BLOOM III, Milton A.
December 2021 was a busy month for the Leitersburg Volunteer Fire Company . Fire Company President and fire apparatus operator Butch Bloom responded on 46 calls that month including numerous medical calls.The last call he responded on was on December 28. On the evening of December 29th, 2021, President Bloom was feeling ill and was transported to Waynesboro Hospital by a medic unit from Smithsburg EMS with complaint of general weakness, dehydration and low-grade fever. Upon arrival to the hospital, President Bloom was admitted and subsequently diagnosed with COVID pneumonia. During his 22 day hospital stay, his condition deteriorated and he was transferred to the ICU and placed on a ventilator. Sadly, on Wednesday, January 19, 2022, President Bloom passed away from complications of COVID pneumonia. Butch Bloom joined the Leisterburg Volunteer Fire Company as an active volunteer in 1965. Over the years he was elected to numerous positions including Captain, Deputy Fire Chief, Fire Chief, and President and served on and chaired many committees. He served a term as Vice President of the Washington County Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association, served as Fire Station 9’s chief delegate, and was a member of the Maryland Fire Chiefs Association. President Bloom’s death was deemed by the MSFA, The Washington County Board of County Commissioners, the Washington County Fire and Rescue Association, and the Leitersburg VFC to be a Line Of Duty Death due to Occupational exposure. Life Member, fire apparatus operator, and President Milton Arthur ”Butch” Bloom, III was 73 years old and had served the citizens of Maryland for over 57 years.
