On January 9, 2024, Ambulance Technician/Driver, U.S. Army Sergeant David Linares received the Harry L. Cooper VFW Post 160, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) of the Year.

The Odenton Volunteer Fire Company (OVFC) attracts many enthusiastic military members like U.S. Army Sergeant David Linares, stationed at nearby Fort Meade. David joined OVFC in August 2021 with the goal of becoming an EMS provider, which he has accomplished. He easily blended into the organization and participated in company activities while he started training.

David pursued an aggressive training schedule and was cleared to ride the ambulance as an EMT in August 2022, responding to 35 calls in the remaining months of the year. Not content to only be an ambulance attendant, David took the next important step of becoming an ambulance driver and was approved as a driver in February 2023. In total David has taken nearly 250 hours of training, including EMT – Basic (204 hours) and Emergency Vehicle Operator (24 hours). David is a key member of the Thursday overnight duty crew, and he volunteers to come in at other times if there is a staffing shortage. Through September 30 of 2023, he has worked 49 shifts totaling 551 hours. He has responded to 152 ambulance calls so far in 2023 and is one of our top three responders. David is very compassionate and professional in caring for his patients and prepares thorough Patient Care Reports. He ensures that the ambulance is properly stocked and maintained. David is also fluent in Spanish, which has been very beneficial in several instances.