MEDIA CONTACT: Mark E. Brady, Chief Spokesperson, 240-508-7930
MEBrady@co.pg.md.us @PGFDPIO
Nine Prince George's County Firefighters were recognized today for their efforts in rescuing occupants trapped in their burning Fort Washington apartment building. Prince George's County Fire Chief Benjamin M. Barksdale presented Emergency Services awards during a ceremony at the Allentown Road Fire/EMS Station.
Assistant Fire Chief Tony Hughes had requested the crews receive the recognition after hearing of their heroic efforts.
On Sunday, April 2, 2017 at around 8:30 am, firefighters from Oxon Hill Station 821 and Allentown Road Station 832 were part of a multi-unit box assignment that responded
to a 2-alarm fire on Corning Avenue in Oxon Hill.
The crew onboard Truck 821 was the first to
arrive and reported that citizens were jumping from balconies. Lieutenant Smart positioned the apparatus at
the front of the structure and split his crew.
Fire Fighter Parker was sent to the rear to throw a 24-foot extension
ladder while Fire Technician Abbott placed ladders at the front of the
dwelling. Due to numerous calls advising
of people trapped and several obvious rescues, Lieutenant Smart and Fire
Fighter Johnson entered the structure without the protection of a hose
line. Despite encountering significant
fire that had already extended through the roof, the pair began aggressively
searching the floor of origin.
Truck
832 arrived shortly thereafter and positioned at the rear of the structure,
where Lieutenant Burton observed an occupant trapped in a second floor
apartment. Recognizing the urgency of
the situation, he instructed Fire Fighters Kershaw and Lysy to place and extend
a 28-foot extension ladder next to Truck 821’s ladder. Fire Fighter Parker had already reached the
female victim but was unable to remove her by himself. He was, however, able to calm and reassure
the frantic woman while Fire Fighter Holbert quickly ascended 832’s ladder to assist
him. Captain Williams and Fire Fighter
Kershaw heeled the ladders while Lieutenant Burton, and Fire Fighters Holbert,
Lysy, and Parker used the side-by-side ladder technique to remove the patient.
The quick
thinking and immediate action of everyone on the scene of this incident are
commendable and worthy of recognition.
Their heroic efforts and ability to work as a cohesive unit are directly
responsible for preventing a potentially tragic outcome.
Therefore, on Monday, June 26, 2017 Fire Chief Barksdale, Assistant Fire Chief Hughes and Battalion Chief Donny Fletcher presented Emergency Services Awards to the following…
Fire Fighter/Medic Lieutenant Christopher Smart
Fire Lieutenant Jeffrey
Burton
Fire Fighter/Medic Captain
Scot Williams
Fire Fighter/Medic Technician
Christopher Abbott
Fire Fighter Antwan Holbert
Fire Fighter Marquet Johnson
Fire Fighter Mathew Kershaw
Fire Fighter Brian Lysy
Fire Fighter Jason Parker
…are
hereby awarded a Fire/EMS Department Emergency Services Award. Your actions reflect well on you personally
and professionally and exemplify the excellent caliber of service we strive to
provide at all times and in every circumstance.
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