I have to say this about Baltimore County Fire Chief John Homan. Over a month ago I called 911 for my 91 year old mother who had fallen and fractured her pelvis. Two wonderful paramedics responded to treat and transport her to GBMC. They treated her like it was their mother.

As I customarily do, I sent a thank you e-male to Chief Hohman acknowledging their wonderful and professional work as first responders.

I also sent GBMC a similar e-mail and received a response in one day. As of today, over a month latter I have yet to hear from Chief Hohman.

Any leader who makes $180,000 a year and can't find the time to acknowledge the great work of these professionals should be relived of command. I guess he is too busy counting his DROP money.

Either that or the above story is more worthy of human life and those who work to save it.

If I was your boss you would be fired for such an oversight. How long does it take to answer an e-mail and acknowledge the efforts of these paramedics. The sad part is you have the authority to even delegate that issue.

Way to turn a positive into a negative Buzztard. He never fails. The angriest dog in the world.

My mother passed away 2 1/2 years ago at 93 years old. When my sister would call 911 and the Arbutus Volunteer Fire Dept. came, you could not ask for a more kind and understanding group of individuals. My sister would ask that they not turn on their lights or siren, so as not to upset my mom. They have also came by my house and helped me with the house next door that flooded and was running all over my property. AVFD are a great group of folks who know their job.

Buzz, this article has nothing to do with your mother (unless she is a blue heron, sometimes some may wonder, considering what her son looks and sounds like). Instead of just appreciating the care your mother received, you have to turn this into something about you!!!! Did you ever think for a second that he didn't want to respond to your stupid ass?! Stop trying to make every story about you!! No one gives a shit about what you think! If people cared, wouldn't you be Councilman right now? Ohh, that's right...your PEERS decided you were not fit for the job, funny how that has happened twice in your life now..haha..

When will you figure this game out? You talk into a lonely hall way...and the only thing you will EVER hear is your own echo! Your voice goes unheard Buzz!

Arc, for one who espouses to be rather bright, you seem to focus on the messenger and not the message.

What is the part of the word leadership you cannot comprehend? How can you be intelligent when you can't be objective. Go back and read what I wrote. If you do and can justify why the fire chief cannot find the time to acknowledge the great work of his employees and you see that as a positive, you too must place a different set of standards on the degrees of life.

Since you claim to be an angel you would have first hand knowledge about serpents, wouldn't you? I prefer the nonsecular word snake.

Buzz, how do you know he didn't acknowledge someone? Was he suppose to call you first and make sure it was okay? haha...you're a no body dude!

Because after 39 years of doing this it is customary to acknowledge the thank you and the letter is being placed in their file.

If you had a job, you might understand that.

If I'm a nobody what is a B-h-B? Is that your life's work - DUDE?

Hi Buzz, thank you so much for your kind words. I stopped by the fire station and also called to thank them personally. When my mom passed away, I stopped by the station and told them. They were sad to hear of her passing. She got better treatment from them then St. Agnes! When I see them I still say hi and talk to them, or I wave when their trucks pass by my house. At Christmas, they drive through the area with Santa on the engine. They will stop at my house and I wave and I am thankful that there my firemen. I'm glad your mom is alright. As for Homan, he should have given .you a reply thanking you. However he sits on his butt in an office and collects a BIG paycheck. It is the firemen who make the dept. not him! The pain of the loss of our mother is still very real and difficult. However, seeing the firemen is a kind reminder.

Buzz-hurt Buzz, I think Buzz was just commenting what a nice job they did for his mom. The article was about the fire dept. It's nice when the firemen are recognized for their work.

Terry thank you. As a cop I always felt good when someone took the time to say thanks. I knew I touched their lives.

How long does it take to give a person an order to reply and acknowledge a good job. That is the sad part.

I'm coming out with a blog called "Lifes Perilous Journey." You been through it and I am watching it take place. I wrote it hopefully so people will be prepared for anything that impacts their loved ones.

You are a good caring person. Glad to have the opportunity to share some thoughts with you.

