OCTOBER 4, 2008 - The members and officers of the Laurel Volunteer Fire Department gathered at the west Laurel Holiday Inn to hold their annual banquet. The banquet was dedicated to Robert "Fudd" Marring, a life member of the Fire Department. Click here to see photographs from the evening (members only).
The following awards were presented:

At approximately 8:45 in the morning, firefighters were preparing for the 78th annual Prince George's County Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association's parade, hosted by the Beltsville VFD. The tower was dispatched to assist Montgomery County for the report of a house fire in the 14700 block of Carson Drive. The ambulance responded to supplement the tower's staffing.

Shortly after the tower being dispatched, the wagon was also dispatched to assist on the house fire.

Additional firefighters staffed the second engine, preventing the need for a transfer company. The crews assigned to the call cleared shortly after noon.

Click here to see photographs by Jim Codespote
Click here to see photographs by Zane Gorove
Click on the pictures below for more photographs by Doug Walton

September 19, 2008 - Multiple members of the Laurel Volunteer Fire Department were honored last evening during the awards ceremony of the 86th Annual Convention of the Prince George's County Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association.

• Captain David Ballard was presented with the Joseph Cheney Fire Prevention Award
• Bill and May-Lynn Bayles were presented the Norris Beard Humane Award
• John Maher was inducted into the Prince George's County Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association Hall of Fame
• Robert "Pop" Grant was presented with the Rodney Lee Gilbert Memorial Award
• The members of LVFD were presented with The Chief Aubrey A Schultz Memorial Award, Best Appearing Company Single House, for their participation in Convention Parade.

The following members were presented with the Calvin Lee "Cowboy" Corder Rescue of the Year award

• Engine 104's crew:
  -Fire Technician David Cunningham
  -Captain Trey Kelso
  -Firefighter Mike Murphy
  -Firefighter Greg Masenheimer
  -Firefighter Dan Greenstein
• Tower 10's crew:
  -Deputy Chief Brad Lovell
  -Assistant Chief Travis Pearcy
• Ambulance 108's crew:
  -Firefighter Greg Mettee
  -Firefighter Dan Sheffield

The award was presented for an incident that took place on August 16th at Bond Mill and Ashland Dr.

Earlier this year, the Laurel Volunteer Fire Department purchased a used ambulance to provide enhanced EMS support to the citizens of the greater Laurel area. Recently, Laurel Volunteer Fire Department’s Ambulance 108 was awarded the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (M.I.E.M.S.S.) voluntary ambulance inspection program’s seal of excellence. By achieving this certification, the L.V.F.D. has far surpassed the current standards set forth by Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department.

The seal of excellence certifies that L.V.F.D membership meets certain training requirements and staffing standards for this vehicle. The inspection involves verification of supply and equipment inventories necessary to adequately care for patients in the pre-hospital setting. All equipment, including all of the communication equipment, including the ambulance itself, have been tested and inspected to ensure their proper and safe operation. The initial certification period is for two years. The L.V.F.D. joins the ranks of only two other departments in Prince George’s County, Glenn Dale and Berwyn Heights, that have passed this rigorous inspection in recent years.

The members of the Laurel Volunteer Fire Department would like to congratulate and extend their thanks and appreciation for the hard work of Engine Captain Trey Kelso and the LVFD ambulance committee: Technicians Kevin Frost and Dave Cunningham, Assistant Chief Travis Pearcy, and Firefighters DJ Hull and Chris Stanton, that all put forth to attain this recognition.

The Laurel V.F.D. has recently added a Bowflex machine and punching bag to the library of exercise equipment available to its members. The Bowflex machine replaced an earlier universal style gym machine, and the punching bag was an addition to the weight room.

AUGUST 25, 2008 - At approximately 11:15 PM, the tower was dispatched as the first due tower for a report of smoke in the building in the 14800 block of Bowie Road. The first arriving suppression company found nothing evident from the outside. However, on further investigation, they encountered a fire of suspicious origin inside the building, which was quickly knocked.

Tower 10's crew operated as the first due truck company, ventilating and searching the building.

Information augmented by Charge the Line! blog.

AUGUST 23-24, 2008 - The Laurel Books-A-Million is holding a fundraiser for the Laurel V.F.D., and will donate 20% of the proceeds from their sales on Saturday and Sunday, August 23 and 24, 2008. The store is located in the Laurel Open Centre Mall, at 351 Montrose Avenue in Laurel. Click here for directions.

