On March 15, 2022, applicable documentation was formally submitted by the Ridge Volunteer Rescue Squad (RVRS) to the Southern Maryland Volunteer Firemen’s Association (SMVFA) nominating Life Member Jessica (Titus) Snyder for induction into the SMVFA Hall of Fame. On April 5, 2022, the RVRS was contacted with news that the Hall of Fame Committee had met and selected Jessica as an inductee into the 2022 Hall of Fame. Her noteworthy contributions to the RVRS include 27 years of dedicated service as an Emergency Medical Technician, IV-Technician, and Certified Driver as well as serving in the offices of President, Vice President, Secretary, Board of Director, Assistant Chief, Safety Officer, Captain, and Lieutenant. Jessica was bestowed Life Membership with the RVRS in 2010.

The Hall of Fame Award was established by the SMVFA in 1986 to recognize the distinguished service of individuals. The first emphasis is on service to the SMVFA, followed by service to the individual’s local Fire/EMS Association and individual’s company/department. The Hall of Fame Committee is authorized to select up to ten (10) nominees into the Hall of Fame each year, with inductions occurring at the Annual Convention.

On April 30, 2022, members from the RVRS attended the 75th Annual SMVFA Convention Meeting held at the Bay District Volunteer Fire Department (BDVFD). The day commenced with a nice Memorial Service honoring those who passed in 2021 and then continued into the convention meeting and awards ceremony. During the awards ceremony, RVRS Life Member Jessica Snyder was called to the front of the room (in addition to 9 members from other companies) and was bestowed SMVFA Hall of Fame status. She was presented with two certificates (one for her and one for our squad building), a lapel pin, a blue/white/red/white/blue Hall of Fame ribbon bar, and a rocker Hall of Fame patch for her uniform. Her name will also be engraved on a plaque that is displayed at the Southern Maryland Regional Training Center in La Plata, MD. Jessica’s induction makes her the 8th recipient of the SMVFA Hall of Fame Award from the RVRS – her name now joins those who were inducted before her: Frances Ann Cullison, 2003; Jack Cullison, 2004; Paul Sullivan, 2004; Beverly O’Connor, 2006; Sandy Mahoney, 2006; Bobby Abell, 2008; and Debbie Drury, 2013.

In addition to RVRS Life Member Snyder’s induction to the SMVFA Hall of Fame, the following awards were also given:
• BDVFD Chief Joe Gould was installed as the next SMVFA President
• Our family at the Ridge Volunteer Fire Department received awards for:
o Fire Prevention – the Roland B. Duke Memorial Leg Trophy for Best Fire Prevention Entry
o Scot Best – W. David Gott Memorial Fire Prevention Award
o Philip “Heavy” Ridgell – Frank Cotrufo, Jr. Safety Award

The officers and members of the RVRS wish to congratulate all of the award recipients and wish SMVFA President Joe Gould a successful year ahead!