Bladensburg Volunteer Fire Department

and Rescue Squad, Inc.

Fire Station Fax

(301) 864-4415 (301) 779-0272

P.O. Box 348 4213 Edmonston Road ¯ Bladensburg, Maryland 20710

100 % VOLUNTEER

On Saturday evening February 14, 2008 members, friends & family, invited guests and dignitaries gathered for a fun filled evening of comorodity and to recognize members for their outstanding levels of commitment toward making our department 100% VOLUNTEER while providing 110% plus to our customers, the residents and visitors of the communities which we serve.

The evenings events were opened with a welcome from Paula Ayres, President of the Ladies Auxiliary. This year the Ladies sponsored the banquet for us and we extend a very heart filled and grateful THANK YOU for the evening.

Our Fire Chief, Matthew Fowler and President, David Sumner welcomed our members, friends and family, as well as our invited guests and dignitaries. There were several speakers throughout the evening including representatives from the Towns of Bladensburg and Edmonston. Mr. Michael Herman, Chief of Staff for the Honorable Jack Johnson, County Executive spoke on behalf of the County Executive who had prior commitments. He congratulated the Department for the contributions made toward providing the best in Fire and EMS service by using 100% VOLUNTEER staffing. “This is a major contribution, significantly saving taxpayer money particularly in these tight financial times, and we assure each of you, your hard work and exceptional efforts, toward your accomplishments does not, even for one second, go unnoticed by Mr. Johnson. We thank you for raising the bar and setting the standards by which others should strive to achieve.”

President Sumner along with Chief Fowler were privileged to award three Life Memberships tonight. Life membership is a recognition bestowed on a member, upon approval of the membership, after achieving a minimum of 15 years of service to the department. Chief Fowler, President Sumner and the entire membership extends our congratulations to; Edward Payne III, Tina Cherrico and Troy (Sonnie) Hoffman,

The Department is also very pleased to welcome and extend our congratulations to three very dear friends of the department. Tonight we are proud to announce the induction of Mr. Paul Fleagane, Mr. Richard Beavers and Mr. Steve Beavers as Honorary Members of the Bladensburg family.

Chief Fowler, with the help of Deputy Chief Pickel and Assistant Chief Wells, takes great pride in announcing this years awards and recipients. He reemphasized the great efforts and teamwork, pride, dedication and commitment toward achieving well above and beyond all expectations of 100% VOLUNTEER commitment for over 4 years. “Remember always to respect one another, all the time, look out for each other as family, and strive to be the best you can be. In doing so, there will be no reason to not continue to do, above and beyond what many said we could not do in the beginning, far into the future”.

AWARDS:

EMT of the Year EMT Melinda Bell

EMS Rookie of the Year EMT Tiffany Burby

Fire Fighter of the Year Anthony (Tony) Tommasini

Fire Fighter Rookie of the Year Keith Tickle

Most Improved returning member for 2008 went to;

Dawn Breakall Suzanne Wells

Most company drills attended in 2008- Adam Cole

Most training classes completed in 2008- Chris May

Recognition for efforts in Community Participation – Toys for Tots

Alan Denmark Randy Kuenzli

Hardest worker in keeping things clean and exercise area in top shape;

Jason Byrnes

Top 5 EMS only members and runs for 2008;

EMT Melinda Bell 1045

EMT Linda Hodge 741

EMT Suzanne Wells 181

EMT Dawn Breakall 139

EMT Tiffany Burby 63

Top 10 FIRE runs for 2008;

DFC Robert Pickel 1300

FF Marty Mahon 1232

Captain Vince Pickel 1154

Sergeant Adam Cole 1083

FF Anthony (Tony) Tommasini 1006

Sergeant Will Jones 941

Captain Chris Worthington-May 917

FF Keith Tickle 743

FF Langston Malin 708

FF Raymond Davis 678

Top 16 FIRE/EMS combined runs for 2008;

DFC Robert Pickel 1651 (declined award)

Sergeant Adam Cole 1356

FF Marty Mahon 1342

Sergeant Will Jones 1291

FF Anthony (Tony) Tommasini 1252

Captain Vincent Pickel 1187

Captain Chris Worthington-May 1149

FF Langston Malin 749

FF Keith Tickle 746

FF Raymond Davis 703

Division Chief Randy Kuenzli 644

FF Brian Johnson 622

FF Cody Kolb 558

FF Gerell Locket 535

Captain Steve Faulkner 526

FF Jason Byrnes 523

Sergeant Gary Katz 296

Our top 5 EMS only runners each received a Littmann stethoscope in addition to a certificate wall plaque.

Our top 16 FIRE/EMS runners each received a pair of Thorogood 6” Slip On Station Boots in addition to a nice certificate wall plaque.

UNIT CITATION AWARD

On October 23rd 2008 around 1450 in the afternoon, Ambulance 809 and Engine 809 responded to the corner of 56th Place and Emerson St for a pedestrian struck. When the units arrived on the scene they found a 6 year old boy in the middle of the road after being struck by an SUV. When the young man was struck he was drug underneath the vehicle for 20-30 feet, suffering multi-system trauma that included multiple fractures, partial avulsion of the face, an evisceration, and was unconscious and not breathing. After opening the patient airway the patient began to breath on their own and preparation to begin transport with Prince Georges County medic unit to Children’s National Medical Center in Washington D.C. The patient stayed in the Pediatric ICU for quite a while and was eventually released to where he could go home.

There is no doubt that if it wasn’t for the quick and skilled actions and teamwork of

Captain Christopher Worthington-May

Sergeant Adam Cole

Firefighter Tony Tommasini

Firefighter Stu Hurlburt

Firefighter Keith Tickle

EMT Linda Hodge

the patient would not have had chance to be here with his family today.