Maryland Fire-Rescue Services Memorial Foundation

Maryland Fire-Rescue Services Memorial Foundation Established to support the Maryland Fire & EMS Services honoring those who have given their lives. Hands are reaching out, touching.

Maryland Memorial and its meaning

BETWEEN MORNING AND MIDNIGHT



The Firefighter and EMS provider are ascending the staircase of time as they depart from this world. They are running to their calling to do the job of serving our community with strength, determination and sacrifice as if going to war. The second before their life is consumed they reflect and turn to their loved ones to say their

farewells for the last time. The lower area represents our world of family and community occupied by the kneeling mother, supporting child and elderly man. There is room for the visitors to join and take part in the memorial. The upper stairs are raised up and separated from the lower area distinguishing the two worlds, rising above and ascending the staircase. The fire and rescue persons turn to reflect on their departing world. The seven ascending steps represent the seven days of the week. Every day they go to work to serve and protect our lives while never knowing when that tragic day may come. A keystone with the bronze bagpipe signifies the sounds of ceremony and the threshold of the spiritual world. The Firefighter and EMS provider represent all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to serve and also all those who continue and have selflessly served our needs. The kneeling woman represents the mother left behind, shocked, surprised, passionately reaching out to her lost one to touch and say goodbye one last time. The child is consoling and supporting the mother. The elderly man is an old sage who shares knowledge of grief and purpose. As this is a continuing challenge we face, the mother stands for the present time in which we must deal with this sacrifice, the elderly man stands for the past wisdom and understanding of the ways all things fit together, and the child stands for the future and those who will come to show compassion, support and serve. All figures are reaching out to touch, console, say goodbye and share their lost love. The sculpture represents our community showing gratitude while proudly honoring those who serve. Artist Rodney Carroll

Baltimore, MD

Honoring & Remembering Maryland Fallen Heroes.Baltimore City Fire Department ~ Baltimore ~ MarylandSeptember 5, 1953Whil...
09/05/2026

Honoring & Remembering Maryland Fallen Heroes.
Baltimore City Fire Department ~ Baltimore ~ Maryland
September 5, 1953
While pumping a hydrant for a 6 alarm building fire at the Baltimore Lumber Company, Engine Co. No. 22's Assistant Engineman, Herman Leyh , collapsed ,having suffered a heart attack, & was transported to City Hospital. Sadly, he died a few hours after arriving.
Engineman Herman Leyh was 59 years old and had served for 27 years.

.Honoring & Remembering Maryland Fallen Heroes.Cabin John Park V.F.D. ~ Montgomery County ~ Maryland.In 1976, James P. "...
09/04/2026

.Honoring & Remembering Maryland Fallen Heroes.

Cabin John Park V.F.D. ~ Montgomery County ~ Maryland.

In 1976, James P. "Jim" Seavey was 16 years old when he joined the Glen Echo Fire Department. Over the next 1 and ½ decades he rose to the rank of Assistant Chief before moving to the Cabin John Park Volunteer Fire Department where on January 1,1992 he became Chief of the Department ,a position he held for 26 consecutive years, until his retirement on December 31,2017.

Jim realized a childhood dream when in 1986 he was hired by the District of Columbia Fire Department as member of Recruit Class No.296 . He graduated as president of his class and for the next 30 years enjoyed a robust & fulfilling career, retiring with the rank of Captain .

In 2013, Chief Seavey was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, a type of firefighter occupational blood cancer, and his battle with the disease began.

Chief Seavey continued working and served tirelessly as an advocate for firefighters nationwide. He researched and co-authored "The Lavender Ribbon Report: Best Practices for Preventing Firefighter Cancer", published by the International Association of Fire Chiefs. The publication brought forth 11 actions that can dramatically reduce deaths of first responders from various firefighting occupational cancers.

Chief Seavey was a constant advocate for the volunteer fire service and over the years served in numerous related positions at the local, State,& National level.

