AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler
Fires, accidents and health crises keep the first responders of Earleigh Heights Volunteer Fire Company busy and on alert 24 hours a day, seven days a week. But those are relatively routine challenges. COVID-19 not only brought with it expected health risks but also unforeseen financial challenges.
By expanding existing safety precautions to include a strict following of CDC, state and health department guidelines and wearing personal protective equipment, the company has operated throughout the pandemic without a single firefighter contracting the virus.
“We weathered that part of the storm very well, though we’re down a few volunteers who are sitting it out because they or their family members are considered vulnerable,” said fire chief Dave Crawford.
Unfortunately, the economic fallout from virus-related cancellations has been devastating for the self-sustaining volunteer fire company.
With all its major fundraising events cancelled – from hall rentals to regular Bingo nights, bull roasts and the department’s popular annual carnival – a lot of the revenue stream dried up according to Crawford.
“We’re having to watch our P’s and Q’s,” he said. “Luckily, our members in the past did a great job conserving and putting money aside. They were judicious in how they spent over the 102 years we’ve been around. Their prowess enabled us to survive. However, we’d have a hard time sustaining another year of losses.”
Over its long history, EHVFC has become Immensely important to the community and an integral part of residents’ lives. Events like the carnivals, bull roasts, Easter bunny lunches, and renowned “Santa Runs” with the jolly old elf visiting Severna Park neighborhoods via fire engine are traditions looked forward to all year.
The company serves all of greater Severna Park with a population of nearly 40,000 residents. Forty-two EHVFC male and female volunteer firefighters supplemented by 17 Anne Arundel County paid firefighters and paramedics make it possible. They are aided by a sizable number of member volunteers who handle administrative work.
“We originally just fought fires,” Crawford said. “But today all our members are required to have EMT training because we’re first responders for issues ranging from medical emergencies, traffic accidents and water rescues to dealing with hazardous materials. Our equipment’s had to evolve accordingly to include seven fire and rescue apparatus including Pierce Arrow XT, Pierce Arrow Dash, and Pierce Lance engines and an ambulance
Fire Chief Dave Crawford eyed one of the equipment panels on the Rescue Squad 12 truck. Panels on the auto extrication side held air bags, air chisels, the jaws of life, axes, hand tools and hazmat equipment. Panels on the fire side held everything from powerful lights and pumping apparatus to gauges, saws and other equipment.
In the years since the Earleigh Heights firehouse was built in 1957, the company’s personnel and equipment expanded considerably. With 93 tons of powerful fire and rescue equipment entering and exiting the building continuously, cracks and stress fractures can now be seen, A dilapidated second floor with an antiquated bunk room and without separate shower facilities for women and men is also problematic.
It’s obvious that a new firehouse is badly needed and architectural plans were drawn up for one. But the construction project is estimated to cost approximately $6 million – an amount impossible to come up with through fundraisers
Initially, EHVFC’s board looked for donors from the community but without success. So they developed a plan for obtaining an upfront construction loan, tearing down the existing firehouse and leasing the land facing Ritchie Highway to small businesses to finance repayment of the loan. The new firehouse would be located at the back of the 9.5 acre property with most of the land preserved as green space for carnivals and other community events.
To do that, the company applied to the county Planning and Zoning Commission for permission to have the land rezoned from residential to commercial. Their request was denied so they went before a hearing of the Planning and Zoning Commission board to ask for a C-1 designation (meaning space for small businesses only). The board denied the request.
EHVFC initiated an appeal through the courts on July 6. However, the judge said the hearing board was wrong and dismissed the case. Now the fire department must appear at another hearing to request the zoning change before the same seven-person board. Crawford is hopeful.
Meanwhile, things slowly move ahead. The firemen and ladies auxiliary will play host to (10) “Tasty Night Food Trucks” on Tuesday, August 18, Tuesday, August 25, Tuesday, September 1 and Monday, Labor Day. For information visit http://ehvfc.org/.
Various community service organizations are also keeping Severna Park strong. We highlight a few.
Severna Park Elks press on with Friday Night Meals
Though hampered by the pandemic, members of Severna Park Elks Lodge #2482 on Truckhouse Road have soldered on. Since May 23rd, they’ve continuously offered “Friday Night Meals” – prepackaged foods that can be eaten in the lodge’s spacious outdoor pavilion, its indoor lounge or taken home.
Menus are great and prices excellent. Typical is the crab cake platter offered this Friday, August 14 that includes crab cakes, tartar/cocktail sauce, corn on the cob, tomato salad, fruit salad and dessert. A one crab cake platter costs $16 or a two crab cake platter is $22. Reservations are required by today at 5 pm. Email housecommittee2482@gmail.com or call 410-647-2482.
Elks member Skip Carroll said funds raised go toward lodge projects which are ongoing regardless of the pandemic. Members provided 50 each Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter food baskets to SPAN, Inc. They also provided 40 handheld tablets for homeless veterans through MCVETS, the Maryland Center for Veterans Education and Training, Inc.
This year, instead of supplying backpacks of school supplies to Murray Elementary and two other schools, the Elks are donating supplies directly to the schools. They’re also conducting monthly blood drives at the lodge. Visit them on Facebook or at https://www.elks.org/lodges/home.cfm?lodge=2482.
Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber cancels parade but opens office
Greater Severna Park & Arnold Chamber of Commerce executive director Liz League regretted announcing the bad news that the Severna Park Parade postponed to Labor Day has now been cancelled. But League had good news too.
The Chamber’s offices at 1 Holly Avenue are finally open. In accordance with Anne Arundel County Executive Stewart Pittman’s mandate, there are restrictions on the number of people allowed at one time.
Ribbon cuttings are back, the most recent being held to celebrate the reopening of the Severna Park Community Center’s newly renovated main pool.
Best of all, the 2020 Driving Force for Business Golf Tournament being held at Chartwell Golf and Country Club is sold out for the first time in years. There is also talk of holding Shoptoberfest at a new and different outdoor location in October.
Donations are rolling in for SPAN, INC.
From financial assistance to pantry items and baby items like the blanket executive board president Kathy Berge is holding up, SPAN, Inc. is helping local families survive the COVID-19 pandemic. Director of Development Ellen Kinsella noted that, unlike organizations experiencing virus related economic slowdowns, SPAN has had financial and food donations “rolling in” from local businesses, church youth groups and women’s groups. The latest was a donation from Diehl’s Produce Severna Park of $500 worth of gift cards for fresh produce to be distributed to SPAN clients.
Kinsella emphasized that, thanks to very generous financial donations, SPAN, Inc. has been able to increase financial aid for families who are facing evictions or utility cut-offs. She also noted that the organization now schedules “drive-by” appointments to apply for aid or to pick up items from the food pantry.
“It’s easy and folks don’t even have to get out of their cars.,” she said. For information, visit https://www.spanhelps.org/.
