Newsletter

Thursday, July 17, 2008  Just after midnight units were alerted for a reported laundry room on fire at 8623 Annapolis Road. Engine 332 and Tower Ladder 33 responded with 12 volunteers on the run. Engine 281 (West Lanham) arrived on the scene to find a three story garden style apartment with smoke showing and a large crowd out front. Tower 33 arrived as the first due special service and went to work as Engine 332 laid out and prepared to run a back-up line. Engine 281 located a fire in the basement involving a large volume of electrical meters and quickly relayed that fact, the fire could only be contained until the power could be shut off. With a now large volume of smoke filling the apartment building and exposures, the Tower Ladder crew split into an exterior and interior team. The interior crew was met with zero visibility and conducted a rapid primary on all floors. The crew forced entry and assisted 2 occupants from a second floor apartment, a third patient was removed from the third floor via the interior stairs with the aid of a member of Kentland’s air mask. As this was taking place the exterior crew placed multiple ladders to the second and third floors, and the roof. All victims removed were treated by EMS crews and recovered from any injuries. In keeping with the deepest traditions of the Kentland Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. Engine Company 33, Ladder Company 33 and the members that were present are awarded a unit citation.

Engine 332- Peter Johnson, Tyrome Bodrick, John Moser, Henrick Patterson, Eric Martinez, Chris Kordek

Tower Ladder 33- Joe Brown, Scott Sturmer, Tim Moore, Matt Hall, Oleg Pelekhaty

Sunday, December 2, 2007  As the Redskins game came to an end and the rain began to fall, the Volunteers at Kentland knew they would be in for a long night. At 2015 hrs the 20th run of the day came in, this time for a reported accident with one overturned and possibly an occupant trapped at the intersection of MLK and Glenarden Parkway. Rescue Engine 33 and Engine 331 responded with 8 volunteers as a 3rd crew remained in quarters. Company 33 arrived on the scene to find a single car that had left the roadway, struck a tree in mid air and came to rest on its roof in the parking lot of the Glenarden Community Center, the driver was found pinned underneath the cars B-post. MLK command was quickly established as the volunteers went to work stabilizing the vehicle, preparing to lift and staging hydraulic tools. A backup line was pulled and charged as the members removed the passenger side rear door. Once the vehicle was stabilized, the air bags were filled, raising the vehicle from the pinned victim. Volunteers immediately removed the victim and began immobilization procedures. A pulse was located and the patient was transferred to EMS units just arriving on the scene. Through decisive action and precise teamwork, the extrication took less then five minutes to complete. Because of these actions performed by the members of this great department, the patient lived. In keeping with the deepest traditions of the Kentland Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. Engine Company, Rescue Company 33 and the members that are present are awarded a unit citation.

Engine 331- Patrick Mann, Anthony Kelleher, Peter Johnson

Rescue Engine 33- Joe Brown, John Burns, Chris Rutter, Matt Hall

Wednesday, May 30, 2007  At approx. 0005 hours, multiple 9-1-1 calls began pouring into the Prince George's County Fire Communications Center reporting an apartment building on fire at 7109 Donnell Place in Forestville. First arriving units found multiple apartments on fire with extension to rear balconies and the roof. Almost immediately a second and third alarm was transmitted. Tower Ladder 33 arrived in the initial stages of the incident with six volunteers. With the situation at hand and fire spreading quickly there was an urgent need to get the Tower Ladder in place to stop fire spread. With first alarm units taking-up most of the roadway leading up to the building involved it was necessary to remove wooden fences, bushes, brick walls and everything else that would hamper the Tower Ladder gaining a supreme position. The obstacles were removed rather quickly and the Tower Ladder proceeded down a sidewalk, over a stairwell and down a grass embankment to reach the desired position in which to operate. About the time that Tower Ladder 33 had reached their goal Engine 331 arrived and began stretching 3-inch supply lines for a water supply to the Tower Ladders "Stang" gun. With the assistance of volunteers from Engine 331 and the Tower Ladder this was complete in just a couple of minutes. Once the supply lines were charged the Tower Ladder went to work putting a knock on the four floors of fire. As this was being accomplished members noted a mayday had been called for a PGFD firefighter from Company 27. One member, Fireman Brian Stolle, assisted interior crews with removing the trapped and out of air firefighter to safety. The crews of Tower Ladder 33 and Engine 331 assisted members from Morningside and Fireman Stolle with removing the firefighter from beside the building to the front of Tower Ladder 33 where EMS care was provided until the Paramedics from Medic 25 arrived. Paramedics began treatment and the injured firefighter was transported via helicopter to a nearby burn facility. Once a majority of the fire was being contained the crews from 33 as well as Companies 26, 17, 9, 27, etc. went to work in the exposure portion of the building. Crews encountered a few rooms off and multiple hot spots. Every ladder from the Tower Ladder was placed in-service also. In all Engine 331 operated until approx 0500 hours and Tower Ladder 33 did not return to full service until 1500 hours that after noon (14 hours later). In keeping with the deepest traditions of the Kentland Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. Engine Company, Ladder Company 33 and the members that were present are awarded a unit citation.

