The Berwyn Heights VFD has immediate openings for Bunkroom Live-In Membership. Live-in bunkroom members do not have to pay rent or utilities, but are responsible for meeting greater attendance requirements.

Previous training (i.e. Firefighter I, EMT-B, etc.) is preferred, but not required. For those with previous training, reciprocity is available for Firefighter I (Pro Board, IFSAC, MFRI, and other institutions) and EMT-B (requires refresher class and passing score on test if EMT is from another state).

Amenities provided to bunkroom members include:

• Bunkroom Kitchen: multiple refrigerators/freezers, individual food storage cabinets, commercial gas range
• Washing machines and dryers with detergent and fabric softener provided
• Wireless, high-speed internet, multiple desktop computers, and networked printer
• Cable television to all live-in rooms

Past and present live-in members have gone on to jobs in some of the nation’s busiest and most respected departments. This is a great opportunity for anyone looking to gain experience running a high volume of calls that you cannot find anywhere else in the country.

Please contact us via our Contact Form if you are interested.

At 0638 hours, Rescue Squad 14 and Chief 14A (McCoy) were dispatched to the outerloop of the Capitol Beltway at Baltimore Avenue for one overturned with one trapped. Soon after going enroute, Maryland State Police confirmed one trapped in an overturned SUV.

Rescue Squad 14 arrived and immediately started stabilizing the vehicle. The squad crew used two struts, and ratchets straps anchored to a guard rail using a tow strap to stabilize the vehicle. Once stabilized, the windshield and posts were cut to fold down the roof in order to extricate the trapped driver. The patient was transported to a local trauma center and Rescue Squad 14 was ready for service at 0712 hours.

At 0352 hours, Rescue Squad 14 and Chief 14A (McCoy) were alerted to the 13000 block of Thompkins Lane, in Company 19’s first-due, for the house on fire. Engine Company 19 found a two-story, single family dwelling fully involved on arrival.

Rescue Squad 14 arrived and stood by as the rapid intervention team. Units operated a wagon pipe and two hand lines to bring the fire under control. The assignment was scaled back to two and one, releasing Rescue Squad 14 at 0509 hours.

After months of extensive research and meetings with apparatus manufacturers and vendors, Berwyn Heights VFD and Rescue Squad, Inc. has signed a contract with Seagrave Fire Apparatus, LLC of Clintonville, Wisconsin for the purchase of a 2008 Seagrave 100’ Tractor-Drawn Aerial. The new ladder truck will be built on a Seagrave Marauder II chassis and powered by a Cummins ISM 500 horsepower engine with an Allison 4000 EVS transmission. Other features for the new truck include a 100 foot aerial with a 250 lb. tip load, A-frame jacks, stainless steel crew cab and trailer, Harrison hydraulic generator, and an open ladder bed. The unit was sold by Dennis Warren of Interstate Truck Equipment, Inc. Stay tuned for additional updates as the specifications are finalized and production begins.

Santa came prepared this year to the Berwyn Heights VFD and delivered a 2008 Ford F-250 XLT pickup truck with an 8 foot, Line-X coated bed (pictured below). This unit will replace our current utility truck and will be designated “Utility 14”. Utility 14 has already been striped and lettered, and will be outfitted in the near future with an emergency lighting package.

Finally, after being out of service for about a month, our 2004 Seagrave/Marion Rescue Squad has returned and been placed back in service. Rescue Squad 14 was in the shop for body work and replacement of emergency lights due to damage caused by another vehicle in a recent accident. While Rescue Squad 14 was in the shop, Rescue Squad 14R (1990 Pemfab/Ranger) and Engine 93 (1992 Pierce Lance borrowed from Bladensburg VFD) responded to many extrications and fires.

Truck 14 was dispatched on the second alarm to the 3200 block of Toledo Terrace, in Company 1's (Hyattsville) area. Units on scene were working to extinguish fire on the top floor of a three story apartment building. The fire which started in a ceiling light fixture, extended into the roof.

At 2306 hours, Rescue Squad 14 was alerted to East West Highway and Toledo Terrace for the motor vehicle accident with one trapped. First arriving units confirmed the same. Rescue Squad 14 arrived soon after and started stabilizing the vehicle. Once stabilized, the squad crew removed a door to extricate the patient. Rescue Squad 14 was ready for service at 2329 hours.

This incident was the 5th extrication of the week, and the 64th cut job of the year for Rescue Squad 14. Listed below, are the date, time, location and first-due company of the 5 extrications for the week of December 7th.

