Two Calvert County (MD) 911 Dispatchers in Need of Support

911CARES,

I am Kelly Holzberger. I am a dispatcher with Calvert County 911 Center and a volunteer member at the Prince Frederick Volunteer Fire department. I have been a dispatcher for 10 years and with volunteer fire departments since 1989.

Recently two of our dispatchers (within a week of one another) fell into harms way. Ricky, who has been a dispacher for I beliedve 22 years, was diagnosed with terminal cancer. They have given him 6 months to live....max. He will leave behind two girls ages 9 & 12 as well as his wife, step children, step grand children, father and more. He is also an EMS provider here in the county. He is bravely fighting the cancer with all the courage and strength he can muster.

Brent was in a serious accident and was left paralyzed from the chest down. He has been at the Control Center for at least 11 years (he was there when I started) and is also an EMS provider for the county. He was for quite some time a certified paramedic. His daughter was with him but luckily only has two broken wrists. He is currently, after being medivaced home a few days ago, at Maryland University Spinal Center in Baltimore, MD. We are praying for some improvement now that he is with specialists. His spirits are good and so far he has retained his sense of humor.

Another coworker has put together a benefit dance that will be held at the end of September. I have been contacting our local businesses and asking for donations of any kind to assist with raising money to help Ricky and Brent with medical bills and such that will most definitely be arriving in their mailboxes soon! I have collected primarily products that will be raffled and silent auctioned at the dance. My fire department has graciously not only donated the hall, but the entire fire house for the day's events. The other local fire departments are helping out by donating paper goods, condiments, etc. Amazngly, the local (oh so local) nuclear plant has donated all of the water and soda.

Times like this really renew your sense of community. :-)

I am contacting you today to ask for whatever help you and your company may be able to give to help in our endevour to raise money for Ricky and Brent. Items, if available, for a fire/ems basket would be greatly appreciated considering they are both EMT's. Please do not however, send out the information as activations since I have not spoken to them about making the information public and am not a supervisor at the Control Center. I do not with to step on any toes. :-) I hope I am not being too forward in asking for your assitance. It is not something I usually do and most certainly do not want to offend anyone. Regardless of whether you can help with items or not, I am amazingy greatful for all that your company does for the many dispatchers and families they assist through activations. What an amazing resource for us to have available!!!

Sincerely, Kelly Holzberger
Work (MonDAY, Tues nite, Wed nite this week) 410-535-3491