Brandy M. Boulden
2018 GREG CROFT ROOKIE OF THE YEAR AWARD
Odenton Volunteer Fire Company

Brandy Boulden of the Odenton Volunteer Fire Company (OVFC) was awarded the Greg Croft Rookie of the Year award on 7 September 2018. 

Brandy joined the OVFC in June 2016.  Immediately upon joining, she has demonstrated herself to be a valuable asset to the fire company and the community.  Brandy quickly assimilated into the organization and gained recognition and respect as a dedicated member, unselfishly volunteering many hours to the betterment of the company.  

EMT Boulden has been a very active member since the very start of her membership.  She demonstrated a friendly and positive attitude from her first week.  Brandy is very energetic and tireless in all that she does.  She regularly seeks additional knowledge in the training she takes and volunteers her assistance to help others as they train.   She is always first to assist in cleaning the apparatus, actively participates in training events, enthusiastically supports company functions, and cheerfully performs station housework.

Brandy completed EMT training in June 2017 where she finished in the top of her class.  She took every class seriously and sought out additional training from senior EMTs after every session.  While in EMT training, she actively prepared herself to ride the ambulance, completing both Protective Equipment and SCBA, and Hazardous Materials Operations.  In 2017, she completed a total of 186 hours of training.  She has been a very active responder, proudly serving the Odenton community and honorably representing the fire company.  She made 78 ambulance calls in the last six months of 2017 and is continuing at the same pace this year.  Brandy has also recently completed the Emergency Vehicle Operators Course and has been cleared as an Ambulance Driver.  She plans on taking Firefighter I in the fall.

Brandy is always one of the first to raise her hand when the call goes out for additional volunteer support, both operationally and administratively.  She has volunteered to support EMS functions requested by the community, including fun runs and neighborhood festivals.  A regular member of the Monday night crew, Brandy took the initiative and assigned herself as chief cook for the shift - a gap she recognized that needed to be filled.  The wide variety of meals she prepares is a treat and a morale booster to the crew.  While unable to respond on calls due to a minor knee injury sustained while participating in a fire company fitness challenge in January 2018, she still came in each week to cook for the crew and participate in training when possible.

Brandy has generously volunteered her time in support of every fundraising event the company has hosted in the past year, including Bull and Oyster Roasts, Crab Feasts, Carnival, and Food Truck Thursdays.  She is also a regular at birthday parties hosted by the company, welcoming visitors to OVFC.  Her cheerful presence at these events helps promote the company and establishes great rapport with the community.  When the Chairperson of the Public Education Committee became vacant, Brandy stepped up to lead that committee.  She has been able to effectively schedule the company’s participation in numerous community festivals, EMS stand-bys, station tours, birthday parties, and other events with minimum impact on the duty crews.  She also actively serves on the Membership, Social Media, and Hall Management committees.  Brandy made all of these contributions to OVFC while having a very busy full-time profession.