First responders will be recognized at a breakfast awards ceremony hosted by the Washington County Chamber of Commerce. Award recipients include first responders and volunteers in fire, law enforcement, EMS, telecommunications, and support services.

“The Washington County Chamber of Commerce is proud and honored to recognize the brave efforts of our public safety and health care professionals,” says Chamber President and CEO Paul Frey. “Every day these professionals go above and beyond the call of duty to protect the lives of our citizens and the property of our homes and businesses. It is a pleasure to be able to publicly give them our sincere thanks and gratitude for all that they do on the behalf of others, often without public recognition.”

There are three levels of Medal of Valor Awards: gold, silver, and bronze. The gold award recognizes an act of bravery involving extreme personal risk that is clearly above and beyond the call of duty, or an incident of valor that results in serious injury or death. The silver award recognizes acts of bravery involving great personal risk beyond the call of duty. The bronze award recognizes acts of bravery involving unusual personal risk beyond expectation while performing the usual responsibilities of the job. Bronze-level recognition may also be awarded to a responder who demonstrates unusual judgement, zeal, or ingenuity during an emergency situation when such an act is beyond that normally expected in the line of duty.

This year’s recipients of the Gold Medal of Valor Award include Trooper First Class Zachary O’Neal of the Maryland State Police, honored for preventing a suicide attempt over oncoming traffic in April of 2024. As well as Sergeant Vance Almy, Master Deputies Jason Litten, Jasen Logsdon, Joseph McCoy, Philip Schnurr, and Deputy Ashley Wilbraham of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office for preventing a separate suicide attempt over oncoming traffic in May of 2024.

Deputy Aaron Garvin of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office is also receiving the Gold Medal of Valor for saving another Deputy from a suspect who was armed with a knife in November of 2024.

Officer Tim Cramer of Hagerstown Police Department is receiving the Silver Medal of Valor for his response to a stabbing in progress in October of 2024.

Officers Andrew Kelbaugh and Jacob Mull of Hagerstown Police Department are receiving the Silver Medal of Valor for the combat and capture of an armed adversary with an active arrest warrant in November of 2024.

Officer Scott Huff of Hagerstown Police Department is receiving the Bronze Medal of Valor for the arrest of an armed male in possession of 57 containers of suspected narcotics in May of 2024.

Fire Apparatus Operator Brian Snyder of Hagerstown Fire Department is receiving the Bronze Medal of Valor Award for successfully rescuing a woman from a 2-story residential structure fire in November of 2024.

The Hero Award honors an individual or team whose actions attempted to save or succeeded in saving a human life. Recipients demonstrate strong knowledge of medical and rescue efforts, quick action, and a commitment to service on and off duty.

Officer Bethani Basta of Hagerstown Police Department is receiving the Hero Award for her quick action to apply direct pressure using her own hands to a victim with multiple stab wounds in October of 2024.

Officer Langley Dean of Hagerstown Police Department is receiving the Hero Award for his life-saving action of using his torniquet on a juvenile assault victim who would have otherwise expired from blood loss in June of 2024.

Fire Apparatus Operator Jacob Altman and Firefighter Adam Semler of Hagerstown Fire Department and Lieutenant Scott Adams of Longmeadow Volunteer Fire Company are receiving the Hero Award for their lifesaving response to a house fire entrapment in October of 2024.

Assistant Chief Sara Gismondi of Potomac Valley Volunteer Fire Company and Fire Apparatus Operator Jackie Moser of Washington County Division of Emergency Services, both crew members of Boat 20-11, are receiving the Hero Award for their actions and ability to adapt during a high-risk water rescue with a stranded victim in October of 2024.

Firefighters Matthew Munson, Bradley Taylor, and Daniel Taylor of Maugansville Goodwill Volunteer Fire Company are receiving the Hero Award for quickly rescuing a female from a trailer fire entrapment in June of 2024.

Paramedics Travis Routzahn and Baileigh Phelps of Community Rescue Service are receiving the Hero Award for their life-saving response to a pediatric cardiac arrest in August of 2024

The Unit Achievement Award is awarded to any bureau, division, section, unit, or squad exhibiting extraordinary performance and attention to duty, and for an outstanding contribution to the department or to the welfare of our citizens.

Sergeant William Mills, and Master Deputies Michael Carbaugh, Robert Harris, James Lewis, and Danny Taylor of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Detention Division – Transport Unit are receiving the Unit Achievement Award for transporting 1,550 incarcerated individuals without incident in the 2024 calendar year.

The volunteers of Washington County Emergency Support Services Station 25 Air & Rehab Units are receiving the Unit Achievement Award for teamwork and dedication that provided high-quality breathing air, hydration, and nutritional support at over 275 incidents in 2024.

Maugansville Goodwill Volunteer Fire Company Rescue Squad 13’s Lieutenant Bradley Taylor, Firefighters Tommy Palmer, Hunter Clark, Robbie Resh, Robert Neat, Exequais Lemus, Brandon Frazier, Jack Blair, Chief Mark Miller, Chaplain Genny Resh, and Maugansville Goodwill Volunteer Fire Company Utility-13’s Firefighter Jeff Early are receiving the Unit Achievement Award alongside Community Rescue Service’s Captain Justin Ruppenthal, Paramedic Abraham Jefferson, and EMT Zachariah Graybill for their teamwork responding to a serious vehicle incident with a young child in February of 2024.

Captain John Murray and Fire Apparatus Operator Richard Bolinksy of Hagerstown Fire Department Engine 4, Fire Apparatus Operator Joel Oyler of Hagerstown Fire Department Truck 4, Fire Apparatus Operator Terry Martin, and Firefighters Abdellah Rasalane, Connor Bratburd of Longmeadow Volunteer Fire Company Rescue Engine 27-2 are receiving the Unit Achievement Award for their courage and seamless teamwork responding to a house fire entrapment under high-stress conditions in October of 2024.

