STATter 911: Firefighters honored for saving one of their own. Kentland VFD crew & paramedics that rescued PGFD's Daniel McGown get recognition from fire chief.

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Firefighters honored for saving one of their own. Kentland VFD crew & paramedics that rescued PGFD's Daniel McGown get recognition from fire chief.

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PGFD photo.

Previous STATter911.com coverage: Firefighter rescued, news coverage & raw video of aftermath-April 8; Fireground Audio-April 9; McGown leaves hospital-April 14; Man charged with setting fire-August 19

You may recall the April house fire in Largo, Maryland that seriously burned Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department's Daniel McGown. Firefighter McGown's PASS alerted other firefighters that he was down. After a stay in the MedStar Burn Unit of the Washington Hospital Center and weeks of recovery at home, FF McGown went back to full duty. Since then an arrest has been made of the person investigators say started the fire.

At the convention of the Prince George's County Volunteer Fire & Rescue association, PGFD Chief Eugene Jones recognized the firefighters from Kentland VFD who found McGown and brought him to safety. In addition, three career paramedics will be honored at another date.

Here is how PGFD Chief Spokesman Mark Brady described the rescue on his blog:

Firefighters from the first arriving engine company advanced hoselines through the front door and started to knock down the fire. Additional units arrived shortly after and initiated their assigned suppression duties. During this time, a firefighters’ Personal Accountability Safety System (PASS) sounded and was heard by a team of interior firefighters. Heavy fire conditions still consumed the first floor area as firefighters started to search for the source of the sounding PASS device. A downed firefighter was soon located in a room adjacent to the kitchen area and a MAYDAY was sounded. While one of the interior firefighters directed a hoseline to protect those assisting the downed firefighter from the rapidly extending fire, the firefighter that located the injured member was rapidly assessing his condition. The downed firefighter was found to be unconscious and suffering from burns to his face.

Here is Brady's list of those involved in saving FF McGown:

Volunteer Lieutenant Joe Brown, Kentland VFD, for locating the downed firefighter and initiating mayday call and rescue.

Volunteer Firefighter Timothy McCloskey, Kentland VFD, for protecting firefighters during rescue operations by directing a hoseline in the kitchen area and keeping the fire in check.

Volunteer Deputy Chief Pat Mann, Kentland VFD, for assisting in the rescue

Volunteer Fire Fighter Curtis Patterson, Kentland VFD, for assisting in the rescue

Volunteer Fire Fighter Tim Moore, Kentland VFD, for assisting in the rescue

Volunteer Fire Fighter Peter Johnson, Kentland VFD, for assisting in the rescue

Volunteer Chief Tony Kelleher – Incident Commander, Kentland VFD, for managing an intense incident that included a mayday and firefighter rescue during heavy fire conditions.

Paramedic Captain Danny Hughes, EMS Supervisor, for administering advanced life support including airway management and quickly transporting to the Burn Unit.

Fire Fighter/Medic Dan Robinson, Paramedic Unit 846, for administering advanced life support including airway management and quickly transporting to the Burn Unit.

Fire Fighter/Medic Jamieson Scarlata, Paramedic Unit 846, for administering advanced life support including airway management and quickly transporting to the Burn Unit.

# posted by Dave Statter @ 8:56 AM

Comments:

Those volunteer Bastards do it again. Nice to see some good fire department news. Now this is why people want to be like Kentland.

# posted by

Anonymous : October 11, 2009 9:55 AM

Yeah, good work to the Kentland boys. Nice to see the PR banner opportunity for the yearly popularity contest, too.

# posted by

Anonymous : October 11, 2009 11:05 AM

Oh you haters you. You hate because you know you could NEVER, EVER make it at Kentland. You know you will always be 2nd rate at best. ANd you know deep down inside, you say to yourself, God, I wish I could only be as good as Kentland. But, alas, just like Judas, when amongst your piers, you too will deny your longing to be like Kentland. Thant not only makes you less a fireman, also less a man.

# posted by

Anonymous : October 11, 2009 11:45 AM

Unknown Kentland Officer said: Son, we live in a world that has walls and those walls need to be guarded by men with hoses. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lieutenant Weinberg? I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You weep for PGFG and curse Kentland; you have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know: that some fires, while tragic, probably saved lives and that my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves lives. You don't want the truth because deep down in places you don't talk about at parties you want me on that wall, you need me on that wall. We use words like honor, code, loyalty. We use then as the backbone of a life trying to put a fire out. You use them as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very fire protection I provide and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said "thank you," and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest that you pick up a hose and stand a post. Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you are entitled to.

