At approx. 2349 hours, the rescue local assignment was transmitted for the vehicle accident with one trapped. Rescue Squad 33 and Chief 33A (DFC) responded on the run with six volunteers. Other units on the assignment included Engine Company 37, EMS units, Battalion Chief 1 and Chief 8 (McGill). The original location of the accident was reported as Central Avenue and Ritchie Road. Engine Company 37 arrived within minutes with a corrected location of Ritchie Road and Ashwood Drive. They found a single vehicle collision with the driver trapped. Volunteers from Kentland 33 arrived and immediately began stabilization efforts, as Engine Company 37 performed EMS care and provided a protection handline. Once the vehicle was stabilized, the crew from Rescue Squad 33 began extrication efforts. The driver side door was removed along with the roof to free the trapped occupant. From arriving on the scene until the driver was placed in the care of EMS personnel was 10 minutes. Rescue Squad 33 returned to service within 25 minutes. Chief 33A was assigned as the rescue group supervisor. Chief 8 had the "Ritchie Road" Command.

Just as the 12 volunteers manning Company 33 sat down to eat lunch, the box alarm was filled out at the request of Engine Company 48 (West Lanham Hills VFD #2) for the detached garage on fire at 9308 Annapolis Road. Tower Ladder 33 responded with five volunteers, leaving crews in-quarters for additional responses. Upon arrival, the crew of Tower Ladder 33 placed portable ladders on two-sides, ventilated vertically as well as horizontally and performed searches of the small building. The fire was placed under control in approx. 15 minutes. Command held Engine Companies 48, 30, Truck Company 28 and Tower Ladder 33 to complete overhaul at the under control time. Tower Ladder 33 returned to service at 1420 hours. The Kentland Volunteers responded to an additional three box alarms and two street alarms before the midnight hour.

Today, at 1200 hours, family, friends and fire service members from the metropolitan area gathered at the Evans Funeral Home in Bowie, Maryland to pay their final respects to a life time member of the Kentland Volunteer Fire Department. William "Smitty" Smith, Past President and Chief was honored by a service conducted at the funeral home. This was followed by a persession that proceeded passed Company 33 on its way to his final resting spot in the Fort Lincoln Cemetery (Cottage City, MD). It was truly a great send off for a 47 year long member. The officers and membership of the Kentland Volunteer Fire Department, Incorporated would like to thank all of the individuals that attended the viewing and funeral service. A special thank you also goes out to the Bladensburg Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad, Morningside Fire Department, Hyattsville Volunteer Fire Department, West Lanham Hills Volunteer Fire Department and the Bowie Volunteer Fire Department for the generous donation of fill-in crews and equipment.

It is with the deepest regret, that the Kentland Volunteer Fire Department, Incorporated, Companies 33 and 46 announce the passing of William "Smitty" Smith. It occurred this date in the the afternoon hours. William Smith joined the fire service in 1953 when he obtained membership with the Glenn Dale Fire Association (Prince George's County Company 18). After eight years of active service to that department, he joined the Kentland Volunteer Fire Department on October 11th, 1961. He served a total of 47 years with Kentland and held nearly every rank, both operationally and administratively. He accomplished the milestone of life membership in 1971. Besides serving a lifetime with the Kentland Volunteer Fire Department, he also held various positions in the Prince George's County Fire/Rescue Association. He was appointed as the President of the association during the 2001 term. Another accomplishment was achieved in 2002, when he was inducted into the Prince George's County Fire/Rescue Association Hall of Fame. His son, William Smith, Jr. is currently a member of the West Lanham Hills Volunteer Fire Department, Companies 28 and 48. This year, William Smith, Jr. is the 1st Vice President of the Prince George's County Fire/Rescue Association and will soon be appointed as the President, following in the foot steps of his father. It is a sad day for the Kentland Volunteer Fire Department, Incorporated and we ask that you keep the Smith family in your thoughts and prayers. Information about the services for William "Smitty" Smith will be posted as they become available. OFFICES HELD BY WILLIAM SMITH, SR. WIHIN THE KVFD: Lieutenant, Co. 33 12/1963 to 07/1964 Captain, Co. 33 07/1964 to 12/1964 Deputy Fire Chief, Co. 33 12/1964 to 12/1965 Chief of Department, Co. 33/46 12/1970 to 12/1971 Secretary, Co. 33 12/1994 to 12/1995 Vice President, Co. 33/46 12/1996 to 12/1998 President, Co. 33/46 12/1998 to 12/2000

