Thomas Nevin, Jr.
Past President/Trustee

Thomas Nevin, Jr. of the Glen Burnie Volunteer Fire Company (GBVFC) was awarded the Fire, Rescue, EMS, Individual of the Year on 7 September 2018.  He was selected for his continuous dedicated service to the Glen Burnie Volunteer Fire Company, the Anne Arundel County Volunteer Firefighters Association, and the Maryland State Firemen’s Association for the past 68 years. 

Tom started his lifetime fire service career at the GBVFC as the mascot at the age of five in 1950. He had his own boots and went on parades and never missed the Saturday morning hose out at the station. Living across the street from the fire house and having a father who was a county engineman, gave him great access to his goal in the life of being a fireman. His suppression service became as a Sergeant in 1963, Lieutenant in 1965, Captain in 1967, and his first Chief’s job in 1969. Tom was the company’s youngest Fire Chief at the age of 23. He remained Chief until 1971 when his new son and job caused a conflict with his busy schedule. As Chief in 1969 and early 1970, he was faced with a bar bombing as well as many fires in the local bars and restaurants. These were a unique learning experience for a young fire chief.

Tom continued as a pump operator for the next dozen years while working to earn his Master’s Degree in Management and Supervision. During the 1980’s, he taught Volunteer Fire Service Management at the National Fire Academy as a field instructor.

Tom returned to the position of Chief in 1982 to revitalize the company. The company went from zero riding members to 88 riding members in 1994 when he retired as Chief. He was honored as Chief Emeritus and had Squad 33 dedicated to him at that time. He continued to serve and lead as company President from 1994 until 2006. After 12 years as Chief and 12 years as President, he became a Board Member and served until 2010. He once again was elected President in January 2017.  He was Glen Burnie’s Firefighter of the Year in 2000 and again in 2003. In June 2005, Tom was awarded $2500.00 for the fire company when the Sandy Spring Bank of Annapolis chose him as Firefighter of the Year.

Tom continues in the Nevin family tradition of driving Santa Claus for the company’s Santa runs.  Every Christmas eve, you can see him driving through the streets of Glen Burnie with Santa. 

Tom has been very active with the Anne Arundel County Volunteer Firefighter’s Association. He served as Sergeant at Arms in 1965.  He went through the chairs and became President of the organization in 1993. Under his leadership, he used his experience and knowledge with the Anne Arundel County Board of Education to help get the Vocational Technical Firefighter Cadet Program started. He has been a delegate to the association meetings for over 30-years. He currently serves on the Board of Trustees, a position he has held for many, many years, and is Chairman of the Hall and Fame committee. Tom has been a member of the Hall of Fame committee since its inception in 1997. He has previously served as chairman of the Training Committee and Firefighter of the Quarter. In 2000, he was inducted into the Anne Arundel County Volunteer Firefighter’s Association Hall of Fame.

Tom attended his first Maryland State Firemen’s Association (MSFA) convention in1963 right after high school graduation. He first served the MSFA in 1967 as a member of President Joe Kelly’s Executive Committee under the mentorship of his friend, Johnny Boy Smith. Since that time, he has served on the Maryland State Training Committee and for many years he has worked on the Convention Exhibits committee. After being a delegate for at least 30-years to the MSFA, Tom says the 5-days working the information desk are the most challenging and most enjoyable he has ever experienced. Tom was inducted into the MSFA Hall of Fame in June 2011. He is also a life member of the Maryland Fire Chief’s Association.

It is most important to stress that even though Tom’s health has been declining, he still continues to give his all the fire company, the Association, and the MSFA convention information booth.  Just recently, he ignored his doctor’s orders to go directly to the hospital so he could preside over his company meeting the very night.  The long hours at the MSFA information booth tired him out but he still reported every day as that is a job he loves doing.