American Legion Honors PGFD Firefighters and Volunteer EMS 

MEDIA CONTACT: Michael Yourishin, PIO, 240-508-4183

MJYourishin@co.pg.md.us    @PGFDPIO

Retired Battalion Chief Grady Valencis Volunteer EMS Lieutenant Scott Globerman Firefighter Mike Wells

 July 18, 2019 – The American Legion Department of Maryland honored Retired Battalion Chief Grady Valencis, Firefighter Michael Wells, and Volunteer EMS Lieutenant Scott Globerman as “Career Firefighters of the Year” and “Volunteer EMT of the Year”, respectively.  The trio was previously recognized at the District and County levels and now at the State level. 

Retired Battalion Chief Valencis and Firefighter Wells were honored for their outstanding work as past and current Peer Support Team Coordinators for the Prince George’s County Professional Fire Fighters Association (IAFF), Local 1619.  From 2015 to 2016, the Prince George’s County Professional Fire Fighters Association, Local 1619, became all too familiar with tragedy.  Multiple retired members perished in car accidents, a firefighter committed suicide, and an active member was shot and killed in the line of duty.  With another occupational cancer line of duty death on the horizon, Local 1619’s leadership knew the membership was nearing a breaking point.  In 2016, IAFF created a “Peer Support” program, a process for giving and receiving non-clinical assistance to achieve long-term recovery from behavioral health challenges.  Assistance is provided by peer supporters who have what is referred to as “lived experience”.  These individuals are also trained to assist others in initiating and maintaining long-term recovery and enhancing the quality of life for individuals and their families.

Volunteer Lieutenant Globerman, a member of the Laurel Volunteer Rescue Squad, Inc., was honored for his actions on June 13, 2018, when he encountered an adult female standing on a 2x2 piece of cement mounted on the outer edge of a bridge’s guardrail.  The distressed woman was threatening to jump but was eventually persuaded to allow Globerman to help her to safety.  The quick thinking and immediate action displayed by Lieutenant Globerman on the scene of this incident prevented a potentially tragic outcome.   

Fire Chief Benjamin M. Barksdale and the entire Prince George’s County Fire/Emergency Medical Services Department extends a hearty congratulations to Retired Battalion Chief Valencis, Firefighter Wells, and Volunteer EMS Lieutenant Globerman. 

Michael J. Yourishin

Press Information Officer

Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department

9201 Basil Court, Suite 452

Largo, MD 20774

C 240-508-4183

O 301-883-5205

Twitter: PGFD PIO @PGFDNews