Terry, Buzz wasn't commenting on the fire department, he was commenting about HIS experience with the fire chief. The article had nothing to do with either subjects.

As you will notice if you read his ramblings on this site, he loves to make himself the center of attention. This was a positive article and he Buzzed it (put a negative spin on it). Buzz could ruin a wet dream!

Butt-hurt Buzz, I understand your point and there was a huge article regarding Holman and the fire dept. My comments were about the fire dept and what a .great job they do, as well as saving the blue heron. I saw an opportunity to tell of other good deeds they do. When the cops come to my neighborhood when I call them, I either thank them or call Wilkens District and thank them. Sorry if my comments were outside of this article.

Great job Station 5 and Arbutus.

Eastesider, again I say how easy was that to say. A good leader recognizes the efforts of his troops.

I will say the Chief is well aware of the efforts of T-5 and Arbutus Volunteers and is proud of what they did. I’m not going to speak for the chief, but if he responded to every letter or email he received other thing could be overlooked in daily operations. If you sent a letter of gratitude for the crews then they were recognized in our staff notes that is sent out through department email for all to read.

Eastsider, if he is so proud of the work these brave men and women do and I'm sure he is, I would be shouting it from the roof tops. I have written many letters over the years to county officials over issues such as this and this is the firsts time I have received no response.

Al least he could have let me know the two paramedics received my thank you letter. I promised them I would send one. I wouldn't want them to think I renege on a promise.

Buzz,
Again Chief Hohman is a very busy man. If you want direct recognition for these paramedics and fire crews then take a few minutes and stop by the station and meet and greet with them in person. A face to face "Thank You" is always better then written words. I know personally he is proud of the job we all do.

Esastsider, thanks and I understand your position. I like the letters because it goes into their records permanently. Not only is it a thank you but now part of their records like an award or citation. You and I know from experience that is the extra step that is most appreciated by the troops.

Arbutus Town Crier, I read you comment and must say it was a well written and articulated posting. Eloquently stated.

I just wanted to say thank you in a formal way so it became part of their personnel record. There is no way for me to know that if someone fails to acknowledge my words.

The chief can delegate this to subordinates which is the normal situation and how much effort can that be.

Recognition for ones work means a lot. It did for me. After teaching a first grade class on how to cross and play around traffic, I received 2x3 ft. thank you signed by all the kids. I still have it.

I have to say - After reading the story, I was looking forward to commenting. After reading the comments (not all of them, but enough to get the idea) - not so much. :( However, I won't let that stop me from telling Patch, AVFD, and the DNR that I really enjoyed reading this bit of sweetness and heroics. Bravo!

I received a call from Chief John Hohman's office with copies of his response to my thank you e-mail. I found them in a manual search in my spam folder. I have filters to deal with the thousands of spam mail I receive and have had them tuned several times.

I owe the Chief a sincere apology. With the amount of spam I receive I am careful to search all locations. I take full responsibility for my mistake.

I have had my filters adjusted several times and will have to again, hopefully to avoid an issue such as this the future. I will forward my comments directly to the Chief with my apologies.

In fact I will do a blog on this. I will always take responsibility for my actions including the stupid ones.

Thanks Tim. I appreciate your remarks. I did a blog on my mom in hopes that others will be ready when faced with these issues.

Buzz-- Glad to see your mom is well. In an earlier reply I spoke about my mom, which was very difficult. I don't know if anyone could ever be ready for a 90+ mom or dad falling or getting very ill. I'm very grateful for the compassion of the Arbutus Volunteer Fire Dept. and your kindness for sharing your experience.

Terry thanks. I messed up on the Chief's e-mail. It got caught up in my spam folder and even a computer search did not pick it up.

This is the blog I just did and I'm going to do one of the FD. I owe the chief that much.

http://dundalk.patch.com/blog_posts/life-is-a-perilous-journey-you-must-be-prepared

Priceless....so quick to pull the trigger Beeler!

At least I man enough to admit when I make a mistake and can apologize for it. At least I'm man enough to use my own God given name.

When you reach adulthood then you can criticize me.

"I man enough..." Is that grammatically correct "Professor"?

No on both counts.