Guardian Flames

After dedicating more than 38 years of service to the Anne Arundel County Fire Department, Lieutenant Mark “Muck” Muckelbauer retired in the fall. For almost four decades, he stood as a symbol of resilience, courage and selflessness.

Career Journey

Muckelbauer remembers two events that sparked his interest in firefighting. One was the television show “Emergency!” in the 1970s. The other occurred when he was in the 10th grade and he was talking to a friend who had joined a volunteer fire company.

“I remember thinking, ‘You can do this for free?’” Muckelbauer said. “So, in April 1981, I joined a local volunteer fire company. I took classes and rode the apparatus. I still had an interest in pursuing this as a career. I was successful in the hiring process. And on July 25, 1985, I reported to the Anne Arundel County Fire Department headquarters in Millersville, and such began my career in Recruit Fire School, Class 21.

“After being promoted to lieutenant, I had many assignments at some of the busiest fire stations in the county, located in Glen Burnie areas,” he said. “This kept me busy and motivated me to continue this career. It’s just another day, but the next thing I know, it's 38 years later.”

Muckelbauer responded to approximately 15,000 emergencies.

“When someone dials 911, it’s the worst day of their life,” he said. “No matter if it is for a chirping smoke alarm, to assisting someone who fell, or to a house on fire.”

Most Memorable Rescue Mission

Muckelbauer recalls one specific motor vehicle incident that exemplifies the courage, quick decision-making and emotional resilience it takes to be a dedicated firefighter for such a long time.

On a summer evening, the fire department received a call reporting that someone was trapped in a vehicle following a collision. Units arrived, and the report from the first arriving fire officer was that a vehicle was overturned, and someone was trapped inside, having agonal respirations.

“When my fire engine arrived on location, we saw that a pickup truck had struck BGE poles and broke them in half, with lines on the ground,” Muckelbauer said. “The vehicle was upside down and the driver was still in the driver's seat. However, he had slid down enough that his head was resting on the roof, in a precarious way that cut off his breathing. His legs were entangled up in the gas and brake pedal, and he was hanging from inside the pickup truck.”

Muckelbauer directed his firefighter inside the vehicle from the passenger-side window. He confirmed that the driver was not breathing. Muckelbauer ran to the driver’s side to survey the situation.

“The driver wouldn’t budge,” Muckelbauer said. “I had to lay on my back, stick my body inside the window, reach up and find his legs. I followed his legs up with my hands, then found the gas and brake pedals. Pulling myself up into the truck to reach more, I found his foot that was entangled between the two pedals. It was pitch black inside the truck … it was all guesswork wondering how his foot was stuck. I maneuvered his foot from between the pedals, and yelled to my firefighter, ‘Pull him now.’ My firefighter, Jon, pulled him out of the truck and he began breathing instantly.”

Survivor’s Story

During a funeral procession, tragedy struck. It is a day that is forever etched into the memory of Severna Park resident Betty Winkelmeyer Wells. It was around 2007, and Winkelmeyer Wells witnessed a heart-wrenching car accident as the procession she was involved in made its way down the street.

“It was not a clear day, and the procession went through the traffic light as usual,” Winkelmeyer Wells said. “I could see from the passenger side, this car trying to beat the light, and when he hit our Lincoln on the driver's side, we spun around from going north to south.”

The sudden impact sent her world reeling. And in the middle of the chaos and shock, a beacon of hope emerged in the form of Muckelbauer.

“And because I already had a neck injury from years ago,” she said, “that was my first concern … Right away, firetrucks and ambulances showed up on the scene … and a fireman, who, because of the head gear and everything, I did not recognize, immediately put me in (the ambulance), bracing my head and my neck, got over top of me, so I would be able to see him when I was strapped in and said, ‘This is Mark.’

“And I’m like, ‘Mark who?’ Winkelmeyer Wells said. “Finally, he gave me his last name … and I said, ‘Oh my gosh, Mark.' Why I did not initially recognize his voice or his face I could not tell you.”

Reflections and Personal Insights

No matter the profession, a lot of aspects can change over a 38-year tenure. When asked about how the fire department has advanced over the years, Muckelbauer said that “The NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) guides many departments, including Anne Arundel County. Safety comes in many ways. When I left the department, we had two sets of turnout gear; if one was used inside a fire, after the fire, you sent it for cleaning, without question. As we now know, there are many carcinogens in smoke. Gone are the days of smelling smoke on turnout gear after a fire. Little did we know years ago, this was dangerous. There was a distinct aroma when you walked into a fire station and could smell the smoke from a previous fire. The risk of cancer is tremendous for firefighters. This one step can hopefully eliminate this threat and save lives in the future.”

Muckelbauer has become a familiar face in the community because of his life-saving efforts and also for educating the younger generation about public safety as a career path.

“When you are a firefighter, you are in the spotlight, and people see you when they see that fire engine,” Muckelbauer said. “Children are particularly impressionable. On many occasions, we made impromptu stops, to see a child that was waving. Can you imagine, as a child, waving to a fire engine, and then the fire engine stopping?”

Since retiring from the department in September, Muckelbauer has had time to reflect on the significant impact he made, leaving an exemplary outline for future firefighters in the county.

“Looking back, I see days when we made a difference in someone’s life, either in an emergency or just taking time with someone who needs help,” he said. “Great customer service was what I wanted my crews to give. When we left a house, I would always ask the individuals who needed assistance, ‘Is there anything else we can do for you?’ I can’t say I made a significant impact, but I can say I gave the best customer service that I could to our community.”