As the Kentland Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. does every month of the year, a crew went to put on a public safety display on for the younger population of the Greater Landover Area. At 1030 hours, Mini-Pumper 33 was on display, as were numerous pieces of fire department equipment. Fireman Brian Stolle gave the large group insight on the operations of their local firehouse and demonstrated the use of the displayed equipment. Teachers and students alike were very impressed and look forward to our next visit.

Each year the Kentland Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. has assisted the Cintas Corporation with fire safety training. The department also puts on a fire extinguisher safety course annually. This week Tower Ladder 33 and Chief 33 went to the Brightseat Road location and put on a class for a total of 12 employees. Each employee was versed in the proper handling and usage.

In the morning hours, volunteers from Kentland VFD Company 33 hosted a group of young future firefighters from the Kettering/Largo area. The group learned the different operations of a fire station, as well as numerous fire safety tips. Before leaving, after their one-hour visit, the group posed in front of their favorite fire truck, Tower Ladder 33.

Doyle Printing, a family run business since 1926, provided Kentland with full color professionally printed programs for their 2009 installation banquet. When we contacted Doyle they responded without hesitation and quickly saw the project through. The Officers and Members would like to thank the entire team at Doyle for all of their hard work on the programs and helping us make the 2009 Banquet a success. Use the link provided to see how Doyle Printing can help you with your printing needs.

Vice President Burns presents J.B Jenkins Funeral Home with a certificate of appreciation for their continued support of the Kentland Volunteer Fire Department. 

Traditionally the month of October is coined as fire prevention month. This year, as every year, the Kentland Volunteer Fire Department was out in force performing numerous public education/fire safety talks. Coupled with the busy daily life of a Station 33 volunteer, the members stepped up to the plate to inform children and adults alike at various schools, daycares and private installations (church schools, etc.).

Besides the usual flow of youth traffic to Station 33's front ramp on halloween night, two future firefighters and their parents stopped by to visit with the Kentland Volunteers while they were eating dinner. Both were dressed in firefighter costumes. The kids got the full fire truck tour and asked questions before heading off to a fun filled night of trick or treating.

At 1900 hours, the local troop of the Girl Scouts of America did a station visit. The troop was greeted by Kentland VFD Chief Tony Kelleher and then given a one-hour tour. The tour included a demonstration of our turnout gear and SCBA, as well as the apparatus, kitchen and sitting room area. The group and their parents also asked many questions on how the Kentland Volunteer Fire Department operates, is funded and able to keep-up with the day-to-day workload. The night ended with a group photo that was sent to the national office for the Girl Scouts of America.

At 1500 hours, Tower Ladder 33 and the Mini-Pumper proceeded to the 1700 block of Brightseat Road. Today volunteers assisted the Cintas Corporation (Uniforms, etc.) with training their personnel on the use of portable fire extinguishers. The volunteers trained approx. 20 individuals. The Kentland Volunteer Fire Department has assisted the Cintas Corp. numerous times before on their safety day and worker appreciation day.

At 1800 hours, 22 Kentland Volunteers took to the local streets for the National Night Out against crime. Engine 331, Engine 332, Mini-Pumper 33, Chief 33, Chief 33A and various administrative staff went to local gatherings to give support to the community we serve. Half of the crew went to the Columbia Park/Kentland Recreational Center at 2411 Pinebrook Avenue and the other half went to the City of Glenarden Municipal Center. Volunteers handed out fire/life safety literature, gave numerous children fire apparatus tours and spoke with community leaders. Food was also made available at both sites for the attendees. Members of the Kentland Volunteer Fire Department were at these locations until the events ended at 2100 hours. This is the third year our department has had the pleasure of attending.

Tower Ladder 33 was on hand at the Kenmore Middle School to assist the NavSea Patriot Group’s Science Camp. With funding from the United States Navy, a group of accomplished Rocket Scientists work hand and hand with inner city schools and students with a desire to learn. The students were tasked with creating a protective housing to protect an egg dropped from increasing heights of 20, 40 and 60 feet. This is where the Volunteers from Kentland come in. Utilizing the Tower Ladder, 5 groups of students all tested their inventive ideas from various heights. The ideas ranged from using paper-towels as parachutes to eggs wrapped in bubble wrap. Only one group survived all the tested heights and the Volunteers obliged one more request, taking the winning project to the maximum height of 75 feet, which the egg also survived. After 3 hours and many broken eggs, a winner was crowned and the tower returned home.

The Volunteers from Kentland got to take part in an annual career day event at Kenmore Middle School. Kentland members spoke with students about the many duties of a Volunteer from cleaning and training to EMS and Fire Calls. Students got a demonstration on personal protective gear and the many tools on Tower Ladder 33. Many students commented on how the presentation was their favorite of the day.