County Executive to Run Woodrow Wilson Bridge with Firefighter Recruits

In what has become a “running” tradition of Prince George’s County recruit firefighters will continue on Thursday as funds are raised to assist with fire service related charities. The twenty-seven members of Career Recruit School #45 will raise funds while they are attending the training academy at various events. They have selected the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and the Frank J. Colea Benevolent Fund as their charities.


The United States Congress created the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to lead a nationwide effort to remember America's fallen firefighters. Since 1992, the tax-exempt, nonprofit Foundation has developed and expanded programs to honor our fallen fire heroes and assist their families and coworkers. The Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, located in Emmitsburg, Maryland. It is registered as a corporation in the State of Maryland. The Foundation receives funding through private donations from caring individuals, organizations, corporations, and foundations.

The Frank J. Colea Benevolent Fund is used solely to support Fire Fighters, Paramedics, and other members of the Public Safety community who are called upon to protect our community from the dangers of fire, accidental injury and illnesses, natural disaster and acts of terrorism. Contributions are used in support of our First Responders who have suffered from burn injuries, hazardous exposures, chronic illnesses and bereavement services. The fund is administered through the Prince George’s County Professional Firefighters, Paramedics and Civilian Association, IAFF Local 1619. Major Frank J. Colea was a 25-year veteran of the Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department who passed away after a long battle with cancer. Frank lived his life demonstrating caring and concern for all. His friends established the Colea Benevolent Fund to keep his spirit of caring and concern alive.

A large portion of the charitable funds will be raised this Thursday, May 24, 2012, as the recruits run across the Woodrow Wilson Bridge pedestrian/bicycle path. This run includes portions of the park on the Maryland side, across the WWB, portions of the Virginia side and back across the WWB to Maryland.

Joining the recruit firefighters will be County Executive Rushern Baker, Fire Chief Marc Bashoor and members of their staff's. The run will start at approximately 8:00 am in an area just off the path leading from parking lot G of National Harbor (nearly a 1 mile walk by itself). The staging area is also located behind the new Sunoco Gas Station. Use the second entrance to the gas station that is also marked “Return to National Harbor” and take the gravel driveway to the right just off of that ramp. (CAUTION: 13 ft. 6 in. height restriction)

Anyone that wants to contribute to the recuit firefighters effort in raising funds is encouraged to contact the Fire/EMS Training Academy at 301-856-3410.




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