Tournament Dates:

August 29, 2009

September 26, 2009

 October 24, 2009 

  November 28, 2009 
 
All tournaments require a $125.00 buy in, $95.00 will go to the prize pool and $30.00 will go to the Department.  Free food and drinks will be provided during the tournaments.  Must be 21 to play.  Doors open at 5:30 pm, cards will be dealt at 7:00 pm.  Reservations may be made by calling (301) 609-7500.

On Thursday, June 11th the Department held its annual elections.  The Operations and Administrative leadership were selected for the upcoming year.  The newly elected officers will assume their positions on July 1st.  The results are as follows:
 
Operations
Chief-Jason Moore
Deputy Chief-Matt Gilroy
Assistant Chief-Doug Hutchins
Captain-Jason Jones
Captain-Israel Burch
Lieutenant-Danny McMahon
Lieutenant-Will Mayhew
Lieutenant-Corey Ianiero
Engineer-Ronnie Spittle
Deputy Engineer-Mark Kaufmann
 
Administrative
President-Luther Della
Vice President-Ron Talley
Treasurer-Lynn Gilroy
Secretary-Beth Gilroy
Chaplain-Joe Gardiner
Board of Directors-Steve Shahan
                             Dave Dodson
                             John “Chopper” Latimer, Jr.
                             Bruce Bridgett
 
Congratulations to our new officers!!!  We would like to thank all of the officers of the 2008-2009 term for everything they have done to benefit the Department over the past year and we wish our new officers the best of luck.

School is out and summer is here, neighborhood and backyard pools are filling up with families all throughout the area. Now is a great opportunity to remember a few pool safety tips that can make the difference between summer fun and tragedy.  Here are some facts regarding pool safety and child drownings from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission:
 
· For children aged one to fourteen, drowning is the second-most common cause of accidental death.
· Boys between one and three years old were the most likely victims of fatal drownings and near-fatal submersions in residential swimming pools.
· 77 percent of the swimming pool accident victims had been missing for five minutes or less when they were found in the pool drowned or submerged.

The last statistic noted above is of special concern: 77 of victims had been missing for five minutes or less before being found in the pool drowned. Anyone who has cared for a toddler knows how fast they can move. Young children are inquisitive, impulsive, and lack a realistic sense of danger. These behaviors, along with a toddler’s ability to move quickly and unpredictably, make unprotected swimming pools very dangerous for households with young children. Residential swimming pool drownings of young children have another troublesome issue; many of the drownings are silent deaths. It is unlikely splashing or screaming will occur to alert a parent or caregiver when a child is in the pool. And remember, children do not drown only in pools. Bathtubs, buckets, toilets, and hot tubs present drowning dangers.
 
La Plata Volunteer Fire Department recommends the following tips for pool safety:
 
· Always have adult supervision when children are near or in the pool.
· Teach all children to swim as early as possible.
· Keep a portable telephone and first aid kit near the pool.
· At least one adult family member should know CPR.
· Surround pool with a four-side safety fence (at least 48 inches tall) and a gate that locks.
· Keep large floating toys out of the pool – they obstruct the view.
· Never allow young children to jump into a pool.
· Remove automatic vacuums from the pool before swimming.
· Make sure babysitters can swim.

By following these safety tips, families can enjoy the summer and prevent injuries or even the unthinkable – a drowning.  For more information and fun activities visit: http://www.usa.safekids.org/water/.

The "Joseph Humphreys Memorial Bull Roast" will be held Saturday October 3, 2009 from 1500 hours-0200 hours at the Accokeek VFD and sponsored by the Ritchie VFD.

Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door.
Menu: Pit beef, Pulled pork, Smoked Turkey, Baked beans, Potato salad, Cole slaw
Entertainment: DJ
At the store: T-shirts, "All you can drink beer mugs" for only $15
Games of Chance: 50/50 raffle, door prizes, leather helmet raffle, globe boots raffle

Classic Car/Street Rod and Bike Cruise in "Smoke Out"-Memorial Cigar lighting ceremony in honor of Joe.

To purchase tickets in advance contact any member or the RVFD at 301-336-3731 or 301-883-7737

For questions concerning the event: Chris Cunningham (410) 739-7191 or Jason Humphreys (240) 299-0085 or Mike Humphreys (240) 299-2185.

At 1448 hrs. we were alerted to respond to 2295 Westwood Drive in Waldorf to assist the units on the scene with a structural collapse.  We are currently involved in a lengthy process to establish a collapse team for the county.  We are not in service, but we have offered our services on an as needed basis.  Chief 12A was aware of this an requested us for informational purposes.  RE13, U1 and the collapse trailer responded with 5 personnel.  When we arrived, the first arriving units had placed temporary shores in the structure.  For removal purposes we placed permanent shoring and removed the temporary.  All units returned to service at 1800 hrs..

At 1946 hrs. we were dispatched to 217 Washington Avenue in La Plata  for a motor vehicle accident with entrapment.  RE13 and C1 responded with 4 personnel.  First arriving units found a vehicle overturned in a 6' ditch approximately 120' off the road.  The vehicle was surrounded by thick brush and trees.  RE13's crew cut down the brush and removed the driver's door to gain access to the patient.  The patient was removed by a stokes basket to awaiting EMS crews.  Units returned to service at 2030 hrs. 

