County Executive Rushern L. Baker, III Participates in International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) Local 1619 “Fire Ops 101”
County Executive, Lt. Governor, and County Council Members
participate in hands-on fire drills
College Park, MD – Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker, III was joined by Lt. Governor Anthony Brown, County Council Vice Chair Eric Olson , Council Members Mel Franklin, Andrea Harrison, Mary Lehman, and Karen Toles, and Prince George’s Fire/EMS Department Acting Chief Marc Bashoor at the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) Local 1619 inaugural “Fire Ops 101.” Conducted at the University of Maryland Fire Rescue Institute, participants conducted hands-on drills and watched scenarios to better understand the physical and mental challenges of being a fire fighter and paramedic.
“I am used to putting out fires every day, just not so literally,” said Baker. “I want to thank IAFF 1619 for putting together a wonderful event that made every participant realize the sacrifice our heroes in the Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department undertake on behalf of our safety every day.”
This was the first year that IAFF Local 1619 has conducted “Fire Ops 101.” Joined by members of the media and staff from the County Executive Office, County Council and federal delegation, participants engaged in drills consisting of putting out a fire with a hose, an indoor live burn exercise where participants breathed through oxygen tanks in room that reached in excess of 500 degrees, as well as a training maze. Additionally members of the Prince George’s County Professional Firefighters and Paramedics Association (IAFF 1619) conducted EMS and fire response scenarios.
“Getting a sense of the demanding daily life of fire fighter and paramedic is critical for both the media and elected officials to understand,” said Acting Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department Chief Marc Bashoor. “Our men and women in the Fire/EMS Department work hard every day to keep our residents safe, they are very appreciative of those who took the time out of their busy schedules today to better understand their responsibilities.”
“We are so pleased that our County Executive, our Lt. Governor, and County Council stood on front lines with us today to learn and understand the issues that are affecting the fire and rescue service,” said Andrew Pantelis, President, Prince George’s County Professional Firefighters and Paramedic Association, “Their participation in these intense drills demonstrates their commitment in making Prince George’s County a safer place for their constituents.”
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