Maryland Fire Fighters Hope Fire Ops Leads to New Resources

May 5, 2011 – Prince George’s County, MD Local 1619 invited elected officials, community leaders and the media to be fire fighters for the day at the University of Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute in College Park, Maryland. Some VIPs attending the Fire Ops included Maryland Lieutenant Governor Anthony Brown, Prince George's County Executive Rushern Baker and Prince George's County Council members Mary Lehman, Eric Olson, Andrea Harrison, Karen Toles and Mel Franklin.

"We are so pleased that so many of our community leaders were able to get a taste of what it is like to be in our boots every day," says Local 1619 President Andrew Pantelis. "Their participation in these intense drills demonstrates their commitment to making Prince George's County a safer place for their constituents and our members."

Some of the scenarios included extinguishing a vehicle fire, observing an indoor live burn and navigating through a dark, confined space training maze. Additionally, Local 1619 members demonstrated cardiac arrest response and fire response scenarios for participants to observe.

Local 1619 members hope that the community leaders left with a better understanding about why staffing needs to improve. The Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department currently has 765 fire fighters, but needs 1,200 to safely provide service to the County and its citizens.

The proposed fiscal year 2012 budget includes $535 million in funding for public safety - including $115 million for the fire/EMS department - a 1.5 percent funding increase from the previous year. The proposed budget also would increase fire/EMS staffing to 778, as well as pay for 22 new pieces of equipment and ambulances.