The MSFA held its annual convention 18-22 June 2016 in Ocean City, MD. Ridge Volunteer Fire Department received several recognitions and awards:

Hall of Fame: Life Member and Past Chief Joseph H. Cooper was inducted into the Maryland State Firemen’s Association Hall of Fame. Joseph H. Cooper joined the Ridge Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. on August 11, 1965, and has continued to provide distinguished and outstanding service for more than 50 years to the department, local community, St. Mary’s County, Southern Maryland and the Maryland Fire Service. Within the RVFD, Past Chief Cooper has held several line officer positions including Engineer, Captain, Assistant Chief and Fire Chief. He has also held administrative positions including Secretary, Treasurer, and Board of Directors.
He was elected President of the Southern Maryland Volunteer Firemen’s Association in 1984 after serving as 2nd Vice President (1982) and 1st Vice President (1983). He also served as Treasurer for eight years. He was elected to the Southern Maryland Volunteer Firemen’s Association Hall of Fame for distinguished and outstanding service. During his term as President, the ground breaking ceremony was held and construction commenced on the first Southern Maryland Regional Training Center (SMRTC) in La Plata, MD. He supported and worked on the renovation of the Communication building that was the first building of training facility at the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute, Southern Maryland Regional Training Center, La Plata, MD under the watch eye of the first Regional Coordinator, Ray Simpson. This building that was turned over to Charles County when the current facility was completed as part of the MFRI Regional concept. The new SMRTC continues to be in use today, supporting training for volunteer firefighters and emergency medical technicians in Southern Maryland and statewide. He also served on the MSFA Training committee for two terms. Mr. Cooper also served on the committee to write the Firefighter Certification Regulations for the State of Maryland. Additionally, he served as a Field Instructor for University of Maryland Fire Service Extension, now known as Maryland fire and Rescue Institute, for 22 years. Joe Cooper remains an active responder to fire calls, and is critical to meeting the community’s needs during the work week when many of our working members are unavailable. He is also a past member of the Ridge Volunteer Rescue Squad. He continues to support the Ridge Volunteer Fire Department on a number of committees, and is very active in our Fire Prevention program.

Smith N. Stathem, Jr. P.P Memorial Safety Award: Safety Officer Phillip R. Cooper received the Smith N. Stathem, Jr. P.P Memorial Safety Award. Safety Officer Cooper has been a member of RVFD over 53 years; it was noted that he is the only person to receive this award twice from MSFA.

Fire Prevention Book: RVFD entered the category of Year-Round Program, Class IV. The book documented various activities of the fire prevention committee, including school visits, home smoke detector installation, daycare, birthday parties and other events where we spread the message “Hear the Beep Where You Sleep”. The book received 1st place in the Class IV category, and overall 5th place.