LUPER ELECTED GAITHERSBURG FIRE CHIEF

(Gaithersburg) -- John Luper will be the next Chief of the Gaithersburg - Washington Grove Volunteer Fire Department. Luper replaces Robert McHenry, who served in that position for the past four years.

Luper, 55, joined the GWGVFD in January, 1979. Over the past 24 years he has held every rank. Most recently he served as the Department's Deputy Chief and is a certified Hazardous Materials Technician.

Luper assumes the Chief's position at a time when the County's fiscal resources are stretched thinner than ever. Montgomery County's Fire Administrator has proposed $2.5 million in cuts for the fire-rescue service. "It's very important that volunteers, career firefighters and the community work together to make sure that our fire and rescue services are not harmed by the budget ax," says Luper.

Luper was elected at the GWGVFD's annual election meeting December 18 and will begin serving as Chief on January 1.

Re-elected to the GWGVFD Board of Directors were Frank Jacob and Carol Enders.