Veteran's Day Reflection

Below is a Veteran's Day Reflection sent to all MCFRS Personnel earlier today from Fire Chief Scott Goldstein:

Please take a moment today to thank a friend, a co-worker, a family member, or a passing military member/veteran – for their service to our Nation.

This date specifically honors the anniversary of the end of World War I, Armistice Day, and Remembrance Day and is used by our nation as a day to honor our military veterans.

Today we honor the service of our military members and the sacrifices they and their families have made to provide the freedoms we enjoy daily. This includes many career and volunteer members of MCFRS that have served in the armed forces and those that continue today to serve both their community as a fire rescue provider and the military.

For those personnel assigned to work today or on their standby period today/tonight, as you have ensured your apparatus and facilities is ready for operations and response – please take a second to interface with the community and thank any military members encountered for their service. Also take a moment to reflect on the freedom we experience today and the sacrifices made to guarantee those freedoms.

Scott E. Goldstein

Fire Chief

Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Service

Thank You!

MCFRS Inviting Veterans and Service Members to “Ride-Along” On Veterans Day

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS) is inviting veterans and service members to “ride-along” with its Firefighter/EMTs this Veterans Day, Tuesday, November 11, 2014. Participants can sign up to ride as an observer in a fire truck or ambulance as well as experience a day in the life of a Firefighter/EMT.

Veterans or service members who would like to sign up for this experience can contact the MCFRS Recruiting Section at fire.recruiting@montgomerycountymd.gov. Participants will be assigned to a Montgomery County fire station and can expect to spend 3-6 hours with MCFRS personnel. Participants will be asked to sign a waiver and should be able to quickly climb into emergency vehicles.

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service offers both paid and volunteer Firefighter/EMT opportunities. A veteran’s preference may be offered during the hiring process for new recruits. “We recognize that our military service members may be a good fit with our Department,” says Fire Chief Steven Lohr. “The discipline, structure and camaraderie our service members have experienced may enable them to be highly successful within our organization.” 

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service is hoping to accept applications for paid Firefighting/EMT positions sometime in 2015. Applications for volunteering are open throughout the year. The hiring process for paid positions currently involves a written exam, oral interview, background review,medical screening and physical test (CPAT).

For more information regarding careers with Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service, or the Veteran’s Day ride-along opportunity please contact the MCFRS Recruiting Section at: fire.recruiting@montgomerycountymd.gov 

Montgomery County Band of Brothers

By: Fire Fighter Dwayne Harris, President Montgomery County Band of Brothers

I am a Veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom serving there in 2004 - 2005. Many of you may not be aware that a number of Iraq and Afghanistan War Vets serve in MCFRS and Montgomery County Police (MCPD).

The military estimates that more than 20% of the more than 2 million men and women deployed, suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). There is an alarming number of Vets committing suicide because they are not getting the care they desperately need. As a firefighter or police officer, we are part of a brotherhood. It would be tragic if "one of our own" committed suicide because of the lingering wounds that are unseen. There is a pattern of need, unrecognized or misinterpreted problems, lack of adequate help and downward spiraling difficulties.

I faced the “baggage” I brought home in April 2010, after running from it for 5 years and finding different coping mechanisms to put it behind me. Little did I know that it was all lies. I was lying to myself acting like it was all okay and all the while feeling like I was slowly losing control. I began to see Dr Beasley, the MCFRS psychologist, who has worked with Vets from the first Gulf War, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

Once I started down the road to recovery, I had a vision of a group being formed with the message that “you do not have to run and fight it alone.” Several people had expressed an interest in having the chance to talk with other public safety Vets in a confidential setting about their time in service. They feel the need to meet and to talk privately with others who have this military experience in common. Dr. Beasley asked me what I thought about possibly starting a public safety Veterans support group. I was instantly on a mission.

A friend led me to MCFRS Lieutenant Sam Villani (Don’t Panic Foundation) and he showed me how to get this group started. He assisted me with the “Montgomery County Band of Brothers” becoming a non profit organization. A fellow fire fighter from my Recruit Class, Joshua Hart, and I talked and he was interested in forming the group and has the same passion as I do. We got by-laws written; resolutions drawn up and have had two meetings already. The most current had two guest speakers attend.

We will have our first fund raiser on January 28^th at Winston’s Sports Café,

1776 E. Jefferson Street in Rockville, from 7:00 to 10:00 PM.  All are invited to attend.