Robert "Bob" L. Rose

Dear Hall of Fame Committee Members,

  It is my pleasure to place the name of Robert L. (Bob) Rose, Odenton Volunteer Fire Company, as a nominee for the Anne Arundel County Volunteer Firefighters Association Hall of Fame Award. Bob has been a member of the Odenton Volunteer Fire Company for over twenty-five years, serving in a variety of administrative positions. Bob currently serves as President of the Odenton Volunteer Fire Company. Despite transforming to a career position in his early fire service years, Bob continued to maintain his membership with the company and played an active role in the administrative functions and fundraising activities of the company. Upon his retirement from Anne Arundel County, Bob immediately took a more active role in the company and in fact, was riding the fire equipment as a volunteer responder for the first time in over twenty years on the weekend following his retirement. He soon took a more active administrative role and has served several terms as the company’s President, demonstrating leadership and the ability to move the company forward despite some rough times over the past couple of years.  In recognition of his past service to the Odenton Volunteer Fire Company, the citizens of the greater Odenton area, and to the fire service across Anne Arundel County, it is my pleasure to place Bob’s name into nomination for your consideration for the Hall of Fame Award.

 Sincerely,
David W. Lewis
President, AACVFA

ROBERT L. ROSE

Odenton VFC

Maryland State Firemen’s Association Hall of Fame Inductee

Robert L. “Bob” Rose was inducted into the Maryland State Firemen’s Association (MSFA) Hall of Fame on June 19, 2018.

Bob joined the Odenton Volunteer Fire Company (OVFC) on March 13, 1973.  Nearing his forty-fifth year of active service to the OVFC, he remains a vital element in a successful chain of leadership for the company.  He has served as President during three periods: 1984, from 2004 to 2008, and more recently from 2013 to 2016.

Bob had a distinguished career with the Anne Arundel County Fire Department, serving in ranks through 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 being addressed.  Despite being a career employee, his dedication and support to OVFC never diminished.  He has always remained a vital participant in the administration of the OVFC. Bob is a certified instructor and often teaches classes for the company, taking no compensation, so that the members may obtain riding status more rapidly.

Upon his retirement from the Anne Arundel County Fire Department, Bob joined the staff of the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute (MFRI) as a Certification Specialist.  He is now the “go to” person for any questions concerning requirements for national professional fire service qualification.  He continuously promotes the certification program and regularly reaches out to fire service personnel across the state to help them submit the required paperwork to enable certification at each eligible rank and position to which they aspire. 

Bob has been the Alternate Representative to the Maryland Fire Service Personnel Qualification Board (MFSPQB), appointed by the Anne Arundel County Executive, from 1990 to 1995, and from 2002 to present.  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 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”.

Bob has always remained an active leader of the company.  He has participated in many planning committees and, as part of the “Rose family tradition,” has been active in both the planning and conduct of each company fundraising activity.  Bob has served on many committees, but the one that stands out the most is the Bull and Oyster Roast where Bob can always be found as part of the “pit crew” as a meat cutter.  He is also a regular at our annual carnival where he can be found at the grill in the kitchen.  Most recently, Bob managed a major project to renovate our apparatus bays.

Bob has led our company through some very troublesome times.  During his tenure as President from 2005 to 2008, the company experienced some difficult times as it was threatened with legal actions as a result of misconduct by one of the members.  Bob kept the company apprised of all the actions and provided the leadership necessary to move the company forward.  Bob was elected President again in 2013 during a time when the membership believed that movement of the company had stalled.  He again demonstrated the leadership necessary to put the company back on track.  OVFC’s new pumper, a 2012 Pierce, was dedicated in honor of Robert “Bob” Rose.

Bob has been a strong supporter of the Anne Arundel County Volunteer Firefighters Association (AACVFA).  He has served as a chairman and member of the Training Committee as well as a number of other committees.  Most recently he was asked to chair the 508 Fund Allocation Committee.  He has overhauled the application process, making it easier for companies to apply and to provide equity in the distribution of the funds.  His leadership has not gone unnoticed by the AACVFA.  He was inducted into the AACVFA Hall of Fame in 2007 and was named AACVFA Individual of the Year in 2014.

