MEDIA CONTACT: Mark E. Brady. Chief Spokesperson, 240-508-7930
mebrady@co.pg.md.us @PGFDPIO
The
Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department continues to receive deliveries,
implementing a strategic apparatus replacement program. The most recent
arrivals include 12 ambulance/paramedic transport units to be distributed to
various stations around the County. These transport units are part of the
3rd year receipts, out of the overall ten year strategic plan
for all county-owned apparatus replacement.
Since
2011, the Department has now added 36 ambulances, with an additional 13
ambulances now on order, programmed for calendar year 2016 delivery. The
replacement of these 49 units amounts to approximately ½ of the existing
County’s ambulance fleet. The strategic plan seeks to continue replacing
ambulances at the rate of 15 per year. The cost of a new ambulance/medic
transport unit is approximately $230,000 each.
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In
addition to the 36 ambulances received, the PGFD has added/replaced nine (9)
engines, three (3) ladder trucks, one (1) heavy-duty rescue squad, and has
replaced the majority of the command vehicle fleet. In addition to the 13
ambulances on order, there is one (1) tower-ladder, one (1) hazardous materials
squad, one (1) rehabilitation unit, and one (1) rehabilitation support unit on
order with delivery expected on all units in calendar year 2016. In
addition to the County apparatus, Volunteer Fire Company Corporations continue
to replace volunteer-owned apparatus through fundraising and with State funds
administered through the Fire Commission. During the same time frame Volunteer
Corporations have replaced nine (9) engines, one (1) ladder truck, one (1)
tower-ladder, 1 engine-tanker, 1 rescue squad and 10 ambulances.
Two (2) additional engines and 1 additional ambulance are on order.
In
2011, Fire Chief Marc Bashoor presented County Executive Rushern Baker and the
County Council with a proposal to not only replace aging County-owned
apparatus, but to also resolve long-term purchase decisions keeping the
fleet in a continuous state of readiness. The plan included a “branding”
change from white to red equipment with the new Department motto “Safety First,
Everyone Goes Home”, and the ‘marking’ of all new administrator and Chiefs
vehicles. County Executive Baker remarked, “Public Safety is and has been
a cornerstone of this administration. The men and women of
the Fire/EMS Department, who put themselves in harms way and risk their lives
to save others every day, deserve the best and most effective firefighting and
medical transport equipment we are able to purchase. I am proud of the
progress we have made to provide our firefighters and paramedics with state of
the art equipment.”
Chief
Bashoor said, “I am thankful to the County Executive Baker, the Office of
Management and Budget staff, and to the County Council for ensuring our
strategic plan could come to fruition. Without all of their support, this
would not have been possible. I look forward to continuing to fulfill the
strategic plan, placing the Department on level footing for years to come.”
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