Engine 331- Anthony Veith, Anthony Rhode, Brian Stolle, Adam Brown, Peter Johnson, Matt Despose

Tower Ladder 33- Anthony Kelleher, Tyrome Bodrick, Nick Romanchick, Matt Hall, Joe Brown, Tristan O’brian

Tuesday, May 22, 2007  At 2256 hours, numerous 9-1-1 phone calls began pouring into fire communications advising that a building was on fire at the intersection of West Forest Road and Vermont Avenue. Engine 331, Engine 332, Tower Ladder 33 and Chief 33 with 14 volunteers responded toward the reported location. Chief 33 arrived in the area first with smoke issuing from the rear of an apartment house. At that time a corrected address of 6807 West Forest Road was now being reported. Chief 33 confirmed the corrected address and reported fire showing from the first floor side-D and people trapped on the third floor. Engine 331 quickly arrived and stretched the 250-foot preconnect to the front doorway of the involved apartment. Meanwhile Tower Ladder 33 sprung into action taking out a security fence and placing ground ladders to the third floor. Squadsman Nicholas Romanchick scaled one of the ladders to a third floor apartment and removed one adult and two children from their smoke filled apartment. The three citizens were evaluated by Kentland and Bladensburg Volunteers before being treated by other EMS personnel. Engine 332 stretched a line to the floor above and checked for extension. After the removal of the occupants from the third floor all searches proved negative. The fire was quickly knocked down and contained to the apartment of origin. While Chief 33 made sure that the rescued occupants were ok after a medical check-up the mother and children gave their account of the frantic times they faced during the initial stages of the apartment fire. The rescued mother stated that she heard the fire alarm and tried exiting via the interior stairwell. As she opened her apartment door a large amount of smoke came rolling in causing her to gasp for air. She located her two beloved children and made their way to a bedroom window. She stated that "she was so glad to see the firemen". As Squadsman Romanchick scaled the ladder, she (the mother) literally threw her one child down to his arms. The mother and children expressed their sincere thanks to the Kentland Volunteers. In keeping with the deepest traditions of the Kentland Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. Engine Company, Ladder Company 33 and the members that were present are awarded a unit citation.

Engine 331- Edward Smith, Patrick Mann, Peter Johnson, Matt Hall

Engine 332- Matt Despos, Anthony Rhode, Tristan O’brian, James Rixner

Tower Ladder 33- Anthony Veith, Chad Rogers, Chris Slutman, Scott Sturmer, Nick Romanchick

Sunday, January 14, 2007  As volunteers were picking-up from an accident on Hill Road in Seat Pleasant, MD, another rescue assignment was transmitted for the 1800 block of Sansbury Road (in Ritchie) for the vehicle accident with one pinned. The original assignment on the run was Engine 371, Rescue Squad 27, Battalion Chief 3 and EMS units. Due to Rescue Engine 33 clearing the previous accident they were now also added to the run. Engine 371 arrived on location first, reporting that a two year old child was pinned between the pavement and the passenger side of the overturned vehicle. Rescue Engine 33 arrived quickly behind them and members went to work. The crew from Rescue Engine 33 utilized the para-tech shores for the undercarriage of the vehicle and the Hurst air bag system for the removal of the child. Meanwhile Rescue Squad 27 cribbed the top side of the vehicle. Once all stabilization was in place, Rescue Engine 33's crew began to lift the vehicle from a top the child as they valiantly attempted to maintain an airway. As the lifting was being done Rescue Squad 27 continued to crib the void area. From the arrival of Rescue Engine from Kentland to the removal of the child was a total of four minutes. The child survived its injuries and made a full recovery. In keeping with the deepest traditions of the Kentland Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. Rescue Company 33 and the members that were present are awarded a unit citation.

