Graduation of Career Recruit School #48

MEDIA CONTACT: Mark E. Brady, Chief Spokesperson, 240-508-7930

mebrady@co.pg.md.us     @PGFDPIO

The Prince George's County Fire/Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Department recently conducted Graduation Ceremonies for Career Recruit School #48.  Forty-three recruits received their Certificates and began their career as Firefighters.  The ceremony was held on Monday, December 2, at the Charles Herbert Flowers High School auditorium and was well attended by invited dignitaries, Fire/EMS Department Command Staff, family and friends of the graduating recruits.

The keynote speaker, the Honorable Angela D. Alsobrooks, States Attorney for Prince George's County, shared her experience in a recent Fire Ops 101 Class to the recruits.  She understands the challenges, both personal and physical, in becoming a firefighter and dealing with the day-to-day tasks that they have sworn to perform.

Prince George's County Fire Chief Marc S. Bashoor spoke to the recruits saying, "No matter how difficult the circumstances, those who call on us will look to you for help, they will look to you for reassurance, they will have blind faith-and confidence in you, confidence that you will give them hope in what may be the most desperate and vulnerable time of their lives."

Several awards were bestowed to deserving recruits during the ceremony.  They are as follows. 

 

FIRE SUPPRESSION SCHOLASTIC ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

The Fire Suppression Scholastic Achievement Award is presented to an individual in each Career Recruit School who achieved the highest academic average on the fire suppression written and practical examinations.

The recipient of the Fire Suppression Scholastic Achievement Award is:

FIRE FIGHTER ANDI VILLASENOR

EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE SCHOLASTIC ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

The Fire Emergency Medical Service Scholastic Achievement Award is presented to an individual in Career Recruit School who achieved the highest academic average on the Emergency Management Service Scholastic written and practical examinations.

The recipient of the Emergency Medical Service Award is:

FIRE FIGHTER ANDI VILLASENOR

INSTRUCTOR'S AWARD

The Instructor’s Award is presented to an individual in each Career Recruit School who has shown the highest level of personal improvement, development, and dedication during the class.  In short, we identify the individual who has contributed significantly to the success of the class overall either by helping others or through self-improvement.  The individual earning this award can be one with no previous experience in emergency services and progresses to an outstanding level of proficiency; or an experienced person who dedicates him or herself to assisting other class members be successful throughout Career Recruit School.

The recipient of the Instructor’s Award is:

FIRE FIGHTER CHYNA RICHARDSON

 MEMORIAL AWARD

The Memorial Award is a very special recognition presented to an outstanding individual from each Career Recruit School who has displayed that rarest combination of professionalism, courage, and "espirit de corps."  Such traits serve to honor their fallen comrades, and uphold the highest traditions of the Prince George’s County Fire/Emergency Medical Services Department.

The recipient of the Memorial Award is:

FIRE FIGHTER RYAN ROBERTS

FIRE CHIEF'S AWARD

The Fire Chief's Award is the highest recognition for Career Recruit Schools.  This award is bestowed on an individual in recognition of achievements that have made significant contributions to the graduating class.  Selection criteria emphasize leadership, professional development, integrity, performance, and personal growth.  This award is given to the individual who best exemplifies the conduct required of the Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department.

The recipient of the Fire Chief’s Award is:

FIRE FIGHTER HUNTER STEWART

Congratulations to all members of CRS 48.  We wish you continues success and safety throughout your career!!!

THOMAS CHRISTOPHER ADAMS

JARED NICHOLAS ALTHOFF

 WILLIAM RAU BALL, IV

CEDRIC TYRAN BARKLEY, II

JOSHUA ERIC BECK

NICHOLAS JAY BOWEN

PHARAOH GARNELL BROWN

MICHAEL ANDREW BUERGER

CARLOS MICHAEL CRESTWELL

CLAYTON DUDLEY DESKINS, JR.

MICHAEL ANTHONY DOLBY, JR.

MICHAEL ANTHONY DUUS

BRITTANY MICHELLE FRANKENFIELD

JULIAN MORRIS GRAY

TIMOTHY PERNAIL HARRELL, JR.

RAMONZ ANTHONY HEIGHT JR.

ANTHONY ISAIAH HICKS

BRANDON HAROLD HOLDERNESS

JAMES MILTON JOHNSON, III

MATTHEW JOHN LOCKWOOD

ZACHARY RAY LONGFELLOW

SCOTT ANDREW MCDONOUGH

ALLEN LEE MCKNIGHT, JR.

THOMAS GRANT MILLER

JERMAINE LESLIE MILLS

TAVARIS LATRON MURRARY

SCOTT EDWARD RADISCH

FELIPE GALILEO RAMIREZ

ANTONIO CECILIO RICHARDS

CHYNA MARTEL RICHARDSON

CHERYL MONIQUE RICKS

RYAN WILLIAM ROBERTS

NICOLE MARIE ROBSHAW

MESISSA HELEN SCHAEFER

SAMUEL HUGH SINGLETON

HUNTER BROOK STEWART

ANDI INEZ VILLASENOR

DONALD EDWARD WELLS

WILLIAM ANDREW WHITE

JONATHON HAROLD WHITEHOUSE

MEGHAN LEIGH WILLIAMS

MARTINO GUY WILSON

Career Recruit School Video played at Graduation.

