JOSEPH M. "Mac" CONNELL, Sr.
Date of Birth:
Date of Death: August 15, 2016
Chief Anne Arundel County Fire Department 1984-1991

 Joseph M. (Mac) Connell, Sr. joined the Woodland Beach Volunteer Fire Department on 5 April 1956. His first office in the department was Chaplain. He studied the Basic and Advanced fire courses offered by the University of Maryland Extension Services. He also took the Basic and Advanced First Aid courses through the American Red Cross.

Mac served every administrative office of the department to include Chaplain, Secretary, Treasurer, Financial Secretary, Board of Directors, and President. He currently holds the office of President. In 1998, Mac was elected Chief Emeritus in recognition of his dedicated service to the fire department.

Mac was extremely active in the fire prevention programs. He planned activities aimed for both the local school age children and senior citizens. As Chairman of the committee, the fire department won the Chester Wicks Fire Prevention trophy five consecutive years. The department was honored by Governors Hughes, Agnew, Lee, Tawes, Mandel, and Schaffer for their outstanding fire prevention program. The department received fourth place in the international worldwide contest competing against 36 entries.

Mac was a Past President of the old South Anne Arundel County Volunteer Firemen’s Association as well as Past President of the South Anne Arundel County Ambulance and Rescue Association.

Mac served as Fire Chief for the Anne Arundel County Fire Department for 8 years (June 1984-January 1991). In this position, he was able to give the volunteers the recognition they deserved. He attended every meeting of the Anne Arundel County Volunteer Firemen’s Association, every Chief’s Council meeting, and every Fire Advisory Board meeting.

Mac continues to serve as a delegate to the Anne Arundel County Volunteer Firefighter’s Association. He was inducted in the Hall of Fame in 1997.

Mac also continues to be active in the Maryland State Firemen’s Association and serves as a delegate.

Mac always said the Woodland Beach Volunteer Fire Department is his second family and he treats each and every member as family.

Life accomplishments:

Graduate of Washington College (Chestertown, MD), receipient of a full scholarship for Lacrosse.
Inducted into the Washington College Sports Hall of Fame in 1954 as a member of the Lacrosse Team.

June 1, 1955 started working in Anne Arundel County Finance Office of the Sanitary Commission. Appointed the County Budget Officer in June 3,1975. He worked for three county Executives Joseph W. Alton, Robert A. Pascal, O. James Lighthizer. Known to many in the county as "Mac the Knife."

Member of the Maryland Public Finance Officers Association.

Woodland Beach Volunteer Fire Department Firefighter of the Year 1984.

County Executive O.James Lighthizer named him interim Fire Administratior in June of 1984 and he was appointed Fire Administrator November 16, 1985 and retired January 31, 1991. While administrator he created the Hazardous Materials Response Team, Served as Chairman of the Fire Chief's Council April 26, 1990 - January 31, 1991.

Life Member of the Woodland Beach Volunteer Fire Department. Joined April 1956. Named Chief Emeritus in 1998.

Member of the Annapolis Elks Lodge 622.