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Congrats to the leadership at Kentland for taking this needed action. Hopefully, this will put the matter to rest and the entire fire service can start to recover from this incident. Not many organizations would admit their mistakes and recognize that quick action was needed. Kudos for these actions.
 

This means nothing! The Chief at 37 went before a review board and was given 2 years suspension and lost his rank and had to work his way back up to Chief but then Chief Sedwick changed it and he received 6 months he returns in August as Chief of 37. I think knowingly having an arsonist riding and living in a fire house is far worse then children doing what children do.... PG needs new Administration I hope all that vote in PG County pay close attention to how the County is currently being ran under this Administration.
 

Correction the Chief of 37 received 1 year operationally suspened, 3 years from being Chief or President. Chief Sedgwick then changed it to being suspended for 6 months he returns in August... I just want to correct myself before all of 37 start posting....
 

Kentland didn't realize that quick action was needed, otherwise they would have done something 4 years ago when the (alleged) action took place. The only thing that the Kentland BOD realized is that the behavior was unexcusable and undeniable now that the video has surfaced.

Chief Kelleher is the scapegoat for many peoples intolerable behavior. He was just a firefighter at the time, not responsible for the organization. IMHO, if you are identifiable on the tape and acting like an idiot, you should be disciplined. Period.
 

If there was a story to learn from Kentland, this is it. The vast majority of this information was taken from http://www.e911.com/monos/A001.html.

Crisis Communication

Step One: Candor- “it was me” (sad face preferred)

Step Two: Explanation-I was young and stupid (continued sadness, downcast eyes)

Step Three: Declaration- Action will be taken (loud, declarative)

Step Four: Contrition- I am so sorry (perhaps a shuffle with the downcast eyes)

Step Five: Consultation- what and how can we prevent this and who wants to help? (no one wants to help, they want to enjoy your pain, but ask anyway)

Step Six: Commitment- no more stupid stuff, I promise ( it is ok to mean this)

Step Seven: Restitution- suspend the Chief, (make someone pay for the sin but try to find someone and some punishment that does not cripple the organization)

If you think that you are too smart to fall for this routine think again. There is a story here bigger than Kentland that you silly people are missing. This is not your grandmother’s fire department. There was no youtube and Statter did not have a website and unlimited time when those videos were taken. Don’t be silly, be smart, start preparing your crisis communication plan before the guy you tied to the flagpole and smeared with whip cream comes out of the wood work with his video.

It was all a joke, until time has passed. Did Bill Clinton smoke that weed? Who knows but I do know that 90% of the people in the press pool went to college and so at least 70% had toked on a joint at least once. Is what they did bad or is it bad that the video surfaced. Are you really outraged at their behavior or simply happy that no one had a camera at your house?

You can be outraged, Gordon Routley can be outraged, the citizens can be outraged, but none of them can survive the microscope any longer than I can. The only difference between me and you is that I don’t thank God that I was not that stupid, I think God that no one had a video camera when I was.

So I think the better use of time would be to develop a plan of your own for when someone from your closet of bones decides that it isn’t funny anymore, you can be ready.
 

I believe Ricky Riley was the chief of the 100% volunteer Kentland Fire Dept. at the time these offenses took place. Also claims to have been a Div. Chief of southern PCFD covering 18 stations. Maybe Kellehers actions were overlooked due to their side business together Training Traditions LLC. Why not contact Riley now Div. Chief Clearwater Fire Rescue, Clearwater, Florida, for comment or reaction.
 

Wow! is that a Prince George's County Fire and EMS Official or PG Police Officer in the back ground (look closely)? I guess they are just as guilty if at all! Let ‘s see PGFD explain this. If you ever have been at Kentland you would know the police are always hanging around. They obviously didn't have a problem with what happen. Just everyone who is a arm chair firefighter wannabe. Live by the sword die by the sword
 

Wow! is that a Prince George's County Fire and EMS Official or PG Police Officer in the back ground (look closely)? I guess they are just as guilty if at all! Let ‘s see PGFD explain this. If you ever have been at Kentland you would know the police are always hanging around. They obviously didn't have a problem with what happen. Just everyone who is a arm chair firefighter wannabe. Live by the sword die by the sword
 

Do companies in PG get to choose who is on their box alarms? This stuff doesn't fly in my station, but really I don't know (or care) what my second or third due companies do in their station. I do care how they work with us when they show up. It seems to me that you might hear less out of these guys if everyone just ignored their drama and let the companies they work with decide if they want them on their calls or not.
 