NFPA Home Heating Safety Tips

December Safety First Day of the Month

Mark E. Brady

Chief Spokesperson/PIO

240-508-7930

mebrady@co.pg.md.us

Twitter @PGFDPIO

On the first day of each Month the Prince George’s County Fire/Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Department reminds everyone that today is “Safety First Day of the Month.”  This program designates that December 1 is Safety First Day and time to test the smoke alarm and carbon monoxide (CO) alarm in your homes.

Simply push the TEST button on the front cover of your alarms.  If a loud audible warning sound is heard than you are good to go until next month.  This is also a good time to allow everyone in your home to listen to the audible alarm and explain to them what the alarm means and what to do next.  Every so many months practice your home escape plan using alternative means of egress and meet at your special place outside the home.

If your alarm does not emit the audible warning:

• Clean the alarm using a dust cloth or vacuum.

• Change the battery in your alarm immediately.

• If your alarm is 10 years old or older – replace it with a new 10-year, tamper proof with hush button smoke and/or CO alarms.  If you don’t recall replacing your alarm since the tragic events on 9/11/01 – REPLACE YOUR OLD ALARM WITH A NEW 10-YEAR ALARM TODAY.

If you replaced the battery – re-test your alarm.  Still not working?? Discard that alarm, it has served you well in protecting you, your family and home.  Immediately replace your alarm with a new 10- year alarm.

New laws that affect Prince George’s County homes will soon require CO alarms and the addition of 10-year, tamper proof, with hush feature alarms on every level of your home.  Purchase new alarms and install them now.

The month of December is full of festive events and sheer.  The month of December is always worrisome for firefighters as there are multiple areas of concern.  Throughout the course of the month we will provide fire safety and injury prevention tips to keep you and family safe.  These will include information on:

Cold Weather Safety Tips

Holiday Decorations

Candles

Cooking

Christmas Trees

Celebrating responsibly.

Staying Warm Safely.

On the first Wednesday of every month firefighters will visit communities throughout Prince George’s County.  We will be going door-to-door asking to check your smoke alarms.  Firefighters will be equipped with fresh batteries and new alarms to make sure you are protected by a working smoke alarm before we leave.  Firefighters can also help you plan two ways out of every room and identify a designated meeting place outside of your home.

Any questions??  Call our Safety First Hotline at 301-864-SAFE (7233).

Upper Marlboro House Fire - Endsley Place

MEDIA CONTACT: Mark E. Brady, Chief Spokesperson, 240-508-7930

mebrady@co.pg.md.us     @PGFDPIO

At around 2:00 pm, Tuesday, November 26, firefighters from the Upper Marlboro area were alerted to a house fire in the 3700 block of Endsley Place.  Firefighters arrived quickly and found a 2-story, with attached converted garage, 2,200 sq. ft. single-family home with fire showing.  The home occupants escaped unharmed prior to the fire department’s arrival.

It required 35 minutes for the 45 firefighter/medics on the scene to extinguish the fire.  The fire had spread throughout the structure causing nearly $200,000 in estimated fire loss.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, however, appears to be accidental.  No injuries were reported.

The County Citizen Services Unit will be assisting 3 adults and one 7 year-old child with temporary shelter and assistance by the American Red Cross.

A neighbor, Ken Washington, that lives across the street obtained still and video images of the house fire.  Please provide credit to him if you use these images.  The still images demonstrate conditions on arrival through when extinguishment efforts start to take effect.

Weather Cancels Live Outdoor "Turkey Deep Frying" Cooking Demonstration

After consultation with local meteorologists, Fire/EMS Department Leadership and Safety Officers the Live Turkey Frying event on Tuesday is cancelled.  Inclement weather makes cooking with hot oil outdoors unsafe. Deep Frying can only be used outdoors.

We would like to thank Wegmans for donating the frozen turkeys to us and the Greenbelt Volunteer Fire Department for the cooking oil and large chefs pot.  Special thanks to retired PGFD Fire Fighter Billy Hinton

that had agreed to demonstrate his chef skills for us.  Remember "Safety First."

The men and women wish everyone a safe and festive Happy Thanksgiving Holiday.  If you are going to deep fry your turkey we ask that you and other members of your family review some safety tips!!!

Watch a safety video on deep frying a turkey here.

The Prince George’s County Fire/Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Department offers the following safety tips, to ensure that all citizens and residents will enjoy a safe and festive Thanksgiving holiday. 

Unfortunately, fire safety and injury prevention guidelines are often overlooked during the holidays. Prince George's County Fire Chief Marc S. Bashoor stated, "Everyone needs to keep Safety First and by doing so our citizens, visitors and businesses can avoid tragedy and disruption of their holiday festivities."

The Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) United States Fire Administration (USFA) issued a special report recently examining the characteristics of Thanksgiving Day fires in residential buildings. The report, Thanksgiving Day Fires in Residential Buildings, was developed by USFA's National Fire Data Center.

