers, service calls, taking training and even helping our younger firefighters.

"Barrett meets all of the previous requirements and answered over a 1/4 of all the fire company’s calls for the year. "Chief Chad Barrick said. Barrett came up through ranks as a cadet to probie to firefighter and now is a sergeant. Barrick reminisced about how he would occasionally get selfies from Barrett wearing Barrick’s Chief helmet around the station. Which drew howls of laughter from the assemble members.

Lucas Hoffman was this year’s Most Valuable Responder. According to Chief Barrick "This award is given to a top responder who helps staff the apparatus during the daytime and pretty much anytime the pager goes off. "Hoffmam," Barrick said, "is probably the first career volunteer firefighter in Frederick Co and we all constantly tell him he needs to get a job. He has worked his way up through our cadet program, went on to take training, started riding as a probie and now is an everyday firefighter. He answered 339 calls last year, 45% of the total calls for 2021!"

This year’s Honorary Life Membership award was presented to Edward "Butch" Leatherman who became a member 10 years ago, and he consistently helped with the fundraising efforts of the company, participated in monthly apparatus checks, helped with getting food items and represents the strong dedication that makes our organization successful.

Linda Grossnickle was honored with the Administrative Officer of the Year award. According to Graham, "Linda stepped up to take the position when no one else wanted it. Not only did she have to take care of all the administrative items from this year, but from 2020 as well. Linda," Graham said, "oversaw the writing and distribution of all company’ meeting minutes, and kept up with all the regulatory paperwork. No easy chore during normal times, but she did it during the height of the COVID pandemic, and did it with a smile on her face. She is the epitome of what it means to be a ‘team player’.

Last but not least the company top ten responders where honored: Josh Smith – 89 calls; Kristi Staley - 139 calls; Craig Moore -171 calls; Bill Horine – 173 calls; Josh Barrett – 202 calls; Brad Bliven – 204 calls; Alan Staley – 225 calls; Chase Tracey – 235 calls; Matt Staley – 304 calls; and as noted above, Lucas Hoffman, was the company’ top responder with 339 calls.