Heating
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), heating is the second leading cause of U.S. home fires, deaths and injuries. December, January and February are the peak months for heating fires. Space heaters are the type of equipment most often involved in home heating equipment fires, figuring in two of every five fires (40%).

Carbon Monoxide
Often called the invisible killer, ... (Full Story & Photos)

With great sadness, the Bel Alton Volunteer Fire Department announces the passing of charter member Gary Gene Burton.

Gary Gene Burton, 78, of Great Mills, MD, passed away on November 5, 2020, at the Solomon's Nursing Center.

Born on June 9, 1942, in Western Port, MD, he was the son of the late Robert B. and Hazel M. Burton.

Gary worked for the Safeway/Collington Warehouse in Landover, MD, where ... (Full Story & Photos)

Fire Prevention Safety Message... (Full Story & Photos)

Message from Chief Clements:

Two weeks ago I asked if I could have a prayer or positive thought of support as I was about to interview for a job that I’ve waited a long time for. I was overwhelmed at the amount of support I received from that one post and I knew I had to do may absolute best in that interview for all of you. This afternoon I received the phone call I’ve been waiting for. Effective ... (Full Story & Photos)

SMSgt Guy Yesse (Retired) 4Apr1987-1Jul2020. Due to COVID, it took some time and great support from the NYS HQ and my family but we were able to have the retirement ceremony on 13 Sept 2020. I am very proud to have served 33 years, but its the love of my family and friends that made everyday and every deployment worth it in my heart and mind. I was also very honored to have friends from my military ... (Full Story & Photos)

The members at Dunkirk Volunteer Fire Department would like to thank the Lion's Club of the Greater Metropolitan Area for their generous donation of personal protective equipment(PPE). The Lion's Club received a grant for providing PPE to first responders. The PPE provided will be of great help when responding to medical responses.... (Full Story & Photos)

Company 4, Engine 141 and Company 49 conducted a joint drill on September 15, 2020 at the RVFD carnival lot at 7 PM. The training started with a review of tools and features of RVFD Squad 4 (No. 42) and then continued with a slow motion demonstration of a vehicle extrication with an emphasis on proper extrication and removal of the vehicle doors and roofs. The training finished with the fire teams ... (Full Story & Photos)

The members at Dunkirk Volunteer Fire Department would like to thank the Lion's Club of the Greater Metropolitan Area for their generous donation of personal protective equipment(PPE). The Lion's Club received a grant for providing PPE to first responders. The PPE provided will be of great help when responding to medical responses.... (Full Story & Photos)

Approximately 4:15 p.m. today Waldorf Volunteers and surrounding departments answered the call for a "house on fire" on Ferrell Court in the Bannister Section of Waldorf. 43 members from Charles County with mutual aid from PGFD arrived on the scene; BC17A arrived reporting a duplex dwelling with "fire showing from second floor to the rear of the dwelling". E32 and E31 stretched hose lines and extinguished ... (Full Story & Photos)

Preston J. “Stink” Downs

May 25, 1958 – September 3, 2020

Preston officially joined the department in 1974 even though he had been coming around the firehouse since he was 14. He was the chairman for the Children’s Christmas Party in 1978 making sure everything was ready for Santa’s arrival and all chance (raffle) books were sold. He was voted in as Fire Prevention Officer in 1981. Preston was the ... (Full Story & Photos)