OPVFD Informs Ocean Pines - Ocean City Kiwanis Club
by David Landis

Members of the Kiwanis Club of Greater Ocean Pines - Ocean City met in Ocean City, as they do on the third Wednesday of every month, and were privileged to hear from Captain Bill Bounds, head of the Career Division of the Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department. "Billy", as he's known around the fire house, is a native of Snow Hill and a current resident of Berlin, MD, and has been a fireman for 22 years, of which he spent the 11 in Salisbury, MD, 5 in Berlin, and the last 5 and 1/2 years in Ocean Pines, MD. Pictured is Bill Bounds being thanked by Kiwanis Club President, Corky Widerman.

The OPVFD is comprised of career members, of which 5 are paramedics like Captain Bounds, and volunteers from Ocean Pines and nearby communities who are fireman, first responders, and fire police, to name some positions. The OPVFD has 2 state-of-the-art ambulances, both new in 2008, a Rescue truck, 2 pumper trucks, and a Ladder truck to protect the community. Captain Bounds reported that the OPVFD responded to 1400 calls in 2008, of which 200 were fire calls and the balance of 1200 were EMS (Emergency Medical Service) calls. He also spoke about two new 2009 programs the OPVFD is trying to get started. The first is a proposed OPVFD partnering with the Ocean Pines Department of Recreation and Parks to offer CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) courses to the community in order to help individuals have the knowledge to save lives. The second is to seek out donations from local individuals, businesses, and clubs/organizations to purchase AED (Auto External Defibrillators) which cost about five thousand dollars each. The AED units would be kept in locations where large amounts of people gather in Ocean Pines such as the Yacht Club, the Country Club, the Library, the pools, and the under construction new Community Hall, to allow people to provide immediate life-saving assistance to anyone needing attention.

Funding for the OPVFD comes from state and county and Ocean Pines grants and funding as well as from donations and fundraisers such as the annual "CASH LOTTO" which guarantees the winner $100,000 from the proceeds of selling 1600 tickets are $100 each and are currently on sale until the Labor Day 2009 drawing. Anyone wishing more information about the OPVFD, it's program and fundraisers can call or stop by the South Station as there are always two career members on duty, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. It's also good to know that the OPVFD offers blood pressure monitoring everyday and has two wheelchairs, several walkers, canes and crutches, all donated to the OPVFD, available for citizens to borrow. Kiwanians asked Captain Bounds many questions, all of which were answered, and expressed their gratitude for the invaluable service of the men and women of the OPVFD for the protection of the community.