Is Kentland Ambulance Issue Close to Being Solved? Volunteers Think So.
A conversation today with officials from Kentland VFD shows they are optimistic that the 7-month long dispute over Ambulance 339 is nearing resolution. Acting Kentland Chief Ed Lehan, suspended Acting Chief Tony Kelleher, and Kentland President Sheila Mann met with Prince George’s County officials on Wednesday. Present on the county’s side were Public Safety Director Vernon Herron, Chief Lawrence Sedgwick and Lt. Col. Bobby McCoy.
Kentland expects to meet again with Herron next week after its Tuesday night membership meeting. According to sources, Kentland VFD feels it received assurances of career staffing for Ambulance 339 for a significant period of time. Where to house the ambulance inside Station 33 has already been determined. The biggest issue to be resolved is finding quarters for an ambulance crew. The volunteers point out that on weekends many of its members are already forced to sleep on couches.
Other than acknowledging the meeting, there is no news to add from the PGFD side of this issue.
A rally at Station 33 is still scheduled for Saturday.
Here is a press released Kentland VFD sent to STATter 911 this evening and posted on its website:
PRESS RELEASE FROM KENTLAND VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT
Friday, August 31, 2007- On Wednesday, August 29, 2007 the leaders of Kentland Volunteer Fire Department, Incorporated met with the leaders of the Prince George’s County Fire Department, including Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Public Safety Director Vernon Herron.
Many issues were discussed about staffing the ambulance, housing, and relationships between personnel. We believe to be working in the same direction with the members of Kentland Volunteer Fire Department and with Prince George’s County Officials.
To date the county has agreed to staff the ambulance, and our department is seeking housing facilities for the extra personnel assigned to the station. Space will be made available in the existing building to house the ambulance, for safety and security issues.
These possible arrangements will be discussed at our next company meeting, which is Tuesday, September 4, 2007. At the conclusion of our meeting it was requested that some consideration be made to terminate the restriction placed on Kentland (33) to respond out of their 1st due area. It was brought to the attention of the Fire Department leadership that it has been over 9 days that the citizens have been neglected emergency service in surrounding areas. During the Labor Day weekend staffing of surrounding stations are reduced and the call for emergency services increased.
The Kentland Volunteer Fire Department does not condone this policy, and wants it to be on record that any harm brought to the citizens and visitors of the county during this restriction of service shall not blemish our willingness to serve the community.
The leadership and members of Kentland Volunteer Fire Department would like to express our sincere gratitude to many of the county council members and several state officials for their understanding and support during these trying times.
Wishing everyone a wonderful and safe Labor Day.