In regards to the " Kentland saga " it's a shame that Prince George's Co. Fire Dept. has nothing better to do than to initiate trouble for 100% " Volunteer " Fire Depts. Let it be known to all public and private that the Prince George's Co. Fire Dept. " Dislikes " VOLUNTEERS " in it's County. In reality all they really want is to " Publicly humiliate Volunteers in that County " Shut down these Stations, place " Paid personnel " in those Stations and ultimately RAISE YOUR TAXES to pay there salaries. I still can't figure out " How " after 4 years,that you can punish someone or others for actions they committed as a " Fire Fighter ". Why didn't the administration take part in disipline 4 years ago? Can the " Current Fire Chief " of Princes George's County account for all the " Wrong doings the Dept. displayed back in the late 1970's,1980's or the 1990's"? No, I think not. Than, why now? You cannot achieve " Greatness" if your going to bicker about every little thing. Yes, fire works are Illegal in the co.,so why aren't steps taken to rid the county of such sales? Because you don't have enough money in your buget to aleviate such reacurring problems each and every year. Now, as for " Initiations",they go back well into the " History of the fire sevice". Unfortunatly, it's apart of who we are today.
 

Rather than punishing the Chief, why not the members of 33 who were doing the hazing and fireworks in the station?
 

Because that is how PGFD operates. They have never one a single case against Kentland nor, will they here. Basically if they do anything they are over stepping the boundary again and will be sued, pure and simple.
 

Fire Chief or Firefighter, we folks in the fire service should act appropriatly all the time. On duty, off duty, whether in or out of the fire station. We are always in the public's eye. Kentland volunteers should have taken care of this 4 years ago and it shouldn't be a black mark against the entire Kentland VFD just the "juveniles" who let it happen.
 

Its pretty hard for me to find any fault with these people. Any time you gather a bunch of type A males things like this will happen. Should we be surprised that the same people who would risk their lives for life and property of others would have fun in activities such as this. As far as Chief Kelleher is concerned, anyone who thinks poorly of him should reconsider. I don't know him at all but I do know that most people cannot get people to work for them even though they compensate them monetarily. Here is Chief Kelleher leading an entire Dept. without pay. How many of you would work for your boss for free. It seems to me from reading the headlines for over the years that the Prince Georges County Chief has a long running hatred of Kentland. It seems to me that Lawrence Sedwick is the type whose biggest firefighting and leadership experience is listening to someone else's tales from the dinner table. I am not impressed with him at all. Lets see who he can lead for free. Looks like he can only run them away!
 

career or volunteer, this is another black eye to the fire service. you all can make excuses for Kentland but Joe the citizen doesn’t understand the difference between Larry’s white fire truck w/ a red stripe or Kentland’s white fire truck with a black and orange stripe. All they know is when their child is sick, their house is on a fire or what ever their emergency is, that the best job is going to get done. Frankly, if I was Joe Citizen I would think all of PGFD (both career and volunteer) is a joke after seeing this video. Looks like I am part of this comedy show.
 

Bringing this issue up is not good for the county. The public sees the fire department as one organization and any action will be seen by the public as a county problem. The public's view of the fire service differs from that of those who serve in it. The county government is only making the whole service look bad, and it hurts the reputation of all fire departments.
Furthermore, since no action is being taken against others in the video, how can the public be satisfied that all action has been taken ? I think most people understand that this is just a headhunting, with one chief that has become the designated scapegoat. It's politics, thats all.
 

Where is Mike Mattison these days?
 

Stuff like this goes on in firehouses all over the country so get over it. Such a big deal, yea right, I've seen much worse.
 

The only thing to get from this is don't put your face in videos. Always wear a mask.
 

When you pay peanuts you get monkies..
 

