It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the passing of a very revered member of the Prince George's Volunteer Fire Service.  William "Smitty" Smith was called home by the angels, to a new assignment, as one charged to look over us everyday and continue to guide us as he has in the past.

"Smitty" as he was prominently known began his career as a member of the Glenndale Fire Association were he served for 7 years before joining Kentland Volunteer Fire Department.  Here he served the department for 47 years, in most every position and was a Life Member.  Smitty's service went well beyond the company level, having served the Volunteer Fire Rescue Association of Prince George's County as a past President.

Please join the Officers and Members of Bladensburg as we offer our condolences to the Smith Family, his son, William "Billy" Smith Jr.  who currently serves as the First Vice President of the PGCVFRS, members of the Kentland Volunteer Fire Department and our brothers and sisters throughout the fire service.

"Smitty" we thank you for your wisdom and guidance while you were here with us and we're confident we will continue to receive it as you look over us and upon us.  May you Rest in Peace.

At around 1700 on the 22nd of June, two Washington DC metro trains collided into each other near Takoma Park, MD. As Truck 9 was clearing a transfer from District Heights, they were then transferred to station 26 in DC for another transfer. While on the way, they were added to the third alarm of the metro crash. The truck, with 6 men, went on scene and assisted the crews of DCFD with the many jobs needed for this large scale incident. Truck 9 remained on scene for around 5 hours to assist with manpower. While the truck was in DC, two separate engine crews from 9 were helping with cover assignments in the District. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the casualties and injured that were involved in this incident.

At 0059 hours today the Engine and Truck with 8 men were alerted to 5600 54th Avenue in Company 7's first due for a reported apartment on fire.  The OIC of Engine Company 7 went on the scene with smoke evident, placing crews from Engine 7, Engine 9 and Truck 9 to work. 

Crews quickly traced the source to a kitchen fire in an aparment on the first floor.  With attack and back up lines in place, searches negative and no extension the incident was quickly placed under control, allowing the remainder of the box to take up.  Significant damage to the kitchen caused smoke throughout the rest of the 6 story building, this was removed by Truck 9 and Truck 1.  These units, along with Engine 9 cleared some 50 minutes later leaving Engine 7 to remain a bit longer for investigations and final wet down.

At 0555 Engine 9 was back on the street to the Baltimore Washington Parkway just North of Annapolis Road for the 9I with reported entrapment.  Upon arrival, crews found a single car accident which had been into a bridge abutment and spun out causing significant damage.  The driver was trapped and pinned before being freed by Rescue Squad 22 and turned over to EMS for treatment and transport to a local trauma center.

In between times, the Engine crew handled several other medic locals during the night.

At 2233 hours the engine and ambulance were alerted to the 4300 block of Kenilworth Ave for the 9I.  Upon arrival and sizeup it was quickly determined to be a two vehicle accident with injuries, significant intrusion into the passenger compartment of one vehicle leaving the occupant trapped. 

Engine 94's OIC (Lt. Cole) provided PSC with the update, upgraded the assignment to a rescue local bringing Truck 9 and Rescue Engine 833, a medic unit, EMS Officer and Battalion Chief.  He requested an operating channel and established the command.

Upon arrival of the Rescue Engine, they went to work removing the entangled side of the vehicle and making easy access for packageing and extrication of the patient.  All units operated and cleared the scene within 30 minutes of the call.  Good job to all involved.

Even during the busy beach week activities, Volunteers from 9 and 7 still found some time to spend together, for feast and friendship.  Crews gathered today, between rain and overcast skies to heat the coals and charbroil some burgers and dogs.

The more patient eaters were also treated to a buschel of crabs in addition to all the other fixins for a cookout.  The weather and even the calls held out long enough for all to enjoy the company of our brothers and sisters, swap some good stories and partake of great food.  A good time was had by all.

As usual, beach week once again, fulfilled its promises of being a busy week for the Volunteers of Station 9.  Crews ran 52 suppression and 74 EMS for a total of 126 responses during the week.

With a well involved house fire in Bowie to a 2nd alarm garden apartment building on the south side, the men from 9 spent upwards of 20 hours on transfers throughout various areas of the County.  The week would go on to include a smaller fire in an apartment building, electrical malfunction and fire in the Edmonston pumping station to several motor vehicle accidents with entrapments.

Even during these trying economic times, the Volunteers from Bladensburg stand proud to serve the citizens of our communities and beyond, by providing the highest levels of professional Fire and EMS services.

Saturday June 13, 2009 proved to be a very busy day for  the volunteers of station 9.  In additiona to handling a total of 18 calls for the day (7-suppression and 11- EMS) the crews participated in Edmonston Day at Tanglewood Park.

This is a yearly event held by the Town of Edmonston for the residents and children.  The day included good food, loud music, educational opportunities on fire prevention and crime prevention, carnival rides, fire truck rides and more.  Fun was had by all.

