Chief Ralph Reverdy Dennis was on the roof of the George Washington Hotel attempting to extinguish a chimney fire. He inhaled the chemicals being utilized to combat the fire and later succumbed to his injuries.

Chief Dennis was a founding member of the volunteer fire company, serving as its first Assistant Fire Chief. He was also the principal of the Ocean City High School. Chief Dennis died just a little over a month shy of his 50th birthday. He served the community through his volunteer fire company efforts for over 32 years. He now rests in peace next to his beloved wife Thelma in Worcester County, Maryland.