HERO PROFILE: AVFD Fire Fighter Brett McAllister

When Brett McAllister volunteers he sticks out like a sore thumb. Unlike his patients he is not wearing a kilt or steal plated armor. Instead he is wearing a crisp blue uniform shirt from the Arundel Volunteer Fire Department.

McAllister is one of the many firefighters and EMTs who volunteer their time at the Maryland Renaissance Festival. The Anne Arundel County Volunteer Fire Fighter’s Association coordinates volunteer coverage at the 30-year old event. The Festival has become the region's premier outdoor events and the second largest Renaissance Festival in the country.

With more than 600 employees and an average of 14,700 customers daily, covering this event can get exciting.

“The variety of characters and people are always interesting. I see something new every time. The festival covers over 25 acres of woods and fields with live entertainment, shops and pubs. That’s a lot of running,” said McAllister. 

According to the Festival's web site, the first season was in 1977 and the event has matured into a large theme show with more than 1,300 participants and 280,000 guests per season. It has more than 130 craft shops displaying many wares handmade by the village artisans. There are also 42 food outlets that provide a feast of foods rarely seen at other festivals. McAllister said that this year the Festival has expanded the size of their EMS station. 

The 6-year veteran of the AVFD went on to add that “Most issues we have are heat-related emergencies and bee stings. It is easy to get dehydrated in the sun.”

McAllister also stated, “I did have a cardiac arrest one year, and we do get some falls. Fortunately we get very few life threatening issues, but we do get them.” 

When asked why he likes being a firefighter he answered, “I enjoy riding the Rescue Squad. I want to help people.” He goes onto add “But I see a lot of citizens make unsafe decisions in this job. I never want to see an avoidable incident or accident.” 

McAllister also spends a great deal of time at the AVFD. He is very much involved with coordinating the EMS coverage of the Bowie Baysox Games this year. Plus many of the other fund raising and public relations functions held at the station.

“This is a great time of year for the station. We will begin selling pit-beef sandwiches twice a month during the fall. In October we have a large fire and safety Open House and after Thanksgiving we will be selling Christmas trees in front of the station. Before you know it, we will be driving good Old Saint Nick around on top of the fire engine!”      

But until it is time for Santa McAllister can be found on weekends with King Henry VIII in the year 1544 in Revel Grove.  He will be the Renaissance Man should the Lord and Lady of the Realm, The Jester, or even The Rogue need his medical help. Guests at the Renaissance Festival may leave the hectic pace of the twenty-first century behind but McAllister and the other firefighters and EMTs who volunteer their time make sure that the latest in emergency medical care is available to them if needed.