Lois and Deacon Craig Giles at Shepherd's Staff’s Carroll County Festival of Trees

Lois and Deacon Craig Giles at Shepherd's Staff's Carroll County Festival of Trees in downtown Westminster at John Street Quarters, 28 John Street, at the Westminster Vol. Fire Department Sat. 25Nov2017

We really enjoyed Shepherd's Staff’s Carroll County Festival of Trees in downtown Westminster at John Street Quarters

We really enjoyed Shepherd's Staff's Carroll County Festival of Trees in downtown Westminster at John Street Quarters, 28 John Street, at the Westminster Vol. Fire Department Sat. 25Nov2017. The exhibit continues through tomorrow.

Louis and Marnie came to the rescue for Uncle Kevin

Louis and Marnie came to the rescue for Uncle Kevin. He was having a full-fledged peanut butter and coffee crisis. Louis and Marine are my heroes. 23Nov2017

Members of the Westminster Fire Dept. tape a number of holiday public fire safety spots for WTTR

Members of the Westminster Fire Dept. tape a number of holiday public fire safety spots for WTTR 21Nov2017

On Tuesday, Jamie, Colby, and Brynn Petry, Bob, Cumberland, Caroline Babylon, and Kevin Dayhoff got together at WTTR to tape a number of holiday public fire safety spots, to be aired on the radio throughout December. It was great working at the station with Kevin Ashcraft and Donna Jean Shybunko. 21Nov2017. For more information go to the Westminster Fire Engine and Hose Co. No. 1 Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Westminster.Vol.Fire.Dept/

Westminster City Hall and Westminster at night

Westminster City Hall and Westminster at night. 22Nov2017

The Cats of Charles Wysocki at the Westminster Fire Department

The Cats of Charles Wysocki at the Westminster Fire Department 22Nov2017

Three red ambulances

Three red ambulances. Finally, after, like forever, the Westminster Vol. Fire Dept. has three working red ambulances at the same time. 22Nov2017

The throes of a full-fledged peanut butter emergency

Caroline and I are in the throes of a full-fledged peanut butter emergency. 20Nov2017

We had to buy another box of Girl Scout cookies

Sunday evening, Caroline and I stopped by Classico Pizzeria for dinner. While we there, we had to buy another box of Girl Scout cookies. This time from Girl Scout Troop 436. We are hooked. I will surely go into Girl Scout cookie withdrawal at the end of the season. The Girl Scouts - and the Mom's were adorable. 19Nov2017

Sat. evening Grammy, Caroline and I enjoyed going out to IHOP for dinner

Sat. evening Grammy, Caroline and I enjoyed going out to IHOP for dinner. Our server was Cierra. Not only was her service great, but she was friendly. We also enjoyed talking with the manager. We always look forward to having dinner at IHOP. We will be back soon. 18Nov2017

We were not alone on Sat. when Caroline and I took our walk

We were not alone on Sat. when Caroline and I took our walk on the Wakefield Valley Trail. 18nov2017

Ellen Lichtfuss and Kyle Sherfey help lead the Sunday service at Grace Lutheran Church

Ellen Lichtfuss and Kyle Sherfey help lead the Sunday service at Grace Lutheran Church. www.gracelc.org 19Nov2017

Critical Incident Preparedness training for local church leaders

Critical Incident Preparedness training for local church leaders hosted by Carroll County Sheriff DeWees, Carroll County Sheriff's Office, and Sgt. Zepp at the Carroll County Public Safety Training Center. 15Nov2017

After Caroline and left the American Legion this afternoon, we took carnations over to the Carroll County Vietnam Memorial

After Caroline and left the American Legion this afternoon, we took carnations over to the Carroll County Vietnam Memorial and said a prayer for Vets Day. 11Nov2017

Caroline and I attended the American Legion Carroll Post No. 31 Veterans Day ceremonies

Caroline and I attended the American Legion Carroll Post No. 31 Veterans Day ceremonies at the Armory - Westminster Longwell Family Center with folks such as Del. Haven Shoemaker and Westminster Council President Dr. Wack. Sat. Nov. 11, 2017 at 1 p.m.

Stocking up on Girl Scout cookies from Brownie Troop 2204 at Lowes.

