On January 28, 2012, the 64th annual installation of Officers Banquet was held at the Ridge Volunteer Fire Department. The tables were decorated in aqua and silver and a shiny new Tanker 4 and brand new van were on display at the far end of the hall. To start off the evening, the administrative, operational and auxiliary officers were sworn in by Bill Jones, President of the Southern Maryland Volunteer Fireman's Association and Darby Byrd, President of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Southern Maryland Volunteer Fireman's Association.

2012 Administrative Officers
President - Timothy Ridgell
Vice President - James Raley
Secretary - Matthew Ridgell
Assistant Secretary - Phillip R. Cooper, Jr.
Treasurer - Johnny Wathen
Fire Chief - Bruce Raley

Board of Directors
George Franklin
Bruce Raley
Francis Raley
James Raley
Joseph Raley
Justin Raley
Matthew Ridgell
Mike Ridgell
Timothy Ridgell
Tom Trossbach
Johnny Wathen

2012 Line Officers
Fire Chief - Bruce Raley
Assistant Chief - Eddie Raley
Deputy Chief - Ray Mercure
Captain - Charlie Langley
Captain - Darius Hawkins
Captain John Keister
Lieutenant - Matthew Ridgelll
Lieutenant - Leroy Owens
Safety Officer - Phillip R. Cooper, Jr.
Safety Officer - Francis Raley
Water Supply - Brian Cooper
Chief Engineer - Peanut Gatton
Honorary Chaplain - Msgr. Karl Chimiak
Engineer _ Charlie Bradburn
Engineer - Bradley Cooper
Engineer - Johnny Morrison
Engineer - Keith Raley
Engineer - Mike Ridgell
Engineer - Philip Ridgell
Engineer - Tony Ridgell
Engineer - Dickie Wood
Engineer - Robbie Wood

2012 Auxiliary Officers
President - Becky Wathen
Vice President - Debbie Fairfax
Recording Secretary - Ashleigh Andrews
Corresponding Secretary - Aggie Owens
Treasurer - Darlene Wood

After the swearing in, an outstanding dinner prepared by Bailey's Catering was served. Following dinner, Past Chief, Joe Cooper led us into a memorial ceremony to honor the deceased members of the department.
President Tim Ridgell and Fire Chief Bruce Raley then presented the honorees for whom the new tanker (Tanker 4) was dedicated:
Joseph H. Cooper ( Past Chief/Life Member)
Phillip R. Cooper Jr. (Past Chief/Life Member)
C. Leonard Raley (Past President/Life Member)
Joseph H. Raley (Past President/Life Member)
Franklin B. "Dickie" Wood (Chief Engineer/Life Member)
Th awards program followed, under the helm of Master of Ceremonies, former St. Mary's County Commissioner Dan Raley.

Congratulations to the following award recipients:
President's Award - The Fire Prevention Committee
Chief's Award - Peanut Gatton
Fireman of the year - Charlie Langley
Rookie of the year - Donte Blackwell
Chief Engineer's Award - Keith Raley
Sam Vallandingham Memorial Award - The membership of the Ridge VFD
Joseph C. Titus Public Safety and Fire Prevention Award - Peggy Vallandingham
Life Member Kevin Lorence
Forty Years Service - Jacqie Cooper, Millie Cullison and Peggy Vallandingham
Auxiliary President's Award Tom Fairfax Sr.
Auxiliary Member of the Year - Mary (Snookie) Raley and Becky Wathen
Several Appreciation Awards were presented to members by President Ridgell and Fire Chief Bruce Raley.
Auxiliary President Becky Wathen closed the awards, by presenting a set of keys to a new 2012 Toyoto passenger van to the Department which represented many hours of hard work and dedication. This van will be designated as Utilty 4. Our thanks go out to the Auxiliary for this generous gift.

The Officers and members of the Ridge VFD also would like to thank the members of the Bay District VFD and Webster Field for covering our area during the installation.