Carroll County flags will be flown at half-staff to honor the passing of life-long Mount Airy resident Oscar Baker who passed away on July 23rd, 2022, shortly after celebrating his 100th birthday. Mr. Baker served over six decades of active emergency service to the residents of Mount Airy and surrounding communities, Carroll County and the State of Maryland. The Carroll County Board of Commissioners request all county flags to fly at half-staff through Friday evening, July 29th, after Mr. Baker’s funeral.

In addition to active service, Mr. Baker served as President of the Mount Airy Volunteer Fire Company, the Carroll County Volunteer Firemen’s Association and the Maryland State Firemen’s Association. After his retirement as Fire Chief of the National Bureau of Standards Fire Department, he served as the Volunteer Coordinator for Carroll County. He was also a field instructor for the Fire Service Extension and later the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute for several decades. Mr. Baker also sat on numerous state and local boards and commissions including the Carroll County Commission on Aging and the Mount Airy Planning and Zoning Board. Oscar was inducted into the Mount Airy Town Hall of Fame, the Carroll County Firemen’s Hall of Fame, the Maryland State Firemen’s Hall of Fame, and the Maryland State Senior Citizens Hall of Fame.

“On behalf of the Carroll County Board of Commissioners, we mourn the passing of a great leader and public servant in the Carroll County and Mt. Airy Fire and EMS communities. We extend our sincere appreciation for his many years of service to the community and send our heartfelt thoughts and prayers to his family,” said Commissioner Stephen Wantz, “Lowering the flags to half-staff commemorates and honors his life and service.”

County flags will remain at half-staff through Friday evening, July 29th, after Mr. Baker’s funeral.

In addition to honoring Oscar with our flags at half staff, members of the New Windsor Fire Department helped staff Mount Airy Fire Department equipment during the memorial service for Mr. Baker.