Around 1700 hours, two Metro (subway) trains traveling on the same rail line collided near the Fort Totten Station in Northeast Washington, D.C. Both trains were occupied by several people, due to the afternoon rush hour. District of Columbia Fire Department personnel responded to the scene within minutes to find numerous people trapped in the wreckage and injured. With a third alarm called to the scene to deal with this catastrophe, units from all surrounding jurisdictions sent resources to either assist with the incident or cover city fire stations. Prior to 1745 hours, Prince George's County Fire Communications notified the Kentland Volunteer Fire Department to transfer Rescue Squad 33 to DCFD Engine Company 6 (1300 New Jersey Avenue, NW). This was the old location of Rescue Squad No. 1 until it was relocated to Engine Company No. 2 in the 1990's. Rescue Squad 33 proceeded to the District with six volunteers, leaving six volunteers back in quarters to protect the Greater Landover, Maryland area. Rescue Squad 33 was one of three squads put into place while the normal compliment of DCFD Rescue Squads worked to extricate and remove victims of the Metro collision. Bethesda/Chevy Chase Rescue Squad 741 covered the upper northwest area of the District. Rescue Squad No. 4 was placed into service by re-called Special Operations firefighters from the D.C. Fire Department. Rescue Squad 33 remained in Washington, D.C. on the transfer until midnight. The collision is documented as the deadliest rail accident in Washington, D.C. history. We ask that everyone keep the deceased and injured in your thoughts and prayers. Collision photo courtesy of WUSA-TV Channel 9 (News)

For the third time in twenty-four hours, Rescue Squad 33 was alerted to the vehicle accident with one trapped. This time with the reporting location as Ardwick-Ardmore Road and Yellow wood Lane. The Rescue arrived at the intersection to find the same as reported. This time a door pop was required to remove the trapped occupant. The crew stabilized the vehicle with the trapped occupant and performed the extrication. This was completed within five minutes and the patient was transported to a local trauma center.

At 1032 hours, units from Kentland 46 and Rescue Squad 33 were alerted for a personnel injury accident at the intersection of Central Avenue (Route 214) and Campus Way North. Rescue Squad 33 responded on this run with five volunteers. Company 46 units arrived a short time after the initial dispatch and reported one patient trapped in a vehicle. Rescue Squad 33 arrived minutes later and began stabilization and extrication efforts. Removal of the driver side door was required to free the trapped patient. This was completed within five minutes and the patient was transported to a local trauma center. This was the second extrication in under twelve hours.

At 2233 hours, Rescue Squad 33, with five volunteers, was special called for the vehicle accident and one person trapped at Kenilworth Avenue and Tilden Street in Bladensburg (Company 9). Rescue Squad 33 arrived within minutes to find Engine And Truck Company 9 providing patient care and a protection handline. The crew from the squad immediately went to work performing stabilization. Once this was completed, extrication efforts began. The passenger side door was completely removed and then a third door conversion was completed to effectively remove the trapped patient. This process took a total of eight minutes. Once complete, patient care was transferred to awaiting EMS personnel. The patient was transported to a local trauma center. Units returned to service shortly there after.

On June 16th the Kentland Volunteers played host to the 3rd annual (since being resurrected from olden days) beach volleyball tournament. The event was held at The Castle in the Sand in Ocean City, Maryland. This year found 14 teams participating in the event and a great time was had by all. The volunteers from LaPlata claimed their 3rd straight first place finish in the tournament. Kentland Volunteers came in second and DCFD’s Engine 26 and Truck 15 “The Farm” finished 3rd in their first appearance at the tournament. Special congratulations to the PG Chicks, who were the first team out of the double elimination tournament, securing their place in Tournament Lour with the infamous “Dead-ass last” award. Monica Sizemore of 4th Chakra Photography was on hand taking pictures of the event as well as team pictures, her pictures can be found at www.4thchakraphotography.com . Thank you to all those that came out for the event and we look forward to a bigger showing next year. Next years event will feature 3 volleyball courts, a live radio feed from the OC Rock station and the girls of Miller Lite, so plan now and get practicing. See you there. Click the attached links to see the rest of the pictures from Monica.