The report is based on 2006 to 2008 data from the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS). According to the report, an estimated 2,000 Thanksgiving Day fires in residential buildings occur annually in the United States, resulting in an estimated average of 5 deaths, 25 injuries, and $21 million in property loss. The leading cause of all Thanksgiving Day fires in residential buildings is, by far, cooking. Additionally, smoke alarms were not present in 20 percent of Thanksgiving Day fires that occurred in occupied residential buildings.

While these safety and cooking tips may not make Thanksgiving dinner taste any better--they will help to avoid potential disaster;

Keep your family and overnight guests safe with a working smoke alarm on every level of the house, in each bedroom and in the halls adjacent to the bedrooms. Test smoke alarms monthly, and replace batteries at least once a year.

Overnight guests should be instructed on your home’s fire escape plan and designated meeting place for your family.

Have a fire extinguisher available not more than 10 feet from the stove, on the exit side of the room.

A standard Class ABC multi-purpose dry chemical extinguisher is recommended. Know how to use your fire extinguisher.

Start holiday cooking with a clean stove and oven.

Keep the kitchen off limits to young children and adults who are not helping with food preparations. This will lessen the possibility of kitchen mishaps.

When cooking, do not wear clothing with loose sleeves or dangling jewelry. Clothing can catch on fire and jewelry can become entangled with pot handles, causing spills and burns.

Cook on the back burners when possible, and turn pot handles inward so they don’t extend over the edge of the stove.

Never leave cooking unattended. If you must leave the kitchen while cooking, turn off the stove or have someone else watch what is being cooked. Unattended cooking is the number one cause of home fires and fire-related injuries in Prince George’s County.  According to the USFA; cooking is the leading cause of all Thanksgiving Day fires in residential buildings at 69 percent. Nearly all of these cooking fires (97 percent) are small, confined fires with limited damage.

If you use a deep fryer, please, exercise extreme caution and follow manufacturer instructions.  The report from the USFA found that these cooking devices accounted for about 1% of Thanksgiving Day fires.

Keep Thanksgiving decorations and kitchen clutter away from sources of direct heat.

Candles are often part of holiday decorations. The Fire/EMS Department strongly encourages the use of battery powered candles and discourages the use of candles with an open flame.  If you use candles; they should never be left burning when you are away from home, or after going to bed. Candles should be placed where children will not be tempted to play with them, and where guests will not accidentally brush against them. The candleholder should be completely non-combustible and difficult to knock over. The candle should not have combustible decorations around it.

If smoking is allowed inside, provide guests with large, deep ashtrays and check them frequently. After guests leave check inside, under upholstery, and in trash cans for cigarette butts that may be smoldering.

Overnight guests should be briefed on the home escape plan and designated meeting place outside.

Working smoke alarms are required in all residences in Prince George's County.  Consider upgrading to a 10-year tamper proof with hush feature smoke alarm and never change a battery again.  If you can not afford to purchase an alarm you can call our Safety First Smoke Alarm program at 301-864-SAFE (7233).  A firefighter will install a working smoke alarm in your home; free of charge.

The men and women, career, civilian and volunteer, of the Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department wish everyone a Happy and Safe Thanksgiving!!!

  Turkey fryer hazards

    

·         Many units easily tip over, spilling the hot oil from the cooking pot.

·         If the cooking pot is overfilled with oil, the oil may spill out of the unit when the turkey is placed into the cooking pot. Oil may hit the burner or flames, causing a fire to engulf the entire unit.

·         Partially frozen turkeys placed into the fryer can cause a spillover effect. This too may result in an extensive fire.

·         With no thermostat controls, the units also have the potential to overheat the oil to the point of combustion.

·         The lid and handles on the sides of the cooking pot get dangerously hot, posing severe burn hazards.

Important safety information

If you absolutely must use a turkey fryer, please use the following tips.

·         Turkey fryers should always be used outdoors a safe distance from buildings and any other flammable materials.

·         Never use turkey fryers in a garage or on a wooden deck.

·         Make sure the fryers are used on a flat surface to reduce accidental tipping.

·         Never leave the fryer unattended. Most units do not have thermostat controls. If you do not watch the fryer carefully, the oil will continue to heat until it catches fire.

·         Never let children or pets near the fryer even if it is not in use. The oil inside the cooking pot can remain dangerously hot hours after use.

·         To avoid oil spillover, do not overfill the fryer.

·         Use well-insulated potholders or oven mitts when touching pot or lid handles. If possible, wear safety goggles to protect your eyes from oil splatter.

·         Make sure the turkey is completely thawed and be careful with marinades. Oil and water do not mix, and water causes oil to spill over causing a fire or even an explosion hazard.

·         The National Turkey Federation (NTF) recommends thawing the turkey in the refrigerator approximately 24 hours for every five pounds in weight.

·         Keep an all-purpose fire extinguisher nearby. Never use water to extinguish a grease fire. If the fire is manageable, use your all-purpose fire extinguisher. If the fire increases, immediately call the fire department for help.