Fire/EMS Department....Tis' the Season to Help….

MEDIA CONTACT: Mark E. Brady, Chief Spokesperson, 240-508-7930, mebrady@co.pg.md.us

The men and women; career, civilian and volunteer, of the Prince George’s County Fire/Emergency Medical Services Department have been sharing festive and joyous moments during this Holiday Season with our citizens, residents and visitors.

Fire Fighter/Medic Nicole Hardman has been conducting the “Helping Hearts for Troops” campaign since November by placing collection boxes into Fire/EMS Stations and places of business. Nicole and her helpers, including Fire Fighter/Medic Katie Fisher and a host of other personnel have been collecting items to fill and send holiday care packages to our troops. They will also be preparing and serving dinner to about 70 troops at Fort Meade on December 23, 2010. Upon hearing of the team efforts, Acting Fire Chief Marc S. Bashoor stated, “I commend Nicole Hardman and her team on their efforts to make our troops, spending the holidays away from family and friends to protect our freedom, a bit brighter. I understand that countless hours of work have gone into this effort and I am proud of the team going above and beyond.”

County Executive Baker, Police Lt. Colonel Kevin Davis and
Fire Chief Bashoor greet families at Toys for Tots distribution event.

The Fire/EMS Department participated in the Prince George’s County "Toys for Tots" campaign by serving as collection points at all Fire/EMS Stations and work sites. The Fire/EMS Department “Toys for Tots” program, under the direction of Major Darren Ware, worked with the Prince George’s County Police Department’s Community Services Division and members of the United States Marine Corp Reserves in the collection and distribution of several thousand toys. Each year, the “Toys for Tots” program collects new, unwrapped toys and distributes them as Christmas gifts to children in need during the holiday season.

County Executive Baker gave a hand to the Fire/Rescue Association's
Ladies Auxiliary by handing out snacks and hot beverages.

Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker, III and Acting Fire Chief Bashoor were on hand Saturday morning greeting excited families and handing out coffee, hot chocolate and gifts. The toy distribution event was held on Saturday and Sunday, December 18 and 19, 2010, at the Police Department Headquarters on Barlow Road in Landover. Dozens of members of the County Police Department skillfully handled the logistics of toy distribution and made the daylong event go smoothly.


The Prince George’s County Volunteers Fire and Rescue Association Ladies Auxiliary were on hand each day providing refreshments for recipients and workers.

Acting Fire Chief Bashoor, County Executive Baker
and Public Safety Communication Director
 Char Flaherty fill food baskets at the Bunker Hill Fire/EMS Station.

On Monday, December 20, 2010, County Executive Baker and his public safety team kicked-off the Annual Food Basket distribution program. 3000 food baskets were filled and delivered by the County Executive and members of the Fire/EMS Department, Police Department, Office of the Sheriff, Department of Corrections, Office of Homeland Security and Public Safety Communications. The Bunker Hill Fire/EMS Station #855 on Rhode Island Avenue in Brentwood was the base of operations and hosted this year’s food basket campaign which was coordinated by Bill Milligan.

There is still time to donate to these worthwhile initiatives. For additional information contact the Fire/EMS Department’s Office of Public Information and Community Outreach at 301-883-7154.

County Executive Baker serves up hot chocolate and coffee with Christy Harmon and Uncle Nick Nicholson of the Fire/Rescue Association Auxiliary.

(L to R) Acting Fire Chief Marc Bashoor, County Executive Rushern Baker, Public Safety Communications Director Char Flaherty, Sheriff Melvin High and Acting Police Chief Mark Magaw fill food baskets.

Acting Police Chief Mark Magaw, City of Riverdale Park Police Chief Teresa Chambers, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Brian Moe and Fire/EMS Department Lt. Colonel Angela Peden at food basket event.