While these events were going on, another crew took Engine 94 for a convention and parade of the Dauphin County Firemen's Convention hosted by the Linglestown Volunteer Fire Department.  The engine was cleaned for some strict judging and it paid off as they came away with "Best Appearing Apparatus Overall".  In addition, they were recognized for company traveling the longest distance.

We would like to extend our special thanks to the Chiefs and members of Linglestown for their hospitality that was shown to our crew and for your hard work to put such an event together, it was impressive and we're glad we participated.

After nine long months at the training academy, Bill has finally completed his recruit training. Bill was in the longest recruit class ever held in the District. After being on day work for almost a year, Bill will enjoy working at the "House of Pain" #3 Platoon. Bill makes the 24th Volunteer at Bladensburg to get hired as a career fireman.

The Officers and members of the Bladensburg Fire Department wish Bill and the entire class 358 best of luck in your new career.

Shortly after 1830 hours, rain began falling around the region.  With a fire working in Hyattsville and numerous other calls going on, Truck 9 was alerted to fill company 7.  While enroute they were alerted to 71st Avenue and Flintridge Drive for the house fire. Units arrived on the scene finding nothing and returned the units.  While returning to Riverdale, the Truck was alerted back to Landover Hills on Randolph Street for the house fire.  Engine 33 arrived on the scene with a working fire on the second floor.  Truck 9 arrived on the scene as the second due truck and went to work.  The interior crew went to the second floor to search and open up. (Now fire showing from two windows)  The exterior crew cut two holes on the roof and assisted with other duties.  Bulk of the fire was knocked down with-in 20 minutes after arrival. Units from 28, 33 and 9 finished up opening up and hitting hot spots.

Engine 93 ran several calls from Bladensburg to Chillum Adelphi.  They arrived at Guilford Road and Baltimore Avenue and assisted removing 5 trapped civialians from there vehicles.  A total of 8 people were removed on various calls by the crew on Engine 93.

Units from 9 finally returned home around 2300 hours. The Engine and Truck ran a total of 15 calls during the storm, while the Ambulance only ran one call.

Sorry for the short notice, however the Fire Commission has approved an Infectious Control class to be held Thursday night at Company 9 @1900 hours. This class is for Equivalency Members Only. So if you joined and are a current Firefighter 1, you need the class to get your gear and mask.

You will need to call Nancy Roberts at the Commission office at 301-583-1914 to register.  The next available class is July 14th at the training academy.

The Officers and Members of the Bladensburg Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad, Inc.  extend our sincerest condolences to the Greene County, VA Sheriffs Department for their sudden loss.  It is not for us to questions Why! although we all do.  Such a sudden and tragic loss devesates not only the family and immediate community but reaches far beyond into the extended Emergency Services family.  We will keep you all in our prayers.

It is with great sadness that the Greene County Sheriff's Office announces the line of duty death of Investigator Chadwick Carr. Investigator Carr who was recently assigned to the Blue Ridge Narcotics Task Force was involved in a motor vehicle accident on Route 230 in Greene County that claimed his life on June 4, 2009.

Funeral arrangements will be forthcoming once finalized. Chad leaves behind two young boys 7 & 3, an extended family, many friends and co-workers who will miss  him dearly. A fund will be established by the Sheriff's Office for the two children. Please keep him and his family in your prayers.

To Dave Sumner, Deputy Sheriff and past Officer and President of Bladensburg and the Greene County Sheriffs Department let us know if there is anything we can do. 

At 1157, Engine Company 9 was alerted to 5908 Jefferson St for the house on fire.   As the units from 9 arrived on scene, smoke was noticed coming from the rear of the home.  Company 9 put 2 handlines in service and found several set fires on the first floor.  With the fires being extinguished and the primary turning up negative, command held the Engines from 9 and truck 55.   Units cleared the scene at 1230.

Late on Saturday night, Co. 8 recieved the box at 206 Royal Oak Circle for a house fire with people trapped. After confirming a working fire, a task force was called out bringing Engine 94 to the scene. The Engine assisted with knocking the auto fires in the garage and performing extensive overhaul. 94 cleared the scene around 0045.

While the engine was assisting with the fire, Engine 93 covered Co. 8's area. An addidtional ambulance crew staffed the station while the wagon and pumper were out.

After 3.5 years of dating and numerous nights of Steve not being able to sleep in anymore, Lt. Steve Faulkner and his new wife Angel were married at St. John's Catholic Church in Pasadena, MD on Saturday, May 9th.  Steve drove his bride away in Engine 93 to the reception at Kurtz's Beach in Pasadena, MD.   We would like to wish Steve and Angel all of the happiness in the world and wish them a very long and happy marriage.  We would also like to thank Angel for all of her dedication to Bladensburg by continuing to allow Steve to come to the firehouse. Congratulations!

In the early morning hours, the Engine and Ambulance were alerted to a car fire with people trapped. When the first units arrived on scene, the passengers were out of the vehicle that was now well involved. The crew from 9 quickly stretched a line to the vehicle and did a quick search to make sure all occupants were out of the car. The fire was extinguished and the crews left shortly after.