Submitted by his Wife

Allan Roberts was a 19 year veteran of the Baltimore City Fire Department. He joined the BCFD on April 20‚ 1987‚ when he entered the Fire Academy. He graduated from the Fire Academy on July 2 and was assigned to Engine 37. He served at Engine 37 until he was transferred to Truck 26 on July 13‚ 1989‚ and remained with Truck 26 until his death on October 10‚ 2006. During his time at Truck 26‚ he rose to the rank of Acting First Lieutenant on D shift.

During his service with the BCFD‚ Allan received several awards. He received the Exemplary Performance Award for the rescue of an infant from a burning apartment building on February 28‚ 1994‚ a Mayor’s Citation‚ a City Council of Baltimore Resolution #5510‚ and the African American Exposition Award. He also received a second Exemplary Performance Award on July 19‚ 2002 for his efforts in the Howard Street Tunnel Fire‚ as well as a Certificate of Appreciation on March 21‚ 1999.

Allan loved the fire department‚ and when he wasn’t spending time with his 4 children (Samantha‚ Kaitlyn‚ Jacob‚ and Daniel)‚ he could be found at the fire house. He was also known as the ‘Swap King’ because if you needed a day off‚ Allan was the guy you would go to in order to find someone who could cover your shift. He had a real interest in computers and served in the IT department for approximately 1 year. Allan also enjoyed spending time with the youth at our church in Taneytown‚ MD and became one of the leaders for the youth group‚ as well as a member of the church council as a representative from the youth group.

Allan truly loved helping others in need‚ and would drop what he was doing to do that very thing. Whether it was a neighbor who was struggling with some chore‚ or a stranger involved in a car accident that he happened upon‚ Allan always stopped to do whatever he could. One of his favorite things was his 2001 Harley Davidson motorcycle‚ and he rode it whenever he could‚ no matter how cold or how hot it was. His oldest son Jake used to love to take rides with him around the neighborhood‚ and would wear his daddy’s helmet while riding his tricycle. Allan was also an avid football fan‚ and he was a season ticket holder for the Baltimore Ravens. He had two season tickets in the hopes that Jake would one day accompany him to the games.

Allan was not only a great firefighter who loved what he did‚ but also a great father who loved his children and always wanted the best for them. Already Jake has been telling his brother Danny stories about Daddy‚ and how Daddy would play with them and how much he loved them. I overheard him telling Danny once that ‘…whenever you think you’re alone‚ you’re really not because God and Daddy will always be with you.’