Emt

Some New Jersey residents whose communities were devastated by Superstorm Sandy will soon receive a tractor-trailer load of needed emergency supplies through a relief effort being organized by a Berkeley County emergency medical technician. “I just came up with the idea,” said Mary Gump, an EMT with the Berkeley County Emergency Ambulance Authority. “It's our job to help our community and now it's time for our community to help some communities in New Jersey.” She calls her relief effort “Stuff-a-Truck.” Area residents are being asked to drop off a requested list of needed items at any fire or EMS station in the county before Dec. 7. Volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel will sort, label, load the truck and send it north to a distribution center in Atlantic City, N.J., on Dec. 8, Gump said.

Sharpsburg signs up 12 EMT trainees By BRENDAN KIRBY Staff Writer SHARPSBURG - About a dozen people have expressed interest in volunteering at the Sharpsburg ambulance company, enough to stem the immediate threat to the company's existence, officials said Wednesday. But even if the new volunteers complete the training necessary to become emergency medical technicians, officials acknowledged long-term problems will remain. Sharpsburg Area Emergency Medical Services currently has four active volunteers certified at the EMT level, six fewer than required by the Washington County Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association.

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - A retired firefighter/EMT announced his candidacy Wednesday to be Berkeley County's next sheriff. Democrat Charles C. "Chip" O'Roke, 58, of Martinsburg, said he wanted to continue his work as a public servant, which has spanned more than 40 years. He works as a court security officer at the Berkeley County Judicial Center. "I want to continue my service as Sheriff of Berkeley County by trying to make this county a safer place for all of us to live in," O'Roke said in a news release.

WILLIAMSPORT - Now that he has graduated from Williamsport High School, Donnie Bingaman has set his sights on his next goal - becoming a paramedic. The 2005 Firefighter of the Year at the Williamsport Volunteer Fire Co., Bingaman, 17, recently was recognized by State Sen. Donald F. Munson for his achievement. Last year, Bingaman was a member of a class of nine students from Williamsport and Boonsboro high schools in a vocational program that placed them in local firehouses so they could get a head start on firefighting careers.

Man's death raised questions about condition of road By BOB PARTLOW / Staff Writer, Martinsburg The death of an all-terrain vehicle driver at Mountaineer Raceway motocross track Sunday morning has touched off a dispute about the safety of a road leading to the track. Kenneth Kent Jr., 20, of Brandywine, Md., died after his four-wheel vehicle left the track at about 10:20 a.m. Sunday and he went over the handle bars and into a bank, West Virginia State Trooper E.D. Anderson said.

HAGERSTOWN -- In a way, veteran Hagerstown firefighter Richard T. "Dick" Hopkins' work experience has come full circle in his new job with the International Association of Fire Fighters. Hopkins joined that union in 1974 when he became a relief driver and later an apparatus operator at Western Enterprise Fire Co. "Then, I became a battalion chief in 1980 and I was out of the union," he said, having joined management with that promotion. Hopkins, 56, was serving in that supervisory position when he learned that the IAFF had an opening at the national headquarters in Washington, D.C., just two blocks from the White House.

Same old story: Men and religion try to dictate to women To the editor: Having been raised as a conservative Midwestern Catholic and later, as a convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon), I feel that I can comment on the Romney/Ryan stance on women's reproductive rights, based on their religious persuasions. I've been there, I've done that. During the 1950s, in a world where Roman Catholics were probably more obedient to the Pope's dictates than they are today, I watched my parents struggle with the “no birth control” policy.  My mother suffered from one miscarriage after another and the “rhythm” method didn't seem to work.

Following is information from a Fairplay Volunteer Fire Department comprehensive plan dated Nov. 30, 2012. The cover says the plan is for reactivation and response to task force Oct. 15, 2012 draft recommendations. Mission Statement The mission of the Fairplay Volunteer Fire Department is to provide emergency protection of life, property and the environment. We will also support the community with a reasonable cost facility to rejoice and celebrate our lives with family and friends.

marlob@herald-mail.com WILLIAMSPORT - Waiting around the Williamsport Fire Hall to be interviewed isn't Donnie Bingaman's cup of tea. So when the tones sounded and he was called upon to respond to a wreck on Interstate 70 one recent afternoon, Bingaman was more in his element. On the scene of that accident, 16-year-old Bingaman - Williamsport's rookie and member of the year - showed why he received that honor at the 2005 banquet. "Donnie assisted with the extrication of one of the occupants of a van that overturned," said Williamsport Fire Chief Will Ball, who also was on that call.

Paramedic steps down By MARLO BARNHART / Staff Writer When Donna Carey began providing emergency medical care for Community Rescue Service 28 years ago, women weren't allowed to drive the ambulances. continued "We weren't even allowed to stay overnight in the CRS building between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.," Carey said. Now 47 and recently "retired" from CRS, Carey said the field of pre-hospital medical provider has changed drastically since she and a few other young women began to integrate the service.

