Letter of Recognition for Compassionate Rescue

L to R William Price, Daniel Leyden, John Wakeley, Acting Lt. Col. Jerry LaMoria,
Anthony J. Wallach and Roland Berg during presentation of Letter of Recognition. 

It was a frigid night in late December 2010 when an ambulance from Chillum-Adelphi was dispatched to check on a man in a wheelchair at a laundry mat on Eastern Avenue. The gentleman was stranded in a battery operated wheelchair unable to make his way back to the nursing home on Riggs Road, about a 2 mile distance. After exhausting all alternative means to have the man returned to the home, the crew from Ambulance 834 knew they could not leave him stranded. They contacted Hyattsville Fire/EMS Station 801 for their utility truck and radioed for advice from the EMS Supervisor. Working collaboratively, crews returned the gentleman to his residence courtesy of Ambulance 834 and his non-functioning wheelchair via utility 801 under the supervision of the EMS 801.

These members of the Prince George’s County Fire/Emergency Medical Services Department received letters of recognition from Acting Fire Chief Marc S. Bashoor. The letters were presented during a Battalion Chief’s Meeting at the Cranford-Graves Fire Services Building on Wednesday, January 12, 2011.

Receiving the Letters of Recognition were:

Paramedic Captain Roland Berg - Emergency Medical Services

Fire Fighter Anthony J. Wallach – Chillum-Adelphi Fire/EMS Station #834

Volunteer Fire Fighter John Wakeley – Chillum-Adelphi Fire/EMS Station #834

Volunteer Fire Fighter William Price – Hyattsville Fire/EMS Station #801

Volunteer Fire Fighter Daniel Leyden – Hyattsville Volunteer Fire/EMS Station #801


Each member received the following letter from Acting Chief Bashoor:

“Recently, I was informed of an incident that occurred on December 27, 2010, regarding a gentleman who resides at the Heartland Health Care Center, whose battery operated wheelchair had broken down. A834, UT801 and EMS801 responded on the call and provided assistance, ensuring that the gentleman arrived safely back at the nursing home. Weather conditions that evening were frigid, and prolonged exposure to the elements could have resulted in a tragedy.

Actions by Fire Fighter Anthony J. Wallach, Captain Roland Berg, and Volunteer Fire Fighters John Wakeley, William Price and Daniel Leyden, are highly commendable, and should be emulated by all members of the Prince George's County Fire/Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Department. The spirit of cooperation among all of the crews involved in resolving this issue shows each one’s commitment to providing the highest level of service to the citizens and residents we serve.

It is with great pleasure that I recognize you for your outstanding performance. Without your rapid intervention, the outcome could have been very different. On behalf of the Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department, the citizens and residents of the County, and myself, I would like to thank you for a job well done.”