Kentland’s Response: “Is a personal vendetta and agenda really worth risking the lives of the citizens you took an oath to protect?”
The Kentland Volunteer Fire Department has now put its official response on its website, Kentland33.com. Much as we ran the press release from Prince County Fire/EMS with the views of Chief Lawrence Sedgwick, we now share Kentland’s version, dated Monday, August 20, 2007:
Today, at approx. 1330 hours the Prince George’s County Fire Department’s upper “management”, under the direction of PGFD Chief Lawrence Sedgwick, Jr. requested a meeting with Kentland Acting Fire Chief Anthony Kelleher and one other Line Officer from Station 33. In short, the Kentland Volunteer Fire Department was verbaly offered eight (8) career personnel for the purpose of dedicated BLS transport unit staffing. Chief Kelleher stated that this was a very valid offer and he would need the offer in writing. He also requested to be given 24 hours to recieve approval from the Kentland Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.’s Board of Directors and governing membership body. Both of these requests were denied and Chief Kelleher was given approx. five minutes to give a decision. With this “set-up” style meeting there was no possible way to give a yes or no answer. Due to this fact the PGFD “management” presented Chief Kelleher with an already printed suspension letter and statement of charges. As Chief Kelleher and his line officer left the meeting they were also informed that as of 1900 hours, Fire Station 33 of the Kentland Volunteer Fire Department would be restricted to running emergency responses in the first due. Even if a Company from twice or three times the distance had to be dispatched to pass Company 33.
All of the fore mentioned events of course sparked a huge media interest and rightfully so. The Prince George’s County Fire Department and its “Chief” Lawrence Sedgwick, Jr. are willing to place the lives and property of the surrounding citizens in danger. Depriving them of fully staffed Engine Companies, Rescue Companies and a Ladder Company. For example, if an emergency were to occur in the Kettering/Largo area of the County at the intersection of Central Avenue and Campus Way North and Station 33 had its normal multiple crews the assignment would be:
NORMALLY:
Engine Companies
46 – 0.67 MILES
37 – 3.93 MILES
33 – 4.57 MILES
8 – 4.89 MILES
Ladder Companies
33 – 4.57 MILES
5 – 5.04 MILES
R.I.T. Third Special Service
33 – 4.57 MILES
WITHOUT COMPANY 33
Engine Companies
46 – 0.67 MILES
37 – 3.93 MILES
8 – 4.89 MILES
23 – 6.22 MILES
Ladder Companies
5 – 5.04 MILES
26 – 8.03 MILES
R.I.T. Third Special Service
28 – 7.46 MILES
As of right now this means an Engine Company will have to travel approximately two miles further, a Ladder Company will have to travel approximately four miles (twice the distance) and a Rescue Company or Rapid Intervention Team (firefighter safety and survival) will have to travel approximately three miles (just shy of twice the distance) to provide help. All while the volunteers at Company 33 sit in station and are receiving a punishment.
The Officers and the Membership of the Kentland Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. ask just who is being punished here? Its not the volunteers at Kentland its the citizens of Seat Pleasant, Chapel Oaks, Fairmont Heights, Glenn Dale, Bowie, Bladensburg East, Cheverly, Lanham, Kettering, Largo, Ritchie and other various areas.
Not only are the citizens lives in jeopardy from a reduction in services, but the firefighters that Company 33 responds with on a daily basis may have to wait extra time for relief, back-up or Rapid Intervention Efforts.
We ask “Fire Chief” Lawrence Sedgwick, Jr. this simple question: Is a personal vendetta and agenda really worth risking the lives of the citizens you took an oath to protect?
The citizens of this area need to know just one thing: Although the Kentland Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. is consistently intimidated, abused and unfairly treated by the Prince George’s County Fire Department, the volunteers of this great organization will continue to provide the community with excellent service no matter how hard times get. We have been dedicated, loyal and proud of who and what we are since the founding of this Company and vow to keep this same spirit alive. We are here for you!
