Patti Kidwell
Maryland City
AACVFALA Past President 1991-1992

   Maryland City Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary
    20 years total auxiliary service
      9 years Bel Alton Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary, Charles County (1974-1983)
    11 years Maryland City Volunteer Fire Department (1983-Present)

  Patti’s long history of service to the fire department auxiliaries began in 1974, when at the age of 17 Patti joined the local fire department auxiliary in Bel Alton in Charles County, Maryland. During her nine years there she served on the Pins and Badges Committee and was the auxiliary Secretary as well as helping with the auxiliary’s fundraisers. Upon marriage and moving to the Laurel, Maryland area, Patti joined the Auxiliary at the Maryland City VFD in Anne Arundel County. She was appointed as the publicity chairperson during her first year of membership and has held the position ever since. In the second year, she was elected to the office of Corresponding Secretary for the 1984-1985 term. During that term, the President of the Auxiliary resigned requiring the Vice-President to assume the President’s position. Patti took on the additional responsibilities of the office of Vice-President while maintaining her duties as Corresponding Secretary for the remainder of the term. In recognition of this exceptional achievement, Patti was awarded the first Maryland City VFD Auxiliary Member of the Year Award. During her third year at Maryland City, Patti was elected to the office of President for the 1986-1987 term. She is currently the President of the Maryland City VFD Auxiliary, having been continually reelected to this office for the last eight years.

  Patti always has the good of the Auxiliary at heart. She created the President’s Award. This award is presented to the auxiliary member that the President feels is most supportive of the auxiliary mission. Patti also created an elected award of Auxiliary member of the Year. The members each cast one vote for the member that they think has made the most significant contributions to the auxiliary during the preceding year. When Patti recognized the need for a fire department historian, she assumed the responsibility. She assembled several books of news articles, photographs, and programs which document the contributions and activities of the fire department. She also wrote the fire department’s history so it could be included n the Maryland State Firemen’s Association Centennial Book. She has coordinated and chaired the three Baseball Car Show fundraisers, co-chaired the craft sale fundraisers for the past several years, and has assisted in every auxiliary fundraiser since she has joined. Patti has participated in all but one of the last ten fire department fund drives. She willingly serves as a judge of the annual Fire Prevention Poster Contest. Patti consistently provides baked good for the auxiliary fundraisers. When a local merchant stages holiday parties for the needy children in the area, Patti donates baked goods on behalf of the auxiliary. One of her most enjoyable contributions is the coordination and staging of games for the Auxiliary Christmas Party. As part of this effort, Patti also ensures that prizes are on hand at the party. In 1987 Patti took on the position as chairperson for the annual fire department awards banquet. She has orchestrated the successful banquets every year since.

  Patti doesn’t stop with her home auxiliary. She has moved through the chairs of the county auxiliary culminating in a term as the President for the 1991-1992 term. As an active member of the Ladies Auxiliary to the Anne Arundel County Volunteer Firefighters Association, Patti has served on the Publicity Committee, Pins and Badges Committee, and served as an acting Guard. She is currently serving on the Constitution and By-laws Committee. Patti is the chairperson of the Hall of Fame Committee. Patti developed the concept for the Anne Arundel County “Buddy Bear” program that provides a small Teddy Bear to children when they are transported by county ambulances or paramedic units. She has been the Chairperson of the Buddy Bear Committee since its inception. She completely manages this important function of the county. She tracks the number of bears issued, orders replacement bears, and manages the program funding. Patti attends the County Firefighter’s meetings to report on the program progress and status. Without the tireless efforts of Patti Kidwell, this program which is both beneficial to young patients and the public image of the county fire service, would wither.

  At the state level, Patti continues to be a strong contributor. She has served on the following State Auxiliary Committees:
    85-86 – Pins and Badges
    86-87 – Bessie Marshall
    87-88 – Credentials
    88-89 – Page
    90-93 – Ways and Means
    93-94 – Credentials

Patti was inducted into the Anne Arundel County Volunteer Firefighters Association Hall of Fame in 2015.