Tropical Storm Nicole is headed this way. Four inches of rain and high winds are expected Wednesday night into Thursday.
Should that forecast change and linger a bit longer, officials planning the National Fallen Firefighters' Memorial weekend events are ready.
"Contingency plans are part of our Incident Action Plan," said Larry Curl, production coordinator. "We reviewed them today in our staff meeting…"
Days of heavy rain a few years ago, forced officials to move the annual service to nearby Mount St. Mary's University.
Curl said he's hoping the current weekend forecast for sunny skies holds true.
For the USFA -- the official host of the events -- work around the campus has stepped up in the past weeks. Bright green splotches of sod have been placed over a geo-thermal well field and near the memorial where cables were recently buried.
On Wednesday, two Omni employees focused on the memorial. John Price measured carefully and drilled holes into the marble where the marker bearing the names of the heroes will be placed. He slipped it into place briefly to make sure things would fit correctly, and removed it.
It will be officially placed there in a few days.
Meanwhile, Dooley Hildebrand used an acid solution to clean the memorial.
The events get underway Thursday when members of the honor guard travel to Arlington National Cemetery to place a wreath.
About the Author
Susan Nicol
News Editor
Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.