THOMAS L. THARP
PRESIDENT – 1975-1977
Maryland State Firemen's Association President 1981-1982
Date of Death: July 20, 2016

Thomas Leslie Tharp was born on 2 January 1942 in Miami Beach, Florida where he lived until joining the United States Air Force in 1960. After leaving the Air Force, Tom moved to Maryland and began a career with the Department of Defense working at the National Security Agency.

Tom began his long and distinguished service to the volunteer fire service in July of 1970 by joining the Odenton Volunteer Fire Company. Tom has become a Life Member of the fire company having completed over 25-years of dedicated service to the community. He has served on numerous committees and held many offices on the administrative side of the company including having been elected President for 1997. He has worked vigorously to improve the volunteer fire service on the National, State, and County levels.

Tom has served the Anne Arundel County Volunteer Firefighter’s Association on too many committees to list. He served as President for two terms – 1975 to 1977.

Tom has also served the Maryland State Firemen’s Association on many committees including Convention and Legislative, and was President from 1981 to 1982. The Emergency Assistance Trust Fund was established during his tenure which has proven to be one of the most successful and helpful programs of the Association. The Maryland State Firemen’s Association inducted Tom into that organizations Hall of Fame on 17 June 1986.

Tom has served as Maryland’s delegate to the National Volunteer Fire Council for many years. He served on the Planning Committee of the Congressional Fire Services Institute and is a staunch supporter of the Volunteer Incentive Programs at the National Fire Academy.

After moving to Florida settling in Key Largo.  Tome became an active member of the Key Largo Fire/Rescue and was instrumental in creating an independent fire district to fund and manage that department.  He advocated and improved training throughout the Florida Keys and was elected Commissioner of the Key Largo Fire/Rescue where he served for several terms. 

Commissioner Thomas Tharp Letter "Lessons Learned"