A year ago, 10-year-old Laci Brooks was lying on the snowy ground with a piece of rebar through her body as members of the Jarrettsville Volunteer Fire Company surrounded her and worked to cut the metal, free her and get her ready to go to the hospital.
On Saturday, Laci, now 11, stood next to Fire Chief Rudy Walter during the company's annual awards banquet as he complimented her for her bravery and being a "trouper" throughout the rescue.
The chief made Laci an honorary firefighter, and she presented unit citations to the members of the company who came to her aid on Feb. 3, 2014 after she was impaled through her back by the piece of rebar while sledding in the 3600 block of Anderson Lane in Jarrettsville.
"We're very happy and excited to have her with us tonight in our presence," Walter said as he introduced Laci and her parents, Don and Kim Jones, of Bel Air.
Don Jones thanked company members "for making the worst day of our lives easier."
Laci was taken by ambulance to the pediatric trauma center at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore for surgery to remove the foot-long piece of rebar that remained inside her after she was cut free.
Her father said after the banquet that she spent one day in the hospital and then about three to four weeks going through recovery.
"About a month after [the accident], she was sledding again," Jones said.
Laci, who has two younger brothers, is in fifth grade at Bel Air Elementary School, and she is also into cheerleading. Her father said she does not have any permanent injuries from the sledding accident.
Don Jones, who was at the scene of the accident, also praised the fire company members for their quick response and efficient care. He said it took less than 30 minutes to get Laci free and on her way to the hospital.
"They showed up, they did what they had to do," he recalled. "There was no time wasted."
Her father and the fire chief praised Laci for keeping calm, but she said she felt "totally scared" during her ordeal.
When asked what she would say to one of her rescuers, Laci said she would tell him or her, "Thank you, and I'll always remember that day."
Sixteen Jarrettsville firefighters and EMS workers who participated in the rescue received unit citations during the banquet, which was held at Jarrettsville VFW Post 8672.
"I know she was scared, but she was so strong," Walter, who was also at the scene, said of Laci's courage.
Company accomplishments
In addition to the recognition of Laci and her family, fire company officials gave a number of annual awards to firefighters, EMS workers and auxiliary members for their accomplishments in 2014.
Albie Breidenbaugh, who according to Walter, "has pulled countless hours of fire duty and is always willing to help out with whatever is needed," was named the company's Firefighter of the Year.
Tom Fruhling received the Thurman B. Ellis Memorial Award for Service, which was established in 2011 in honor of EMS Capt. Emeritus Thurman Ellis.
Capt. Ellis died in November 2010. The award is not given every year.
"It's only given to a very special person when they really deserve it," EMS Chief Cathy O'Neill said.
O'Neill said the Thurman Ellis Award is bestowed upon a member "for service and continued dedication to the community and to the firehouse."
"He just continues to do his job, and nobody asks him to do anything," she said of Fruhling. "He does great work for the community."
Ruth Hoskins, who has been a member since 1987 and is the company's safety officer, was inducted into the Harford-Cecil Volunteer Firemen's Association Hall of Fame.
Deputy Fire Chief Ben Kurtz listed Hoskins' many accomplishments, including serving as an EMS lieutenant and secretary, a fire secretary, a member of the board of directors, a member of Harford County's HAZMAT team, a member of the county's recruitment and retention and radio committees, and she has also been in charge of compiling the LOSAP, or Length of Service Award Program, information submitted by all 12 of the county's fire and EMS companies regarding members' time accrued for retirement benefits.
"Ladies and gentlemen, Ruthie, come on up!" Kurtz called out.
Donita Dietz received the auxiliary President's Award, and David Hebden Jr. received the fire chief's award.
The top fire responders were Ben Kurtz, with 443 calls; Rob Parks, 385; Cody Klapka, 278; Mark Grubb, 260; Mike Galbreath, 259; Dave Hebden Jr., 243; Ken Parks, 222; Jimie Huffman, 215; Greg Osik, 209; and John Simpson, 203.
The top EMS responders were John Lassack, who responded to 184 calls; Debbie Woodfin, 177; Mark Mahan, 176; Ted Burkhardt, 166; Jack Mory, 165; Mike Galbreath, 150; Rick Tauson, 137; Hannah Riale, 136; Katie Smith, 114; and Tracy Smith, 111.
The company answered 518 fire and rescue calls in 2014, along with 1,098 EMS calls. There were also 85 auxiliary events and responses by members to emergency scenes. Auxiliary members put 3,985 hours toward their various events.
"It takes an army to do this," emcee Richard Brooks, Cecil County's emergency services director, said of auxiliary members' work.
Years of service
Shaun Amole, Kimberly Bishop, Travis East, Mike Galbreath, Nick Hampshire, Zack Kraft, Janet McDonald, Andrew Parker and Joe Ranney were recognized for five years of service.
Jennifer Eckard and Dave Hebden Sr. were recognized for 10 years of service and John Palmer was honored for 15 years.
Craig Messenger was honored for 20 years of service, Robb Altenburg, 25 years, and Deborah Woodfin for 35 years.
Steven Strawbridge Sr. was recognized for 40 years of service and he was honored with life membership in the company.
Donald Robinson Jr. and Neil Williams Jr. were honored for 50 years of service, and George Denbow Jr. took home top honors for 55 years of service.