At 0945 hrs the assignment was dispatched for a reported apartment fire at 6429 Pennsylvania Ave in District Heights. First arriving units reported a 3 story garden apartment building with fire showing and immediately requested to strike a second alarm. This brought Rescue Squad 33 with 5 volunteers to the fireground. With fire still in the initial fire building the crew was assigned to the exposure building to perform primary and secondary searches and assist with extinguishing any fire found. With all searches negative the crews assisted where needed for the remainder of the incident.    

In the early morning hours a box alarm was transmitted for a house on fire in the area of Queen Anne Road and Stan Fey Drive in Bowie (43). Initial units found a large 2 story house with fire throughout. After a short time command requested the fire task force. Engine 331 responded leaving an additional crew in quarters. Upon arriving Engine 331 was staged as crews were switching to ladder pipe operations. After a short time the task force units were returned to service and Engine 331 returned to quarters at 03:30 hours.

Four years ago today, the fire service lost a husband, father and friend. But, most of all they lost a teacher, mentor and roll model. Over all they lost a great fireman. Peter B. Lund, retired Lieutenant F.D.N.Y., Past Chief Woodmere (New York) Fire Department and Active Member of the Kentland Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. was killed in the line of duty while operating at a house fire in Long Island, NY. This tragedy sent a shock wave through our family. It has been 1,460 days since Pete left due to his untimely death. He is remembered each and everyday by the members that knew him. What he stood for is also passed on each and everyday to the new members that didn't. The Officers and Membership of the Kentland Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. ask that everyone take a moment today and remember Pete Lund in your thoughts and prayers. We miss you...

The 2009 Kentland Beach Volleyball Tournament will once again be held at the Castle in the Sand Hotel (www.castleinthesand.com) at 37th St. and Coastal Highway on June 16th. The tournament will feature the addition of a special beach bar with $1.75 Miller Lite draft. The patio bar will also be offering other food and drink specials. Spectators are welcomed and encouraged, wrist bands available at the gate. The tournament has also added a second court this year extending onto the Castles private beach access. First games start at 9:00am, the first round will be side-out scoring to 15, with the option of later rounds switching to rally scoring based on time. Come out and join us, its going to be a blast.

First Round Schedule:
Game 1: Grasonville VFD #1 vs. River City Wreckers
Game 2: Huntingtown VFD vs. Dunkirk VFD
Game 3: Kentland #1 vs. Grasonville #2
Game 4: “The Farm” DCFD vs. PG Chicks
Game 5: DCFD Pipes and Drums #1 vs. Dewey Beach Boys
Game 6: DCFD Pipes and Drums #2 vs. Kentland #2
Game 7: Branchville Old School vs. Bye (Open)  
Game 8: LaPlata VFD vs. Bye (Open)

As the morning rush hour was in full swing, the rescue local alarm was transmitted for the motor vehicle accident on westbound U.S. Route 50 (John Hanson Highway) in the area of Ardwick-Ardmore Road. Rescue Squad 33 responded on the run with six volunteers and arrived to find a multi-vehicle accident and one driver trapped. The crew immediately began EMS care, stabilization efforts and then proceeded to remove both driver side doors and the "b"-post. The occupant was removed within five minutes and transported to a local trauma center for evaluation and further care. Rescue Squad 33 returned to Kentland within 20 minutes.

Around 1900 hours, as severe storms moved through the northern part of Prince George's County, Engine 331 was alerted for the house fire at Flintridge Drive and 71st Avenue in Landover Hills. While units were enroute, communications advised of the possibility of two houses being on fire. Initial units checked the area, found nothing and the box alarm was placed in service. Shortly after, while returning to quarters, communications dispatched another box alarm for a reported house on fire at 6808 Randolph Street (also in Landover Hills). With Engine 331 only blocks away, they quickly arrived and reported a fire in a two-story detached home with smoke showing from the front. The crew stretched an attack line as the driver secured a continuous water supply and threw multiple ground ladders. As the engine crew worked to extinguish the fire additional crews began opening up and stretched back up lines as well. The fire was knocked down within 20 minutes and command held Engines Companies 33 and 28, Trucks 28 and 9 for overhaul. Units returned to service in about 2 hours. While Engine 331 operated on Randolph Street, additional units were dispatched to another house fire in the vicinity of the 4800 block of 71st Avenue. Just a few blocks away. This time bringing Rescue Squad 33, which had just returned from a day of practical roof operations on vacant apartments. First arriving units found a fire on the exterior electrical panel that had extended to the interior of the house. The crew from the Rescue Squad were tasked with opening up the interior floors and walls. The crew operated for 45 minutes before returning to service.