The Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department has been providing 24 hour per day, 7 days per week emergency service to the Ocean Pines and greater Worcester County community for nearly 45 years. Our 50 volunteer firefighters and support staff are supplemented by 15 career firefighters/paramedics, and their combined efforts ensure that the over 2,000 (FY 2019) calls for service are always answered. Despite the increased risk associated with serving during a global pandemic, our department has continuously stepped up and is on pace to meet and/or exceed our calls for service from last year!

Each year we set a plan for our fundraising efforts and as you know, 2020 has not gone as planned for anyone. Due to the pandemic, our efforts to raise funds were slowed so we could put our sole focus on providing the level of service and safety this community needed and continues to need. 

Donations from our fundraising campaigns go directly to maintaining and replacing fire and medical apparatus, providing free training for all our members, PPE, and volunteer recruitment. This year we are attempting to acquire enough funding to provide each of our members their own sized SCBA Mask, which they use when they are entering oxygen deprived environments. This is an important safety step that will not only reduce the risk of germs spreading from communal masks, properly fitting masks are essential to ensure the life and safety of firefighters. 
While we have traditionally asked our community for much needed financial help to supplement the financial assistance, we receive from the Ocean Pines Association and Worcester County, this year the additional support is needed more than ever. 

Today, we are reaching out to ask you to donate to support our department's efforts and commitment to provide the best service to you. Your donations go directly to the Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department and are critical to our ability to serve you. 
Please help us maintain our effectiveness in protecting you and your property by contributing to our Annual Fund Drive. The Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department serves your community and is 100% tax deductible as the OPVFD is a 501©(3) organization. 

On behalf of the Officers and Members of the Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department, we thank you for your continued support. 
Sincerely,                                         
Steve Grunewald, Chief     
David Van Gasbeck, President