Maryland State Fireman's Association Convention from June 19th through the 22nd of 2005

Maryland State Firemen's Association Convention - June 23, 2005- Rockville Volunteers Fire Department members made the annual 160 mile trip to Ocean City, Maryland this year for the Maryland State Fireman's Association Convention from June 19th through the 22nd. On Monday the 20th, RVFD was on hand at to present the Marbery F. Gates Service Cup Award. This award was established by the Rockville Volunteer Fire Department and accepted by the Maryland State Firemen’s Association (MSFA) Executive Committee in 1981 to honor over sixty (60) years of active service performed by charter member, Mr. Marbery F. Gates of Rockville, Maryland. The initial and first award was presented to Mr. Marbery F. Gates on June 15, 1981, at the 86th Annual Convention of the Maryland State Firemen’s Association. Mr. Gates served on the MSFA Board of Trustees from 1969 through 1989. Mr. Gates died in 1992 having actively served the RVFD for 71 years. He served as President for 25 years and a member of the Board of Directors for over 40 years and was still a member at the time of his death.
This year’s winner is Chief Daniel B. Smith, Sr., a 55-year member of the Aberdeen Volunteer Fire Department. Chief Smith is an active member of that Department who has served as Chief, President and a member of their Board of Directors for 30 consecutive years. He is still among the 10 most active responders of the AVFD, even though he now spends about four months of the year in Florida. Chief Smith began his fire service career as a member of the Cecilton Volunteer Fire Department in 1937. He joined Aberdeen VFD in 1949 after moving there to be closer to his job at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds Fire Department. When Chief Smith retired, he was the chief of the Aberdeen Proving Grounds Fire Department.
In addition to presenting our award, members enjoyed the beach, the exhibitor displays, the department's crab feast, and entering Rescue Engine 33 in the parade. A special thank you to our members who stayed back at the station throughout the week for continuing to staff the apparatus.