When a firefighter dies, it is said that “he has answered his last alarm.” Charles Elliott passed away on Oct. 22, 2008 and Engine 8, the Ocean City Volunteer Fire Company’s antique parade piece (a 1953 Ford/American) was draped in black and placed on the ramp at the 15th Street fire headquarters.
Less than a week later on Oct. 27, Granville Trimper also died and Engine 8 remained an additional week in his memory. Both Elliott and Trimper were “Gold Badge Members” with over 25 years of active membership in the Ocean City Volunteer Fire Company.
The Ocean City Volunteer Fire Company was formed in 1905. In the 109 years since its founding, three of its members have died in the line of duty. Ralph Dennis (1937), Jeffrey Dieter (1983) and Leroy Cropper (1995) all answered their last alarm while protecting the town of Ocean City.
Photo by Bunk Mann