As units from the District of Columbia arrived on the scene of a one story warehouse with fire throughout at 2144 Queens Chapel Rd. Northeast, they knew they were in for the duration. As 4 alarms sent units from all over the city to the fire ground DCFD command staff was on the phone trying to protect their wide open city. With only one rescue squad covering the entire city and multiple engines on the fireground, something had to be done quickly. Due to the dual service capabilities (rescue squad and engine) of Kentland Rescue Engine 33, the Districts command center placed a call to Prince Georges County for immediate help. Stating the reasons behind the need for this specific unit, (the dual role service, their proximity to the wide open city, the fact that several off duty DC firefighters were already staffing the unit and knew protocols and SOG’s; all reasons that qualified them well beyond the many other PG County Units already being transferred) their request was made. Thinking that the task was taken care of, the DC command staff turned their attention to other matters at hand. Several minutes later they received a call that their request was DENIED. When asked for reasoning behind this, DCFD was advised that Rescue Engine 33 was not due on the run card and if they wanted an engine Prince Georges County would send them an engine, but it wouldn’t be Kentland. This decision baffled the Districts Command Center based on the simple fact that the COG (Council of Governments) agreement with PG County states that when a neighboring jurisdiction makes a request for a specific unit, every effort should be made to ensure that agency receives the unit they requested. This denial sent the DCFD searching for a new solution to a problem they thought they had already solved. This denial of service is believed to be nothing more then a personal attack on Acting Fire Chief Edwin Lehan and in blatant disregard for the wishes and safety of the Nations Capital and its citizens.

Command