Abingdon Volunteer Fire Company celebrated its best and brightest during its annual banquet at Level Fire Hall on Saturday night, which included honoring a firefighter who helped save a woman at a fire in Baltimore.
"We had 1,511 calls on the fire side [for 2014]. This is remarkable. We are all volunteers. We don't get paid. We are dedicated to our service and to our community, and that's why we serve and will continue to serve our community," President Charlie Williams told the crowd.
The number of fire calls has stayed steady in recent years, falling from a slight increase of 1,806 in 2011. The company also answered 4,170 ambulance calls last year, a steady rise since the 3,651 medical calls in 2011.
Chief 4-2 Rob Glassman recognized Capt. Steve Gaubatz, who said he rescued a woman from a fire in Baltimore while working as a police officer for Johns Hopkins University.
Gaubatz was first on the scene during the Feb. 7 fire on St. Paul Street, Glassman said.
"He never got any recognition for it. He basically told me that he was stupid for doing it," Glassman said, noting Gaubatz is known for being quiet and low-key. "To me, it's the reason we do what we do. He acted on his training and what he thought was right at the time."
Glassman said the local news only mentioned that the fire department rescued two people from the home.
"There was no note, there was no selfie," Glassman joked about Gaubatz's effort.
Harford County Executive Barry Glassman, no relation, said Abingdon continues to build on its strengths.
"This company has historically been one of the strongest in the county," the county executive told the group.
"We would not survive" were it not for the "hours and dedication" put in by volunteers, Glassman added.
County Councilman Curtis Beulah was among the local elected officials joining the fire and EMS officials, along with Councilman Pat Vincenti, Councilman Mike Perrone, state Sen. Bob Cassilly and state Del. Susan McComas.
"[Glassman] told me to tell you that you save us a lot of money, so we appreciate that," Beulah said, getting laughs from the crowd.
Speaking after the meeting, Williams said the number of volunteers who have been training and joining the company continues to grow.
"We've been taking in every three months anywhere from 20 to 30 members, and the average volunteer stays maybe five or 10 years," he said. "We're glad our community's growing and we're there to help."
The Firefighter of the Year was Jeff Strauss and the EMS Responder of the Year was Nicole Lentz.
The company's leaders also recognized several mile markers reached by its long-standing members, with some, such as William H. Sewell, having served Abingdon Volunteer Fire Company for 60 years.
The top 10 EMS responders for 2014 were: Joe Schreck, with 102 calls; Steve Katsikides, 105; Chavez Wilson, 112; Steven Muccioli, 121; Kevin Courtney, 139; Susie Tingler, 176; Rodnie Matute, 194; Nicole Lentz, 204; Steve Duvall, 227; and Brandon Mendoza, 283.
The top 10 fire responders were: Rob Glassman, with 323 calls; Mike Hawks, 334; Paul Boniface, 377; Greg Simons, 388; Scott Schmidt, 402; Monti Arrington, 408; Jonathan Hofmeister, 421; Steven Muccioli, 468; Jesse Spruell, 536; and Ryan Glode, 544.
James "Jim" Weaver, an EMT and retired Army major, was also honored with a memorial candle at the banquet. He died Nov. 4, 2014.