Rescue Engine 33- Daniel Syme, Anthony Rhode, Arno Buescher, Tyrone Savage

Tuesday, August 8, 2006  At 1041 hours, fire communications transmitted box alarm 33-21 reporting an apartment fire at 2906 Brightseat Road. This would turn out to be the second working apartment fire in this complex in four days. Engine 331 and Tower Ladder 33 responded on the run with 9 volunteers. As the company made their way up Landover Road toward the box, fire communications was now reporting people trapped. Engine 331 (OIC Rhode) arrived and took their own hydrant adjacent to the building. As the crew advanced their attack line into the building, it was noticed that a terrace level apartment was on fire. The Tower Ladder arrived just seconds behind the engine company. Fireman Joe Brown, riding as the OIC on Tower Ladder 33, started to make his way into the common stairwell. He also was wearing a helmet camera that was recording his every move. As Brown came to the fire apartment door, crew members rapidly forced entry. At this time heavy smoke began issuing from the doorway. Sergeant Rhode, Firemen Brown and Chris Floyd began rapidly searching the apartment looking for the reported trapped occupant. Fireman Brown was the first to locate an unconscious elderly male. Brown removed him to the apartment entrance, where Sergeant Rhode and Fireman Floyd assisted in the final portion of the removal. As this rescue was taking place, the engine men began containing the main body of fire located in the bedroom area. The elderly male was treated in the front yard and then passed off to paramedics that arrived on the scene. For these and all actions performed by Kentland Volunteers at this incident they are commended.

 Engine 331- Anthony Veith, Anthony Rhode, Adam Brown, Josh Burchick

Tower Ladder 33- Robert Marshall, Joe Brown, Chris Floyd, Nick Romanchick, Chris Rutter

Tuesday, June 27, 2006  At 1117 hours, 9-1-1 calls started to pour in at fire communications. Reporting an apartment on fire at 2340 Vermont Avenue, in Kentland. One of the reports stated that people were trapped in the fire apartment. Seconds later, box alarm 33-03 was transmitted bringing Kentland Volunteers and members from surrounding departments. Within two-minutes, Engine 332 arrived and reported having a two-story brick apartment house with nothing evident. The driver began to secure his own water supply as the crew stretched the 400-foot pre-connect from the rear hose bed area. As volunteers advanced toward the front door of the building, it was noticed that a number of maintenance workers were trying valiantly to gain entry into the stairwell. As the men arrived at the front door, black smoke was seen down to the floor. The officer in-charge of Engine 332 notified the wagon driver and communications of a working fire. Transmitting the Kentland "holding all units". As volunteers proceeded into the common stairwell, they were forced to place their SCBA in-service due to the amount of smoke. Volunteers searched for a short time to locate the actual fire apartment. Once it was located, the layout man (Brown) forced entry. After entry was made, the lineman, officer and back-up man advanced in. As they did so, Firefighter Joe Brown began a search of the apartment for victims. After a short time, he found an unconscious female in the living room area. As volunteers began to extinguish the main body of fire, Brown removed the female to the front courtyard. While removing her, it was also noticed that numerous kids toys and bikes were in the apartment. Realizing this, Firefighter Brown handed off care of the female to another member from Company 33 and other uncommitted firefighters. Brown then proceeded back into the building to continue the search that he started. The results were negative. On scene paramedics were able to regain stable vital signs for the female and she was transported to a local area hospital. Because of the swift actions performed by the Kentland Volunteers aboard Engine 332 this day the female has since recovered from her injuries.

