Carl Owens (third from left) poses with LVFD Senior Vice President and PGCVFRA District 1 director Robert (Pop) Grant (left), LVFD board member and Prince Georges Co. Fire Commission Chairman Joe Robison, and LVFD President Jimmy Collins.

Laurel Volunteer Fire Department life member Carl Owens was inducted into the Prince George's County Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association's Hall of fame during a ceremony held at the association's 78th annual convention.  Owens, a long time member of the LVFD was inducted with 9 other Prince George's Co. volunteer fire department members.  The Hall of Fame, like those in professional sports, is reserved for individuals who devote many years of service to their departments and the County Association.  Owens joins 17 other LVFD members in this distinguished group.
 

A Proclamation

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY VOLUNTEER FIRE & RESCUE ASSOCIATION HALL OF FAME COMMITTEE The members of the Laurel Volunteer Fire Department No. 1 Inc. (LVFD) take great pride in nominating Carl Owens of the Hall of Fame in the Prince George's County Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association. Carl joined the LVFD January 31, 1942 during the second World War.  He followed his father and two brothers into the department.  He also had two brothers that joined the LVFD after him. Although he has served the LVFD over 58 years, he continues to come to the firehouse each Saturday and Sunday mornings, often accompanied by his grandchildren. Carl was one of the top running members of the LVFD for over 25 years.  He served in all the fire line ranks up to the rank of Deputy Chief.  He served two terms as president and was secretary for many years.  He wrote a fire department article for the local newspaper, The Laurel News Leader, for many years.  These articles are being used to compile the history of the LVFD for our centennial celebration in 2002. For many years, Carl was the chair our annual carnival as well as chairman of the bingo committee.  All these activities were the lifeblood of our department in the 40's, 50's, and 60's.  He was a tireless worker in both the administrative and fire line duties. Our department has won over 200 trophies in parades and contest over the years.  Carl was the driving force in getting the apparatus cleaned and in running shape for a large majority of these trophies.  He would personally call members on the phone to get them to participate in the parades.  His wife, Olga, is a life member of the Laurel Auxiliary, joining in 1947.  If she wanted to see Carl, she had to come to the firehouse.  Carl's son, Michael, also followed his father into the LVFD and is now a career firefighter in Montgomery County. Carl was the convention chairman for the Prince George's County Volunteer Firemen's Association conventions held in Laurel in both 1962 and 1968.  This was a major undertaking in those days and a major credit for the success of these conventions goes to Carl. Carl's life has been devoted to the fire service and the members of the Laurel Volunteer Fire Department No. 1 Inc. are proud to nominate him to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.       Rosa E. Maher Secretary James W. Collins President

 
LVFD members previously inducted into the Hall of Fame include:

 

Joseph Robison 1981 Norris Beard 1981 Charles Reeley 1982 Norris C. Beall 1985 Warren H. Litchfield 1986 Albin Fairall 1987 William A. Stanton 1989 Thomas F. Bolton, Sr. 1990 Robert M. Coulson 1990

Craig A. Moe 1992 Michael A. Sellner 1993 Louis D. Luber 1993 Robert R. Grant 1994 Brian R. Moe 1997 Maurice (Mike) Carey 1997 Russell Beall 1999 Judy Lau 1999