Firefighter III/Financial Secretary Jonathan (Jon) Hartley received the 2024 Public Safety Officer of the Year/Spirit of Community Award (Firefighter) sponsored by the Central Maryland Chamber of Commerce on April 15, 2024.

Jon joined the Odenton Volunteer Fire Company (OVFC) in 1991 and is now a Life Member. He has been instrumental in both the operations and administrative functions. Jon is a member of the Tuesday night duty crew and rarely misses a night. He takes over as crew leader in the absence of a volunteer officer.

Driving the fire engine, ladder truck, ambulance or serve as a firefighter, Jon is always willing to do whatever is needed to support OVFC’s emergency operations. He is one of the senior apparatus drivers and one of the few members entrusted to train new ladder truck drivers. Jon also volunteers to take an engine or the ladder truck on special details if needed. In 2023, Jon worked 88 shifts totaling 769 hours. He responded to 151 fire calls and 65 ambulance calls, making him one of the top responders.

Jon has been the Financial Secretary on the Board of Directors for 14 years. He works closely with the Treasurer to keep OVFC’s financial affairs in good order. As a senior apparatus driver, he serves on the Apparatus Planning and Procurement Committee, which is developing specifications for a new fire engine. He is also Chairman of the Banquet Committee. Jon’s profession is as an Information Technology and network security specialist. He uses his expertise to help keep many information systems operational, secure, and reliable.

If you’ve attended an OVFC carnival and enjoyed a funnel cake, it’s a good chance you had Jon to thank. Jon works every one of the seven nights of the annual carnival. He spends about five hours each night working over the hot fryers to make hundreds of delicious funnel cakes for the visitors.

Firefighter III Hartley was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the Anne Arundel County Volunteer Firefighters Association in 2020 for his sustained contributions to the operations and administration of the OVFC and for his faithful service to the citizens of Anne Arundel County.

Jon has nearly 600 hours of certified training in firefighting, vehicle operations, and emergency medical care. He has also participated in numerous company training drills. He completes the required annual compliance training and the periodic certification training as an Emergency Medical Technician. He has earned much respect through his actions and attitude, and he sets a positive example for other members to follow.