John Wayne Bender

  I would like to place John Wayne Bender’s name in for the Hall of Fame Award. Wayne as he is known, started in the volunteer fire service at Water Witch Hook and Ladder No. 2 in 1974.

  In 1976, he joined West Annapolis Fire and Improvement Company, Inc. not long after the station had moved to its current location on Jennifer Road. Wayne spent 5 years as the EMS Captain in a time when the company ran three ambulances. In that time he procured the first Z.E.D. (Zedric Extrication Device) the precursor to the K.E.D. then too, the company purchased the first four-wheel drive ambulance in the county. Not only holding the line officer position but also holding the position of Financial Secretary for eight years.

  He also spent five years as a member of the Glen Burnie Volunteer Fire Department. During that time he spent two years as their EMS Lieutenant and was instrumental in placing the companies second ambulance in service as well as obtaining the Seal of Excellence for both of the companies ambulances.

  Wayne has worked with the Association by spending seven years as the Sergeant-at-Arms and many years as a Company delegate as well as committee participant. He has also been a company delegate to the Maryland State Firemen’s Association, and a member of the Anne Arundel Alarmers Association.

Wayne is also very active with other community activities including the Elks Lodge of Annapolis.

With Wayne’s twenty-eight years of continuous service to Anne Arundel County fire service and its citizens please consider him for this year’s Hall of Fame Award.

Sincerely,
Douglas M. Beall
President