During a quick stop at Lowes in Westminster for a lightbulb, Caroline and I took a brief unexpected detour to stock-up on Girl Scout cookies. The Brownie Troop 2204 from the Westminster area were just precious. After purchasing the cookies, I took the opportunity to interview them for a minute. They got a kick out of that. Oh, did I mention that some of the parents that were there, are firefighter families – so it we got a double-pop for supporting the girl scouts and supporting firefighter families. Just saying. 11Nov. 2017

Caroline and I took the Opiate Overdose Rescue Training

Caroline and I took the Opiate Overdose Rescue Training on Thursday, November 9th, 2017 1-3 pm in Grace Hall at Grace Lutheran Church.

We took the training along with many community leaders, including folks like Rev. Malcolm Stranathan, Rev. Marty Kuchma, Sue Thomas, Marian Shipley, Ted Dix, and Ronnie Wantz, among others.

The workshop was hosted by Families against the Stigma of Addiction, Inc. in partnership with Carroll County Health Department. Our trainers were Heather Asbury, Linda Auerback, Beth Schmidt, and Michelle McVay.

The training was excellent. The purpose of the training was to teach participants about opioids and their effects, how to recognize and respond to an overdose, how to administer Intra-nasal Naloxone, the Good Samaritan Law and other resources.

Hat Tip to Pastors Martha and Kevin Clementson for helping to make the training session happen.

The work never stops at the Westminster Vol. Fire Dept

The work never stops at the Westminster Vol. Fire Dept. 5Nov2017 with Lt. Kim Darby and Briana Paige…

Caroline helped with selling food for the Ag Center this evening at the bingo event

Caroline and I helped with selling food for the Ag Center this evening at the bingo event. The place was packed. I think they said they sold 650 tickets. It may have been cold and rainy outside, but in the Shipley Arena, the evening went like clockwork and everyone seemed to have a good time

4Nov2017

BGE Grant opportunities; including the Emergency Response Safety Grant

BGE Grant opportunities; including the Emergency Response Safety Grant

Nov. 3, 2017 - At the October 27, 2017 BGE Carroll County Local Advisory Council meeting, facilitated by the BGE External Affairs Manager Megan Eaves, at the meeting facilities at The ARC of Carroll County, one of the several topics covered was the BGE Grant opportunities; including the Emergency Response Safety Grant.

According to a BGE information press release on Dec. 21, 2015, the Westminster Fire engine and Hose Co. No. 1 was awarded a LUCAS chest compression device. (For a full length article on the BGE Westminster Fire Dept. LUCUS grant, by this writer – go here: https://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/2016/02/new-life-saving-equipment-put-into.html)

Other awards in Carroll County included: Carroll County Amateur Radio Club — Emergency Communications Update; Carroll County Volunteer Emergency Services Association — AED Replacement; Hampstead Volunteer Fire Company — Replacement Vent Saws.

Also awarded: Manchester Fire Engine and Hook and Ladder Company — Turnout Gear Locker Replacement; Maryland Military Auxiliary Radio — MARS Portable Communications Kit; New Windsor Fire & Hose Company — Rescue Tool Power Unit; North Carroll Auxiliary Police — Vehicle Replacement; and Sykesville Freedom District Fire Department — Cellular Booster / Repeater.

In that release BGE stated:

“Baltimore Gas and Electric today announced that it is awarding $325,000 in emergency response and safety grants to 65 nonprofit emergency response and public safety organizations in 10 Maryland counties and Baltimore City as part of its Emergency Response and Safety Grant program. There were 19 first-time award recipients. BGE will hold an event in early 2016 to formally recognize all of the organizations being awarded grant funding.

“‘BGE is proud to once again give back to nonprofit public safety and emergency response organizations who selflessly give their time and energy to maintain safety in the communities that we serve,’ said Valencia A. McClure, Director of Communications and Corporate Relations for BGE. “This grant funding will allow these agencies to purchase equipment, and support programs, and services that are vital to their preparedness and the overall safety of our community.’

