Alumnus Bruce John Walz Inducted Into Mt. Airy Hall of Fame

From the Carroll County Times

Volunteer firefighter/health services provider

Bruce moved to the Mount Airy area when he was 2 years old. He always considered Mount Airy his hometown. Bruce attended parochial school, the Mount Airy schools, and South Carroll High School (Class of 1971).

Bruce began his career as a volunteer fireman in 1970 with the Winfield Community Volunteer Fire Company. He joined the Mount Airy Volunteer Fire Company in 1990. He began providing Advanced Life Support (ALS) in 1975, often responding on MAVFC calls, especially at night. He served as one of two main ALS instructors for the Carroll County ALS Program. In 1990, Bruce became an active member of the MAVFC and received numerous response awards both for fire and EMS. He served as a line and chief officer. He also served on the Board of Managers. In 2005, Bruce “retired” from active emergency response after 35 years, 30 as an ALS provider. He served as second and first vice president, becoming president from 2014-2017. He was inducted into the Carroll County Volunteer Emergency Services Association Hall of Fame in 2009.

In 2006, Bruce was appointed to the Board of Supervisors of Elections, becoming chair in 2008. Bruce was successful in moving the town from paper ballots to electronic voting.

Bruce is professor and past chair of the Department of Emergency Health Services at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and Special Assistant to the Provost for Strategic Initiatives and an affiliate professor in the School of Public Policy. He has been in the University System of Maryland since 1979, having served with the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute until 1987 when he joined the faculty of UMBC. Bruce has been involved in many aspects of EMS education development. He was a group leader for development of the National Standard Paramedic and Intermediate Curriculum as well as the National EMS Educational Standards. He is a charter member of the National Association of EMS Educators (NAEMSE) and past president. He was on the board of Advocates for EMS and is a past president. He is on the editorial board of Prehospital Emergency Care. He has contributed to various publications. He is the author of Introduction to EMS Systems and co-author of Foundations of EMS Systems. He has presented at international, national, and regional EMS conferences.

Bruce received the Lifetime Achievement Award from NAEMSE and the prestigious University System of Maryland Board of Regents’ Faculty Award for Public Service for his efforts to establish an EMS Caucus in the U.S. Congress. Bruce received a doctorate from the University of Maryland, College Park, a master’s degree from Hood College Graduate School, and a bachelor’s degree from Western Maryland College. His hobbies include photography, woodworking, amateur radio, and boating. He can often be found with Bentley, his English Springer Spaniel, on R2T and at various town parks and events.