UPDATE 6/1/2026: On April 18, 2026, St. Leonard Volunteer Fire Department Safety Officer Marc Richman suffered multiple cardiac arrests in the line of duty while operating on the scene of a structure fire.
Thanks to the swift actions, skill and teamwork of fellow emergency responders, Marc received lifesaving care and was flown by Maryland State Police Aviation Command to MedStar Washington Hospital Center, where he underwent emergency cardiac surgery and began a successful recovery.
Thank you to the members of Calvert Advanced Life Support, the Calvert County Career EMS Division, Charles County Department of Emergency Services, Maryland State Police – Aviation Command, Prince Frederick Volunteer Fire Department, Solomons Volunteer Rescue Squad and Fire Department, St Leonard Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Company 7.
Marc has been able to return to the field and continue serving the community he cares about.
Marc’s story is a powerful reminder of the risks firefighters and emergency responders face every day, and of the sacrifices made in service to their communities. Let’s take a moment to remember those who have been lost in the line of duty and stand in support of the entire fire service family.
UPDATE 4/28/2026: 10 days ago, on April 18th, 2026, during a house fire in Lusby, St. Leonard Volunteer Fire Department Safety Officer, Marcus Richman suffered a life threatening medical emergency in which crews on scene performed CPR and used an AED for multiple shocks.
It was later determined that Marc suffered a Left Anterior Descending Artery Blockage, also know as the Widow Maker.
On April 23, Marc was released from the hospital. We picked Marc up from the Hospital in the same Engine that he responded to the call. When we returned to Calvert County, we were met with Engine 71, Squad 7, Tanker 7, Rehab 7 and Ambulance 77, who escorted us back to Company 7.
Marc advised on the radio that he was back in the County, returning to the station. Upon returning to the station, we had a very emotional welcome back celebration, along with some light refreshments.
Marc then returned home to begin recovery.
We appreciate everyone who prayed, reached out, helped, or assisted us during this time.
On behalf of the members of St Leonard Volunteer Fire and Rescue, Company 7, thank you. Please continue to keep Safety Officer Marc Richman in your thoughts and prayers as he begins his recovery.
UPDATE 4/19/2026: The St. Leonard Volunteer Fire Department provided the following update.
We want to provide an update regarding the incident that occurred on the fireground yesterday involving one of our firefighters.
During operations, a 56 year old member of our department suffered a sudden medical emergency and collapsed on scene. Fellow firefighters and EMS personnel immediately initiated CPR and applied an AED, delivering multiple shocks.
Thanks to their rapid actions and teamwork, he was successfully resuscitated and transported by helicopter to a specialized cardiac hospital.
We are relieved to share that he is currently in stable condition and has undergone a procedure to place three stents to address previously unknown blockages.
We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to our mutual aid companies, Calvert Advanced Life Support, Maryland State Police – Aviation Command Trooper 7, Calvert County Volunteer Fire-Rescue-EMS Calvert Career EMS, Prince Frederick Volunteer Fire Department, Solomons Volunteer Rescue Squad and Fire Department, Huntingtown Volunteer Fire Department, Dunkirk Volunteer Fire Department, Inc., North Beach VFD, Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department, Bay District Volunteer Fire Department Co. 3 and 9, Mechanicsville Volunteer Rescue Squad, who provided station coverage and ensured continued protection for our community during this incident, as well as the Calvert County CISM team for their support. We are equally grateful for the outpouring of support, thoughts, and prayers from our community and surrounding departments. It has truly meant a great deal to all of us.
This incident is a powerful reminder of how critical early CPR and access to AEDs are in saving lives. We are incredibly proud of the quick, professional actions taken by everyone on scene.
Please keep our firefighter and his family in your thoughts as he begins his recovery.
UPDATE @ 8:00 p.m.: An email sent out by a Department in St. Mary’s County INCORRECTLY states the member has passed away and this is a Line of Duty Death – This is NOT true or accurate.
The member has been flown to the Washington Hospital Center and was conscious, alert and talking with surgery being prepared.
We will provide updates when they officially come from the INVOLVED Department and no one else.
On Saturday, April 18, 2026, at approximately 5:45 p.m., firefighters from St. Leonard, Prince Frederick, Solomons, Huntingtown and Bay District were dispatched to the 300 block of Planters Wharf Road in Lusby, for the reported house on fire.
Crews arrived on the scene to find a single story residence with smoke showing form the attic.
Firefighters quickly located a ceiling fan on fire with extensions into the attic.
The fire was contained and extinguished within 15 minutes.
While operating on the scene, a firefighter suffered a medical emergency and stopped breathing.
Firefighters began providing life saving measures and performed CPR several times until the victim regained consciousness.
The members identity and fire department membership will NOT be disclosed until further notifications are made.
Maryland State Police Aviation Command Trooper 7 landed nearby and transported the firefighter to the MedStar Washington Hospital Center with life-threatening injuries. He is reportedly in stable condition and was last conscious, alert and breathing on his own.
Updates will be provided when they become available.