AUGUST 23, 2008 - In the early afternoon, as firefighters were going about their daily business at the firehouse, the quiet was shattered as the engine and ambulance were dispatched to Sandy Spring Road and Sweitrzer Lane for the report of a Jeep overturned. Upon their arrival, firefighters discovered one Jeep on its side, with the lone occupant out of the vehicle. The driver was transported to a local hospital for minor injuries.

On Friday, August 15th, the crew at station 10 was enjoying the warm sunny afternoon, when the box alarm was sounded for 331 Gorman Avenue. E103, Chief 10, and Chief 10B responded with 5 volunteers. E103 arrived simultaneously with Howard County's Truck-6. The companies assumed first arriving and initiated an aggressive interior attack. E103 and TK6 quickly located the seat of the fire and rapidly knocked it down while simultaneously performing a primary search. The fire was held to the dining room area and crews quickly opened up the interior to check for extension. Command quickly downsized the incident and held E103, RE49, and Howard's TK6. There were no injuries caused by the fire and the cause is still under investigation.

E103- Dr- F/F Hull, OIC- Sgt. Burns, Line- F/F Norsworthy, C10-Blankenship, and C10B-Pearcy.

Story submitted by Sgt. Wes "Harry Potter" Burns

On Sunday, August 10, 2008, at 12 noon, the Laurel V.F.D. dedicated Engine 101 to Tommy Bolton, a long time member of the Laurel V.F.D.

Click here for photographs by Jim Codespote of the Laurel V.F.D.

The Mid Atlantic region of Gilbane Building Company held a benefit for the Laurel V.F.D. on Friday, July 18, 2008. The benefit resulted in Gilbane providing a substantial donation to the L.V.F.D.

The L.V.F.D. would like to thank Gilbane and those who attended the benefit for their donation.

JULY 16, 2008 - At approximately 4:15 PM, the engine and ambulance were dispatched to a report of a car under the tractor trailer with one person possibly entrapped in the 8600 block of Cherry Lane. The engine company quickly arrived, and confirmed that there was no entrapment, and the patient, the lone occupant of the car, was transported to a local hospital for a check up.

JULY 14, 2008 - Shortly before 5:30, the engine and ambulance, along with Medic 49, were alerted for a report of an injured person in the 16200 block of Bond Mill Road. As units were responding, it became apparent that the injured person was down in the woods, close to the reservoir. After some brief searching, the patient, who was suffering from injuries sustained after an equestrian incident, was located and transported by Howard County Boat 11 to Scott's Cove, where she was transported to an area hospital for her injuries.

The Laurel V.F.D. has received a generous grant from CarMax in Laurel. The administration and members of the L.V.F.D. thank the staff of CarMax for their generous contribution to public safety in the Laurel area.

July 3, 2008 - Engine 101 and Tower 10, as well as various support vehicles, assembled at Company 31 to provide a ladder arch and personnel. Working in conjunction with Orchard Beach VFD's Tower 11, a ladder arch was assembled, with a large American flag between the two tower ladders.

Sgt. Findley's gear hangs on it's rack, in a box created by Beltsville VFD members.
Firefighters from LVFD and OBVFD pose in front of Engine 101.	LVFD members pose in front of Engine 101.

Article and photography by Doug Walton, Laurel V.F.D

Photograph courtesy of Beltsville V.F.D..

Corporal Richard Findley, a 20+ year active life member of Beltsville V.F.D. and a Prince George's County police officer assigned to the Beltsville district's special assignment team, was killed in the line of duty today, leaving both the fire and police services reeling from the impact.

According to a police department press release, " On June 27, 2008, at approximately 11:40 a.m., Cpl. Findley observed a vehicle in the 14700 block of Bowie Road.  Early reports indicate that as he approached the vehicle, the suspects struck the officer and fled in the vehicle, a pickup truck.  Cpl. Findley was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries."

Please join with the Laurel Volunteer Fire Department in keeping Cpl. Findley's friends and family in your thoughts. Comments may be left on the Beltsville V.F.D.'s guestbook.

Funeral arrangements for Cpl. Findley are as follows.

An overturned SUV on Interstate 95 has sent two patients to area trauma centers, and closed all of the southbound lanes this afternoon.

Shortly before 4:15 on Saturday, June 14, units were dispatched to southbound Interstate 95 near Sandy Spring Road (Route 198) for a reported overturned vehicle. Units arrived to find a SUV which had overturned and landed on it's roof. A quick investigation revealed that no patients were entrapped; however, two patients (an infant and a parent) were both transported to area trauma centers by Ambulance 109 and Ambulance 419. Ambulance 109 picked up an advanced life support (ALS) provider from Paramedic Engine 411, who rendezvous with the unit at the bottom of the ramp from Powder Mill Road to Interstate 95.

