ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. - Aberdeen Proving Ground Fire Chief Edward C. (Ed) Budnick retires this month with nearly 37 years of service; 31 of them with APG. While reflecting on his career, Budnick looked back with some melancholy, but no regrets.
Budnick hails from a line of firefighters that goes back generations. He estimated that at one time he had one dozen family members, including cousins, "out there." His father and brother were firefighters, and he has a 16-year-old niece who "just started" in the profession.
"For us, it's just a natural progression," he said. "My whole family is in public service." That includes another brother, Lt. Fred Budnick with the City of Aberdeen Police Department.
A native of Aberdeen, Budnick at age 16 started out as an auxiliary member with the Aberdeen Volunteer Fire Company in late 1975, receiving what he termed "months of internal training."
"You're not making a lot of decisions, you're just doing what you're told," he said of the process. Even after training with the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute, he said it took four-to-six months "before you went out on the fire trucks."
Budnick had four or five years experience under his belt when he came to APG. He started in the former post fire station at Bldg. 300 at the intersection of Colleran Road and Aberdeen Boulevard. He said the department was actually larger then and, like today, self-improvement through training was strongly encouraged.
"I was learning and doing the right things for a lot of years and at the same time I was offered some tremendous opportunities," he said, adding that his rise through the ranks was propelled though acquiring the right skill sets, being in the right place at the right time and having good leaders who pointed him in the right direction.
"I was living an early lifelong dream," he said. "The volunteer system fed my interest even more plus I was working close to home. I couldn't have waltzed into a better job."
He said many of the policies, rules and philosophies in force today were brought into play by his mentors and predecessors.
"We stay in full support of the community," he said. "My predecessor preached that for a long time and I uphold that, and because of that, this organization has a pretty strong foundation."
He said his mentors include Chief Charles Jones and Chief D.B.Smith whose grandson David is an assistant chief in the department.
"I learned a lot from those guys. They wouldn't just tell you what was important, they would always explain why it was important. They were icons. I can't say we agreed on everything but I learned and developed a lot under their guidance."
With more than 90 tenant missions on the installation, APG firefighters and emergency medical responders -- as well as police officers -- in the Directorate of Emergency Services have to be trained to cover the gamut of emergency response, Budnick said.
"There is never a boring day. We've done everything from cutting people out of cars to rescuing baby ducklings out of storm drains."
Support from the APG Garrison and its tenants has always been tremendous, he said, adding, "They really understand what safety is all about and we definitely have the support we need to do our jobs.
"There are so many moving parts to this job. From Carol Miller [his administrative assistant] to the garrison commander, I would be miserable without the support of subordinates and superiors. Regardless of the changes around DES, we focus on and are committed to serving the community. We've been doing that a long time, and that won't change."
Community outreach is a big part of the DES firefighter mission, he added.
"We push every opportunity to be with the public and to get the safety message out in the media. From fire prevention to CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), we go to the youth centers, the chapels and to mission sites to reinforce the message, so we have an informed public. Why? Because it has proven to save lives. It's a system that works from the minute you dial 911 until responders arrive on the scene. But if one part of the system is under trained, it won't work."
Advancements in technology have hands-down delivered the biggest changes in firefighting over the years, Budnick said
"Firefighting today is a lot more technical. There are different hazards and tons more training and compliance requirements. It's become a highly technical occupation. There are a lot more rules and regulations and they're constantly changing," he said.
The most positive change has been in the way protective equipment has evolved into much safer equipment for firefighters, he added.
Advancements in high-level breathing apparatus; fire engines with air bags and rollover protection and other advanced safety features are just some of the innovations created for firefighter safety.
"Every day there's some new technology. Even the trucks are more advanced. But it's all for the best because overall these technological advancements afford us the ability to be safer.
He said that even more emphasis is being placed on physical fitness.
"Firefighter fitness is a high priority. It's a rigorous job that definitely takes its toll on the body."
The older guys are struggling but the younger guys are loving it," he chuckled.
Budnick said he can't say enough about his staff and crew. Several have won hero awards while others performing heroic acts have gone largely unrecognized. But firefighters aren't in it for the recognition, he said.
Drawing a parallel between his cadre and the firefighters lost on Sept. 11, 2001, Budnick said they shared the same philosophy.
"I've seen guys risk their lives for total strangers," he said. "And every one of my guys would have done the same thing if it had been a building on APG. There are so many people I just consider exceptional," he added. "They are so committed, they just don't give up. Our mindset is, if we don't do it, who will. And we feel like it won't be as good an outcome if we're not involved. It's about making a difference. Many are out there doing it without compensation. They're a special breed."
Budnick said while he plans to do more fishing, he will also continue teaching classes at the MFRI in APG South (Edgewood) and volunteer with the Aberdeen Fire Department. He also plans to spend more time with wife Kim, sons Scott and Terry, and grandchildren Braden, 5, and Jayce, 3.
Budnick said he well realizes that they could grow up to become firefighters. The probability is in his favor.
"You find the firefighting tradition in a lot of families. I don't think there was a moment I wanted to do anything else. It's an amazing calling."
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