The Rookie and Blade the Red-Tailed Hawk
MEDIA CONTACT: Michael Yourishin, PIO, 240-508-4183
Largo, MD – One day before graduating from the Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department Training & Leadership Academy, Probationary Firefighter Michael Gregory made his first rescue. It was only his third shift at his first assignment station when the owner of a juvenile Red-Tailed Hawk named Blade contacted Fire/EMS Station 845/Marlboro for assistance.
The Red-Tailed Hawk is a top predator. They use tall perches to spot their prey in the open spaces. The variety was named for it’s brick-red tail and can be found across all of North America. Male and female red-tailed hawks basically look alike, though the females are larger.
Blade’s tether had become entangled in a tree approximately 18 feet off the ground and the hawk had been stuck in the tree for well over an hour in 90-degree heat. Upon the crew’s arrival on the scene, Firefighter Gregory donned a falconer’s glove, climbed a 16-foot roof ladder, disentangled Blade, and brought him safely to the ground.
When asked about future plans, Firefighter Gregory, or “Hawkeye,” as nicknamed by fellow crewmembers, replied. “For now, I just want to learn as much as I can about the fire service.”
He was joined by Engine 845 crew members Lt. Gerald Beardmore, FF Thomas McDonald, and FF Paramedic Daniel Helsel.
The 32-year-old native Iowan and wife Camille currently reside in Charles County.
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 @PGFDNews
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