Ridge Volunteer Fire Department

05/27/2026

Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect until 9:00 PM EDT

Severe Thunderstorm Watch 247 is in effect until 9:00 PM EDT for Calvert, Charles, Dorchester, Somerset, St. Marys, Wicomico, Worcester, and the rest of Maryland; Athens, Gallia, Jackson, Lawrence, Meigs, Morgan, Vinton, Washington in Ohio; and many areas across Virginia and West Virginia. Be ready for damaging winds, large hail, and frequent lightning. Move indoors if storms approach.

Stay with JB Weather for continuing coverage.

05/24/2026

Flag Status Alert: United States Flag and Maryland Flag will be at Half-Staff

The United States Flag is to be flown at half-staff from sunrise until NOON on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, 2026. As a matter of protocol, the Maryland flag is lowered to half-staff. No flag may fly higher than the United States flag.

05/21/2026

Our officers and members send our condolences to the Gatton family and the Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department.

05/20/2026

Members get an introduction to Raft 4

On Tuesday, May 19, Robbie Bailey and Amber Lawrence of Cather Marine Inc. in Coltons Point, MD, visited the firehouse to provide operational familiarization training on the new (not yet in service) Raft 4. Robbie gave members a thorough overview of the raft’s standard operations and capabilities, then led orientation rides on the St. Mary’s River.

Raft 4 is a Swift Water Rescue 16’ (SWR16) from Fluid Marine in Franklinton, NC, that will mostly be used for shallow-water rescue operations. It has an aluminum hull and five-chamber inflatable military-grade ORCA Hypalon neoprene tubes, can carry up to eight people, and is powered by a Yamaha 40-hp three-cylinder four-stroke outboard engine supplied by Cather Marine, Inc. The raft and engine weigh 435 lbs and has a total carrying capacity of 2,200 lbs.

We thank Robbie and Amber for sharing their time and expertise.

https://www.ridgevfd.org/news/1068/Members-get-an-introduction-to-Raft-4

05/18/2026

Oh yes!!! Welcome back Bluegrass BBQ & Dogs to Ridge Volunteer Fire Department next Wednesday 4-7pm!! 🚒🚒🚒🚒

05/18/2026

RVFD members receive Mental Health First Aid certification

On Saturday, May 16th, members from the Ridge VFD and Ridge Volunteer Rescue Squad completed certification in Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) for Fire/EMS. The Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) and Mental Health Association of Maryland (MHAMD) partnered to launch a series of Mental Health First Aid certification courses to first responders, statewide. The 8-hour course is offered to Maryland first responders at no cost through funding provided by the Maryland Department of Health's Behavioral Health Administration. This partnership helps first responders to continue to be the difference, saving lives one conversation at a time.

Mental Health First Aid Maryland is a public education national certification course designed to teach the skills necessary to respond with care and genuine support to an individual experiencing a mental health or substance use concern or crisis. Mental health problems are common and, with the right help, wellness and recovery are possible.

Through this course, participants:
• Increased their mental health literacy
• Increased their confidence in providing support to someone in distress (patient and/or fellow first responder)
• Increased their knowledge of professional and self-help resources
• Decreased stigma associated with mental health concerns and responses

By successfully completing the 8-hour course, Ridge VFD and Ridge VRS participants received a nationally recognized certification from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing (NCMW).

The participants would like to extend a sincere thank you to Mental Health Educator Jevon Billups for his instruction. His expertise and teaching style helped make this sensitive topic easy to understand and practice.

Additionally, we’d like to thank the Ridge VRS for hosting this training and the Ridge Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary for supplying snacks and lunch.

For more information on MHFA certification, please visit:
https://www.mhamd.org/what-we-do/training/mental-health-first-aid-maryland/

https://www.ridgevfd.org/news/1067/RVFD-members-receive-Mental-Health-First-Aid-certification

05/16/2026

**UPDATE** The pony is on the way home! Thanks to all for commenting and sharing.

Is anyone missing a pony? Stop by or contact the firehouse (301-872-5571).

05/15/2026

Let’s “Taco” About Mental Health!

On Thursday, May 14th, Ridge VFD and the Ridge Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary welcomed Ridge Volunteer Rescue Squad, Ridge Volunteer Rescue Squad Association, and members’ families for a joint Special Topics Drill Night. In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, the group chose to “Taco” about mental health challenges facing first responders, with a fun taco theme and taco bar provided by the Auxiliary before the presentation. Captain Scot Best led an informative discussion on how the emotional impact of emergency response can affect both responders and their loved ones. Attendees learned about common responder and interpersonal traumas and stressors, ways to stay grounded in high-stress situations, peer support strategies, and communication tools for navigating challenges "on the job" and at home. The session also highlighted the Ridge VFD Peer Support Team and encouraged everyone to reach out to loved ones, professionals, or trained peer support personnel when needed. The presentation was well received, and several attendees shared that it helped deepen their understanding of trauma-related illnesses. Everyone left with an Emotional Support Taco, courtesy of the Auxiliary.

https://www.ridgevfd.org/news/1066/Lets-Taco-About-Mental-Health

05/15/2026

Single vehicle overturned with reported entrapment

4-02 Box, 9:46 a.m.- Squad 4 was dispatched to the area of Mattapany Rd and Earl Dean Rd in Lexington Park for a reported single vehicle overturned with possible entrapment. Chief 4A arrived shortly after and confirmed an overturned vehicle off the roadway with no entrapment. The single occupant self-extricated, with no obvious injuries. E141 arrived and pulled a line and began containment of spilling gas. Squad 4 arrived and crews assisted with containment and traffic control. The patient was evaluated by A397, but refused transport. The patient was later taken from the scene by a family member and transported to Medstar St. Mary's Hospital.

Units: Squad 4, Command 4A

Mutual Aid: E141, A397

https://www.ridgevfd.org/news/1065/Single-vehicle-overturned-with-reported-entrapment

05/13/2026

Flag Status Alert: United States Flag and Maryland Flag will be at Half-Staff

The United States Flag will be lowered to half-staff on Friday, May 15, 2026, in honor of Peace Officers Memorial Day. The flag is to be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Friday, May 15, 2026. As a matter of protocol, the Maryland flag is lowered to half-staff. No flag may fly higher than the United States flag.