Lieutenant Robert Follin and Paramedics Kamarya Chojnacki, Kevin Demmons of Community Rescue Service as well as Fire Apparatus Operators Travis Barkdoll and Shawn Wieczorek of Hagerstown Fire Department are receiving the Unit Achievement Award for seamless coordination and commitment to the survival of a distressed pediatric patient in June of 2024.

The Telecommunications Award is given to an individual who has demonstrated an exceptional contribution to the improved delivery of emergency medical, fire and law enforcement services to the citizens and visitors of Washington County through their outstanding dedication and service. 

Emergency Communications Specialist Shirley Weaver of the Washington County Division of Emergency Communication 9-1-1 is receiving the Telecommunications Award for balancing the chaos of a fluid and dangerous call that involved a stab victim and gunshots, with focused and decisive action in November of 2024. 

Emergency Dispatcher II Lashonda Wilson of Maryland State Police Emergency Dispatch is receiving the Telecommunications Award for her commitment to recruiting efforts and initiatives within the Hagerstown barrack, superb CAD documentation, and ability to handle high volumes of radio traffic.

The Distinguished Service Award is presented to a responder who is distinguished from all others of their rank or position. He or she performs above expectation, demonstrates responsibility, and initiated a credible accomplishment in the previous year.

Sergeant Adam Matthai of the Maryland State Police is receiving the Distinguished Service Award for demonstrating exceptional supervisory and leadership qualities, leading the Barrack Boys and Girls Program, volunteering regularly, and playing a crucial role in the location and recovery of 3 bodies in response to the Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapse.

1st Vice President G. Dale Fishack Jr. of the Washington County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association is receiving the Distinguished Service Award for demonstrating dedication and passion to Fire/EMS in the community, continuing to hold numerous positions that serve Washington County, and being an active advocate for local volunteer stations and EMS departments.

The Community Service Award is presented to an individual, group or organization who has worked to better the lives of those in Washington County, either inside or outside of normal job duties, or has performed a single outstanding prevention.

Boonsboro Ambulance & Rescue Service, Inc.’s Dennis Rudden, Mel Rowland, Steve Mohl, Josh Mohl, Melinda Heady, NP, and Bradley Kauffman are receiving the Community Service Award for going above and beyond as volunteers to teach STOP THE BLEED, CPR, and the MDDH Overdose Response Program (ORP) to the community.

The Volunteer Achievement Award is presented for volunteer dedication and initiative above and beyond the call of duty over a period of time that has affected and benefited the citizens of Washington County and beyond.

Chief Priscilla Morgan is receiving the Volunteer Achievement Award for her excellent volunteer contributions to Sharpsburg EMS, which includes running the full scope of operations for the department, eliminating department staffing issues, and being an exemplary leader. 

Chaplain Deborah Cohill of Hancock Volunteer Fire Company is receiving the Volunteer Achievement Award for obtaining an estimated $1,000,000 in grant money for Hancock Volunteer Fire Company, Martha’s House, and Allegheny Fire Company.

The Lifetime Achievement Award is given to an individual who encompasses leadership and an exceptional work ethic. He or she has consistently performed above and beyond normal expectation throughout their career.

Gary S. David, Apparatus Operator/Technician of Washington County Emergency Support Services is receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award in honor of his dedicated 50+ years of public service. David has volunteered with the Hagerstown Police Department in the past, serving as an Auxiliary Officer/Fire Police. Today, he continues to rank among the top responders for ESS-25 at 87 years of age. David also serves as the ESS-25 Historian, having meticulously collected and maintained records chronicling the department’s history from the 1960’s. David has shown true dedication to ESS-25 and the citizens of Washington County.

Chief Richard Miller of Hancock Police Department is receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing his 40+ years of service to Washington & Franklin Counties. During his career, Chief Miller has made outstanding contributions in all aspects of public safety including Fire/EMS, emergency dispatch, and law enforcement. He is known for his commitment to solving cases and has even earned the nickname “the bloodhound” by his colleagues for never missing a detail. Chief Miller’s remarkable legacy of service, professionalism, and character will linger for years to come.

Washington County’s 9th Annual Public Safety Awards will be held at Community Volunteer Fire Co. of District 12’s Banquet Facility at 18002 Tilghmanton Road, Fairplay, MD 21733, on Thursday, August 7th, 2025, at 7:00 am. Registration details are available at Hagerstown.org on the Chamber Events Calendar.

The Chamber would like to thank the sponsors of this event: Antietam Broadband, Hagerstown Magazine, Hagerstown Magazine, Potomac Edison, Atlantic Emergency Solutions, Keystone Public Safety, Berman, Sobin & Gross, LLP, Streamline IT Solutions, Blue Ridge Risk Partners, Douglas A. Fiery Funeral Home, and Complete Document Solutions.

About The Chamber

Growth. Community. Success. Established in 1919, the mission of the Chamber is to foster and maintain a thriving business climate in which its members and community can grow and prosper. Washington County Chamber of Commerce members include more than 670 organizations, representing over 40,000 local jobs in a wide variety of industries: Retail, Manufacturing, Healthcare, Skilled Trades, Service and Hospitality, Technology, Government, Nonprofit, and Education. Visit www.hagerstown.org or call (301) 739-2015.

The Chamber promotes and facilitates cooperation and collaboration among elected officials at all levels of government. We value the diversity of our business and nonprofit community and encourage participation, inclusion, and collaboration.

Contact: Maddie Monica, Marketing & Events; 301-739-2015 ext.103; maddie @hagerstown.org

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