by Danielle Tobb ‘17

The sound of the re truck’s sirens in mid-December signals the arrival of one of the area’s much-anticipated traditions: the Santa Run. No, contrary to what you may think, this is not a San- ta-themed 5K.

Since the 1970s, the Sandy Spring Volunteer Fire Department (SSVFD) has ridden around the local neighborhoods on Christ- mas Eve with Santa sitting on top of their 1954 antique re truck.

Because of the area’s considerable growth in the 1980s, during that time, the re department decided to expand the Santa Run to two or three nights prior to Christmas instead.

Ever since 2013, the run has lasted for six nights, from December 18 to December 23. Last December, the re department spread holiday cheer by visiting more than 1,000 streets during the six-night period.

“We generally try to keep the

same routes every year so that if someone remembers we came down their street on the 19th, the following year it should also be the 19th,” said SSVFD Fire Chief Michael Kelley.

Carrying out the Santa Run every year can be an extremely difcult feat. Since the cars tend to park on the side streets, the re department must employ a truck that goes ahead of the re truck to determine if there will be enough space for the truck to go through. The rst truck also is able to give people a heads up that the re truck will be coming down their street momentarily.

Although these route disruptions are not too common, the re truck has had several mechanical issues while en route in the past.

“Every now and then, it will break down and we have to have a backup plan. We would take one

of our small pickup trucks and move everything to the back of that truck. It may not be glamorous, but it works,” Kelley said.

The SSVFD is dedicated to carrying out the tradition, regard- less of impending snowstorms predicted during the run. Even in 2009 when the area was hit with a major blizzard, the re station never missed a beat, according to Kelley.

“I think people were surprised that we still made it out that year. The vehicle that we were using had a snowplow in front of it, so we were also clearing streets for people. During years with a heavy snowfall, we stay mostly on the main streets, but we don’t disappoint. It’s a big thing for us as much as it is for the kids out there,” said Kelley.

The Santa Run would not be complete without Santa himself riding on top of the re truck. For Michael McTighe, a retired United States Government Employee, dressing up as Santa for the Santa Run is a job that he has been doing for the SSVFD since the year 1992.