The members of the La Plata Volunteer Fire Department would like to congratulate our own Captain Doug Hutchins and Firefighter Will Mayhew on their recent graduations. 

Captain Hutchins graduated on May 14th, from the College of Southern Maryland with an Associate's Degree in Fire Science Technology.  The Fire Science Technology program is a partnership between CSM, which provides the general education courses, and Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute (MFRI) which provides the technical courses at sites in Southern Maryland. The program prepares graduates to function as entry-level fire service personnel and provides the degree associated with advancement within the fire service for career personnel currently employed as firefighters.
 
Firefighter Mayhew graduated on April 3rd, from the Southern Maryland Criminal Justice Academy after a six month training program.  An articulation agreement between the Academy and the College of Southern Maryland provides each graduate with 15 college credits toward a criminal justice degree. Firefighter Mayhew is one of the newest law enforcement officers of the Charles County Sheriff’s Office assigned to the Patrol Division.  Currently he is completing the Field Training portion of his education and will be circulating through the different district stations within the County.  Upon completion of the program in August, he will be assigned to a permanent patrol squad.
 

At 0238 hours we were alerted to respond as the 2nd due Truck to Fairhill Court in Indian Head.  Truck 1 and Chief 1 responded with 8 volunteers.  First Arriving Chief 7B found fire showing from 3 floors of a middle of the row townhome.  Chief 1 arrived and was assigned as Side C supervisor.  Due to no rear access, the truck took a position on the A/D corner and laddered the roof.  The crew split into 3 teams one throwing ladders and venting the roof, one to exposures and one to the fire building to open up.  The crews remained on the scene until 0510 hours.  Only one minor injury from PHVFD, we wish him well.

At 1136 hours we were alerted to the 8900 block of Gunston Road in Welcome for the working house fire with entrapment.  The Truck, Tanker, and Chief 1 responded with 9 volunteers.  First arriving Engine 8-3 found fire through the roof of a 2 story single family.  The truck arrived and vented vertically, and opened up for the engine companies.  E-11 was alerted to respond to the drafting site, to fill tankers.  Units cleared at 1300 hours.

At 1600 hours we were alerted to respond to Scotts Store on Port Tobacco Road in Welcome for a shed fire.  The Truck and Tanker repsonded with 5 volunteers.  First arriving Engine 8-3 found a couple of trailers well off. The Truck performed their duties and the Tanker dropped a couple of loads of water.  Units cleared at 1700 hours.

At 1730 hours we were alerted for a motor vehicle accident with a person ejected in front of 7825 Hawthorned Road in Pomfret.  Rescue Engine 13 and Chief 1 responded with 7 volunteers.  The call was upgraded involving entrapment, which brought E11, E14 and Duty 1 with an additional 5 volunteers.  Units found 4 vehicles involved, with 3 different vehicles requiring extrication.  The Rescue crew extricated 2 patients from 2 vehicles and Rescue 8 and E11's crew extricated 1.  3 Helicopters transported 3 patients and 2 patients were taken by ground.  All crews worked well together with this overwhelming incident.  Good Job!! 

The members of the La Plata Volunteer Fire Department would like to extend their sincerest condolences to the members of Charles County Volunteer Rescue Squad, Charles County Fire and EMS Communications, and to the family of CCVRS President/ Past Chief Susie Spalding. 

Susie has been a good friend to our Department during her time of service at CCVRS, as well as a dispatcher at Communications.  We will miss her dearly.  Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and those she served beside for many years. 

Funeral arrangements are as follows:

Viewing

Sunday, April 26, 2009

1600-2000 hrs

Prayers to be held at 1900

Sacred Heart Church, La Plata, MD

Funeral

Monday, April 27, 2009

1000 hrs

Sacred Heart Church, La Plata, MD

Internment to follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery, St. Mary's Avenue

Any Department wishing to bring apparatus, please contact Assistant Fire Chief Matt Gilroy or Captain Doug Hutchins at the station.

On Sunday, April 19, 2009 a benefit chicken dinner and dance will be held in honor of Adam Lumpkins. Adam is a local 2 year old baby that was diagnosed on Christmas Eve with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia with an MLL chromosome.  His medical care has already exceeded $256,000.00 and insurance will not cover all of it. He is facing the possibility of an experimental bone marrow transplant, which will not be covered and costs approximately $30,000.00.
 
The event will be held at the Mechanicsville Moose Lodge #495 (see flyer for complete address). Admission for the event will be $20. The event will include raffles throughout the day, a money wheel, and several door prizes. Entertainment will include band Permanent Damage, Just Jeff the DJ, and stand up comedy.
 
Adam’s mom, Jamie, is a Paramedic with Charles County and has been a member of Mechanicsville Rescue Squad. His dad, Chris, has been a member of Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department and Bel Alton Volunteer Fire Department. He is currently a career Firefighter/Paramedic with Fort A.P. Hill. Adam has several aunts and uncles who are also volunteer and career emergency responders. Their family has a strong sense of giving back to the community. Please come out and show some support for them now when they need US!
 
For additional information, please view the attached flyer or contact Timmy Barnes at (301) 481-4334.

The La Plata Volunteer Fire Department is pleased to announce that our very own Jarrell Reeder has returned home after a year long deployment with the United States Marine Corps.  We are excited to have G-Money back home safe and sound. 

Jarrell, thank you for your service to our country and welcome home Little Buddy!