In the evening hours, around dusk, the box alarm was transmitted for the vacant house on fire in the area of Mount Oak Road and Nottinghill Lane in Bowie, Maryland. Chief 33 responded on the initial alarm with Engine Company 46 (Kentland VFD No. 2). First arriving units reported a two-story, detached, wood frame house and fire showing on both floors. Command was established by Battalion Chief 2 and Chief 43A as units began extinguishment efforts. Chief 33 arrived on the scene and went to work with the crews. During the incident, Tower Ladder 33 was special called to the scene for assistance. The crew split in half and worked both floors with first alarm Engine Companies. All visible fire was knocked down within 45 minutes and crews worked together to contain several hot spots. The Tower Ladder was used to hydraulically overhaul the home. Volunteers from Kentland 33 returned to service at approx 2219 hours.

These additional photographs are from Captain Steve Gallagher of the Prince George's County Fire Department.

It is with the deepest regret that the Officers and Membership of the Kentland Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. announce the line of duty death of Fire Lieutenant Steven Velasquez and Firefighter Michel Baik. Just after 1530 hours, this date, firefighters from the Bridgeport, Connecticut Fire Department responded to #41 Elmwood Avenue. Upon arrival, crews found fire and smoke showing from two floors. Within several minutes a MAYDAY call was transmitted by Lieutenant Velasquez and Firefighter Baik as they were operating on the top floor of the reported address. On scene crews quickly located and removed them to EMS personnel. Members worked to revive the two, but were unsuccessful. Velasquez and Baik were pronounced dead at a local area hospital. This news hits the Prince George's County Firefighting community extremely hard, as Lieutenant Velasquez started his professional firefighting career with the County Fire Department in 1990 and was assigned to Kentland Volunteer Fire Department, Company 33 for most of his tenure. Many that had the pleasure to work along side Lieutenant Velasquez will now cherish those moments forever. Velasquezs' last assignment in the PGFD was as the career Technician of Company 33. He left in the mid-1990's to pursue his career as a New England fireman. Over the years, several members from the PGFD and Kentland 33 have maintained a close friendship. We ask that everyone keep the Velasquez and Baik families in their hearts, thoughts and prayers. More information will be provided as it becomes available. The posted photos are courtesy of Chief Ricky Riley.

At 1355 hrs the Rescue assignment was dispatched for the inner loop of the Capital Beltway in the area of Route 50 for a report of a multiple vehicle accident with at least one car on fire. Rescue Engine 33 responded on the run with 5 volunteers. Crews arrived to find a accident involving a dump truck that had struck several smaller vehicles and a sewage transport truck. Multiple people were injured in separate vehicles and one car was on fire. Haz-mat was requested for the product leaking from the sewage truck as the crews went to work on the hectic scene. The Rescue Engine split their crew and assisted with the removal of multiple occupants and a vehicle burning along side the other units on the scene. The crews worked for just over 30 min to get all the victims to arriving EMS units and equipment stored. The crew returned to service a short time later.  

At 1233 hrs the rescue assignment was dispatched for the accident with one overturned on Central Avenue in the area of Garrett A Morgan Blvd. First arriving Engine 371 (Ritchie) arrived to find a multi-car accident with one overturned with a victim pinned inside and a second victim trapped in a separate vehicle approx 600 feet down the street. Due to the severity of the wreck and the resources required a second Rescue Squad was requested. Soon after Rescue Squad 33 arrived on the scene with 6 volunteers and went to work. With the amount of work to be done on separate vehicles the crews immediately split and began stabilization efforts on the over turned vehicle. Once this was completed half of the crew conducted a removal both drivers side doors and the B-post to remove the victim. While this was taking place utilizing the preconnected tools off the Rescue Engine, the second half of the crew made their way with the portable hydraulic tools to the other trapped victim. The crew removed the drivers side door of that vehicle to gain EMS crews access to the victim. With all extrication duties completed and both victims removed, the second Rescue Squad was returned to service prior to their arrival. The removed victims were transported by awaiting EMS personnel to area trauma centers and the Rescue Engine gathered their tools and returned to service.    