“BGE’s Emergency Response and Safety Grant program, now in its fourth year, is an integral part of BGE’s continued commitment to supporting safety and reliability while also enhancing the communities it serves. It supports nonprofit emergency response and public safety organizations by providing funding that is vital to their success. Some of this year’s grants will assist agencies in purchasing items such as thermal imaging cameras, GPS systems, smoke alarms, portable radios and funding emergency preparedness drills and equipment. To date, BGE has provided over $1 million to 194 emergency response organizations, who share BGE’s commitment to the safety of central Maryland residents…”

[…]

“BGE encourages eligible 501c3 organizations that respond to the community’s needs during emergencies to apply for grants of up to $10,000 each. Grant applications are available online at bge.com/emergencyrespondersgrant each September through the end of October.

“BGE presented $310,000 to last year’s 48 grant recipients. A number of grant recipients spoke about how they use the grants in this brief video. In addition to supporting the emergency responder community in Maryland, BGE provides training for fire, police, 911 centers, and emergency management organizations who routinely work around utility equipment. BGE is recognized for its own emergency response record, ranking among the top utilities in the nation for rapid response to gas emergency calls and in working to prevent damages to energy equipment.

“BGE plays an integral role in working with Maryland communities to address economic development, public safety, civic issues, and other initiatives that help enhance our neighborhoods. Through the use of shareholder dollars, BGE supports programs that deliver measurable and sustainable impact in areas of education, environment, community development and arts and culture…

More information on the BGE grant program was retrieved from the company website:

Emergency Response and Safety Grants

Grant Description:

This grant is a way for BGE to further support organizations that are just as committed to safety as we are. BGE encourages 501c3 organizations that respond to the community’s needs during emergency preparedness and response efforts to apply for a grant.

The Emergency Response Grant is open December 1 - January 15.

For questions, email csr.bge@bge.com.

Grant Criteria

Organization must be a 501c3 non-profit.

Organization must meet the grant guidelines for eligibility.

Grant range - $500-$10,000

Up to $2,000-Small, local size organizations focused on one community

Up to $10,000 – Mid to large organizations working across multiple communities

Grants are considered for new and existing programs that fall within the description guidelines and requests funding that clearly demonstrates improvement in response efforts to urgent needs of the community.

All applications must include a project budget indicating how the grant will be spent.

Applications will not be accepted requesting basic operating expenses.

The project must be geographically located in the BGE service territory.

All awarded grantees must submit a brief report within 8 months of receiving funds detailing expenditures of the grant.

BGE employee engagement is preferred but not required.

View more information from previous years:

Press conference video

View the grant recipient press release

For more information on previous grant recipients

https://www.bge.com/SafetyCommunity/Community/Pages/EmergencyRespondersGrants.aspx

Information retrieved on 3Nov2017 from the BGE website: www.bge.com... This information has been compiled and assembled from multiple sources - all of which I have tried to be very careful to cite. That said - any and all mistakes that may appear in this article are my fault and mine alone.

The Westminster Fire Engine and Hose Co. No. 1 and our brothers and sisters in emergency response greatly benefited from the BGE Emergency Safety Grant in 2015. At a time of decreasing financial resources, increasing strain on emergency response resources, as well as increased competition for a constricted revenue flow; this writer felt that it was important to spread the word about an additional resource in the community. 

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Baltimore Sun Carroll Eagle: 

http://www.baltimoresun.com/search/dispatcher.front?target=all&spell=on&Query=Kevin%20Dayhoff&sortby=display_time%20descending#trb_search

Carroll County Times: http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/search/dispatcher.front?page=1&isSearch=true&target=all&spell=on&Query=Kevin%20Dayhoff#trb_search

Westminster Patch: http://patch.com/users/kevin-e-dayhoff?page=1

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff

Tumblr: Kevin Dayhoff Banana Stems www.kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/
Kevin Dayhoff is an artist - and a columnist for:

Baltimore Sun - Carroll County Times - The Carroll Eagle: www.explorecarroll.com: http://www.explorecarroll.com/search/?s=Dayhoff&action=GO

Soundtrack: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.net/

Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/ or http://kevindayhoffart.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.com/
Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/ or http://www.westgov.net/ = www.kevindayhoff.org
Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/ = www.newbedfordherald.net

Smurfs: http://babylonfluckjudd.blogspot.com/
Google profile: https://profiles.google.com/kevindayhoff/

