On January 13, 2023, Robert L. “Bob” Rose received The National Board on Fire Service Professional Qualifications Pro Board Johnny G. Wilson Memorial Award. This award is presented annually to an individual who has demonstrated professionalism in the field of fire service certification in the same manner that Mr. Wilson performed for the Georgia Fire Fighter Standards and Training Council.

Bob began his fire service life as a volunteer with the Odenton Volunteer Fire Company in March of 1973 and remains active to this day, approaching 50 years of continuous active service. He is particularly known for his mentoring of pump operators and his insistence on doing things “the right way”.

Bob had a distinguished 30-year career with the Anne Arundel County Fire Department, retiring as a captain. A large portion of his career was spent in the Training Academy where he ensured that the training requirements for both volunteer and career personnel were met. During a two-year period between 1998 and 1990, then Lieutenant Rose, coordinated the Department’s successful efforts to phase in required certifications for all career and volunteer personnel commensurate with their rank. The Department’s fully integrated command structure including required certification for volunteer and career personnel remains a model to this day.

Bob has been an Alternate Representative to the Maryland Fire Service Personnel Qualification Board (MFSPQB) from 1990 to 1995, and from 2002 to present, representing Anne Arundel County and has attended every annual meeting of the MFSPQB since 2005. He has been a member of the delegation representing the MFSPQB at every annual National “Pro Board” Conference since 2005. In June 2015, Bob was awarded the Maryland State Firemen’s Association Russell J. Strickland Award by the MFSPQB for “… exemplary efforts in the promotion of certification for fire and emergency services personnel in the State of Maryland”. In further recognition of his service and commitment, during the 2022 annual meeting of the MFSPQB, Bob was appointed Executive Secretary by acclamation.