Article and photography by Doug Walton, Laurel V.F.D

Shortly before 4:30. the box was struck for the reported trailer on fire in the area of Muirkirk Meadows Drive and Baltimore Avenue. The engine from company 31 arrived at Muirkirk Road and Muirkirk Meadows Road to find a 20 x 50 vacant office trailer fully involved, and began an exterior attack. Engine company and Tower 10 assisted with fire suppression efforts.

Special thanks to Beltsville V.F.D. Chief Al Schwartz for his assistance with this article.

Article by Doug Walton, Laurel V.F.D

At approximately 6:51 PM, the engine and tower, as well as the 6th Battalion Fire Chief (Chief 810), were alerted for the reported house fire in the 12200 block of Cedarbrook Lane in south Laurel. Shortly after dispatch, an excited radio ID unit checked on the scene with fire showing, causing the working fire dispatch to be started. Suppression units arrived, with the engine as the second due engine and the tower as the first due truck company, with heavy smoke showing from the first floor of a single story, single family house. Companies made an aggressive interior attack, and quickly suppressed the fire.

The resident was removed from their residence prior to the fire department's arrival; however, due to the nature of her injuries, she was transported to an area burn center by Medic 849. No additional injuries, either to fire service personnel or civilians, were reported.

Article and photographs by Doug Walton, Laurel V.F.D

After more than three decades of service to the citizens of Howard County, Chief Richard Blankenship has retired from the Howard County fire service. Read more here.

Article and photographs by Doug Walton, Laurel V.F.D

Laurel volunteers turned out en mass to provide staffing for all three engines (the tower's out of service again), as well as the ambulance, utility, and all three chiefs cars. Firefighters staffed all available apparatus, and took part in the city's annual Main Street Festival and parade. As usual, the LVFD set up at 6th & Main Street, to provide opportunities for passerbys to meet and greet their local fire department, as well as purchase their bull roast tickets (web link coming soon; see above for information).

Pictures by Doug Walton, Laurel V.F.D

APRIL 20, 2008 - Firefighters from the Laurel VFD, as well as other firefighters from Prince George's, Howard, Anne Arundel and Montgomery Counties, were dispatched to a reported townhouse in the 8000 block of Cherry Lane. First arriving Engine 101 (Engine 810) arrived to find smoke showing from the rear of an end of the row townhouse in the 14800 block of Ashford Court. A working fire dispatch was sounded, and an interior fire attack began. The crew from E101 found a fire in the interior wall of the rear of the townhouse, which was reportedly under renovation. The blaze caused an estimated $30,000 worth of damage, and Prince George's County fire investigators have determined the cause of the fire to be electrical in nature.

See the photographs (by Ken Wilson, Laurel V.F.D.)

APRIL 19, 2008 - Firefighters at the LVFD were kept busy running fire calls, as 3 box alarms for various degrees of building fires were dispatched, as well as a street alarm, reporting an apartment fire in the area. Fortunately for the community, none of the incidents were severe in nature. One box alarm, in the 13800 block of Belle Chase Boulevard, was found to be a microwave oven on fire. The fire was contained by a dry chemical fire extinguisher. No cause or damage estimate is available.

The other two box alarms were found to be related to either food on the stove, or people grilling outside of their apartments.

The LVFD also advises area residents that Prince George's County law requires them to keep barbeques (or grilles) off apartment balconies, and to keep them a minimum of thirty (30) feet from the building.

APRIL 18, 2008 - Laurel firefighters were dispatched to the area of Old Gunpowder and Sandy Spring Roads in west Laurel for the report of "dark smoke coming up from behind the sports complex". While nothing was found at Sandy Spring Road and Old Gunpowder Road, a deep seated brush fire was located off of Minnick Road. With an estimated 6 acres involved in the fire, as well as the access issues, a second engine and later, a second brush truck, was requested to provide additional personnel and brush apparatus. 2 engines (E101 and E104), 2 chiefs (Chiefs 10 and 10B), and 2 brush trucks (Brush 715 and Howard Brush 6) operated on the incident. 13 firefighters from the LVFD operated on the fireground. Additional LVFD personnel staffed the third engine company at the firehouse.

APRIL 14, 2008 - Laurel firefighters were dispatched to the 900 block of Montrose Avenue, for the report of a car versus a house. Chief 10A arrived and found a car that had left the roadway, and crashed into the house. One person was transported to a local hospital for minor injuries.