Bob is a regular attendee of the MSFA Convention in Ocean City, and for years served as a delegate for our company.  While serving MFRI at their booth, he still finds time to attend seminars and classes.  Bob is also an active member of the Production Subcommittee of the MSFA Convention Steering Committee, supporting their quarterly planning meetings held at Odenton.

Bob made a heroic rescue in 1990 that earned him an Exemplary Performance Award from the Anne Arundel County Fire Department.  He was having dinner with his family at a local restaurant and he noticed smoke coming from the basement.  He heard that the manager was in the basement.  After Bob made sure the dining room was evacuated, he donned turnout gear and breathing apparatus from the first arriving fire engine.  He proceeded to the basement, located the employee who was in distress, and assisted him from the building.

The OVFC is proud to have life-long members who have the dedication and drive that Bob has.  A company needs a good mix of seasoned older members to provide leadership and younger members to meet the operational demands.  Bob serves as a role model and mentor for our younger members. 

ROBERT L. “BOB” ROSE

2021 Anne Arundel County Volunteer Firefighters Association Individual of the Year

On September 10, 2021, Anne Arundel County Volunteer Firefighters Association (AACVFA) President and Life Member and Past President of the Odenton Volunteer Fire Company (OVFC), Robert “Bob” L. Rose received the AACVFA Fire, Rescue, EMS Individual of the Year Award for 2021.  Bob has steadfastly served the OVFC, the AACVFA, and the fire service in Maryland for over 48 years.

The Rose brothers – William (Bill), John (Sunny), and Robert (Bob) - and their families have actively served OVFC and the fire service in Anne Arundel County and Maryland for over 50 years.  Bill and Sunny joined in 1963 and Bob joined in 1973.  Many members of the Rose family have been involved in virtually every aspect of the fire company.  Bob and his wife Pat (OVFC treasurer) continue the Rose family legacy today.  The entire Rose family received the MSFA Family Appreciation Award this year.

Bob had a distinguished career with the Anne Arundel County Fire Department (AACFD), 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.  Despite being a career employee, his dedication and support to OVFC never diminished.  He has always remained a vital participant in the administration of the fire company.  Bob is a certified instructor and often teaches classes for the company, taking no compensation, so that OVFC members may obtain riding status more rapidly.  He was recognized in the Maryland State Firemen’s Association (MSFA) as the Francis L. Branigan Instructor of the Year in 1996.

Upon his retirement from the AACFD, Bob joined the staff of the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute (MFRI) as a Certification Specialist.  He is now the “go to” person for any questions concerning requirements for professional fire service qualifications.  He continuously promotes the certification program and regularly reaches out to fire service personnel across the state to help them submit the required paperwork to enable their certification at each eligible rank. 

Bob has been the Alternate Representative to the Maryland Fire Service Personnel Qualification Board (MFSPQB) from 1990 to 1995, and from 2002 to present.  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 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”.

Bob has always been an active leader in the fire company.  He has participated in many committees and has been active in both the planning and conduct of each company fundraising activity.  At our semi-annual Bull and Oyster Roasts, Bob is part of the “pit crew” as a meat cutter, and he does the grilling in the kitchen every night of the annual carnivals.  Bob has also recently managed several station renovation projects.

Bob has served as OVFC President during three periods: in 1984, from 2005 to 2008, and more recently from 2013 to 2016.  In 2005, the company was threatened with serious legal actions due to misconduct by one of the members.  As President, Bob provided strong leadership to guide us through this difficult period and move the company forward.  Bob was elected President again in 2013 when the membership believed that movement of the company had stalled.  He again demonstrated the leadership necessary to put the company back on track.  OVFC dedicated their newest pumper, a 2012 Pierce, in honor of Robert “Bob” Rose.

Bob has been a strong supporter of the AAACVFA.  He has served as a chairman and member of the Training Committee, the 508 Committee, and several other committees.  He was inducted into the AACVFA Hall of Fame in 2007 and was named AACVFA Individual of the Year in 2014.

Bob is a regular attendee of the MSFA Convention in Ocean City, and for years served as a delegate for the company.  While serving MFRI at their booth, he still finds time to attend seminars and classes.  He is also an active member of the Production Subcommittee of the MSFA Convention Steering Committee.  Bob was inducted into the MSFA Hall of Fame in 2018.