Sunday, 12/7 @ 0254
Innerloop I-495 / Northbound I-95 (41)
Tuesday, 12/9 @ 2105
Kenilworth Ave / Crescent Rd (35)
Wednesday, 12/10 @ 2052
University Blvd / 23rd Ave (34)
Friday, 12/12 @ 0813
10800blk Tucker St (31)
Saturday, 12/13 @ 2306
East Wesy Hwy / Toledo Te (1)

With Truck 14 having just cleared a call in Greenbelt, the assignment for the 10800 block of Tucker Street was sounded for one trapped at 0813 hours. Rescue Squad 14 marked up quickly with a second crew and Truck 14 responded as well. Engine Co. 31 arrived first and confirmed one trapped.

Truck 14 arrived and started extrication with the hydraulic simo pump, spreader, and cutter on the truck. The squad arrived shortly after, finished the extrication within minutes of their arrival by removing the roof, and the patient was transported to a local trauma center. Company 14 was ready for service at 0836 hours.

At 2052 hours, Rescue Squad 14 was dispatched to University Boulevard and 23rd Avenue for the motor vehicle accident with one trapped. The squad arrived, stabilized the car and removed the driver’s side doors and B-post. The patient was quickly extricated and transported to a local trauma center. Rescue Squad 14 was ready for service at 2125 hours.

At 1156 hours, Truck 14 and Chief 14A (McCoy) was alerted to the 10000 block of Greenbelt Road for the apartment on fire. Units arrived on scene with heavy fire showing from a three story garden apartment.

Truck 14 with 6 volunteers arrived soon after as the second due truck. While conducting the primary search on the floor above, the crews found fire in apartment #304. Truck 14 split crews and stretched a 400' line off a nearby engine extinguishing the fire on the third floor. The truck driver, tillerman, and ladderman threw numerous ground ladders to side C of the building, and vented the roof. Chief 14A arrived and operated as the supervisor of “Division 2”.

Units worked aggressively to quickly bring the fire under control. Truck 14 was held to conduct extensive overhaul. Truck 14 was ready for service at 1510 hours.

Video 1 - Video 2

At 2105 hours, Rescue Squad 14 was alerted for the motor vehicle accident at Kenilworth Avenue and Crescent Road. The squad arrived to find one trapped and went to work removing the driver’s side doors and B-post. The patient was quickly extricated and transported to a local trauma center.

At 1017 hours, Rescue Squad 14 and Chief 14A (McCoy) were alerted to the outerloop of I-495 at the Baltimore Washington Parkway for the motor vehicle accident with one overturned. Chief 35B (Ransom) was first to arrive, reported he had one overturned with two trapped, established command, and requested a fireground channel.

The units from 14 arrived soon after and went to work. Stabilization was accomplished quickly with a box crib and struts. Next, all doors and both B-posts were removed to provide patient access. The patients were removed from the car and transported to a local trauma center. Rescue Squad 14 was ready for service at 1106 hours.

At 2025 hours, Truck 14 and Chief 14 (Fusco) were alerted to the 7600 block of Barkwood Court for the house fire. Engine 311 arrived on scene and reported smoke showing from a two story, single family dwelling.

Truck 14 arrived, completed a search, ventilated, controlled the utilities, and assisted with overhaul. The fire, located in the kitchen on the 1st floor, was quickly knocked down. Checks for extension were negative and Truck 14 was ready for service at 2157 hours.

Around 1830 hours, Truck 14 (2nd due) and Rescue Squad 14 (3rd due) were alerted to the 9300 block of 19th Avenue for smoke coming from the building. Engine 343 (Chillum-Adelphi) arrived on scene to find a small fire in a first floor apartment of a three story apartment building.

Truck and Rescue Squad 14 (with 14 volunteers) and Chief 14A (McCoy) arrived moments later and went to work. The truck positioned on side C and completed numerous tasks. The interior crew (officer, bar, and hook) entered the structure, searched the 2nd floor, found fire extending through the pipe chase in the walls and ceilings, and opened up. Simultaneously, the exterior team (driver, tillerman, and laddermen) threw numerous ground ladders to the rear of the building, extended the aerial to the roof, and ventilated both vertically and horizontally. Rescue Squad 14 was assigned RIT duties. To provide for egress, the squad threw eight ground ladders to all floors and roof, cleared out numerous windows, and conducted a circle check of the structure. Chief 14A was assigned "Division 2" and supervised units on that division.

Fire was found on all three floors of the apartment building, bringing two alarms to the scene. The fire was placed under control within 30 minutes and crews conducted extensive overhaul.

At 0347 hours, Rescue Squad 14 was dispatched to southbound Baltimore Washington Parkway at Route 410 for the motor vehicle accident. The squad arrived to find one trapped in an SUV and went to work. After stabilizing the vehicle, the driver’s side doors and B-post were removed to provide patient access. Rescue Squad 14 was ready for service at 0416 hours.

At 1130 hours, Truck and Rescue Squad 14 were dispatched to the 6300 block of 57th Avenue, in Company 13’s first due, for the house fire. Units arrived to find light smoke showing from a one-story, single family house.