"Stuff like this goes on in firehouses all over the country so get over it. Such a big deal, yea right, I've seen much worse."

Yah but stuff gets kept in house and not leaked out to the public. I am sure you are sitting in Pa. that sweats 33. The real story is over the past few years PG County Career and Volunteer Fire Department have been the main story for bad media. It will soon get to a point for us where we will not have the trust of the public and we will be working in worse conditions then we already do. If your going to pull stupid crap don't video tape it.
 

A newspaper set on fire in a bathroom stall and a goose in a rookie's locker were just fine in Ladder 49.

If it had happened at Kentland they'd be dubbed arsonists and animal abusers!

This is rediculous, no one got hurt, you've all shot bottle rockets and mooned people.

It's ok for them do what you can't and won't FOR FREE, seeing dead people and risking their lives in burning buildings until there's a video!
 

I don't take it as the BOD suspended Tony because he is the current Chief. I believe he's been suspended because he was part of the actions caught on tape. I will not comment on who possibly ignored what at the time the actions were captured on tape or when the leadership became aware of the tape; however, if the BOD just became aware of the tape, then they have an obligation to act even if it's 4 years later - no statute of limitations so to speak. I agree that this stuff occurs nationwide and I don't necessarily have an issue with the hazing thing because it appears that the member doesn't have an issue with it. The fireworks thing, whether you agree or not, is illegal. If you don't want your dirty laundry aired, don't video tape it. I wonder how the illegal fireworks thing will effect certain members' positions with DCFD?
 

Like it or not, the fire service has changed and so has the public's perception of who we are and what we do. We tout the words "professionalism" and "pride" all of the time, yet we do stupid stuff to continually remind the public that they were perhaps not incorrect when they group firefighters with parks & rec workers and school custodians. The biggest joke in all of this is that not only were these lunchbuckets using body parts as launch pads (sorry, the "Jackass" casting call must have been closed by then), but one of their "Brothers" videotaped it. Nicely done, boys.

Also, it doesn't matter who the Chief was at the time. It could have been Brunacini for all I care. Stupid stunts like that bring disrepute on the house, the department, and the profession. Every joker in that video should be asahamed of themselves. Maybe they would like to display their antics "caught on tape" for their children or neighbors? Lead by example....but don't "be" the example.
 

Practical jokes and general goofing off have been around in the fire service for decades. Proby hazing goes on in every firehouse around the country.The only reason this made the news was because it was the boys from 33. Everyone has a bone to pick with them because they go out and get it done.Jealousy is a sickness. Stand strong Kentland the rest of your brothers are behind you.
 

This is an unfortunate turn of events for the Kentland 33 crew. they are a very dedicated and active group that enjoys their brotherhood and friendship. It appears that everyone in the video is having fun and I certainly didn't hear anyone screaming to stop the "hazing". Furthermore, I wonder why Chief Kelleher was suspended? All I witnessed on the video was toilet paper being blown around with a leave thrower...big deal. Inappropriate use of county toilet paper? OK suspend him for misappropriations of TP !! These guys are on the clock 365 / 24 for the citizens of the county at a cost of nothing...were the fireworks wrong? Yes. If it was at my house it would have been OK, at the station..not good. This occurred four years ago under different management, don't blame the current Chief or even the past Chief - didn't see him there..
Kentland 33 is very dedicated to the profession, are they the poster childs of perfection, No, but...I would be honored to have them in my community fighting fire beside me...we need more of them and less of the dot.com firefighters that we are prodcing today...Kentland - Be Safe and keep your chins up...
 

"we need more of them and less of the dot.com firefighters that we are prodcing today"

What is a dot com firefighter? Been a firefigher since 1974 and that is a new one. I guess that is some kind of shot to new guys but I am too dense to get it.

You have an organization that has rules, they violated the rules, they pay the price. stop whining and stop being an apolgist for bad behavior. I know that we dont like accountability for our actions but that is the way it is in most govt organizations.

But, I guess because they are vols, who work for free and who probably do a pretty bag-up job, the rules don't apply.

The Chief should continue to sack up, and accept repsonsibility for his actions, a lesson could be taught by everyone.
 