Bob’s recent AACVFA accomplishments include he moved through the leadership “chairs” of the Association and was elected as President in September 2020 as the coronavirus epidemic was escalating.  He skillfully led the Association and its members through this very difficult and unprecedented period.  He ensured that the essential business of the Association was conducted safely in accordance with evolving protocols.  Bob was very attentive to the concerns of the volunteer companies, maintaining a running list of issues.  He regularly met with the AACFD leadership to discuss and resolve these issues.  He was assertive in his representation of the volunteers’ concerns and was respected by the County administration due to his extensive background in both the career and volunteer fire service.  Progress was made on many issues including background investigations, uniforms, operational policies, qualification requirements, and training programs.  Bob is committed to supporting the incoming Association President in further discussion of these issues.

In 2018, Bob was asked to chair the 508 Fund Allocation Committee after having served on this committee for several years.  He overhauled the application process, making it easier for companies to apply.  He holds regular orientation sessions to explain the application process for companies seeking funds for apparatus and facilities.  Bob maintains regular contact with the AACFD administration on the program schedule and priorities.  He keeps the companies frequently updated on the program status.  He advocates for the volunteer company submissions and works to provide equity in the distribution of the funds. 

In summary, Bob Rose has had an outstanding fire service career in Anne Arundel County and the State of Maryland.  He is a strong leader who willingly and ably takes on difficult challenges.  He is widely respected by fire service personnel throughout the state. He has made immeasurable contributions to the fire company and the County Association.  He has vigorously advocated for the interests of the volunteer companies as the AACVFA President, and the Association is in a stronger posture because of Bob’s leadership. 

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.

ROBERT L. ROSE
MARYLAND FIRE CHIEFS ASSOCIATION
CHIEF CHARLES N. BLACK, III HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE

On April 27, 2024, Life Member and Past President Robert “Bob” L. Rose was inducted in the Chief Charles N. Black III Hall of Fame sponsored by the Maryland Fire Chiefs Association (MFCA).  Bob has had a distinguished fire service career of nearly 51 years with the Odenton Volunteer Fire Company (OVFC).  He has made significant contributions at the company, County, State, and National levels in firefighter training, professional development, and certification, in support of the MFCA’s mission to advance the fire and emergency services profession.

Bob has held various positions on the OVFC Board of Directors for 41 years, including 9 years cumulatively as President. He has served on over 30 OVFC committees, many for 10, 20, or more years.  He has played a significant role in many of the major fundraisers and has managed several significant station renovation projects.  In his latest endeavor, Bob is coordinating with Rutgers University on an investigation of cancer-causing chemicals on volunteer firefighters, using OVFC and another volunteer company as a study group.

Bob had a distinguished career with the Anne Arundel County Fire Department (AACoFD), retiring as a Captain in 2005.  He became an Emergency Services Instructor for the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute (MFRI) in 1983.  Upon his retirement from the AACoFD, Bob joined the MFRI staff as a Certification Specialist.  He is now the state-wide expert on professional fire service qualifications.  Each year, Bob oversees the approval of over 5,000 certifications for providers across Maryland and beyond.  

Bob served as the Anne Arundel County’s Alternate Representative to the Maryland Fire Service Personnel Qualification Board (MFSPQB) from 1990 to 1995, and from 2002 to present.  As part of his duties on MFRI’s staff, he has been a member of the delegation representing the MFSPQB at every annual conference of the National Board on Fire Service Professional Qualifications (NBFSPQ) since 2005.  

Bob has also been very active in the Anne Arundel County Volunteer Firefighters Association (AACVFA) throughout his career.  He served on the AACVFA Training Committee for several years.  He moved through the leadership “chairs” of the Association and was elected as President in September 2020 as the coronavirus epidemic was escalating.  He also chairs the 508 Fund Allocation Committee of the AACVFA. 

Bob has actively supported the Maryland State Firemen’s Association (MSFA) throughout his fire service career.  As the state’s leading expert on professional certification, Bob is always ready to support each member of the emergency services, both career and volunteer. 

Bob has had an outstanding fire service career in Anne Arundel County and the State of Maryland.  He is a strong leader who willingly and ably takes on difficult challenges without hesitation.  He is widely respected by fire service personnel throughout Maryland.  He has made immeasurable contributions to the fire company, the Anne Arundel County fire service, and firefighter training, professional development, and certification across Maryland and is most deserving of induction into the MFCA Hall of Fame.