This morning at 1006 hours, the rescue local alarm was transmitted for the motor vehicle accident with one trapped in the 400 block of Brightseat Road. Units on the alarm consisted of Engine Companies 46, 37, Rescue Engine 33 (as the Squad Company) and several EMS units. Units arrived to find a two-vehicle accident with two patients trapped and/or pinned in one vehicle. The Rescue Engine arrived seconds later, assessed the scene and immediately stabilized the vehicle with the trapped occupants. The first occupant was in the driver seat and was no longer breathing. The crew from Rescue Engine 33 quickly removed the driver side door and "B"-post to rapidly remove him. The pinned occupant (no. 2) was in the rear passenger area underneath the top portion of the driver seat. The crew continued to remove the entire driver side and had to cut the top portion on the driver seat out to gain access. The second occupant was removed and care was transferred to awaiting EMS personnel. The extrication took a total of 12 minutes to complete. Rescue Engine 33 returned to service within 45 minutes. One occupant did perish during the collision.

At 0437 hours, the box alarm was transmitted for the apartment on fire with people trapped at 6503 West Forest Road in Kentland. Engine Company and Mini-Pumper 33 responded on the alarm with seven volunteers. Upon arrival, the Engine Company laid a supply line in and reported a two-story apartment house with fire showing from the top floor rear. The crew stretched the 250-foot pre-connect and made their way to the second floor. After reaching the hallway landing, it was determined that the fire was in apartment 203. Entry was made into the unit and fire was located in the dinning room, kitchen and hallway. All visible fire was quickly extinguished and the back-up personnel searched the main fire apartment for the reported trapped occupant(s). After negative results, the crew started opening up the immediate fire area to check for extension. The fire was declared under control and Command scaled the incident back to Companies 33,9 and 55. Volunteers from Kentland 33 returned to service within two-hours. One Kentland fireman received burns to his knuckles, was treated and released from the Washington Hospital Burn Center within one-hour.

At 2040 hours, the rescue local alarm was transmitted for the motor vehicle accident in the area of Lake Arbor Way and Fairlakes Place in Largo, Maryland. Engine Company No. 46 arrived to find an SUV into a street side pole and one occupant pinned. The OIC requested the full rescue assignment be filled out bringing Rescue Engine 33 with five volunteers. Upon arrival of the Squad Company, the crew immediately began stabilization efforts. Once this was completed, the crew performed a total side wall removal (both doors and the "B"-post) of the driver's side. After this task was accomplished, the crew lifted the dash off of the pinned occupant and then removed him to awaiting EMS personnel. The extrication took 15 minutes to complete. Rescue Engine 33 returned to service within 45 minutes.

Just after to 2200 hours, Prince George's County Fire Communications contacted Kentland Station 33 and advised the members that Tower Ladder 33 was being requested to transfer to District of Columbia Fire Department Truck Company No. 16. The crew of five proceeded to Southeast Washington, D.C. Shortly there after and while en-route to the Irving Place firehouse, the Tower Ladder began to respond on miscellaneous emergencies. At 2258 hours, the Tower Ladder was special called to the fire ground at 1100 Martin Luther King Avenue, S.E. Upon arrival, Command advised Tower Ladder 33 to obtain a position in the front of the building. After completing this task, one of the DCFD Deputy Fire Chiefs was taken via "the bucket" to the roof area. Progress of the fire extinguishment was evaluated and the members stood fast for an additional assignment. Tower Ladder 33 remained on the scene for approx. one-hour before returning to service. The crew returned to Kentland at approx. 0030 hours. All photos are courtesy of retired District of Columbia Fire Department Dispatcher/Supervisor Elliot J. Goodman.

At 2118 hours, the box alarm was transmitted for the house on fire at 917 Hill Road in Highland Park, Maryland. Engine Company 33, due as the 3rd and 4th Engine Companies responded on the run along with Chief 33A. The nine volunteers arrived as the initial units to find smoke showing from a detached home. The wagon crew laid a supply line in, stretched the front bumper pre-connect and found smoke on the first floor. The pumper crew secured the wagons water supply and stretched the 400-foot pre-connect to back-up the wagon crew. Upon further investigation it was found that fire was burning underneath the first floor in the crawl space area. The pumper crew re-directed their line to that location and the wagon crew maintained the first floor. The fire was quickly extinguished and crews spent the next several minutes opening up the fire area. Chief 33A had the "Hill Road" Command and scaled the incident back within 15 minutes and the volunteers from Kentland returned to service within 50 minutes.