Following is information from a Fairplay Volunteer Fire Department comprehensive plan dated Nov. 30, 2012. The cover says the plan is for reactivation and response to task force Oct. 15, 2012 draft recommendations. Mission Statement The mission of the Fairplay Volunteer Fire Department is to provide emergency protection of life, property and the environment. We will also support the community with a reasonable cost facility to rejoice and celebrate our lives with family and friends.

Some New Jersey residents whose communities were devastated by Superstorm Sandy will soon receive a tractor-trailer load of needed emergency supplies through a relief effort being organized by a Berkeley County emergency medical technician. “I just came up with the idea,” said Mary Gump, an EMT with the Berkeley County Emergency Ambulance Authority. “It's our job to help our community and now it's time for our community to help some communities in New Jersey.” She calls her relief effort “Stuff-a-Truck.” Area residents are being asked to drop off a requested list of needed items at any fire or EMS station in the county before Dec. 7. Volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel will sort, label, load the truck and send it north to a distribution center in Atlantic City, N.J., on Dec. 8, Gump said.

Same old story: Men and religion try to dictate to women To the editor: Having been raised as a conservative Midwestern Catholic and later, as a convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon), I feel that I can comment on the Romney/Ryan stance on women's reproductive rights, based on their religious persuasions. I've been there, I've done that. During the 1950s, in a world where Roman Catholics were probably more obedient to the Pope's dictates than they are today, I watched my parents struggle with the “no birth control” policy.  My mother suffered from one miscarriage after another and the “rhythm” method didn't seem to work.

When it comes to living life to the fullest, it might be hard to outdo Doris Merson. She has been a wife, mother, executive secretary, emergency medical technician, firefighter, actress, tour guide and volunteer. Nothing would make the Smithsburg woman happier than adding a few more jobs to her resume. "But at the age of 83, I know I can't do that," she said. "Still, it doesn't stop me from thinking about it. " Merson said she has always loved being active and involved.

Editor's note: Each Sunday, The Herald-Mail publishes "A Life Remembered. " This continuing series takes a look back -- through the eyes of family, friends, co-workers and others -- at a member of the community who died recently. Today's "A Life Remembered" is about Richard C. "Dick" Shain, who died July 23 at the age of 63. His obituary was published July 29 in The Herald-Mail. In the 1960s, "Sears has everything" was a popular commercial catch phrase. It seems Sears had just what Dick Shain was looking for -- he found his future wife, Mary Willson, working at the Sears switchboard when he was selling carpet for the chain store at night.

WILLIAMSPORT -- June was a busy month for firefighters, who took 50 calls, and emergency medical technicians, who responded to 102 calls. The top three fire responders for June were Michael Nokes, William Ball IV and Chris Fraley. The top three emergency medical responders in June were Donnie Bingaman, Brandon Grinder and Michael Decker. The Williamsport Volunteer Fire and EMS personnel ran 40 calls in the town limits and about 70 calls in the Williamsport area. They also ran calls in Halfway, Clear Spring, Hancock, Dargan, Maugansville, Sharpsburg, Fairplay, Marlowe, W.Va.

MAUGANSVILLE -- Phil Ridenour said there is a picture of his grandfather, William Brewer, standing next to a 1928 Model A truck -- a vehicle he and other early volunteers turned into a first firetruck for the Maugansville Goodwill Volunteer Fire Co. That vehicle is still in the possession of the fire company that now has a stable of modern equipment, dedicated and highly trained volunteers, and five paid drivers who responded to 755 calls last...

HAGERSTOWN -- In a way, veteran Hagerstown firefighter Richard T. "Dick" Hopkins' work experience has come full circle in his new job with the International Association of Fire Fighters. Hopkins joined that union in 1974 when he became a relief driver and later an apparatus operator at Western Enterprise Fire Co. "Then, I became a battalion chief in 1980 and I was out of the union," he said, having joined management with that promotion. Hopkins, 56, was serving in that supervisory position when he learned that the IAFF had an opening at the national headquarters in Washington, D.C., just two blocks from the White House.

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - A retired firefighter/EMT announced his candidacy Wednesday to be Berkeley County's next sheriff. Democrat Charles C. "Chip" O'Roke, 58, of Martinsburg, said he wanted to continue his work as a public servant, which has spanned more than 40 years. He works as a court security officer at the Berkeley County Judicial Center. "I want to continue my service as Sheriff of Berkeley County by trying to make this county a safer place for all of us to live in," O'Roke said in a news release.

WAYNESBORO, Pa. - With the hiring process already under way, the Blue Ridge Fire and Rescue Squad could have new emergency medical technicians on the roster by the end of next week, Administrator Patrick Fleagle said. "We continue to struggle with getting our ambulances out with personnel," Fleagle told the Washington Township (Pa.) Supervisors on Monday. Fleagle and a part-time employee have been the only paid staff, he said. Last month, the squad responded to 37 calls for emergency medical services, "which is relatively low for us," Fleagle said.