Comments on: Chief 33 suspended by Kentland VFD

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 07:35:00 +0000

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?

By: Tim

Tim — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 20:32:00 +0000

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

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 19:51:00 +0000

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

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 13:43:00 +0000

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.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 11:57:00 +0000

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!!!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 03:49:00 +0000

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.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 01:16:00 +0000

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!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:28:00 +0000

"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.

By: maine2

maine2 — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 20:14:00 +0000

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…

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 16:00:00 +0000

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.