Just before 1600 hours, the box alarm was transmitted for the house on fire at 3810 40th Avenue in Bunker Hill, Maryland. First arriving units found a two-story, detached, cape cod style home with fire showing in the rear. Minutes later Engine 33B was transferred to the first due company to cover that area. Upon arriving at Company 55 (Bunker Hill), the 40th Avenue Command special called Engine 33B to the scene. Arriving with four volunteers, the crew was initially assigned the RIT duties. The crew secured an independent water supply, stretched the 400-foot pre-connect and joined-up with Truck Company 12 to complete the RIT group. After approx. 15 minutes, the crew from Kentland 33 was re-deployed to contain hot spots, perform a secondary search of division 1 and assist with overhaul on division 2. The crew worked for approx. two-hours before returning to service. Two additional crews and a dedicated mini-pumper crew were maintained at Company 33 during this incident.

At approx. 0030 hours, the box alarm was transmitted for the house on fire at 5106 70th Place in Landover Hills, MD. The assignment consisted of Engine Companies 30, 28, 9 and 33, Truck Company 9, Tower Ladders 33, 7 and Chief 33 as Battalion Chief 1. Engine Company 30 arrived within minutes to find an apparent working fire in a two-story, semi-detached duplex style home. Engine Company 33 arrived, secured Engine Company 9's supply line and stretched a 400-foot attack line to side "C" and the exposure. Tower Ladder 33 arrived, positioned in the rear of the home, placed several portable ladders and assisted with opening-up on the inside. Chief 33 as Battalion Chief 1 and established the "70th Place" Command. Fire was located in the lower floor, dryer area and extended up through a void space to the upper floor. Within 15 minutes, Command scaled the incident back to the first two Engine Companies and Truck Company 9. Kentland Volunteers returned to service within 45 minutes.

As the Men continued working on improvements to the Firehouse over the busy holiday weekend, the Box alarm was sounded for a reported House Fire at 5613 Duchaine Drive in the Westgate section of Company 28’s first due. Engine Co. 33 and Tower Ladder 33 responded on the run with 10 volunteers as the 3rd due engine and 1st due Special service. First arriving units from West Lanham reported a single story wood frame dwelling with heavy fire from the rear of the structure. Engine Co. 33 took a position a block over and advanced the 400’ 1 ½” attack line through the adjacent yards. The crew extinguished fire that had started on a large rear deck and addition and then advanced to the basement to check for extension. The Tower positioned on side “A” and quickly deployed ground ladders, ventilated horizontally, completed a primary search and controlled utilities while the tower drive and roofman began opening up the roof area as the fire had extended into the attic. Units worked for several hours in 90 degree heat overhauling the rear deck and addition of the Home. Cover photos courtesy Company 28.

This morning, as members were performing apparatus checks, housework and holding "kitchen court" at the sitting room table over a cup of coffee, four Austrian Firemen stopped by Kentland Company 33 for a tour. The men were on their way to visit the "Capitol of the World", New York City and had pre-planned a stop at the Kentland Volunteer Fire Department. After an hour or so visit, our Austrian guests presented the members of Company 33 with a historic Austrian firefighting helmet, circa World War II. Afterward the group proceeded north to start the remainder of their vacation. The Officers and Membership of the Kentland Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. would like to thank our brother firefighters for their generous gift.

At 1600 hours, the box alarm was transmitted for the apartment building on fire at 6513 Landover Road in West Kentland. Engine Company, Mini-Pumper (returning from an additional incident) and Chief 33 responded on the run with a total of ten volunteers. Units from Kentland arrived on the scene with a three-story brick apartment house and smoke showing from the second floor on the "D"-side. Engine Company 33 laid a supply line in, stretched the 250-foot pre-connect and made their way to the fire apartment. Chief 33 established the "Landover Road" Command as the crew from Mini-Pumper 33 began a search with the Engine crew. The OIC of Engine Company 33 quickly located fire in an attached utility area that was extending to the floor above. Engine and Truck Company 9 reported to the rear of the involved building and made their way to the top floor. Crews in that area found that the fire had been stopped and assured no occupants were trapped in that area. Within 15 minutes, Command scaled the incident back to Engine Companies 33, 30 and Truck Company 28. The volunteers from Kentland 33 returned to service in just over an hour.