Promotion Announcement! Firefighter/Paramedic Pedro Oliva completed his last 24 hour shift at 0800 on May 10th, and will start his new position of Training Captain on May 11th. Many coworkers stopped in to celebrate his success, watch him take his gear off the truck, and wish him success in his new rank and position. Congratulations on your new journey!

Promotion alert! Firefighter Jason Weinmeister has been promoted to Inspector and will start his 40 hour work week end of July. As tradition in our fire family, firefighters gathered this morning to see Jason remove his gear from the truck and the end of his final 24 hour shift. Family forever, and congratulations on your hard work Jason!

Saving lives, even in Emmitsburg! Captain/Paramedic Shawn Robinson was attending the National Fire Academy for a week long training and was excited to be just an hour away from his cousin, someone he hadn’t seen in over 7 years. The night before class started Shawn had a family dinner at the Carriage House, just a short walk from the NFA, and as he and his cousin were catching up a gentleman exclaimed that his sister was choking and if anyone knew how to help her. Captain Robinson immediately went into action and performed multiple abdominal thrusts until the piece of steak came out and the woman was breathing again. Due to his lifesaving actions, the restaurant owner made sure to call his Battalion Chief and the NFA administration to express her appreciation. Shawn was presented a Life Saving Award with a challenge coin from the NFA and an Outstanding Student Award from the superintendent office. We are all very proud to call him the Squad 63 C-shift Captain/Paramedic and a member of South Trail Fire & Rescue!

Happy Retirement Firefighter/Paramedic Steve Erwin! On Friday September 8th, FF Erwin decided to retire in his own unique way. South Trail Family knew he chose that day, his wife knew he chose that day, but his parents were surprised by Steve when he walked them over to look at the cake message. For quite a while, Steve’s parents started many conversations with, “When are you going to retire?” Steve would always say maybe soon. Well Friday was his day, his day to finally give that answer. And, FF Steve Erwin #610 dedicated his ability to be a firefighter and one of the most amazing and trusted paramedics to his wife. With her faithful listening ear, and her support at home, he was able to work many years of shift work. To commemorate her selfless dedication, FF Erwin requested that Chief Rogers present his wife with a badge with the rank of Dedicated Wife and badge number of #610.5. We all celebrate FF Steve Erwin and his happy retirement, and we thank his family for sharing him with us through the years.

Happy retirement to Firefighter Mike “Smitty” Smith! Mike is retiring from South Trail Fire Protection & Rescue after 24 years of dedicated service to our district. Mike was hired in 1999 and held the rank of Senior Firefighter and he has always worn the helmet and badge with extreme honor and professionalism. His dedication to being a Firefighter/EMT has greatly benefited our department, our new personnel and the citizens and visitors of our district. We are so happy for you Mike and truly hope you enjoy every moment of retirement, you earned it! It was a great turnout to fire family and friends that showed up to see him on his last day!