# posted by

Anonymous : October 11, 2009 11:55 AM

Anonymous said...
Yeah, good work to the Kentland boys. Nice to see the PR banner opportunity for the yearly popularity contest, too.

October 11, 2009 11:05 AM

Just like their photos on their website generally has their trucks in the forground, Kentland knows how to promote themselves. Whats wrong with that?

On your trucks, do you have your company name in 2" letters, your apparatus numbers in 2" numbers? No You too try and promote yourself, Kenland, like most things, just does it better. Get over it and try and learn how to do it from the best.

# posted by

Anonymous : October 11, 2009 12:11 PM

I read the comments submitted here. I am ashamed of some of the disgusting outrageous words like
"those volunteer Bastards" and a "PR banner opportunity for thepopularity contest" You individuals speak with an immature over aged juvenile mentality. For once you couldnot even refrain from being Bias and Sterotype. What is wrong with you people. A Life was saved doing what the Fire and EMS Service Reflects. Typical union street trash talk. You are those individuals who have IAFF across your forehead and nothing inside. If you individuals were an adult with a PROFESSIONAL ATTITUDE and Human Being Compassion you would resubmit your comments with an apology. You make me sick. You arenot True Professionals who realize a good Job when a Life is saved. This is especially true when a fellow Firefighter/Brother and Sister alike is saved to Live and work another day. What would be your words if a Career Crew Rescued a Volunteer with May Day May Day Dreaded Call? I certainly you shameful disgraceful individuals arenot Officers in PGFD or have aspirations to be an
Officer. Neither one of you could
lead a group of ants to the picnic area. Grow up conduct youselves like the Professionals you are alledged to be. Climb out of your sand box, recess is over. Pull your head out of your backside. Wake up smell the Coffee. You individuals are nothing more than free lance hose jockeys with no respect for Fire/Fire Spread. The Totally Professional acts of true
Firefighters/Paramedics demonstrated by those good well Trained people who were there on the scene and did a job well done.
To all those Personnel involved,
My Heartfelt Congratulations to each and everyone. I Salute you,
Career and Volunteer.

Thank You

# posted by

Anonymous : October 11, 2009 12:25 PM

Aside from the importance of life that was saved, watching and listening to these Kentland morons makes for great comedy. However, what is not so funny (and sometimes scary) is some of these guys are actually on the street as volunteers and career meembers. Taking the line from "A Few Good Men" was clever, but some of these mental midgets actually believe this stuff. While it will never happen, it would be nice if they would stop drinking the kool aid, believing their own press releases and conducting themselves like professionals the public expects. Next thing you know, they will be awarded the next Nobel Peace Prize...but based on the criteria used for the most recent recipient, it could actually happen.

# posted by

Anonymous : October 11, 2009 1:36 PM

Enough! Apparently some posters looked pass the point of the entire article here. You could have put any fire department name on here and could have not wished for a better outcome. Members of a fire department working together to save one of their own. We should all be so fortunate that the fire firefighter injured is now back to work.

These members earned their recognition for their actions that night. I DO NOT care what department you are on paid, volunter, or combination....WE ARE all brothers and sisters.

I will end with the best lesson I was taught when I was a rookie. "Fire does not discriminate between paid and volunteer."

# posted by

Brandon : October 11, 2009 3:11 PM

Was Ricky Riley there ???

# posted by

Anonymous : October 11, 2009 3:24 PM

To the person complaining about the phrase "Those volunteer Bastards" in the first comment under this post:

I could be wrong (I have been before), but it seemed to me that comment was just someone's sense of humor who was actually praising the work of the people who saved FF McGown.

Look at the rest of the short message and see if you agree-

"Those volunteer Bastards do it again. Nice to see some good fire department news. Now this is why people want to be like Kentland."

While it gets me in trouble sometimes, I am all for a little humor and making a little fun of ourselves before someone else does.

I am also for fewer personal attacks and more posts of substance and honest critique, without an agenda.

But that is always hard to do with the Internet.

A little less compulsive outrage disorder (COD) and a little more sticking to the facts and being candid about what you see goes a long way in my book.

I am not here to defend anything done by the boys on Landover Road, but I fail to see any kind of down side of FF McGown being able to still walk among us.

But everyone is entitled to their opinion.

Statter

# posted by

Dave Statter : October 11, 2009 4:47 PM

"Those Bastards" comes right off Kentlands own T-shirts ya ignoramous. WHat part of that compliment don't you get? Next time you go to Walmart buy the next size up under-skivees--the ones ya got now are bunching.

