WYLIE LOREN DONALDSON, JR.
PAST PRESIDENT 1998-1999

Wylie Loren (Buddy) Donaldson, Jr. was born on 26 August 1938 in Odenton, Maryland. Wylie joined the Odenton Volunteer Fire Company on 13 September 1952 at 14-years old following in the footsteps of his father and his grandfather, who was a Charter Member of the Company. Since joining, he has been an active member and still responds to emergency calls. Since 1960, he has served continuously as either an administrative or a suppression officer. He has served on many committees and has held every administrative position in the Company and was the President from 1968 to 1974. He became a Second Lieutenant in 1962, a First Lieutenant in 1965, a Captain in 1972, and Chief in 1974, a position he held proudly until 1989 when he chose to step down. Wylie continues to serve as the Vice President of the Company.

As Chief of the Fire Company, he brought rapid progress. He maintained a well trained and disciplined staff of volunteers. He was instrumental in bringing the first volunteer staffed paramedic unit to Odenton. Under his guidance, the Company became active in many community events and activities. He is responsible for the Company maintaining a staff of qualified relief drivers to operate the apparatus when the career drivers are off duty, a policy that remains in effect to this day. The Company purchased three Class A pumpers, two aerial apparatus, and a number of support vehicles while Wylie was Chief. He brought dignity and respect to the Odenton Volunteer Fire Company from the community and fire service as a whole.

Wylie has served the Anne Arundel County Volunteer Firefighter’s Association on a variety of committees and fundraising activities. He has represented the County Association as a member of the Fire Advisory Board from 1982 to 1990 and additional terms after that. He served as President from 1998-1999. Wylie served as the Chairman of the Legislative Committee as well as many other committees over the years. He served as a Trustee from 2008-2010 and is currently serving as Chairman of the President’s Advisory Committee. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1998.

Wylie has served the Maryland State Firemen’s Association on a variety of committees as well. He is currently Chairman of the Executive Committee. He is also on the Convention Exhibits Committee and has been for many years. His helpers enjoy working with him for the set-up and take-down of the exhibitor spaces at the Convention each year. Wylie was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999. He received the Marbery Gates Award in 2009.

In addition to his fire service activities, he is also a member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, National Fire Protection Association, Anne Arundel County Chiefs Association, the Annapolis Elks Lodge, and is an active member of the Epiphany Episcopal Church. He is retired from the Department of Defense as a Division Chief responsible for telecommunications.

Wylie is a staunch supporter of the volunteer fire service, believes that hard work and dedication is the key to success and he preaches loyalty above all.

WYLIE L. DONALDSON

Odenton VFC

Robert H. Shimer Administrative Person of the Year

Wylie L. Donaldson, Jr. was awarded the Maryland State Firemen’s Association (MSFA) Robert H. Shimer Administrative Person of the Year Award for 2018 on June 19, 2018.

Wylie joined the OVFC on September 13, 1952 at 14 years old, following in the footsteps of his father and his grandfather, who was a Charter Member of the OVFC.  Since 1960, he has continuously served in a position as either an administrative officer or a suppression officer.  He has served on far too many company committees to commit to paper.  He has held every administrative position in the Company and was the President from 1968 through 1974.  He became a Second Lieutenant in 1962 and rose to the rank of Chief in 1974, a position he proudly served until 1989, when he chose to step down.  Even with 65 years of active and continuous service, Wylie remains an instrumental part of the OVFC success, currently serving as Vice President and the co-chair of the annual carnival committee.  Many of OVFC's leaders today have been mentored by Wylie.  One of the pumpers is dedicated to him in recognition of his service and support to the fire company and the community.

During his tenure as Chief, Wylie instilled that training was a vital component of delivering the highest quality of service to the citizens of the community. He also promotes the concept of the fire company being a vital part of the community and ensures OVFC presence is visible at all community events.  Community leaders look to Wylie whenever there is a local project needing the support of the fire company.  Wylie finds a way of getting the job done and gaining the support of the people needed to make sure that is done right.

Wylie has also demonstrated his leadership ability with the Anne Arundel County Volunteer Firefighters Association (AACVFA).  He served as one of the volunteer representatives to the Fire Advisory Board from 1982 through 1990, and as AACVFA President from 1998 to 1999.  During his term as President, he followed a vision of bringing new life to the volunteer fire service and initiated a volunteer cadet program within the Anne Arundel County Public School system.  Most recently, Wylie helped lead efforts to greatly enhance the Volunteer Length of Service Award Program to reward volunteers for their service and provide an incentive to retain active volunteers.  For his service to the ACCVFA, Wylie was inducted into its Hall of Fame in 1998, was named Individual of the Year in 1994 and 2009, and was the Member of the Quarter in August 2010.  He was also recognized by the 100 Club of Anne Arundel County as an Unsung Hero in 2007.

Wylie has also been actively served the MSFA for several decades.  He has served on numerous  committees, most notably as Anne Arundel County’s representative on the Executive Committee from 1998 until 2012 and as Executive Committee Chairman in 2011-2012.  Wylie presently serves as Chair of the Convention Exhibits Committee and as one of the Assistant Treasurers, acting as the association’s liaison to the Maryland Military Department and overseeing the administration of the $10M grant program to the state’s fire services and the $20M loan program for MSFA member companies.  For his service to MSFA, he was inducted in the MSFA Hall of Fame in 1999, received the Gladhill-Thompson Trophy in 2005, and the Marbury F. Gates Service Cup Award in 2009.

