CHESTER, Md. — Some of Maryland's most decorated first responders past and present were celebrated over the weekend with a permanent place in Maryland Fire history.
The Maryland Fire Chiefs Association held its first Hall of Fame induction ceremony Saturday for members previously awarded a number of named commendations distinguishing their service to their communities.
Fifty-eight people were inducted as charter members of the MCFA Hall of Fame in front of other Maryland fire personnel and families of first responders posthumously honored at the event on Kent Island. Each inductee was presented with a certificate, pin and medal for the various awards given. Additionally, each charter member's name was added to a plaque.
Awards presented included:
- Chief Leonard T. King, Sr. Medal of Valor Award
- Chief Leslie B. Thompson Memorial Award
- Chief John W. Hoglund Leadership Award
- Chief William G. Perry Award
The Chief William G. Perry Award was established in 1969 to recognize an individual of the Maryland fire, rescue or emergency services community who has gone above and beyond and who has made an outstanding contribution throughout the year to the Maryland Fire Chiefs Association.
The most recent recipient of the William G. Perry award was Chief Hugh Owens Jr. of the Glenn Dale Fire Department in 2019. He was among the members inducted as a charter member on Saturday.
Also at the ceremony, a check was presented by Mission BBQ, a local restaurant that has sponsored events for police, military and fire personnel in the past, to the MCFA as part of a commemorative cup campaign they held at their store locations through September 11th.
The money raised and donated is expected to go to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to support families of first responders lost in the line of duty.
Members of volunteer and career fire departments from across the state were present at the Kent Island Volunteer Fire Department for Saturday's awards ceremony.