MEDIA CONTACT: Mark E. Brady, Chief Spokesperson, 240-508-7930
mebrady@co.pg.md.us @PGFDPIO
The Prince George’s County Fire/Emergency Medical Services
Department and the National Capital Region of the American Red Cross joined
together for a Day of Service. Each
year, Americans across the country come together on the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday
to serve their neighbors and communities.
The MLK Day of Service is a part of United We Serve, the President's national call
to service initiative. It calls for Americans from all walks of life to work
together to provide solutions to our most pressing national problems.
On Monday, January 19, the Prince George’s County Fire/Emergency
Medical Services (EMS) Department joined forces with the American Red Cross –
National Capital Region in a “Day of Service” by installing working smoke
alarms.
The combined resources met at the Oxon Hill Fire/EMS Station and
deployed into the communities of Glassmanor and Forest Heights. Teams
were equipped with fire safety material, working smoke alarms and
batteries.
The American Red Cross set a goal of installing a minimum of 75
smoke alarms over four hours of service.
There were over 60 members in attendance that far exceeded the
goal. Nearly 70 homes were visited by 8
teams that installed 93 working smoke alarms. Additionally, 37 smoke and carbon
monoxide alarms were rejuvenated with fresh batteries.
Prince George’s County Fire Chief Marc S. Bashoor opened up the
event thanking the Red Cross that is on the scene of just about every fire the
Department battles. He quoted Doctor Martin Luther
King Jr., “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for
others?’” “We may have all come on
different ships, but we’re in the same boat now.” “All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity
and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence. Whatever your life’s work is, do it
well.” “A man should do his job so well
that the living, the dead, and the unborn could do it no better.”
“The time
is always right, to do what is right.”
“The first
question which the priest and the Levite asked was: ‘If I stop to help this
man, what will happen to me?’ But the Good
Samaritan reversed the question and said: ‘If I do not stop to help this man,
what will happen to him?’”
The
National Capital Region CEO Linda Mathes and COO Geoff Delizzio also spoke
thanking and urging participants to enjoy themselves and smile throughout the
day.
Patrick M. Campbell
Disaster Program Specialist, Disaster
Services, National Capital Region Red Cross coordinated the effort and promised
additional similar efforts in combining the two agencies.
All images provided courtesy of PGFD PIO Mark E. Brady
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