E-mail: kevindayhoff(at)gmail.com
My http://www.explorecarroll.com/ columns appear in the copy of the Baltimore Sunday Sun that is distributed in Carroll County: https://subscribe.baltsun.com/Circulation/

See also - Kevin Earl Dayhoff Art www.kevindayhoff.com: Travel, art, artists, authors, books, newspapers, media, writers and writing, journalists and journalism, reporters and reporting, music, culture, opera... Ad maiorem Dei gloriam inque hominum salutem. “Deadline U.S.A.” 1952. Ed Hutcheson: “That's the press, baby. The press! And there's nothing you can do about it. Nothing!” - See more at: http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/#sthash.4HNLwtfd.dpuf

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Westminster Fire Dept. debuts a Facebook page to track events with Santa this Christmas season.

As we can see from this picture from Dec. 15, 2015, Santa frequently stops by the Westminster Vol. Fire Dept. Watch the WFD Santa run FB page for upcoming times, places – and schedules for Santa visits in Westminster this December 2017. (1Nov2017) Kevin Dayhoff photo https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1981063725497691&id=1979153135688750

November 1, 2017 - Westminster Fire Dept. debuts a Facebook page to track events with Santa this Christmas season.

Find the page here: https://www.facebook.com/Westminster-Fire-Dept-Santa-Run-1979153135688750/

Hello everyone! Welcome to the WFD Santa run FB page!

We will use this page to help keep you all updated about Santa's annual visit to Westminster and his plans to visit everyone on the fire truck.

This year he will be riding with us December 11th-15th from 6pm-9pm and will be at the fire station on December 16th from 7-11am for breakfast.

Please share this page with all your friends and remember to click the follow button as well.

We will update you on Santa's planned routes with us thru the neighborhoods as soon as Santa's official navigator, Rudolph gives us the go ahead.

The nights of the Santa run we will do our best to update you live with Santa's current location so you can be ready to meet him.

As always, Santa is catching a ride with your firefighters and if we have to take an emergency run, Santa does too. That means he may have to adjust his plans and we'll do our best to let you know.

So make sure you LIKE, SHARE and FOLLOW and look for future updates!

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1981011335502930&id=1979153135688750 November 1, 2017

For more articles, pictures, and information on the Westminster Fire Dept., go to “The Winchester Report” here: https://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/search/label/Fire%20CC%20Depts%2003%20Westminster

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Baltimore Sun Carroll Eagle: 

http://www.baltimoresun.com/search/dispatcher.front?target=all&spell=on&Query=Kevin%20Dayhoff&sortby=display_time%20descending#trb_search

Carroll County Times: http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/search/dispatcher.front?page=1&isSearch=true&target=all&spell=on&Query=Kevin%20Dayhoff#trb_search

Westminster Patch: http://patch.com/users/kevin-e-dayhoff?page=1

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kevindayhoff

Tumblr: Kevin Dayhoff Banana Stems www.kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/
Kevin Dayhoff is an artist - and a columnist for:

Baltimore Sun - Carroll County Times - The Carroll Eagle: www.explorecarroll.com: http://www.explorecarroll.com/search/?s=Dayhoff&action=GO

Soundtrack: http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.net/

Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/ or http://kevindayhoffart.com/ = http://www.kevindayhoff.com/
Kevin Dayhoff Westminster: http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/ or http://www.westgov.net/ = www.kevindayhoff.org
Kevin Dayhoff's The New Bedford Herald: http://kbetrue.livejournal.com/ = www.newbedfordherald.net

Smurfs: http://babylonfluckjudd.blogspot.com/
Google profile: https://profiles.google.com/kevindayhoff/

E-mail: kevindayhoff(at)gmail.com
My http://www.explorecarroll.com/ columns appear in the copy of the Baltimore Sunday Sun that is distributed in Carroll County: https://subscribe.baltsun.com/Circulation/

See also - Kevin Earl Dayhoff Art www.kevindayhoff.com: Travel, art, artists, authors, books, newspapers, media, writers and writing, journalists and journalism, reporters and reporting, music, culture, opera... Ad maiorem Dei gloriam inque hominum salutem. “Deadline U.S.A.” 1952. Ed Hutcheson: “That's the press, baby. The press! And there's nothing you can do about it. Nothing!” - See more at: http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/#sthash.4HNLwtfd.dpuf

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