| On Saturday March 10th, department members and guests dedicated the New Engine 5-1 to Robert "Pops" Buck. The new Engine is a 2012 Pierce Arrow XT Pumper. During the ceremony, the members and guest pushed out old Engine 5-3 and pushed in the new Engine 5-1 with Robert "Pops" Buck in the officer's seat.
In 1959 Robert Eugene Buck was looking for a reason to get out of the house and serve his community. At the age of 27, after serving as a Medic in the United States Army, Mr. Buck joined the Benedict Volunteer Fire Department.
Mr. Buck quickly attended basic first aid, emergency medical technician and basic firefighter through the University of Maryland to improve the response capabilities of the department. He unselfishly continued to take classes repeatedly to ensure the success of others in the department. His dedication and hard charging attitude earned him multiple awards from the department and the county.
Due to Mr. Buck's medical experience and training in the Army, Mr. Buck was named the first Captain of the Rescue Squad which became a division of the department the same year he joined. During his fifty years of service, he held various positions at the Benedict VFDRS including President, Chief and Underwater Team Lieutenant.
Throughout Mr. Buck's time in the department he has proved to be one of the most community involved citizens in the area. He was active in major community events such as the Bicentennial of Charles County, the Tri-centennial of Benedict, boat races held in the area, and a reenactment of the British landing in Benedict. He spent countless hours not only ensuring that the apparatus was responding to the calls for service, but also ensuring the administrative responsibilities of the department were fulfilled by attending county, regional and state meetings and conventions.
Mr. Buck proudly remembers the good times and not so good times he spent with his friends such as Richard Hyatt, his partner together in everything, and Rudy Olup, his EMT study partner. Without the contributions and overcome challenges of Mr. Buck and the others that have gone before us, the state of Maryland would not be the home of the number one fire service in the nation.
Over the last fifty years, Mr. Buck has demonstrated the utmost commitment and dedication to the Benedict Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad, the communities of Southern Maryland and the state of Maryland. His service has paved the path and created a true modern day hero for all current and future members of the fire service. |