He also worked to further the U.S. fire service on an international level, fostering a foundation for international fire service cooperation and understanding. He created an opportunity for cultural, technological, and educational exchange between the U.S. and German fire services, and in recognition of these efforts the German Fire Service awarded him with the Bronze, Silver, and Gold Medals as well as the German Silver Cross. He also was instrumental in working with the Embassy of Chile and the Chilean Navy on the acquisition, transfer and hands-on training on a retired fire engine from Cabin John Park VFD.

He was an active member of the DC Emerald Society Pipes and Drums and was their first Honor Guard Sergeant.

Sadly, on September 4,2018, after 5 courageous years of battling Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Chief Seavey passed away .

On August 19th, 2022, Chief Seavey's death was officially declared a Line Of Duty Death/Occupational Exposure.

Chief James Perrine ”Jim” Seavey, Sr. was 58 years old and had served in the fire & EMS service for 42 years.

Honoring & Remembering Maryland Fallen Heroes…..Cumberland Fire Department ~ Allegany County ~ MarylandSeptember 2, 1907...
09/02/2026

Honoring & Remembering Maryland Fallen Heroes
…..
Cumberland Fire Department ~ Allegany County ~ Maryland
September 2, 1907
** "At City Hall Square, there was a public showing of the uses of an aerial ladder. Fireman James A. Valentine had made two trips in a highly successful manner up and down the ladder to the delight and wonder of the large crowd of people who had gathered to witness the practice. Fireman Valentine was just ready to go for a third time when the ladder snapped like a pipe stem and Valentine fell with it at a distance of 58 feet, landing on his back in City Hall Square , about four feet from the hay scales.
As soon as possible he was picked up, Stein’s ambulance was summoned, and he was transported to Western Maryland Hospital where he died at 930 pm that same evening. Fireman Valentine was also a member of Pioneer Hose Company No.1.
Fireman James A. Valentine (shown on the extended ladder just moments before the tragedy occurred) was 27 years old.
Number of years served are unknown at this time.
Baltimore City Fire Department ~ Baltimore ~ Maryland
September 2,1912
Box No.639 sounded for a fire below deck in the hold of the S.S.Nantucket ,docked at Pier No. 5, Locust Point. The second alarm was sounded and conditions were the worst because of thick acrid smoke belching out of the hatchways.
Pipeman John T. Krampe was getting the hosepipe into play, when he fell into an open hatchway, plunging to the bottom of the burning vessel, and to his death.
Pipeman John T. Krampe was 35 years old and had served 3 years.
Baltimore City Fire Department ~ Baltimore ~ Maryland
September 2,1930
Captain John D. Meakin was found dead in his bed in the quarters of Engine Co. No. 44.
Captain John D. Meakin was 50 years old and had served 28 years.
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LODD narrative for Fireman Valentine quoted from the September 3,1907 edition of The Evening Times, Cumberland, Md.
**
LODD narrative for Pipeman Krampe quoted from "The Unheralded Heroes " by Wm.Murray.

Honoring & Remembering Maryland Fallen Heroes.Baltimore City Fire Department ~ Baltimore ~ MarylandSeptember 2, 1888** "...
09/02/2026

