The Rookie and Blade the Red-Tailed Hawk  
MEDIA CONTACT: Michael YourishinPIO, 240-508-4183 
MJYourishin@co.pg.md.us     @PGFDNews 
  

 

Largo, MD – One day before graduating from the Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department Training & Leadership Academy, Probationary Firefighter Michael Gregory made his first rescue.  It was only his third shift at his first assignment station when the owner of a juvenile Red-Tailed Hawk named Blade contacted Fire/EMS Station 845/Marlboro for assistance.  

The Red-Tailed Hawk is a top predator. They use tall perches to spot their prey in the open spaces. The variety was named for it’s brick-red tail and can be found across all of North America. Male and female red-tailed hawks basically look alike, though the females are larger. 

Blade’s tether had become entangled in a tree approximately 18 feet off the ground and the hawk had been stuck in the tree for well over an hour in 90-degree heat.  Upon the crew’s arrival on the scene, Firefighter Gregory donned a falconer’s glove, climbed a 16-foot roof ladder, disentangled Blade, and brought him safely to the ground.   

When asked about future plans, Firefighter Gregory, or “Hawkeye,” as nicknamed by fellow crewmembers, replied. “For now, I just want to learn as much as I can about the fire service.” 

He was joined by Engine 845 crew members Lt. Gerald Beardmore, FF Thomas McDonald, and FF Paramedic Daniel Helsel. 

The 32-year-old native Iowan and wife Camille currently reside in Charles County.  
  
Michael J. Yourishin 
Press Information Officer 
Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department 
9201 Basil Court, Suite 452 
Largo, MD 20774 
C 240-508-4183 
O 301-883-5205 
Twitter @PGFDNews 

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