This thing has been blown way the *uck out of proportion. The Only reason why this has become so big is because it involves KENTLAND!! Now i myself am a volunteer and Full time career firefighter, and lets be honest pranks, jokes, and hazings go on at firehouses all around the US of A from putting rescue randy in peoples cars to pouring flour all over the probie or rookis bed. It's called TRADITION people, get over it. And if you say that well my Fire Dept doesn't do pranks and jokes on each other your full of s*it. These people need to grow up and find something else to report on like why in the hell gas prices continue to rise. Keep your heads up Kentland n keep goin strong because when the crap hits the fan command is usually tellin communications to dispatch Kentland on any scene thats getting to hot to handle!
 

Has anyone looked at this individual who is being interviewed? It's amazing to me that this man all of a sudden brings this video to the news as he's promoting his book. If he thought this was such a huge deal why didn't he bring this to the forefront when he first left Kentland? Knowing this individual somewhat I know that he's been in three different stations in four years so there has to be a reason why.
As the sister of 3 firefighters, I know that the environment of the firehouse can get rowdy but I will echo the idea that others had. Why put down people that do the work you would never do and they do it for free? What they deal with they need some time to release. Don't get me wrong, fireworks are illegal, but come on now, this piece of "journalism" has been on all the Washington DC news and now is making it's way to Baltimore, and there are now multiple excellent firefighters that are under investigation . I have met quite a few Kentland members and have been impressed with how kind they are and the sense of family in any firehouse but especially Kentland is awesome.
 

Just another bright and shining moment in the long string of "distinguished" acts by Kentland....some say "it's blown out of proportion because it involves Kentland". Well what gave them that reputation? There are more than a few firefighters at 33 who dont deserve the rep that these guys are giving them. Time and time again we hear "it's not us...everyone hates us...the whole world is against us....."fellas...beingone of the busiest departments in the country means that the eyes of the world are upon you....dont let a few clowns ruin it for you. Maybe it's time to wake up and change your leadership,because your current bosses aren't doing anything positive by letting these actions continue.

WAKE UP!!!
 

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You can't have your cake and eat it too.

Don't spend all your time and energy yelling "look at me", and then wonder why you are under the microscope.

The county didn't collapse when they were being restricted... Shut them down.
 

No, the County didn't collapse. But, people did die!
 

people died due to 33's heroes being unwilling to staff and ambo with one of their 800 live-ins, citing a lack of manpower
 

So, you're saying that because they didn't staff a BLS unit that will probably run 7000 calls this year, nearly 40% of them out of their first due...... people died?

Not sure if you've been in the fire service long, but not many BLS units "save" anyone. They are a BASIC life support. They provide a transport service for basic illness and emergency needs (most times) or in some cases are a mobile health care system for the less fortunate. Now ALS units on the other hand do "save" people. Mostly because those individuals can administer drugs and monitor the human heart. BLS personnel are the same as what Kentland provided everyday, without the ride.

Lets look at this "people died" question from another angle, Mr. PGFD employee:

Now, how many people have died in PG County because of understaffed fire apparatus or apparatus that has failed to respond because personnel is on a BLS unit. Kentland VFD 100% Volunteer Fire/EMS first responder service and the 100% Career EMS (BLS) transport unit = no understaffed units and no delay such as having to "return for you're ambulance (from four minutes away)". So I ask you yet another question. How many other fire/EMS stations in the PGF/EMS Department can provide that service to the citizens? Also, how many can provide this coverage with the same call volume. Which is approx. 13,000 calls from this one station (combined fire and EMS). Not very many, if any. The Bladensburg VFD provides both with no career personnel and they do it well. However, the same call volume is not there. The Bladensburg VFD runs a combined total of fire/EMS calls at about (approx.) 425 per month. Kentlands' 100% volunteer staffing runs that with just the suppression apparatus. The Career Ambo. runs approx. 575 runs with just the transport unit. So before you use the excuse of "Kentland doesn't care about the community, because Bladensburg can do it!" ....... You are speaking of a (approx.) 7000 call per year difference between the two.

Spend more time learning your job and the facts. Stop spending time at work on these blogs. I'm doing this from home. On my spare time. What station are you at right now...LOL?