Welcome to the Bunker Hill Volunteer Fire & Rescue Comapny, Inc.

Apparatus assigned to the
Bunker Fire Station

"FOR SALE"

Engine 551

Engine 552

Coming Soon

Engine 553
More Information

Truck 55

Mini Pumper 55

Ambulance 559

Medic 55

Chief 55

TRIDATA REPORT
Saturday, April 23, 2005

The long awaited TriData Report is out. The report was commissioned to provide a comprehensive study and evaluation of current and anticipated levels of service demand and deployment of the Prince Georges County Fire/EMS Department. The report is 274 pages long and is broken down into 6 PDF files below.

Pages 1 thru 61 (2.41 mg PDF)

Pages 62 thru 129 (5.21 mg PDF)

Pages 130 thru 169 (2.25 mg PDF)

Pages 170 thru 209 (3.27 mg PDF)

Pages 210 thru 235 (2.55 mg PDF)

Pages 236 thru 274 (4.14 mg PDF)

Subtitle 11, Fire Safety, of Title 17, the Public Laws of Prince Georges County

Subtitle 11, is the section of Prince Georges County Law that specifies the minimum qualifications and training for volunteer firefighters in Prince Georges County. Click one of the links below to view Subtitle 11.
(Word) (PDF)

If you would like to view Subtitle 11 in its entirety, follow this link to it on the Official Prince Georges County web site.
Title 17, Public Laws of Prince Georges County

Soon to be For Sale!
Click here for info on the truck and to see photos
Please do not call the station for information about the Truck... Click her for contact information!

PAST CHIEF AND LIFE MEMBER TO BECOME THE FIRST FIREFIGHTER/EMT SUPERVISOR FOR THE BETHANY BEACH VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY
Wednesday, July 2, 2008

John Fisher has accepted an offer to become the first FF/EMT Supervisor for the Bethany Beach Volunteer Fire Company. John will manage a newly created EMS service and will oversee six career firefighter/EMTs and two ambulances.

John retired from the Montgomery County Fire Department where he served from 1968-1993. At the time of his retirement, he was a Master Firefighter and Hazmat Specialist. He has also worked as an Instructor II at the Maryland Fire Rescue Academy part time from 1971-1993, full time from 1993-2000 and part time again from 2000 until now.

John say's that he is honored to be joining one of the most professional and progressive volunteer fire companies in Delaware.

Bethany Beach Volunteer Fire Company President Rick Parrett, Jr. is quoted as saying, "We are extremely happy to have a professional of John's caliber starting up our EMS operation. The breadth and depth of his experience on both the career and volunteer sides of the emergency services will materially contribute to the tradition of excellence we have established over the past 60 years."

We congratulate John on his new endeavor and wish him well.

STATION VISITOR
Saturday, February 23, 2008

Long time member of the Mount Rainier Volunteer Fire Department James Finnegan paid a visit to the Bunker Hill Fire Station along with his grandson Paul. James was an active member back in the late 1930's, early 1940,s till the early 1960,s. While at the station James was a big help in identifying several members in some of the old photos we have.

It was good to see and meet one of our older members and to hear some new stories. James still lives in the area and we hope he can come back and visit again.

UPDATE ON ENGINE 553
Sunday, January 6, 2008

After a lot of unnecessary delays, mainly by the refusal of the former President of the Bunker Hill Association to distribute the 508 funds, preparations for getting Engine 553 ready for service are almost complete. It has returned from Max Metals in Deal, MD where all of the equipment in the compartments were mounted, Steve did an outstanding job. The 4 inch hose is currently on order and should be in, in a couple of weeks. Once the hose gets here and put on the piece, and the radio gets installed, Ricky Ward from Singer Associates will come down to give a training class on the pumps and then it will be ready to go.

Photos of the work done on mounting the equipment in the compartments will be posted as soon as they are available.

