04/27/2026
This past Saturday, the Savage Volunteer Fire Company proudly celebrated our 88th Anniversary Awards Banquet. It was an evening dedicated to recognizing the service, commitment, and accomplishments of our members throughout 2025.
Fire Chief Jeff Hatton opened the evening by thanking our three career shifts, Assistant Chief LePore, Local 2000 President Marasco, and our Ladies Auxiliary for their continued support. Reaching 88 years of service is a significant milestone, made possible by the dedication of so many who put time in today and those who came before us!
Several major accomplishments our members have made were highlighted.
Three members, Aleah Eschman, Rohan Harris, and Lily Wilson successfully completed the latest HCDFRS paramedic class
Four members began careers with local fire departments, including appointments with Prince George’s County, Carroll County, and the Naval District of Washington
Lt. Tayla Havice was promoted to Lt. Colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps.
Jessie Vollmerhausen and Melissa Plowman completed training and were accepted into the HCDFRS Honor Guard
Lt. Sean McGill was honored with the HCDFRS Lifetime Achievement Award
President Andrew Heiliger recognized the following members for their Years of Service.
5 Years – Scott Knight
10 Years – Alexander Readen, Danny Wines, Valerie Lilly-Moore
15 Years – Fernanda Elodi, Matthew Lisle
20 Years (Lifetime Membership) – Forrest Irons, Patrick Dreer Jr.,
David Hilliard
25 Years – Robert Shapiro, Lael Firestone
30 Years – Michael Petza
35 Years – Mark Thornton
40 Years – Mary McNamee
50 Years – Norman Wines
55 Years – Ernie Foster
Chief Hatton, President Heiliger and Vice President LePore presented the below awards:
Acknowledgement & Recognition Awards – Assistant Chief LePore, Captain Sean McGonigle, Jessie Vollmerhausen
Leadership Award – EMS Lt. Rohan Harris
Donald B. Redmond Rookie of the Year – FF/EMT Edward Bang
Volunteer of the Year – FF/EMT Ben Gallagher
Career Member of the Year – FF/P Alicia Khazalah
Officer of the Year – Lt. Tayla Havice
Chiefs Award – Lt. Sean McGill, Lt. Tayla Havice, Captain Alex Readen
Presidents Award – Doug Williams and Laura Williams
Paul F.J. LePore Award – Valerie Lilly-Moore
A special plaque was also presented in honor of the Wines Family, recognizing their longstanding generosity and dedication. The plaque will be mounted on Rescue Squad 6.
We also extend our sincere thanks to the Savage Volunteer Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary for their generous $15,000 donation to the company!!! Your continued hard work and commitment to supporting our mission does not go unnoticed, we truly could not do what we do without you!
We extend our sincere thanks to Nora’s Kabob & Catering, L.A. Entertainment, LLC, Dotties Trophies & Awards Inc., and Shannon-Baum Signs for their support in making this event possible.
