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

By: Rob

Rob — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 01:00:35 +0000

This is really only partially relevant. Why is RVFD still in old Station 3 anyway, the oldest fire station in Montgomery? Silver Spring sold the old Station 1 and the county rebuilt the new one across the street 2 years ago. Takoma Park is currently rebuilding Station 2.

By: College News and Articles » Character vs. Characters | Firehouse Zen

College News and Articles » Character vs. Characters | Firehouse Zen — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 06:38:13 +0000

[...] lack of institutional control and honestly, these people continue to give us all a black eye. Juniors breaking into department warehouses to steal bunkers and tools, arsonists in the fire service, firefighter medics failing to transport critical patients, and [...]

By: Character vs. Characters | Firehouse Zen

Character vs. Characters | Firehouse Zen — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 04:13:37 +0000

By: ANONYMOUS

ANONYMOUS — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 18:21:45 +0000

I would like to respond to a couple of issues mentioned in previous comments. (1) The idea of any comparison between Montgomery County and Prince Georges County wasnot/should not the focus concerning the RVFD Incident. As for the comment that someone wrote “They do the Deed with or without ICS Comand Direction, The emphasis on “Or Without ICS Commnad Direction” Is exactly what was commented about concerning Free Lance Firefighters without proper safety Protocols. Whoever that person is that stated “With or Without ICS Command Direction” Clearly spoke to the level of free lancing. I also of the belief that individual is a veteran Firefighter and absolutely knows better than to make such an irresponsible
statement like that. Not questioning anyone’s skill/ ability as a Firefighter however there is a proper Method which is or should be a part of any Fire/EMS Depts, Operational procedures.
I would hope and even ask that individual to rethink his/her words about such a critical 21st Century Fire/EMS Service issue. On the Fire Ground,it is most imperative that everyone from every unit follow without question or disregard for Authority, either Career/Volunteer ICS Command Direction. This will result in
ACCOUNTABILITY” and the personal knowledge and satisfaction of doing one’s best.

Thank You

By: Thaddeus Fitzhume

Thaddeus Fitzhume — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 23:50:59 +0000

Anonymous says, “To Thaddeus Fitzhume: the companies on that BP Service Station fire resond to several hundred working fires a year and are some of the most experienced and aggressive firefighters in the Country. Not sure what you are refering to.”

To Anonymous: If you can watch the video of the BP service station fire and honestly say that it was attacked properly then you really need to be re-trained in firefighting basics. As to your claim of being the most experienced firefighters in the country, I think not. As far as being aggressive, from reading the derogatory comments that are posted about other fire departments by people who claim to be P.G. firefighters, it seems that you confuse the term ‘aggressive’ with the term ‘reckless’.

Stay safe.

By: dan

dan — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 22:54:21 +0000

In response to Dave Statter I would like to say that you are correct on this. I am a volunteer and it should be that the three who broke into the county bldg. should be dealt with and dropped from the roles. These three are also juveniles and should not be able to return after reaching the age of eighteen. Rockville has a very good dept. and should handle this in a professional manner and continue providing the excellent service they are noted for.

By: dave statter

dave statter — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 20:47:23 +0000

Dear Rockville Resident who wrote-

“We all know about the media, newscasters will do anything they can to create a story and pull on the sentiments of the people.”

Yes. That Bruce Leshan paid those guys to be in the logisitics section at 1:00 AM just so Bruce could get a good story. I saw him do it with my own eyes.

But I must admit it really started with me. I have been sending out subliminal messages to teenaged firefighters encouraging this type of behavior. Have you ever read any of my entries backwards?

You will get absolute agreement from me about the great work that fire & EMS does, whether they be career or volunteer, all across our country. But seriously, what is it that we created here?

Should we not report that firefighters were arrested inside a locked and secure county facility in the middle of the night with a stockpile of valuable equipment?

I will join you in criticizing many things we do in the news media, but you are going to have to show me some evidence that this one is anything more than a self-inflicted wound by the people involved.

Thanks for reading and thanks for writing.

Statter

By: medicmaster

medicmaster — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 20:03:31 +0000

The question is not between MC and PG.Who is better!!
The question should be WWRD (What Will Ritchie Do)??

By: Rockville Resident

Rockville Resident — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 18:55:25 +0000

I am a Rockville Resident, who lives within Station 3′s first response area.
For those of you in the RVFD, this week has grown into more than a PR disaster, but rather an internal crisis that needs to be handled in the most effective manner possible. We all know about the media, newscasters will do anything they can to create a story and pull on the sentiments of the people. The fact remains that day in and day out, and you can argue about their “fire fighting skills later,” these young men and women respond to car accidents, service calls, AFA, AMA, box alarms, house fires, etc. and show up to do their job. Not only is RVFD always fully staffed, but sometimes there are more members in the station at a given time than riding assignments allow.

Much like RVFD succeeds on its calls, they will succeed and prevail prevail. They will treat this like any other fire run by doing their 360 and attacking the problem head on and systematically with the calmness and intelligence they have had for years.

Thank you for all those men and women in the service. You provide me comfort.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 17:34:10 +0000

I hate to tell you all, but the ‘pedophile’ who is a career Lieutenant and the career battalion chief with the DUI are still employed by MCFRS. They are both conveniently hidden away from the public eyes, in jobs where they don’t have to deal with people on a regular basis.