Engine 332: Capt Anthony Veith, FF Tyrome Bodrick, FF Adam Brown, FF Joe Brown

Wednesday, May 17, 2006  At 2253 hours, the alarm came in to Station 33. Reporting an auto accident, on John Hanson Highway (Route 50) at Landover Road with one pinned underneath. Engine 332, Rescue Squad 33 and Chief 33A (Kelleher) responded on the run. It took units from Kentland approx. four minutes to locate the accident. Upon further investigation by Captain Dan Syme of the Rescue Squad, it was found that the driver of the overturned auto was pinned completely under the hood, windshield and A-post area. It was also found that the victim had a strong pulse. A plan was immediately put into place, to utilize the air bags to lift the vehicle from the pinned subject. As this was set up using the paratech air shores, various cribbing and several tie backs, EMS personnel started to do their best to stabilize the pinned mans airway. Once all stabilization was in place, the vehicle was slowly lifted and the man removed to awaiting medics from Company 30. In all, the removal, even though done carefully, took less than 10 minutes to complete. It is truly amazing that the pinned male is still alive at this time. This was only possible due to the quick and technical planning by the volunteers aboard Kentland VFD apparatus. The man is alive today and has made a full recovery since.

Engine 332- Patrick Mann, Rych Pullen, James Rixner

Rescue Squad 33- Dan Syme, Chad Rogers, Adam Brown, Joe Brown Nick Romanchick

Chief Officer- Anthony Kelleher, Chief 33A

Monday, November 7, 2005  In the early morning hours of November 7th, 2005 units responded to the intersection of Fairwood Road and Cooper Road for a house on fire. Upon arrival, heavy fire conditions were noted coming from the front of the house. A severely burned citizen was found on the front lawn of the house as bystanders reported that one child was still trapped inside and was unable to get out. As members of Engine 331 advanced a line on the fire, Firefighter Joe Brown made his way past the main body of fire and located the child in the rear bedroom. Firefighter Brown’s exit was now cut off by advancing fire. Lt. Carpenter and Firefighter Gee quickly placed a ground ladder to the bedroom window and assisted Firefighter Brown and the unconscious child down. Resuscitation efforts were initiated and the child survived his injuries. For exemplary teamwork and bravery, these members are hereby awarded this unit citation.

Tower Ladder 33 Lt James Carpenter, FF Joe Brown, Lt Roger Steger, FF Chris Gee.

Engine 331 Asst. Chief Rych Pullen, Lt Dan Syme, Tech Jerry Engle, FF Scott Sturmer.

Rescue Engine 33 FF Pat Mann, FF Gaetano Leone, FF Chad Rogers, FF Nick Romanchick.

Chief 33 Chief Mike Mattison

Friday, May 27, 2005  On Friday May 27th, 2005, companies responded to 1313 Farmingdale Avenue in Fairmont Heights. Engine 331 was the first unit on the scene and observed heavy smoke and fire from a one story home. Under the command of Captain Anthony Kelleher, Firefighters Rutter, Zingaro, and Wigglesworth advanced an attack line into the structure. While the line was advanced and without regard for his own personal safety, Captain Kelleher proceeded ahead of the attack line to search for victims and discovered the unconscious female occupant in a rear bedroom. While Firefighters Rutter, Zingaro, and Wigglesworth kept the fire in check, Captain Kelleher removed the occupant to safety and began CPR. In recognition of their teamwork, bravery, and professionalism these members are hereby awarded this unit citation.

Engine 331 Capt Anthony Kelleher, Tech Jerry Engle, FF Christopher Rutter, FF Mike Zingaro, FF Erik Wigglesworth

Tuesday, May 17, 2005  At 0310hrs on May 17th, 2005 Rescue Engine 33 and Chief 33 (Riley) responded to the intersection of Ardwick Ardwick Road and Martin Luther King Highway for an auto accident with an overturned vehicle. While en route, fire communications advised they had also received calls for a shooting in the area. Upon arrival, firefighters discovered a SUV on its side with one trapped inside, another trapped underneath the SUV, and a third victim who had been shot. As Lieutenant Martin assessed the scene, Firefighter Rogers and Captain Kelleher stabilized the vehicle and prepared the high-pressure air bags. As a result of quick-thinking and exemplary teamwork, these members were able to extricate the victim from beneath the SUV in less than five minutes. In recognition of their skill and efforts, these members are hereby awarded this unit citation.

