Firefighters Perform Compassionate Rescue of Seagull


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

Prince George’s County Firefighter/Medics performed an act of compassion Monday evening that resulted in the saving of a bird and relieved anxiety of several residents that witnessed the bird in distress. This task by professionals trained in technical rescues also prevented a rescue attempt by concerned on-lookers that could have ended in tragedy.

On August 26, 2013, just after 7:30 pm, an engine from the Accokeek Fire/EMS Station and Prince George's County Fire Boat Lawrence Woltz were dispatched to 13300 block of Fort Washington Road in Fort Washington to assist an Animal Control Officer with the recovery of a seagull entrapped in fishing line attached to a piece of driftwood approximately 40 feet off the shoreline of the Fort Washington Park Lighthouse 

Upon arrival the crew of Fireboat 858 (Fire Captain McCormick, Fire Technician Bell, Fire Fighter/Medic Bowman and Fire Fighter/Medic James) found the seagull tightly wound in the fishing line attached to the floating driftwood. As the driftwood was stabilized the crew worked to delicately cut away the fishing line wrapped around birds head, wings, and feet.

The seagull was freed and recovered at approximately 8:15 hours and taken to Fort Washington Marina to awaiting Animal Control Officers who assumed care for the bird.  The bird was taken the bird to a nearby bird sanctuary on Dyson Rd. in Brandywine, MD. 

This was not the first animal rescue this crew was involved in.  In June of this year these four crew members rescued a kitten that had become trapped inside the walls of a house.

Images are courtesy of the Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department.
























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