PERSON STUCK IN CHIMNEY
Monday, December 31, 2007
Story and photos by Jim Davis, pgfdfire.com

The owner of King Vic's Tire Shop in Cottage City, Victor Metinou does not known when he can reopen his store after his 19-year-old daughter caused extensive damage to the building after becoming stuck in the chimney of the two-story building.

Just after 12:30 a.m. this morning (12/31) units from Bunker Hill, Bladensburg Fire Department and members from Prince George's County Technical Rescue Squad were called to the tire shop in the 4000 block of Bladensburg Road for a report of a person stuck in a chimney.

According to Fire Officials, when units arrived on the scene, they found the teenager stuck 14 feet inside the chimney.

The boyfriend of the 19-year-old female told officials they climb onto the roof of the building and she climb down the chimney to get inside the shop to get her keys and wallet she had left inside.

Firefighters placed a stool under the woman's dangling feet to provide support. They then removed part of a wall and began chiseling away at pieces of the chimney until the opening was large enough to safely pull her out causing extensive damage to the building.

It took firefighters over two hours to remove the 19-year-old female; she was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

More photos

FIRST DUE HOUSE FIRE
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Story and photos by Jim Davis, pgfdfire.com

A daughter is credited for saving the life of her 74 –year-old disabled father tonight after a fire erupted at a Mount Rainer dwelling

Just after 7:30 p.m. tonight (12/12) fire units from Bunker Hill, Hyattsville, College Park and surrounding fire companies were alerted for a house fire in the 4100 block of 33^rd Street in Mount Rainer, Maryland with a report of people trapped.

According to Mark Brady, chief spokesperson for Prince George’s County Fire Department, Prior to firefighters arriving on the scene, the 27-year old daughter was able to make her way though heavy smoke and fire to the top floor of the two-story house to rescue her father.

Her father was transported to a local hospital suffering smoke inhalation.

When firefighters arrived on the scene they reported heavy fire and smoke showing from the basement of the two-story house with fire extending to all floors of the house.

Firefighters were able to bring the fire under control within 20 minutes, stated Brady.

A 20-year-old firefighter from Bladensburg Volunteer Fire Department was injured during the blaze when he sustained an electrical shock in the home's basement. He was transported to a hospital for observation.

Fire officials believe the blaze was accidentally started when a discarded cigarette ignited bedding materials in the basement of the home.

More photos

UPDATE ON ENGINE 553
Sunday, December 3, 2007

Progress is moving forward on the new pumper. Since our 508 money is still being held hostage by the Bunker Hill Association we have had to work on getting funding to get the things we need to have done to it to get it in service. We are in the second year of the 508 agreement and we have yet to receive a dime of our money.

Engine 553 was taken to Max Metals in Deal to get the compartment work done. Hopefully, when it returns we will have the hose to put on it. The final items will be to get the hand lights and radios installed and a few other small appliances and then it should be ready.

IT'S HERE!
Sunday, September 16, 2007

Engine 553 was delivered to the Bunker Hill Fire Station yesterday by Ricky Ward, of Singer Associates. Several members were on hand to accept delivery. Now comes the task of gathering all the necessary equipment, hose, getting the compartments done and drivers training on the piece.

DELIVERY DATE AND MORE PHOTOS
Wednesday, September 12, 2007

The delivery date is set, Saturday, September 15, 2007 around 12:00. Feel free to stop by and take a look at the new pumper.

Also, photos from our night visit to the factory during our final inspection have been posted. Click the below photo to go to them.

THE TIME HAS ARRIVED
Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Engine 553 is complete and should be at the dealer, Singer Associates, in Linthicum by Friday. Once their they will do a few minor things before delivering it to the Bunker Hill Fire Station.

Click the image to see more photos. More photos will be added as I get them processed.

