October 19, 2014 was a beautiful day in St. Mary’s County and as the fire side is very quiet I told myself that I know you would all be interested in a story about one of our brother departments here in the county.
I and Keith Fairfax had received an invite from the Leonardtown Volunteers to attend a dedication of a new pumper/tanker Engine 14 that was being dedicated to a long time member of their department and a friend of ours for many years.

Jake Mattingly was a fire chief of company 1 two different times back in the 60’s and 70’s. Now this is a firefighter’s fire chief if there ever was one. He had his share of big fires back in the days of big fires and one in particular was a 1,000 acre woods fire in Compton, Maryland that saw fire companies from not only St. Mary’s County there but all of Southern Maryland along with Prince George’s County and maybe beyond. I do remember that our old fire Chief Bob Strain when asked by an officer of a piece from Prince George's County asked what hydrant could he catch Bob told him to hit that stump by the side of the road and lay out. I thought us young guys would fall off the truck laughing.

Now back to the story of Jake. He was a very outgoing fire chief that always took the time to talk to the young guys and answer any questions they might have. He was just that kind of father figure that we all looked up to. He had a big strong voice and one that you could not mistake on the radio. You knew who was in charge.

Now today at Leonardtown’s firehouse friends, family and his brother firefighter’s gathered to render a well-deserved honor to this man. One that I might add I don’t recall seeing happen too often. Usually it happens after the person is deceased. Well I like it much better this way and that was to dedicate a fire truck in the name of a deserving individual such as Jake.

The new Seagrave Pumper/Tanker designated Engine 14 sitting in the station was a mighty fine looking piece even if I do say so myself and the proud members of the department were lined up to welcome the guest of honor.

Jake arrived with his family and son Kevin who followed in his Dad’s footsteps and was a long time member of Leonardtown and were then shown to the head table where President Gary Bell welcomed everyone to the dedication. It was a very nice program prepared by Tommy Mattingly Jr. and after a wonderful lunch prepared by the Ladies Auxiliary of Leonardtown it was time to mount the plaque to the side of 14. What a nice sight to see Jake and son Kevin doing the honors. Afterwards we old timers were taken for a ride with the always capable Buck Trossbach doing the driving and Jake riding the right front seat. He looked like a natural and like he had never left. I was hoping for a call (just a little one) so Jake could have signed on the air with Engine 14 responding Past Chief and a crew of 6 old fire chiefs in the back.

So as usual I took a few pictures that maybe some of you old timers will enjoy looking at as much as I enjoyed being there to take them.