2 Longtime Firefighters Awarded For Service To Anne Arundel

ODENTON, MD — Two members of the Odenton Volunteer Fire Company won awards on April 17 for their decades of service. The pair combines for 117 years of experience.

The Maryland Fire Chiefs Association recognized the duo with honors. Wylie L. Donaldson Jr. earned the Chief Leslie B. Thompson Memorial Award. David Lewis took home the Chief John W. Hoglund Leadership Award.

Wylie L. Donaldson Jr.

Donaldson joined the company in 1952 at 14 years old. Firefighting runs in his family. Donaldson's father was a member, and his grandfather was one of the station's founders.

The Odenton volunteer has held every administrative position in the department. He was president from 1968 through 1974.

Donaldson went on to serve as president of the Anne Arundel County Volunteer Firefighters Association from 1998 to 1999. That earned him a spot in the association's Hall of Fame in 1998.

The Maryland State Firemen’s Association inducted Donaldson to its Hall of Fame in 1999 for his time on several committees. Among other achievements, Donaldson also won the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Volunteer Fire Council in 2019.

"Even with 68 years of active and continuous service, Wylie remains an instrumental part of the company’s success," spokesperson Patti Kidwell wrote on Patch. "Many of our company’s leaders today have been mentored by Wylie. One of OVFC's pumpers is dedicated to him in recognition of his service and support to the fire company and the community."

A full list of Donaldson's achievements is posted here along with a photo of his recognition.

David Lewis

Lewis came to the department at age 18 and eventually became assistant chief. After 49 years of service, he is still going.

The first responder led the Anne Arundel County Volunteer Firefighters Association as president from 1983 to 1984 and 2006 to 2007. Lewis entered the association's Hall of Fame in 200o. He went on to earn the group's Fire, Rescue, EMS Individual of the Year Award in 2001, 2007 and 2016.

Lewis led the Maryland State Firemen's Association as president from 2011 to 2012. Years of committee work landed him a spot in the state association's Hall of Fame in 2000.

"David has faithfully served the Maryland State Firemen's Association (MSFA) since 1978," Kidwell said in another post. "He led legislative efforts in several areas, including the passage of the statewide residential sprinkler requirement, making Maryland only one of two states to require residential sprinklers in all new single-family dwellings."

The volunteer also taught at the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute. He additionally led cancer prevention and mental health efforts.

Lewis' full biography is available at this link, as is a photo of his ceremony.

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