# posted by

Anonymous : October 11, 2009 5:57 PM

http://kentland33.myshopify.com/products/tower-ladder-patch

With the preponderance of evidence presented, I declare me "NOT GUILTY"

# posted by

Anonymous : October 11, 2009 6:08 PM

I think most of us got the compliment, well at least anyone who knows even the teeniest bit about Kentland. I don't know how you could say it any better.
They promote themselves as 100% Volunteer. And they themselves make light of those who call the "Those Bastards"

Hats off to Kentland, I'd love to have them coverin my back at any call, this instance just goes to show it. Love'em or hate'em, Kentland is second to noone.

# posted by

Anonymous : October 11, 2009 6:12 PM

BASH, BASH AND BASH AT THE END OF THE DAY KENTLAND WILL STILL BE PULLING PEOPLE OUT OF FIRES. SO IF I WAS YOU I WOULD PRAY 33 IS ON THE BOX SO IF SOMETHING GOES WRONG THEY WILL BE THERE TO BAIL THE COUNTY OUT AGAIN......

# posted by

Anonymous : October 11, 2009 7:06 PM

Like em or leave em....they saved a brothers life....

and for that they are to be commended...

WELL DONE LADS..

# posted by

Anonymous : October 11, 2009 7:34 PM

The only non-firefighter is the one standing in the middle of the group of volunteer/career fire fighters. the one with the white shirt.

# posted by

Anonymous : October 12, 2009 10:24 AM

Wow, I tell ya what amazes me about the whole situation. An entire box alarm worth of companies, and hmmm no other companies were mentioned. And I have it from a fairly reliable source, that there was at least one member from another company who "assisted" with removing Danny from inside the house. And lemme see. A whole investigation was done after the incident which required everyone to submit their entire training record, and hmm still only members from Kentland are recognized by the county. This goes right along with presenting medals of Valor to two chiefs for having command of the courthouse fire. Just lessens the meaning of the entire program.

# posted by

Anonymous : October 12, 2009 1:32 PM

Yeah, pat yourselves on the back, that's all you're good for. Rah, rah, rah. Professional fire fighters wouldn't post the volly crap like k33.

# posted by

Anonymous : October 12, 2009 3:05 PM

Looks like someone from 37 is mad he didn't get named. Poor 37 always the brides maid and never the bride.

# posted by

Anonymous : October 12, 2009 3:38 PM

Congrats members of KVFD. The honors presented are what this whole thing is about...brothers working with and alongside brothers, no matter what patch you wear.

# posted by

Anonymous : October 12, 2009 5:15 PM

A couple things to note: that pic was taken at co 24 who hosted the awards and hung the banner themselves to promote a member from 24! Second everyone in that pic IS a FIREMAN even the white shirt who came up on the back step at 27, and considering the last chiefs who came up throught AEMS, prevention and such i think we are all lucky to have somone who pulled hose as chief. Good job boys, danny is a good friend of mine and i thank you for keeping him around. Much respect. - PGFD career FF

# posted by

Anonymous : October 12, 2009 8:08 PM

Unfortunately the volunteer from Ritchie who helped get Danny out of the window was not recognized it seems. We're not in this business for awards but it is only right to mention that he was right there helping. I won't mention his name out of respect for him but it wouldn't be very hard to find out.

# posted by

Anonymous : October 12, 2009 9:04 PM

Wow to call anyone (Bastards) over something this great is just plain dumb. Now to the Award, it was very well attended and know the crew felt honored. Joe your not just a FF but a very good one and Eddie and Richie should be proud they have someone like you to carry on the name. I did noticed that one person was missing? Yes the one who's life was giving a 2nd chance yet he could not bring himself to attend. Shame on you and anyone in the union that hasn't thanked the guys from 33 for another great job.

We would hope that with the change in leadership they would be able to muzzle the haters and start to realize that as long as you keep fighting with the system you will be on the outside looking in.

# posted by

Anonymous : October 13, 2009 5:10 PM

Well, since most of the time Dave finds out most info about pgfd before the the career guys do, I'm not surprised none of the career ff or medics from the call showed. Thanks 33 for giving Danny a 2nd chance in life. Dave keep the info coming about pg your blog should be manditory reading for us.

# posted by

Anonymous : October 13, 2009 6:22 PM

Thanks, Dave, for acknowledging the good stuff that is done in PG by the volunteers. It sure is a shame that the volunteers themselves can't do the same. A whole week has gone by and NO mention of the Convention or parade in any site but here! Guess those big-time "urban heroes" are too busy "fightin' da dragon" (and each other) to do any POSITIVE PR.

Congrats to the people at 33 for a job well done! Keep up the good work!

# posted by

Anonymous : October 15, 2009 9:55 AM