The 67th Annual Southern Maryland Volunteer Firemen’s Association Convention was held on April 26th and 27th. This year, the convention was hosted by Calvert County and incoming President Robert Allen. Dunkirk Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad hosted the memorial service and dinner. Solomons Volunteer Rescue Squad and Fire Department hosted the parade and games.

On Friday night, April 25th, our very own Tara Wood was sworn in as the President of the Southern Maryland Volunteer Firemen's Association Ladies Auxiliary. Our Ladies Auxiliary was awarded first place for fire prevention Members assisted with the installation banquet and dinner and extend our congratulations to Tara and wish her a successful term as President!

On Saturday, April 26th, members attended the installation of officers and awards banquet. Fire Prevention was awarded two awards in the Class 5 category. Second place for our fire prevention book and second place for our special projects book. We were also awarded a special recognition award for the special project, "future firefighter class". A special thanks is extended to our Fire Prevention Officer Terri Palmer and her committee for their hard work.

Sunday was parade day and would cap off a busy few weeks for the membership. Members started in March cleaning the apparatus after the long winter. Every piece of apparatus had the under carriage pressure washed and detailed. Members spent countless hours getting the apparatus "parade ready" which here in Mechanicsville, isn't just a wash job.

Members boarded the apparatus and headed to Solomons with the goal to be repeat recipients of the "Best Appearing Company Overall". Once in Solomons, final touches were put on the apparatus and uniforms were donned as we made it onto the parade route. Numerous compliments were received as the parade moved along.

We were awarded for our efforts as we were awarded the following:

*Best Appearing Fire Department Marching Unit

*2nd Best Appearing Fire Prevention Float

*Best Appearing Special Unit UTV-2

*2nd Best Appearing Brush Unit Brush-2

*Best Appearing Pumper Tanker E-224

*2nd Best Appearing Heavy Rescue RES2CUE

*Best Appearing Engine 1250GPM Engine-21

*Best Appearing Engine 1500GPM Engine-222

*BEST APPEARING COMPANY OVERALL

The department would like to congratulate all the departments and individuals who received awards over the weekend.

**pictures courtesy of smnewsnet.com and jpcphotography**

Additional photos can be seen by clicking the hyperlinks below: