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September 15, 2025 To: Outstanding Member of the Quarter Award Committee Anne Arundel County Volunteer Firefighters Association The officers and members of the Odenton Volunteer Fire Company (OVFC) are very proud to nominate our Life Member and Firefighter III Martin A. Hammond, III (“Marty”) for the Anne Arundel County Volunteer Firefighters Association’s Outstanding Member of the Third Quarter of 2025. Marty’s tenure with OVFC can be divided into three phases, and it’s the current, third phase, which is the focus of this nomination. Phase I – Rookie Years. Marty Hammond joined OVFC in April 1994 as he was graduating from high school. He is a legacy member: his uncle was a member, and his father Tim is still an active operational member. He achieved Firefighter II certification in less than two years and averaged 400 fire and ambulance responses annually for five years. Phase II – Career and Family. Marty was hired by the Anne Arundel County Police Department in October 1998. As is common, he had to scale back his operational participation at OVFC due to the commitments of his job. In May 2000 he married another OVFC member, and they had sons in 2003 and 2005, further limiting his time at the fire station. However, throughout this period Marty continued to maintain his certifications, complete all required training and satisfy all OVFC membership requirements. During this period he was chairperson of the Social Committee for over 15 years and was also on the Membership Committee for two years, including chairperson for one year. Marty retired from the Police Department in February 2019 and immediately started a new job with the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention Phase III – Marty’s Back! Typically when a volunteer firefighter stops riding due to work and family obligations (“life”), they don’t return to riding status. Not Marty! All along he planned on becoming active again when “life” allowed it. So when his youngest son had graduated from high school, and with the wholehearted support of his family, he returned to operational status in October 2023 after nearly a 15-year hiatus. He worked aggressively to refresh his skills, get familiar with our current equipment. and learn the latest policies and procedures. Marty was not content to just return to being a “back step” firefighter. He recognized that a viable volunteer fire company needs volunteer apparatus drivers. So he began the process to be certified to drive our two fire engines and 100’ ladder truck. He had previously taken the required training courses and began the intense practical sessions on driving and operating the apparatus. A County shift commander had to sign off on his proficiency on all essential evolutions. Finally in May 2024 Marty was certified to operate our engines and a month later our ladder truck. He then became the volunteer apparatus driver on the Monday night crew, enabling a second suppression unit to be placed in service when volunteer staffing was available. He enjoys helping other members become drivers and offers to take apparatus for training and special events. Finally, he has organized several nights when every unit is in service (two engines, ladder truck, medic and ambulance). He has given them catchy names like “Triple Pull Tuesday” or “Full Force Friday” to create enthusiasm. Marty wasn’t content to just get back to riding and becoming an apparatus driver. He ran for our Board of Directors and was elected in December 2024. Marty requested to be the chair of the Hall Management Committee. OVFC has a very large community hall and a training building with a spacious classroom. Over the last two decades we have limited rentals of these spaces to only community organizations, businesses and “friends of the company” because of disorderly renters in the past, especially when alcohol was allowed. Our Board had been working with our lawyer on how to put in place appropriate controls to allow us to again rent to the general public. When Marty took over as the hall manager, this process was kicked into high gear. He worked with our lawyer, reviewed County regulations, conferred with County officials, and talked to other fire companies that rent their halls. A rental contract was developed which held renters liable for any damage and bodily harm and protected OVFC interests. Requirements for insurance and security were established. Marty also determined that OVFC had to provide a crowd manager at any rental event. He found a training program to certify OVFC members as crowd managers and obtained approval of the Board of Directors to pay interested members a small stipend for performing this duty. Largely due to Marty’s efforts, OVFC is now able to rent its facilities to the general public, which will be a great source of revenue. And finally, Marty is a one-man social committee. He has brought back the tradition of the company Super Bowl Party at the station and coordinates OVFC days at Navy football home games. He is a motivating force in the company. We are indeed glad that Marty is “back.” He has increased our operational capabilities, enhanced our administrative functions, and boosted our morale. Hence, we are especially honored to nominate Life Member and Firefighter III Martin A. Hammond, III for the Outstanding Member of the Third Quarter. Respectively submitted, _________________________ Charles H Tucker Jr Erika Nesvold Charles “Chuck” Tucker, Jr. President Chief |