2007 Pierce Dash with 6 man cab
Detroit Diesel 60 Series, 14.OL (855 cubic inches)
Allison Gen IV 4000 EVS 4000P, electronic torque converting 5 speed automatic transmission with Jake Brake.
TAK-4 Front Suspension
Command Zone, Advanced Electronics and Control System
Waterous CSU 1750 GPM single stage pump with 500 Gal tank
Feecon around the pump foam proportioner with 1400 GPM capacity at 3%. Single agent system capable of handling Class A as well as most Class B concentrates.
10 KW Onan Generator

THE TIME IS ARRIVING
Saturday, August 11, 2007

Excitement is building in anticipation of the arrival of the new pumper. Several members made a trip to the Pierce factory in Appleton, Wisconsin recently for a post paint inspection of the new Engine 553. Tremendous progress was made on the pumper just in the 2 days we were at the factory and the post paint inspection went extremely well.

While at the factory we were treated to a tour of the entire factory. It was amazing to see how every piece of apparatus starts out as a flat sheet of metal and is transformed into what it will look like at the end of the assembly line.

Final inspection is scheduled for Monday, August 27th in Appleton. Then comes the trip to Maryland where it will be delivered to Singer Associates in Linthicum. There it will have a few things done to it before being delivered to the Bunker Hill Fire Station.

Once at the Bunker Hill Fire Station training will be scheduled for all that plan on operating the pumper. Also, before being placed in service it will be sent out to get the compartments squared away with shelving and mounting brackets for all of the tools and equipment.

Click here to view more photos from the post paint inspection.

Update on new pumper
Sunday, July 15, 2007

Progress on the new pumper is moving forward. On August 8th several members of the department will be traveling to the Pierce plant in Appleton Wisconsin to view the progress and to finalize the graphics before it goes to paint.

Once the group gets back photos will be placed on the web site and a date for delivery should be available.

Construction on new pumper to start soon:
Friday, March 30, 2007

All of the T's have been crossed, the I's have been dotted, the final drawings have been singed of on and the only thing we are waiting for now is a copy of the final reference drawings and construction of the new pumper should begin.

The apparatus committee worked long and hard and we think it will show once the pumper arrives somewhere around the end of July. Our first trip to the factory wont be until just before the pumper is ready to go to paint so we can finalize the graphics. When more info or pics are ready they will be posted.

Membership Seminar Reaches Station 55:
Saturday, March 3, 2007

The membership seminar that was put together by the Prince Georges County Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association's Recruiter made it's way to station 55 today. They met at station 12 for a tour of their station and from there were transported to station 55.

While at station 55 they were given a tour of the station and then treated to lunch. Our Vice President made it a point to introduce himself and talk with the prospective members during the lunch break. He took the time to learn a little about each person and to tell them what we had to offer them as members of the Bunker Hill Volunteer Fire & Rescue Co. Inc. Each person was given a copy of our Membership Flyer and our Recruitment/Orientation Handbook.

After their stop at station 55 they were taken to station 7 for a tour of their station before being taken back to station 12 to end the tours.

We hope they enjoyed their visit to our station and if they decide to put in an application they will be more than welcomed to our organization.

More information available on new Pumper:
Sunday, February 5, 2007

Click here for more information!

EARLY MORNING HOUSE FIRE IN MT. RAINIER
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Story and photos courtesy of Jim Davis

Seven adults and two children were displaced this morning after an over night house fire in Mount Rainer, MD. Just before 2:00 AM units from the Prince George’s County Fire Department were dispatched to the 4100 block of 34^th Street in Mount Rainer for a reported house fire with people trapped. Click here for the rest of the story and more photos.

NEW PUMPER FOR THE BUNKER HILL FIRE STATION (Update)
Sunday, November 19, 2006

Funding has been obtained, the contract has been signed and the count down time for the 285 day delivery time started on September 29th. Once we finalize the drawings construction of the new pumper will begin. We are looking at a late June, beginning of July 2007 delivery. We plan to post the drawings and updated construction photos of the new pumper as we get them.

