Lutherville Volunteer Fire Company Receives $5,000 Donation

Flash back to the end of August when torrential downpours and high winds ravaged the Timonium area.

The , combating Hurricane Katrina night and day. Days later, the volunteers were called upon again for a as Tropical Storm Lee flooded parts of the county.

On Thursday, Riggs, Counselman, Michaels & Downes (RCM&D), an insurance agency and brokerage firm in Towson, made a pledge to aid the firefighters and their mission.

RCM&D and the Fireman's Insurance Fund donated $5,000 to meet the critical need for improved equipment.

"It's absolutely fantastic. There are always things that we see on the list from the operation equipment standpoint that we know long term we'll have to take out of our capital expenses and budgets," said LVFC Lieutenant avid Wilmot. "Seeing this coming unexpectedly is a great opportunity for us to take that money and invest it right back into the equipment that we need."

From a release:

Remote Area Lights: Remote area lighting is the perfect tool for providing fire and rescue personnel ample light while working away from the fire engine or ambulance, especially on dark nights or inside buildings. Four handheld lights will be purchased.

Water Rescue Equipment: The first person on the scene is not always equipped to execute a safe water rescue. Without the proper equipment, the first responder may not be able to execute a safe rescue, greatly reducing the probability of the victim's survival. In an emergency, seconds count. These water rescue kits contain personal floating device, throw bags, whistle and knife.

The fire company works year-round to raise funds with an end goal of major building improvements to its Bellona Avenue location.

RCM&D has a history of donating to fire companies. They've twice donated to the Baltimore City Fire Department and most recently, the

"We know that volunteer firefighters need funds from the community," said Skip Counselman, CEO and chairman of RCM&D. "The only way they can survive and grow and protect all of us is that we all participate, we all make contributions in some way. Whether it be $5 we send for the annual drive or $50, or in this case, $5,000 it all adds up and makes it possible."

The charitable nature of the gesture aside, Lutherville was singled out specifically by the insurance agency because of an unfortunate "," Counselman said.

"Specifically because we know they ," he said. "We made that connection. It meant a lot to us because in 1977 we lost a firefighter in Baltimore City when he was fighting a fire in our office at the time. We felt that connection."

Note: Firefighter Mark Falkenhan died earlier this year fighting a fire.

The Fireman's Fund Insurance  Company, a national agency based out of California, which partnered with RCM&D, has donated $28 million to more than 1,800 firefighting departments since 2004, according to territory director Barb Fost.

"It's critical to the support of training, needed equipment and community service," Fost said today in Towson. "They donate their lives. It's the least we can do with our agency partners that are growing with us to support their efforts."

Readers interested in donating to the Lutherville Volunteer Fire Company should click here for more information.

"The thing with giving is, it doesn't matter the amount," Fost said. "It's the meaning behind the donation. Let's face it, everyone has a family, whether or not they have children. ... So the firefighters, unfortunately if they [or another volunteer] has fallen, it's important to recognize that and support them as much as possible. So as little or as much somebody can give in the local community, or the firefighting community, it's critical."