Hot Stuff From the Laurel Volunteer Fire Department

53rd Annual LVFD Joint Memorial Day Service

Members of the Laurel Volunteer Fire Department (LVFD) were honored to once again host the Annual LVFD Joint Memorial Day Service on May 25. The event brought together members of the Laurel Volunteer Rescue Squad, American Legion Post 60, and the Laurel Police Department, along with residents from throughout the community. Persistent rainfall throughout the week forced the service to relocate indoors at the Joseph R. Robison Laurel Municipal Center. This annual service provides an opportunity to recognize, remember, and honor the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of the freedoms cherished by our city, county, state, and nation.

This year marked a significant milestone, as it was the first time in 50 years that the event featured a new Master of Ceremonies. The Honorable Frederick Smalls assumed the role previously held by former Mayor, the Honorable Robert J. DiPietro. Mr. Smalls guided attendees through the program, which included the Presentation of Colors, remarks from representatives of each participating organization, and a special presentation honoring former Mayor DiPietro for his decades of dedicated service.

Please mark your calendars for next year’s service, scheduled for May 24, 2027. We look forward to favorable weather and the opportunity to once again hold this special event at Ivy Hill Cemetery.

Lifesaving Incident and Above-and-Beyond Care by LVFD Members

It is with great pride that LVFD Chief Brian Cox recognized an extraordinary achievement by three of our own. On March 24, at the 8500 block of Spruce Hill Drive, Firefighter/EMTs Min Hwang, Jim Codespote, and Wren Rickenbrode responded to a patient in cardiac arrest. The crew immediately initiated CPR and worked seamlessly alongside our C-Shift career personnel and Anne Arundel County Medic 27 to deliver exceptional pre-hospital care under pressure. Their efforts paid off in the most meaningful way possible: the crew achieved Return of Spontaneous Circulation on scene. The patient was transported to Howard County General Hospital, where, we are happy to announce, they recovered and returned home. Because of the actions of Min, Jim, and Wren, a person who may not have survived went home to their family.

This is what we train for. This is why we show up. A cardiac save is one of the rarest and most rewarding outcomes in emergency medicine, and it does not happen without crew members who know their job, stay focused, and refuse to quit. Min, Jim, and Wren did all of that and more. They represent the very best of us and are a living example of what our motto, “Service for Others,” truly means.

We also received a thank-you from a family member of a patient our crew transported on May 25. The crew that morning was Min, Wren, and Lily Loft, and, in the writer’s words, they were “so professional and kind” and treated her 89-year-old aunt “with kindness and respect.” The patient was trying to decline transport, but the crew recognized hospital care was needed, and the writer added she is “so glad that EMTs are trained to see when hospital care is needed.” The hospital ended up admitting the patient.

She also wanted to recognize the crew’s age and dedication: they “were young and it is great to see some in our younger generation carrying the torch,” and, she noted, “it takes a special kind of person to be an EMT.” She closed with this: “You truly are blessed to have Min, Wren, and Lily on your staff!”

Chief Cox has said this before and this note from a citizen is proof of it. No one calls 911 because they are having a good day. Most folks will only ever interact with a fire department or an EMS crew once or twice in their life, and that single interaction decides how they see this service, and this department, for the rest of their lives. They remember how we made them feel, not just what we did clinically. Min, Wren, and Lily got that right. An 89-year-old woman and her family walked away from a difficult day feeling cared for and respected. That is the job. A BIG well done to Min, Wren, and Lily for exemplifying our motto, “Service for Others”!

Main Street Festival

On May 2, members of the LVFD proudly participated in the Laurel Board of Trade’s Main Street Festival, one of the community’s most anticipated annual events. LVFD members showcased several pieces of apparatus during the festival parade, which provided an opportunity for residents and visitors alike to see the equipment and resources that help the department respond to emergencies throughout the area.

LVFD also hosted an informational booth where members met with the community, answered questions about the department’s services, and shared information about volunteer opportunities.

Welcome to our Newest Members

Every month, the LVFD is pleased to welcome new members into the LVFD family. Following are those welcomed in the most recent months:

• March: Ayomide Funsho, Lesley Perez, Aidan McWhirter, Elizabeth Bollam, and Stefon Williams. Voted in after their 6-month probation: Cable Rea.

• April: Kathy Do, Benjamin Bundy, Jr. Voted in after their 6-month probation: Elliot Paisner and Ki-Aire Rounds Javar.

The following certifications have recently been earned by our newest members:

• Ki’Aire Rounds – Firefighter Phase 2 and 2A

• David Ferrando – Ambulance Aide

• Caitlin Young – Firefighter 1

• Lily Loft – Probationary Training completed

• Min Hwang – Support Vehicle Operator and Ambulance Driver Qualification

• Kevin Villatoro – Ambulance Aide

Their certifications and qualifications are important to ensure our community has the best care at their most vulnerable moments, so congratulations to everyone on reaching these benchmarks!

President Whipple and Rosa Recognition

In March, the Prince George’s County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association (PGCVFRA) and their Ladies Auxiliary held a 2026 Special Tribute program that was dedicated to recognizing those whose service, leadership, and commitment have made a lasting impact on the volunteer fire and rescue service in Prince George’s County.

PGCVFRA announced that “this year’s honorees represent the very best of our fire service family. Their dedication, countless hours of volunteerism, and unwavering support of their departments and communities embody what the volunteer service is all about. Each of these individuals has contributed to the strength, tradition, and future of the volunteer fire and rescue service in our county. From leadership in the firehouse to support through the Ladies Auxiliary, their service reflects the core values of dedication, sacrifice, and community.”

Chief Cox and members of LVFD were proud to learn that two of our own, President Vic Whipple and LVFD Auxiliary President Rosa Mahr, were among the recipients of this prestigious honor!

We wanted to recognize their outstanding service to the Laurel community and express our sincere gratitude for all they have done, and continue to do, for the citizens of Prince George’s County and the volunteer fire service.

Become a Member

LVFD is always looking for new members to allow for more station coverage and help our community. If you are interested in becoming a member, please visit www.LaurelVFD.org/membership, and apply today! Our motto “Service For Others” is not just a tag line; it’s a way of volunteering and giving back to our community!

Photos courtesy of Laurel Volunteer Fire Department