Rescue Engine 33 Chief Ricky Riley Captain Anthony Kelleher Lieutenant Nicholas Martin Firefighter Chad Rogers

Sunday, December 12, 2004  On December 12, 2004 Engine 331 and Tower 33 were dispatched to
205 69th Street in Seat Pleasant. First arriving units found a 2.5 story house with a basement with what was originally thought as a small fire. This incident took a turn for the worst as the fire was now located in the basement with extension into the first floor. During this incident a firefighter became disoriented in the house and ran out of air. While trying to find the fire, Captain Veith and Firefighter Johnson located the firefighter and assisted him from the structure. After passing the victim off to awaiting EMS crews they re-entered the house and proceeded to the basement and extinguished the fire. Their actions that night have gone un-noticed by the County Fire Department, but they saved the life of a brother firefighter. They performed flawlessly that night, as all members on the call did. Thus by performing in the highest tradition of the Kentland Volunteer Fire Department these members are awarded this Unit Citation.

Ricky Riley, Chief 33

Engine 331  Assistant Chief Mike Mattison, Captain Anthony Veith, Firefighter Jerome Engle

Tower 33 Lieutenant James Greene, Firefighter Reginald Johnson, Firefighter Matt Despos, Firefighter Scott Sturmer, Firefighter Nick Martin.
 

Saturday, December 25, 1999  On December 25,1999 Units from Station 33 were dispatched to 6803 West Forest Rd for a reported apartment fire. Station 33 responded with Engine 331 and Tower 33 and arrived to find heavy fire conditions in a first floor apartment. Numerous civilians were hanging from windows in the front and rear. The fire had possession of the stairwell cutting off their escape. The crews from Engine 331 and Tower 33 went to work swiftly to effect rescues and extinguishment. Tower 33 rescued 5 civilians from the rear and removed many others. Engine 331 controlled the fire in the stairwell and suppressed the fire in the apartment of origin. The combined efforts of both crews succeeded in the rescue of a total of seven civilians. Their actions uphold the highest tradition of the Kentland Volunteer Fire Department and are so awarded Lifesaving Awards presented on January 29,2000

Capt. Eddie Lehan, FF James Feeney, FF Anthony Veith, Sgt. Rych Pullen, FF Brad Munaw, Deputy Chief Mike Mattison

Tuesday, May 4, 1999  On May 4, 1999 Units from Station 33 were dispatched to 7718 Bender Road for a reported house fire. Units arrived to find a single story duplex with heavy fire conditions. Members were advised of a small child still trapped in the house, and they quickly went to work. Firefighters from station 33 initiated the attack on the fire and started an aggressive search. The combined efforts of both fire crews were rewarded in the successful rescue of William Wells II. All firefighters performed in the finest tradition of the Kentland Volunteer Fire Department and are so awarded lifesaving awards presented on January 29, 2000.

Capt Ed Lehan, FF Jerome Engle FF Anthony Veith FF James Greene, Capt Tom Bingham, FF Gary Steen, FF Raymond Talley, Capt Danny Dotson, Sgt Rych Pullen, Sgt Cliff Melton, FF Brad Mummaw

Wednesday, November 4, 1998  On November 4, 1998, Kentland Volunteers responded to a reported fire at 7716 Pacer Court in company 8's first due. Upon arriving first in, the fire was located in the basement with a report of people trapped. Sergeant Melton and Firefighter Veith passed by the protection of the hose line and conducted a search of the top floor, locating and removing two victims. During the primary search the other members advanced the attack line, then proceeded to extinguish the fire to allow the removal of the victims through the interior stairs. In spite of the valiant attempt made by the entire crew, both victims succumbed to the fire. Your unselfish and sacrificing attempts to make the rescue should be noted. You are hereby commended.

Michael Mattison, Clifford Melton, Jerome Engle, Anthony Veith, James Greene, Clifton Rineheart