Rescue Squad 14 was the fourth arriving unit, found heavy smoke showing from the front of the house, and was ordered by Command to conduct a search. Soon after, two personnel from Truck 7 (Riverdale) received burn injuries and were forced to quickly exit the building. After a hose line was in place, the fire was knocked down, and Rescue Squad 14 conducted the primary search and ventilated. Chief 14A (McCoy) was assigned “Interior” upon his arrival and Truck 14 was assigned RIT. Company 14 was ready for service at 1212 hours.

At this time, one firefighter from Truck 7 remains in the Washington Hospital Center Burn Unit in serious, but not life-threatening condition. The second injured firefighter received minor burns and has been released from the hospital. The Berwyn Heights VFD wishes the injured firemen a quick and speedy recovery.

At 1922 hours, Rescue Squad 14 was alerted to University Boulevard and Rhode Island Avenue for one trapped. Engine 93 as Rescue Squad 14 arrived on scene and went to work. The squad crew stabilized the car, removed two doors, and cut the B-post to extricate the driver. Rescue Squad 14 was ready for service at 1945 hours.

With Rescue Squad 14 in the shop for body work, Rescue Squad 14R having electrical issues, and no county reserve squads available, Company 14 was left without a squad. Additionally, other rescue squads out of service in the 4th and 6th Battalions (RS 1 and 49), created a large gap in coverage. Seeing the need for this vital service, we called Company 9 (Bladensburg) to see if we could borrow one of their wagons to run as a squad, and they agreed to let us borrow Engine 93.

Minutes after placing Engine 93 in service as Rescue Squad 14, the squad was put to work with one trapped just a mile from our station.

At 0756 hours, Truck 14 was dispatched to the 4600 block of Cherry Hill Road for the house fire. Engine Company 11 (Branchville) arrived to find smoke showing. Truck 14 as the second due truck arrived soon after, entered through an entrance on side Charlie, and located a fire towards the rear of the house. The fire was quickly extinguished, and Truck 14 was held to check for extension and to conduct overhaul. The truck returned to service at 0913 hours.

With units from the District of Columbia Fire Department operating on a multi-alarm fire in the 1000 block of Quebec Place, NW, Truck 14 was transferred to the quarters of DCFD Engine 22 at 0904 hours, to fill the void in the 4th Battalion.

Moments after arriving at Engine 22, Truck 14 was alerted for a gas leak in the 300 block of Gallatin Street, NW. The truck crew found a defective furnace, went ready, and was ordered to relocate to DCFD Engine 24. While at Engine 24, Truck 14 was alerted for two additional calls before returning to Prince George’s County around 1130 hours.

On the way home, Truck 14 made a stop at the world famous Ben’s Chili Bowl in the 1200 block of U Street, NW to grab a bite to eat.

At 1245 hours, Rescue Squad 14 was alerted to southbound Route 295 at Powder Mill Road for the vehicle accident with reported people trapped. First arriving units advised of a two vehicle rollover with one trapped.

Rescue Squad 14 arrived, stabilized the vehicle and removed the roof to provide patient access. The patient was quickly extricated and transported to a local trauma center. Rescue Squad 14 was ready for service at 1308 hours.

At 1716 hours, Rescue Squad 14 was alerted to the 1400 block of East West Highway for the personal injury accident with reported people trapped. Units arrived to find two separate vehicles with entrapment, but determined one was a priority 4.

Rescue Squad 14 with 8 volunteers arrived and went to work on a pickup truck that impacted a tree. Upon arrival, crews had to overcome malfunctioning generators on the squad, so both simo pumps were setup to power the hydraulic tools and a cord reel was setup from the house where the accident occurred to power lights. The crew stabilized the vehicle, removed the doors and roof, and pushed the dash. The patient was quickly extricated and transported to a local trauma center. Rescue Squad 14 was ready for service at 1800 hours.

At 0604 hours, Rescue Squad 14 was dispatched to Sunnyside Avenue and Tucker Street, in Company 31's area, for the report of a car under a tractor trailer. First arriving units arrived to find a vehicle under the tractor trailer with one trapped. Rescue Squad 14 arrived, stabilized the vehicle, and removed all doors and the roof to provide patient access. The patient was quickly extricated and flown to a local trauma center. Rescue Squad 14 was ready for service at 0710 hours.

At 1535 hours, Rescue Squad 14 was dispatched to the 11300 block of Stephen Lane for the house fire with reported six people trapped. Chief 31 arrived and reported a single family home with smoke showing from side Charlie. Rescue Squad 14 arrived with Engine Co. 31 and found an exterior fire that extended into the house. The squad crew split up and completed a primary search of the dwelling with negative results. After completing the search, the squad check for extension towards side C. Rescue Squad 14 cleared the scene at 1624 hours.