12 Rockville, Maryland firefighters suspended. Two separate cases of building break-ins being investigated. Teen volunteers involved.

An alarm activation around 1:00 this morning sent police in Rockville to the Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Service logistics and supply building at 701-C Dover Road. Assistant Chief Scott Graham, a department spokesman, says three 17-year-old firefighters from the Rockville Volunteer Fire Department were caught in the act of stealing equipment. Their names have not been released, but all three have been charged with theft and illegal entry by officers from the Rockville City Police Department.

The three are assigned to Station 3 at 380 Hungerford Drive and have now been suspended from the department. Sources indicate police are investigating the possibility the teens were able to get a key from a Knox Box to enter the building. The sources, who are not authorized to speak on this matter, said the firefighters had gathered up Halligan bars and personal protective gear. Officials have not indicating why the young firefighters wanted the equipment.

The arrests came two days after nine other members of Station 3 were suspended when police discovered them inside a locked community room at the Fenestra Apartments at 20 Maryland Avenue. The apartments are across the street from Station 3. No charges have been filed in that case.

Sources indicate that firefighters had been allowed access to the room in recent weeks, but on Tuesday evening a door had been forced to gain entry. The room has a pool table and other amenities. Sources indicate there had been alcohol use. Some of the volunteer firefighters discovered by police are under 21 years of age. The sources also say others, besides firefighters, were in the party room.

Eric Bernard, the president of the Rockville Volunteer Fire Department, referred STATter911.com to Assistant Chief Graham for comments about the two incidents.

Graham said, “Whenever such incidents occur, whether it involves career or volunteer personal, it leaves a black eye on the fire service as a whole. We take this very seriously and are disappointed in the actions and behavior of the personnel involved.”

Asked about the supervision of teenaged firefighters, Chief Graham said they are properly supervised when inside the fire station and involved in other fire department sanctioned activities.