Honoring & Remembering Maryland Fallen Heroes.
Baltimore City Fire Department ~ Baltimore ~ Maryland
September 2, 1888
** " What proved to be the most terrible event that has happened in the Department began when Box No. 526 sounded at 4:24 l/2 a.m. The 5-story brick double building occupied by E.A. Prior & Co., 107-109 S. Sharp St. was afire. The warehouse was 217 feet deep through to Cypress alley, and flames were coming out of the lower floor, front and back, and heavy smoke from all the upper windows. Second and Third alarms were sounded.
Assistant Chief Engineer Thomas F. Murphy and the members of Eng. Co. No. 7, and H&L Co. No. 2 hastened to the top floor of the next door building, No. 105, prepared to cut a hole through the wall so that a hose pipe could throw a stream of water into the burning building.
Outside, Captain John J. Ledden, (E-2), noticed the wall of 107 sway a little. He shouted up the stairway "Get out quick", and the men came running down. Chief Murphy looked up at the top of the building and said "Captain , if this wall falls, it won't hurt the next door building", and he ordered the firemen back to their assignments. The Chief conversed for a moment, then started up the stairway, when suddenly the wall fell. Captain Ledden grabbed the Chief, pulling him outside just as the buildings came tumbling down, carrying every floor to the cellar, and with it nine of our brave firemen.
As the dust cleared away, Ladderman John W. Kelly was seen on the cornice above the doorway, alive but badly bruised. All available men started to dig into the ruins for the buried firemen, when a feeble voice was heard to say "Save Me !". It was Ladderman August Eck, who was pinned in a horrible position with his feet burning, but after some hard work, he was freed, alive.
Encouraged by the miraculous escape from death of the two men, the rescuers tugged at the rubble all the harder, but alas, the bodies of seven comrades were recovered. "
Ladderman Thomas Wagner was 54 years old and had served 20 years.
Ladderman John Acomb was 35 years old and had served 2 years.
Callman George Bowers was 36 years old and had served 12 years.
Substitute Patrick J. Ryan's age and number of years served are unknown at this time.
Pipeman Henry Walker was 41 years old and had served15 years.
Pipeman George Kerns' age and number of years served are unknown at this time.
Substitute Hiram McAfee was 26 years old.
Number of years served are unknown at this time.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
**LODD Narrative quoted from "The UnHeralded Heroes" by William Murray

.Honoring & Remembering Maryland Fallen Heroes.Bladensburg VFD ~ Prince George's County~ Maryland.September 1, 1937.Fire...
09/01/2026

.Honoring & Remembering Maryland Fallen Heroes.

Bladensburg VFD ~ Prince George's County~ Maryland.

September 1, 1937.
Firefighter Clarence L. Joneston was killed responding to the firehouse for an ambulance call. His death was the second Line of Duty Death in the county.
Firefighter Jonestown's age and number of years served are unknown at this time.
Queen Anne-Hillsboro VFD ~ Queen Anne County ~ Maryland .
September 1,2018.
Queen Anne-Hillsboro Volunteer Fire Company units were on the scene of a 2 car head-on collision with entrapment and multiple patients between Starr Road & Old Queen Anne Road . While working at the rescue scene , Assistant Fire Chief Daniel Lister suffered a medical emergency and was transported to University of Maryland Shore Medical Center. Sadly, all resuscitation attempts were unsuccessful. Assistant Chief Lister was an active and dedicated member of the Queen Anne-Hillsboro VFC, where over the years he served as Lieutenant, Captain, Deputy Chief ,Chief, and at the time of his death was serving as Assistant Chief.Assistant Chief Daniel Lee "Danny" Lister was 34 years old and had served 15 years.

P.G. County Fire/EMS Department ~ Prince George's County~ Maryland.
September 1, 2021

Bill Goddard began serving in the fire service in 1967 as a volunteer for the Glendale Fire Association in PG County.
After enlisting & serving as a United States Navy Corpsman for 4 years, Bill returned to Maryland & began his full-time career as a Prince George’s County firefighter in 1972. Over the years he would be promoted up through the ranks and in 1994 was promoted to Chief Deputy of the PG County Fire/EMS Department. He retired in 1995, and went on to serve in many key senior positions within the State of Maryland where he continued to support, assist, & partner with the entire Maryland Fire & EMS service to enhance the recognition, legislation,& support for all volunteer & career, fire & EMS personnel within the State of Maryland.
In 2009, Bill was appointed Fire Chief of Howard County Fire & Rescue Services, and led that combination department with integrity ,retiring from that appointment after 6 ½ years of service.
Bill had many accomplishments & served in many positions during his long & robust public safety career. He was the consummate professional, an excellent leader, & a mentor to many, who left a lasting impression as a truly compassionate & caring individual.
Deputy Chief Goddard passed on September 1, 2021. His death was ruled a LODD Occupational/Cancer.
Retired Deputy Chief of Prince George’s Co.Fire/EMS Dept. William F. Goddard III, a Veteran of the United States Navy, & Life Member of the Glenn Dale Fire Association, was 70 years old & had served the citizens of Maryland for over 50 years.

