Montgomery County Firefighters Pipes & Drums Plays For Wounded Warriors

Yesterday, members of the Montgomery County Firefighters Pipes & Drums, along with the Northern Va. Pipes & Drums Band, had the honor and privilege of playing for our wounded warriors, their families, the staff and volunteers at the Wounded Warrior Picnic held at Walter Reed Military Medical Center.

A true honor and privilege for all MCFRS members in attendance to play for these American heros! 

Photos Courtesy of Capt. Rick Blandford

Photos Courtesy of Capt. Rick Blandford

Photos Courtesy of Capt. Rick Blandford

Day One Totals From The "Fill The Boot" Campaign

Yesterday, members of the MCFRS "A" Shift raised over $45,000.00 to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) through the annual Fill the Boot campaign.  Money raised through the annual “Fill the Boot” campaign stays locally and is used to help support approximately 400 families in Montgomery County afflicted with neuromuscular diseases.

The photo on the right is of Captain Brock Cline, Bethesda Fire Station #26, taken at Old Georgetown and Democracy after returning from a call.

Germantown Fire Station #29 was the top station for the day with over $7,000 collected followed by Rockville Fire Station #31 (over $5,000 collected).

Keep up the great work all!  Thanks to all of you out there who have made donations.  Look for our firefighters at various intersections throughout the county today and tomorrow.  

Practice Makes Perfect!

By: Master Firefighter Joe Hayunga

In the photo below, Captain Tom Potter is leading a company drill at Fire Station 13. The topic of the drill is slope evacuation, a rescue technique used to access a victim at the bottom of a steep slope. Each crew member got to practice tying anchors, building a hauling system, building a belay system and attending to the victim during the haul up the slope.

Every single day Montgomery County Firefighters, when not responding to calls for help, spend a part of their work day training hard so we are ready to assist those who need our help no matter what the situation.

Click on the photo below to see seven more photos from the training on our MCFRS Flickr site!   

Firefighters Want to Give Muscular Dystrophy the Boot

Annual Three-Day ‘Fill the Boot’ Fundraising Campaign Kicks Off

Montgomery County, MD  - - - Montgomery County Firefighters will be involved in a different kind of life-saving activity when they hit the streets Wednesday as the 2012 “Fill the Boot” Campaign, an annual tradition across the country, kicks off to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).

Teams of firefighters will have boots in hand for three days raising money for the MDA in hopes of speeding research into debilitating neuromuscular diseases and serving the needs of children and adults with muscular dystrophy. Money raised through the annual “Fill the Boot” campaign stays locally and is used to help support approximately 400 families in Montgomery County afflicted with neuromuscular diseases. 

Last year, the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) raised nearly 28 million for MDA, making the grand total for the 57-year tradition over $455 million.  In the 28-year history of Montgomery County Fire Fighters supporting the MDA, Montgomery County Fire Fighters have raised almost $1,790,000.00 and have consistently ranked in the top three of all fire departments in the Washington Metropolitan area. Montgomery County Fire Fighters have ranked as high as fourth in the country, raising over $254,000 in 2009. Beginning Wednesday, firefighters will be fanned out in intersections across the County and joining forces with the MDA to raise money as this charitable organization strives to eradicate neuromuscular disease.  Firefighters will remain in their normal response areas and will be available for emergencies and immediate dispatch. This year’s goal takes on significant meaning as firefighters are just over $210,000 away from raising $2 million collected for this important cause since the County began participating in 1984.

Proceeds raised during the campaign will help support MDA’s local services and research programs, including a week long summer camp for kids, support groups, and local clinics. MDA is a volunteer health agency working to defeat more than 40 forms of Muscular Dystrophy, including ALS and related diseases through programs of worldwide research, comprehensive services and far-reaching professional and public health education.

Every donation makes a difference. Please join us in giving generously and support the fight against Muscular Dystrophy. Montgomery County Fire and Rescue thanks you for your support and asks that you please slow down for safety when you encounter a “Fill the Boot” intersection. To make a donation if you can’t get by any of the ‘Fill the Boot’ intersections, please stop by any Montgomery County Fire Station to make your donation.     

Master Firefighter Promotions

Fire Chief Richie Bowers is pleased to announce the following promotions to the rank of Master Firefighter:

• Joseph A. Keefer II
• Arthur L. Russell 
• Bryan L. Duffer 
• Darryl T. Benner 
• Donald W. Smith 
• Evan A. Stevens 
• Gregory E. Stevens
• Henri E. Jones
• Richard L. Tatum 

Congratulations to all!