It’s Fire Prevention Week!

Hopefully all of you out there are aware that it is Fire Prevention Week this week.  This year’s theme is: Protect your Family from Fire!

Our friends at the National Fire Protection Association have a lot of great information on their web site that I highly recommend you check out. 

Please go HERE to learn more.

Speaking of checking out; have you checked your smoke alarm today to make sure it is working?!?!?

Be Safe! 

Mark Your Calendars - Upcoming Fire Department Open Houses

Rockville, Maryland - - -  The Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service will be hosting ‘Open House’ events at fire stations around the County during Fire Prevention Month. The National Fire Protection Association has designated this year’s theme “Protect Your Family from Fire” and firefighters and safety advocates will focus efforts on the importance of developing a home escape plan, practicing a home fire drill and checking smoke alarms to ensure they are working.

All Open House events are free and will feature many exciting activities including tours of the station, fire safety activities, information/handouts, demonstrations of emergency equipment and
much more. . . please visit the fire station’s website or call for a comprehensive listing of activities planned.

October 8        Chevy Chase Fire Department, Station 7                              10:00  – 3:00 pm
                        8001 Connecticut Avenue, Chevy Chase, MD  

                        301-652-0707

October 9        Hillandale Volunteer Fire Department, Station 24              12:00 – 3:00 pm

                        13216 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD

                        240-773-4724

October 22      Burtonsville Volunteer Fire Department, Station 15           12:00 – 4:00 pm
                        13900 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD

                        240-773-8957

October 29      Cabin John Park Volunteer Fire Department, Station 10   10:00 – 5:00 p.m.
8001 River Road, Bethesda, MD
301-379-9387

November 12  Glen Echo Volunteer Fire Department, Station 11                        TBA               

                        5920 Massachusetts Avenue, Bethesda, MD 

                        301-229-3200

Reminder - As of Oct. 1, Texting While Driving is ILLEGAL in Maryland

I thought it would be a good time to remind all of you of the recent law that became effective on October 1st.  Please take a moment to review the fact sheet put out by our friends from the Maryland Highway Administration.

Remember, the last thing we at MCFRS want to do is meet you by "accident!"

Stay Safe,

Bill D.

Fact Sheet Texting_Cell 2011

Montgomery County Fire Fighter Team Raises Over $26,000 to Support The Make-A-Wish Foundation!

By: Firefighter Mike Johns 


The 28th annual Make-A-Wish triathlon took place on Saturday, September 24, 2011.  A total of 18 people competed this year, representing Montgomery County Fire & Rescue.  This was the third consecutive year that a group of Montgomery County firefighters have organized a team to race.  It was also the largest team yet!

The Make-A-Wish triathlon takes place at Sea Colony Resort in Bethany Beach, DE.  The event is an olympic distance tri consisting of a 1.5K ocean swim, 41K bike, and 10K run.  Participants may compete as individuals or part of a relay team.  The MCFRS contingent consisted of 12 individual racers and two 3-person relay teams.  Firefighter Mike McDonald (3C) finished first amongst the group of firefighters with a time of 2 hours, 41 minutes.  MFF Kathy Evans (FCE) was captain of a female relay team that finished FIRST in their division with a time of 3 hours, 3 minutes!

Another large component of the Make-A-Wish tri is fundraising.  Competitors work hard before the race not only training, but raising funds to help support the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-Atlantic.  This wonderful organization grants wishes for local children suffering from life-threatening illnesses.  With the average cost of a wish being $7500, donations from generous race supporters is very important.  This year, the Montgomery County firefighter team raised just over $26,000 to support the Make-A-Wish Foundation!  Firefighters TJ Monahan (33A) and Amanda Viragh (34C) were 2 of the Top 5 fundraisers for the entire event!

All of this year's participants had a great time and are excited for next year's race!

2011 Make-A-Wish Triathlon Team

Firefighter TJ Monahan (33A)

Captain Robert Stojinski (29C)

Firefighter Mike Johns (29C)

Captain Mike Green (3C)

Firefighter Mike McDonald (3C)

Firefighter Josh Devries (34C)

Firefighter Jake Riddle (34C)

Firefighter Amanda Viragh (34C)

Firefighter Nelson Ortiz-Cruz (R2)

Firefighter Gino Reynosa (25A)

Elwood "Buddy" Ey (MD-TF1)

Kiersten Henry

Master Firefighter Kathy Evans (FCE)

Johanna Mansilla

Brenda Jacobs

Firefighter Geoff Olds (1A)

Firefighter Garland Hollenbach (22A)

Pamela Resurreccion

Montgomery County Firefighters to Join Area Students in Annual Walk to School Day Events Around the County

IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  October 4, 2011

 

Rockville - - -  Montgomery County Fire and Rescue personnel will be joining students around the County to celebrate International Walk to School Day to raise awareness and promote pedestrian safety. Thousands of students from 36 schools in Montgomery County will be participating in this year’s annual event. Walk to School events raise awareness and create safer routes for walking and bicycling while emphasizing the importance of increasing physical activity among children and promoting pedestrian safety.  

County Executive Ike Leggett, MCPS Superintendent Joshua Starr and other officials will be joining students at Captain James E. Daly, Jr. Elementary School in Germantown, Maryland for the event. Media are invited to join in the program. 

When:  Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Where: Captain James E. Daly, Jr. Elementary School  
              20301 Brandermill Drive, Germantown, Maryland

Time:   8:30 a.m. – Walkers will meet at Clear Spring Park to walk to the school           

             9:00 a.m. – Assembly behind the school on the blacktop

           10:00 a.m. – School-wide pedestrian and traffic safety assembly

* Event will be held rain or shine. The assembly portion of the program will be moved indoors if the weather is inclement.
 

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