.Honoring & Remembering Maryland Fallen Heroes.Hurlock Volunteer Fire Co. ~ Dorchester County ~ MarylandAugust 29,1957In...
08/29/2026

.Honoring & Remembering Maryland Fallen Heroes.

Hurlock Volunteer Fire Co. ~ Dorchester County ~ Maryland
August 29,1957
In December of 1939, while at the scene of a working house fire near Hurlock, a gun exploded ,critically injuring Firefighter Harold Wells, when one of his legs was blown off from the blast. He survived, but developed & suffered from various post injury-related chronic complications for the next 18 years and died at the Cambridge-Maryland Hospital on August 29,1957,
Firefighter Harold "Pat" Wells was 54 years old and had served 19+ years.

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Smithsburg Community VFC ~ Washington County ~ Maryland
August 29, 1986
Firefighter Merle C. Baker was driving Engine 7-1 responding to a reported barn fire on Keiffer Funk Road. Engine 7-1's crew realized that Firefighter Baker had done something out of character and had driven right past Keiffer Funk Road. Having notified him of his mistake, he turned the engine around, and headed back down the road. As Firefighter Baker was turning 7-1 onto Keiffer Funk Road, he slumped over between the seat and the driver's door. The officer quickly applied the airbrakes and safely stopped the engine. The crew pulled Firefighter Baker out of the engine ,immediately began CPR, and requested EMS. Realizing that the road was so narrow that additional responding equipment would not be able to get by Engine 7-1, the officer drove the engine and proceeded to the barn fire, while the crew remained with Firefighter Baker and performed CPR until EMS arrived and took over patient care. Sadly, Firefighter Baker died from a massive heart attack.
Firefighter Merle C.Baker was 65 years old. Number of years served are unknown at this time.

Honoring & Remembering Maryland Fallen HeroesFrostburg Fire Dept. No.1 ~ Allegany County ~ MarylandAugust 28, 1978On the...
08/28/2026

Honoring & Remembering Maryland Fallen Heroes

Frostburg Fire Dept. No.1 ~ Allegany County ~ Maryland
August 28, 1978
On the afternoon of Monday, August 21, 1978, Frostburg Fire Department No. 1 Fire Chief, Joseph R.Durst,Jr, & many other FFD members, were decorating the town in preparation for the events of the upcoming weekend that included the Frostburg Fire Department's Centennial Celebration and the Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firemen's Association's annual conference. Chief Durst was working off of an extension ladder & hanging bunting when he fell 25 feet, landed on his head, and was rendered unconscious. Sadly, Chief Durst never regained consciousness and died 7 days later, just as the festivities for which he had been decorating , concluded.
Joseph Durst Jr was the first ever recipient of the Allegany-Garrett Counties Volunteer Firemen's Associations Fireman of the Year award in 1958. During his years of service, Joe served in many capacities within the FFD including Fire Chief for nine years.
Chief Joseph R. Durst ,Jr was 46 years old and had served 25 years.

