The Board of Directors, Officers, and Membership of the Walkersville Volunteer Fire Company #11 extend our most heartfelt condolences to Frederick County Fire & Rescue, Career Firefighters of Frederick County Local 3666, and family and friends of Captain Joshua Laird who succumbed to his injuries sustained while battling a house fire on August 11 in Ijamsville. Below is the press release from Frederick County DFRS:

Frederick, MD - It is with great sorrow that The Frederick County Division of Fire and Rescue Services (FCDFRS) announces the line of duty death of Captain Joshua Laird. Captain Laird died this evening from injuries sustained while operating on a 2-alarm house fire in Frederick, MD. “Words cannot describe my heartbreak over Captain Josh Laird’s tragic death. He touched many lives during his long career with Frederick County. We often take for granted the bravery our firefighters show every day. Tonight, sadly, we are reminded of how dangerous the job really is. Josh is a hero. I ask everyone to keep his wife, children, the Laird family, and all of our firefighters, in their prayers during this most difficult time”, said Frederick County Executive Jan Gardner. “Each year during the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial, Frederick County opens its arms to families in their time of grief. Tonight, I ask others to open their arms to the men and women of the Frederick County Division of Fire and Rescue. The entire Frederick County family is profoundly and deeply saddened.”
“Today is an incredibly tragic day for the Frederick County Fire Service family. Captain Laird was a dedicated public safety professional committed to serving the citizens of Frederick County”, said Fire Chief Tom Coe. “There are no words to truly capture what his loss means to his fire service family and our organization.”
At approximately 4:48pm on Wednesday, August 11, 2021 firefighters from FCDFRS were dispatched for reports of a house fire on the 9500 block of Ball Road. Upon arrival crews found a two-story single-family home with fire showing. A rapid intervention dispatch with a task force was requested which was quickly upgraded to a 2nd alarm due to heavy fire conditions. While operating inside the structure, Captain Joshua Laird fell through the first floor into the basement. Teams of firefighters were immediately deployed to effect the rescue. Captain Laird was located, extricated, immediately given emergency medical care and transported to MedStar Washington Hospital Center via Maryland State Police aviation.
“Today tragedy has befallen our family”, said International Association of Firefighters Local 3666 President Stephen Jones. “While we are keenly aware of the dangers of our profession, every day we put on our uniform with the hope that we will safely return home. We stand ready to support the Laird family, and each other, as we grieve this loss.”
Captain Joshua Laird, 46, of Fairfield, Pennsylvania is a 21-year veteran of FCDFRS. He is survived by his wife and two daughters. FCDFRS asks that you please respect the privacy of the Laird family during this difficult time. Funeral arrangements will be released as soon as they become available.