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Crime & Safety

HERO PROFILE: WBVFD's EMT Candy Hilgenberg

Woodland Beach Volunteer Fire Department emergency medical technician's family tree deeply rooted in the fire service.

For Candy Hilgenberg the fire department is a family affair. 

“I come from a long line of volunteer and career firefighters as well as ladies auxiliary members.  My husband and I met at the firehouse. My sister Wendy is also a riding member and my mother-in-law Rhonda is an administrative member.  My oldest niece Samantha started out with our Cadet program and moved up to junior member,” said Hilgenberg.

She has been a member for 16 years but said she feels like it’s been her entire life.

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When asked why she wanted to go into fire service she responded, “I was raised to help people, to be of service to them.  It was never an option not to do something that would help benefit someone else.”

She said the best part of the job is learning something new every time she responds to a call. 

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“Being there to help someone through what ever it is they are going through; I want to help them,” said the Edgewater resident Hilgenberg. She also added that the worst part of the job is calls involving children. “They are the worst.  I think I can deal with almost any other kind of call, but when it comes to children that is simply another ball game.”

The Broadneck High School graduate added “I enjoy being a part of a team, part of something larger.  I love sitting and listening to the older generation's stories.  They never cease to amaze me.  I truly enjoy the tradition, structure, discipline, and the ability to think outside the box.”

Hilgenberg, the mother of one, is also working towards her Paramedic licensee and completing Fire Officer I training class. She works at the Ridge School of Anne Arundel County located in Crownsville as the registrar.  Hilgenberg explained that the school is a private special education school for children from the ages of 13-21 who have emotional and behavioral disorders. Her future plans include becoming a station officer and earning a bachelors degree in psychology. 

“Whenever we have a new person join and they ask me what it’s like being a member, I always tell them it’s like being a part of a family.  You're going to have those that are like a brother or sister; maybe even one you never wanted.  Some will be like a parent to you, helping to mold you into a superior firefighter or EMT.  And of course we always have a crazy uncle to throw in the mix,” said Hilgenberg. 

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