Honoring & Remembering Maryland Fallen Heroes.Baltimore City Fire Department ~ Baltimore ~ MarylandAugust 27, 1898Baltim...
08/27/2026

Honoring & Remembering Maryland Fallen Heroes.
Baltimore City Fire Department ~ Baltimore ~ Maryland
August 27, 1898
Baltimore City had received a call for assistance from firemen in Laurel, Maryland. Engine Co.No.10 responded to Camden Station where a special car of the B&O Railroad was loaded with the steam engine, hose wagon ,horses, and firemen, and then set off for the hour long trip to Laurel. Upon arrival, they unloaded Engine 10 & the hose wagon but were unable
to disembark the horses from the railway cars, therefore, the firemen were compelled to pull the hose wagon and steam engine through the streets and to the desired location.
Probationary Pipeman Charles L. Franke was stationed at the pole of the steam engine & was helping to pull it along when he stumbled and fell under the wheels of Engine 10, which rolled over his head causing instant death.
Probationary Pipeman Charles L. Franke was 29 years old and had served just 44 days.
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Baltimore City Fire Department ~ Baltimore ~ Maryland
August 27,1943 (WWII 1939 ~ 1945)
An air-raid alert was sounded shortly after nine o'clock and the city was plunged into darkness. Acting Deputy Chief No. 5 , Harry B. Scheve ,Director of the Auxiliary Fire Brigade of the Civilian Defense Corps, was being driven to his command post at Engine House No.35 by his aide Fireman Albert C. Volkman, when suddenly Chief Scheve was stricken with a fatal heart attack.
Chief Harry B. Scheve was 45 years old and had served 24 years, 11 of those years as Chief.

++++++++++++
Narratives paraphrased from "The Unheralded Heroes" by Wm.A.Murray

Honoring & Remembering Maryland Fallen Heroes.Level Volunteer Fire Company ~ Harford County ~ MarylandAugust 25, 1990Hea...
08/25/2026

Honoring & Remembering Maryland Fallen Heroes.
Level Volunteer Fire Company ~ Harford County ~ Maryland
August 25, 1990
Heavy rain storms were hitting the area and a call came in for wires down w/field fire in Webster Village.
Lieutenant Thomas Weeks was responding to the firehouse when his 1986 Dodge collided head-on with another vehicle on Rt.161.
After being extricated from his vehicle, Lieutenant Weeks was transported to Harford Memorial Hospital in critical condition. Sadly, he died from his injuries later that evening.
Lieutenant Thomas Weeks was 32 years old and had served 4 years.

Honoring & Remembering Maryland Fallen HeroesBaltimore City Fire Department ~ Baltimore ~ Maryland August 23,1887On Febr...
08/23/2026

Honoring & Remembering Maryland Fallen Heroes

Baltimore City Fire Department ~ Baltimore ~ Maryland



August 23,1887

On February 26, 1887 National Automatic Box No. 89 sounded at 6:44 a.m. The Darby Company, southeast corner of Baltimore & Howard Streets was afire. The 5 story iron front building was stocked full of sugar and candies which burned fiercely. The fire started in the basement, swept up the elevator shaft with terrific speed, and the entire building was ablaze from the basement to the roof. Captain Frederick Marston (H&L 2) immediately sounded 2nd & 3rd alarm. As the firemen battled to save the surrounding buildings, it was noticed that the top of the engulfed Darby building was shaking in the breeze. Word was being passed along to keep clear when suddenly the entire 5 story building came crashing down. Captain Marston thought that several of his men were under the debris and was forcibly restrained from plunging into the red-hot ruins after them. Three months prior, on November 17, 1886, while on the scene of a working building fire with the ladder fully extended, Captain Marston witnessed the ladder truck rolling onto its side ,the ladder snapped, and 3 of his men were fatally injured. Praise be God, his fear was unfounded as his men were on the adjacent rooftop holding onto the chimney for dear life. Having witnessed the death of 3 of his men in November and now, just 3 months later, witnessing the collapse of a 5 story building & thinking his men were buried in the rubble, Captain Marston had a nervous breakdown. His condition continued to deteriorate, and he died on August 23, 1887. Captain Frederick A. Marston was 48 years old and had served 17 years.
+++++++++++++++++
Narrative paraphrased from "The Unheralded Heroes" by Wm.A.Murray

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