Photographs by Jim Codespote

Photographs by Doug Walton

MARCH 29, 2008 - Shortly before 4:00 AM, firefighters from the LVFD, as well as other departments in Prince George's, Howard, Montgomery and Anne Arundel counties were dispatched to a report of smoke coming from the closet of a house in the 7800 block of Brooklyn Bridge Road. Upon arrival, Deputy Chief Lovell of the Laurel VFD found a man on the front porch, gesturing for him to assist him in removing his elderly mother, who is confined to a wheelchair. Neither occupant required any medical intervention, and no injuries were reported.

A total of twenty seven firefighters from four counties were required to control the fire, which caused an estimated $200,000 in damage to the house, and $100,000 in damage to the contents of the residence.

Read the press release.

On March 2, 2008, twelve members of the LVFD staffed two engines and the ambulance, and headed out to various parts of Laurel to canvas the area. The purpose of the canvas was to provide free smoke detectors and batteries, along with fire prevention pamphlets, to residents who need them.

Read the press release

Engine 101 in

February 23, 2008 - After a day of the annual recerts (HazMat, SCBA and EVOC), members spent a few hours racking supply and attack lines onto Engine 101, which was delivered on Valentine's Day. It is not yet known when the piece will be placed in service.

Engine 101 will carry 1200' of five inch supply line, as well as 1000' of three inch supply line.

Another fire in Laurel 2 engines and 2 chiefs from 10. Not bad for an afternoon fire.

February 21, 2008 - Firefighters were summoned to 9723 Muirkirk Road for a report of smoke in the building with an occupant's smoke detector sounding. Companies arrived to find a small living room fire in another unit of the building, which was quickly brought under control.

The fire has left the apartment uninhabitable, and caused $5,000 worth of damage. One occupant was displaced by the fire, which was caused by a malfunctioning radio. No injuries were reported. Click here to see a few more shots.

Engine on 49 box Fire goes to 3 alarms

FEBRUARY 17, 2008 – A three alarm building fire in the 14800 block of Bowie Road has left the building in ruins.

Firefighters were summoned to the fire at 1 o’clock this afternoon, initially reported in the 9600 block of Fort Meade Road, and encountered heavy smoke issuing from a building in the 14800 block of Bowie Road. An initial interior fire attack was mounted; however, due to the sheer volume of fire, firefighters were pulled from the building and a defensive exterior attack with large diameter hoses ensued. A collapse occurred shortly after the evacuation order was given.

In the end, a total of three alarms were required to control the blaze, which took over four hours to control. The cause of the fire is under investigation by Prince George’s County fire investigators.

See more pictures here and here.

L.V.F.D. Burns at M.F.R.I.

On January 26, 2008, the L.V.F.D. burned at M.F.R.I. The training evolutions that took place provided an opportunity for the newer members to gain experience, as well as for older members to reinforce their skills.

See more pictures here.

L.V.F.D. Trains Out Back

FEBRUARY 3, 2008 - With DJ Hull being on the cusp of being turned over as a new driver, the crew decided to do some pumps training. So, Engine 103, running as the pumper, was moved around back and the pumping began. The deck gun, as well as several hand lines, were pulled and pumped. See more pictures here.

First Due Building Fire - 2nd Alarm

January 8, 2008. At 4:22am, Engine 104 and units from the Laurel area were alerted for a reported fire on the balcony at 14007 Briston St. Engine 104 arrived first to find heavy fire showing on the top floor of a 3-story condo building. The crew stretched a 2-inch attack line and went to work on the third floor. The fire had already extended to the cockloft on arrival. Other arriving units pulled lines to the rear of the building and made access to the fire in the cockloft. Photo by Jim Codespote.

Click here for more photos from the scene.

Engine on Second Alarm in Howard County
Transfer Crews Cover First Due Townhouse Fire

January 7, 2008. Engine 104 was alerted for a reported house fire at 10270 Stansfield Rd. in Scaggsville. Units were dispatch around 10:20pm and first arriving units found heavy fire coming from the rear of a two story single family dwelling. While Engine 104's crew was operating at this fire, Communications dispatched a call for smoke in a townhouse at 14800 Belle Ami Dr. With only the ambulance in the station and the transfer crew still en route, LVFD volunteers loaded up A109 and responded to the fire two blocks away. Arriving on the scene, the crew found a fire in the rear second floor bedroom of the two story end-unit townhouse. Engine 311 (Beltsville) was the first arriving engine. The crews from E311 and A109 quickly extinguished the fire. Chief 10B (Pearcy) had command. Engine 104 and A109 cleared their calls at about the same time, around 11:30pm.