Harford Cecil Volunteer Firemen's Association

08/28/2026

Please join us in congratulating Amber Taylor on passing both her state and National Registry EMT exams!

Amber joined the North East Fire Company as a volunteer in March of this year and has already reached this incredible milestone! Her hard work and dedication reflect her commitment to serving and caring for our community.

We are proud to have Amber as part of our department and look forward to watching her continue to grow in the fire and EMS service.

Congratulations, Amber! 🚑🎉

08/27/2026

WE’VE GOT SOME GREAT NEWS TO SHARE!

Many of you will remember that several months ago, Rusty retired from Wagner-Elfner & Harkins and stepped away from funeral service.

But as life often does, the next chapter has a way of taking an unexpected turn.

We are very pleased to share that Rusty has returned to the Wagner-Elfner & Harkins family in a new and special role!

Rusty will be serving as our Fire Department Service Liaison and Funeral Service Ambassador, assisting our team during visitations and funeral services while also helping us strengthen the connection we have with the fire service community that he knows so well.

His experience, familiar face, knowledge of funeral service, and ability to connect with families make this a role that simply makes sense.

Sometimes retirement means slowing down.

And sometimes it means figuring out exactly where your experience can still make a difference. 😄

We are genuinely excited to welcome Rusty back in this new capacity and look forward to having him alongside us as we continue serving the families of our community.

Welcome back, Rusty!

Help us give him a warm welcome “back” in the comments! 👏

- Christopher Boggs - Mortician

08/26/2026

We join the Whiteford Volunteer Fire Company, Inc. mourning the loss of life member Ronnie Barben. Please keep the Barben family along with his fire company family and friends in your thoughts and prayers during the difficult days ahead.

It is with great sadness that the Whiteford VFC Officers and membership announce the passing of Company Patriarch and Life Member Ronnie Barben on August 25, 2026.
Ronnie dedicated more than 50 years of service to both the Delta-Cardiff and Whiteford Volunteer Fire Companies. Throughout his many years of service, Ronnie proudly served as Chief Engineer and as a Board Director, leaving behind a lasting legacy of dedication, leadership, and commitment to the fire service and his community.

Funeral arrangements will be announced once they have been finalized.

Please keep Wilma, Steve, Joanna, and the entire Barben family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

Thank you for a lifetime of service, Ronnie. Your dedication, leadership, mentorship, and friendship will never be forgotten.

Your legacy will live on in the hearts of all those you touched. Rest easy, Ronnie we got it from here.

08/24/2026

08/24/2026

Congratulations, Cara!!

Making History at North East Fire Company! 🚨

Please join us in congratulating Cara Barr on her appointment as Fire Police Captain!

Cara is the first female Fire Police Captain in NEFC history, an exciting milestone for our company. She has always been willing to step up, take the lead, and help wherever she’s needed, and her dedication to NEFC and our Cecil County community makes her a great fit for this role.

Our fire police play an important part in keeping emergency scenes safe and protecting our responders and the public, and we’re excited to see Cara lead the way.

Congratulations, Captain Barr! We’re proud of you! 👏🚒

08/24/2026

08/22/2026

It is with profound sadness that I learned of the passing of Dr. Ameen Ramzy.

Dr. Ramzy was a pioneer in emergency medicine and helped shape the foundation upon which Maryland’s EMS system continued to grow and evolve.

I had the privilege of knowing him and working with him, but some of my strongest memories go back to my earliest years as a young EMT and paramedic.

Dr. Ramzy showed up.

He attended regional EMS meetings personally, often bringing colleagues from Shock Trauma with him. He came not simply to speak, but to listen, engage, and talk with those of us working in the field about how we could make things better for our patients and for Maryland EMS.

He was passionate about EMS and the people who practiced it. He connected with us. I still remember the cowboy boots, the conversations, and the sense that despite all he had accomplished, he genuinely valued what those of us in the field had to say.

All these years later, it is a particular privilege for me to serve as Chair of the Maryland State Emergency Medical Services Board and to help steward a system whose early foundation Dr. Ramzy helped shape.

His contributions to Maryland EMS were significant. His influence on many of us was personal and lasting.

For me, Ameen was one of those people who left a mark. I am grateful that I knew him, learned from him, and have had the opportunity to carry a little of what he taught us forward.

On behalf of the Maryland State Emergency Medical Services Board, I extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and the many people whose lives he touched.

Maryland EMS has lost a pioneer.

And many of us have lost someone we will remember with great affection, gratitude, and respect.

Clay Stamp
Chair
Maryland State Emergency Medical Services Board

https://history.miemss.org/documents/EMS-News-198706.pdf

08/22/2026

📚🍎 BACK TO SCHOOL BINGO NIGHTS! 🍎📚

Join us on Thursday, September 3rd & Thursday, September 17th for our special Back to School Bingo Nights as we help support the students and teachers of North East Elementary School!

We're collecting school supplies that will be delivered by our very own Mr. Finn with assistance from the North East Fire Company's Fire Prevention Team.

🎒 Most Needed Items:

✅ Paper
✅ Tissue Boxes
✅ Pencils
✅ Earbuds for Computer Use
✅ Ziploc Bags (Sandwich, Quart & Gallon Sizes)
✅ Pocket Folders
✅ Composition Books
✅ Protractors
✅ Backpacks
✅ Pencil Pouches
✅ Sanitizing Wipes

🎁 BONUS REWARDS!

🎒 Bring School Supplies
Receive a chance to pick a Discount Ball and save on your Bingo Package!

👥 Bring a First-Time Friend
Bring someone who has never attended our Bingo before, and have them bring school supplies too. You'll receive an entry into our Special Back-to-School Prize Drawing on September 17th!

The more first-time friends you bring with supplies, the more chances you'll have to win!

❤️ Help Local Students Start the School Year Strong

Every donation helps provide local students with the tools they need for a successful school year.

📚 Donate Supplies
🎲 Enjoy a Night of Bingo
🎁 Win Prizes
❤️ Support Our Community

North East Fire Company Fundraising
September 3rd & September 17th

Together, we can fill classrooms, backpacks, and hearts as we support the children of North East Elementary School! 🍎📚🚒