Wylie has dutifully served the interests of the OVFC and the fire service in Anne Arundel County and across the State of Maryland for over 65 years.  He demonstrates the leadership qualities that each of us strive to achieve and serves as a role model and mentor for each person that he meets.  Wylie is a staunch supporter of the volunteer fire service. 

WYLIE L. DONALDSON, JR.

MARYLAND FIRE CHIEFS CHIEF LESLIE B. THOMPSON MEMORIAL AWARD – 2021

On April 17, 2021, Wylie L. Donaldson, Jr. (fourth from left) of the Odenton Volunteer Fire Company (OVFC) received the Maryland Fire Chiefs Chief Leslie B. Thompson Memorial Award.

Wylie joined the OVFC on September 13, 1952 at 14 years old, following in the footsteps of his father and his grandfather, who was a Charter Member of OVFC.  Since 1960, he has continuously served in a position as either an administrative officer or a suppression officer.  He has served on far too many company committees to commit to paper.  He has held every administrative position in the Company and was President from 1968 through 1974.  He became a Second Lieutenant in 1962 and rose to the rank of Chief in 1974, a position he proudly served until 1989.  For his commitment and exemplary service, the OVFC recently awarded Wylie the honor of Chief Emeritus.  Even with 68 years of active and continuous service, Wylie remains an instrumental part of the company’s success, currently serving as Vice President and the chair of the annual carnival committee.  Many of our company’s leaders today have been mentored by Wylie.  One of our pumpers is dedicated to him in recognition of his service and support to the fire company and the community.

During his tenure as Chief, Wylie instilled the principle that training was a vital component of delivering the highest quality of service to the citizens of our community.  Wylie also continually promotes the concept of the fire company as a vital part of the community and ensures our presence is visible at all community events.  Community leaders look to Wylie whenever there is a local project needing the support of the fire company.  Wylie finds a way of getting the job done and gaining the support of the people needed to make sure that is done right.

Wylie has also demonstrated his leadership ability with the Anne Arundel County Volunteer Firefighters Association (AACVFA).  He served as one of the volunteer representatives, appointed by the Anne Arundel County Executive, to the Fire Advisory Board from 1982 through 1990, and as AACVFA President from 1998 to 1999.  During his term as President, he followed a vision of bringing new life to the volunteer fire service and initiated a volunteer cadet program within the Anne Arundel County Public School System.  Most recently, Wylie helped to lead efforts to greatly enhance the Length of Service Award Program to reward volunteers for their service and provide an incentive to retain active volunteers.  For his service to the ACCVFA, Wylie was inducted into the AACVFA Hall of Fame in 1998, was named Individual of the Year in 1994 and 2009 and was the Member of the Quarter in August 2010.  He was also recognized by the 100 Club of Anne Arundel County as an Unsung Hero in 2007.

Wylie has also actively served the Maryland State Firemen’s Association (MSFA) for several decades.  He has served on numerous of committees, most notably as Anne Arundel County’s representative on the Executive Committee from 1998 until 2012 and as Executive Committee Chairman in 2011-2012.  Wylie presently serves as Chair of the Convention Exhibits Committee.  He is also one of the Assistant Treasurers, acting as the association’s liaison to the Maryland Military Department and overseeing the administration of the Volunteer Company Assistance Fund, a $20M loan program for MSFA member companies, and the Senator William H. Amoss Fire, Rescue, and Ambulance Fund, a $10M grant fund to help acquire fire and rescue equipment.  For his service to MSFA, he was inducted in the MSFA Hall of Fame in 1999.  Further, Wylie is only one of three individuals to receive the top three honors from the MSFA, receiving the Gladhill-Thompson Trophy in 2005, the Marbery F. Gates Service Cup Award in 2009, and Robert H. Shimer Administrative Person of the Year Award in 2018.

As the above testimony clearly describes, Wylie Donaldson has made outstanding contributions to the OVFC and the fire service in Anne Arundel County and across the State of Maryland for over 68 years.  Wylie demonstrates the leadership qualities that each of us strive to achieve and serves as a role model and mentor for each person that he meets.  In consideration of his sustained and dedicated service, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Volunteer Fire Council in 2019. 

On November 22, 2021 Wylie L. Donaldson, Past President of the AACVFA, received the Governor’s Lifetime Achievement Award at the 38th annual Governor’s Service Awards event hosted by the Governor’s Office on Service and Volunteerism that celebrated individuals and organizations for their outstanding display of dedication to service and volunteerism. There were a number of awards presented, but one of the top awards distinguishes one’s lifetime achievement as a volunteer. This year’s lifetime achievement award was presented to AACVFA Past President (1998-1999) and Odenton Volunteer Fire Company Vice President (Chief Emeritus) Wylie L. Donaldson. Wylie was recognized for his unwavering volunteer commitment to his fire company, Anne Arundel County and the State of Maryland since joining the Odenton Volunteer Fire Company on September 13, 1952. For this lifelong commitment of volunteer service, Wylie L. Donaldson was awarded the 2021 Governor’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Use this link https://gosv.maryland.gov/2021govawards/ to learn more about Wylie’s award.

CONGRATULATIONS Wylie and thank you for all that you do (and will continue to do) for Maryland’s volunteer fire, EMS and rescue services!