NEW PUMPER FOR THE BUNKER HILL FIRE STATION
Saturday, August 12, 2006

After obtaining the OK from the Fire Chief to place it in service in the Bunker Hill Station... and after obtaining the OK from the Fire Commission to add it to the fleet... the Bunker Hill Volunteer Fire & Rescue Co., Inc. is proceeding with the purchase of a new Pierce pumper for the Bunker Hill Fire Station and hope to be signing the contract by the end of August.

We are currently working with a representative from Singer Associates and are in the process of coming up with the specs for the new piece. As soon as more information becomes available it will be posted.

The Bunker Hill Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company is one of 3 volunteer corporations merged into the new Bunker Hill Fire Station in Prince Georges County, Maryland.

The Bunker Hill Fire Station was built to replace the old and outdated fire stations of the Cottage City/Colmar Manor VFC, the Mt. Rainier VFD (now known as the Bunker Hill VF&RC) and the Brentwood VFD..

The original intent when the 3 corporations moved into the Bunker Hill Fire station was to operate 3 separate fire stations running out of the same building, as impractical as it may sound. Currently they are being pushed… or should I say nudged, into forming one unit. The old station numbers, station 2 Cottage City, station 3 Bunker Hill and station 4 Brentwood are no longer recognized in the Prince Georges County Fire/EMS Department operations. All apparatus operating out of the Bunker Hill Fire Station were renumbered to reflect the Bunker Hill Fire Station number, Station 55.

The Chief officers from each corporation are no longer recognized in the chain of command of the Prince Georges County Fire/EMS Department. The Chief officers of each corporation have been assigned as Chief 55, (Chief 2) Chief 55A (Chief 3) and Chief 55B (Chief 4).

In order for each corporation to have an equal opportunity to have operational authority in the Bunker Hill Fire Station, the Chief officers will rotate each year in order to give each Chief the opportunity to run as Chief 55. Once the current year is up, Chief 55 will move to Chief 55B and the other 2 will move up.

The 3 corporations have finalized the formation of a new corporation, the Bunker Hill Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association, Inc. A nine (9) member Executive Board that is comprised of 3 members of each corporation govern this new Association. Each corporation will be able to maintain their current Operational and Administrative officers, but they have no Operational or Administrative authority in the Bunker Hill Fire Station.

Where each corporation had their own separate Apparatus Maintenance and Operational budgets they are now combined into one budget under Apparatus Maintenance and as of July 1, 2005 they will be combined into one Operational budget. The Operational budget is the budget where they can order station supplies such as cleaning supplies and office supplies, small tools and equipment through the Prince Georges County Logistics and Support Services office. And depending on what the Prince Georges County Fire Commission does, it’s possible they will be combined into one Station Management budget come July also. The Station Management budget is the actual money each individual volunteer station receives from Prince Georges County each year to operate. Currently each station receives $16,000.00 each year for their Station Management budget.

The building is still operating under a Temporary Use and Occupancy permit due to the numerous punch list items that have still yet to be resolved with the contractor. It has come to our attention recently though that the contractor has filed for Chapter 7 so the outlook of them fixing the numerous problems in the building is looking very slim.

Recently, the addition of a career Major was added to the Bunker Hill Fire Station. The function of the Major is to try to get the numerous punch list items taken care of (which we now know due to Chapter 7 filing will probably never be done by the contractor) and to oversee the operations of the Bunker Hill Fire Station. Also assigned to the Bunker Hill Fire Station is a career Battalion Chief.

Other career staff assigned to the Bunker Hill Fire Station are 1 officer and 3 ERT/Firefighters for suppression, 2 ERT/Firefighters for the BLS unit and 2 Medics for the Medic unit... per shift. The career personnel work a 24 on 72 off shift with the exception of the Medics.

The Bunker Hill Fire Station currently houses 1 Ladder Truck, 3 Pumpers, 1 Mini Pumper, 1 Basic Life Support unit and 1 Advanced Life Support unit.