Greenbelt Student Wins Exit Drill Poster Contest

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

mebrady@co.pg.md.us     @PGFDPIO

The Prince George’s County Fire/Emergency Medical Services Department partnered with The Prince George’sSentinel Newspaper and the Maryland National Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) First Tee Program in a fire prevention poster contest.  October is the month we typically recognize as fire prevention month and elementary school students were challenged to design the best exit drill in the home (E.D.I.T.H.).  The plan had to include 2 exits out of every room in the house and a safe place to meet outside.  The E.D.I.T.H. should be practiced in conjunction with a “press to test” smoke alarm so home occupants know what a smoke alarm sounds like.

The Department received dozens of entries which were judged on craftsmanship, easy to understand and meeting the criteria of 2 ways out of every room.

This year’s winner is Jordan Mangino, 10-years-old, of Greenbelt.  Jordan, a 4^th grade student at Greenbelt Elementary School said he thought long and hard about the project and took about an hour to complete.  His father, Brian, is a Prince George’s County Firefighter and watched his son think about the project, consider exits and start working.  Brian said he did not help but mom provided some hints about the second means of egress.

Jordan will now have his picture and E.D.I.T.H. published in an upcoming issue of The Sentinel Newspaper.  He also received a 1-year membership in the First Tee Program provided from M-NCPPC.  Mark Weiss oversees the County First Tee Program and presented Jordan with an award certificate.  Jordan does not currently golf but is looking forward to learning.  The First Tee of Prince George’s County offers golf programs and instruction, which focus on developing life skills using the game as its vehicle. The First Tee of Prince George’s Chapter was established in 2001 and is operated by the 
M-NCPPC and the Department of Parks and Recreation. This award is provided courtesy of the Chapter at the Paint Branch Golf Complex in College Park.

Congratulations to Jordan Mangino and everyone that participated in the contest.  We encourage all families to install 10-year smoke alarms on every level of your home, in hallways outside of sleeping areas and in your bedroom.  Remember to sleep with your bedroom door closed.

If you need a working smoke alarm installed in your home call 311.  A firefighter will come by your house and install a working smoke alarm, free of charge.  The homeowner will be responsible to comply with county law by installing the additional alarms.

If your family needs assistance in planning an E.D.I.T.H. and learn how to survive a burning house, call our Community Risk Reduction and Outreach office at 301-883-5250.

(L to R) Sentinel Newspaper Operating Manager Shawn McFarland, Fire Lt. Robert Mutchler, Firefighter Brian Mangino, Jordan Mangino, Fire Chief Marc Bashoor, Firefighter James Porter and First Tee Manager Mark Weiss

Mark Weiss presents contest winner Jordan Mangino with a 1-year membership to the First Tee Program as a proud father and firefighter watch.

The award ceremony was held at the Greenbelt Elementary School where Jordan is a 4th grader.