http://www.pgcvfra.org/apps/public/rss News articles published on pgcvfra.org using RSS 2.0 Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:22:22 GMT http://www.pgcvfra.org/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=119 Below is the VRS information for January 2012. January's VRS Class is as follows: Monday, January 16, 2012, Wednesday, January 18, 2012, and Friday, January 20, 2012. All classes will be held at station 43's training hall beginning at 1900 (16408 Pointer Ridge Drive, Bowie, Maryland 20716). To register, please send an email to vrssignup@gmail.com. If you have any problems with registering on line, contact Nancy Roberts at 301-583-1914. KEEP THE COPY OF THE EMAIL THAT WAS SENT AS VERIFICATION OF REGISTRATION and have your member bring it to class. Nancy Roberts, Mike Mattison and Vince Harrison have the ultimate authority as it relates to VRS class registration. All students must have their IS 100 and 700 at the beginning of class (first day). In addition, student must have or obtain their Healthcare CPR certification prior to the second (Wednesday) class. Bowie VFD will have a CPR class on Tuesday, January 17, 2011, for VRS class participants ONLY. The class will begin at 1900. Tue, 20 Dec 2011 19:26:38 GMT http://www.pgcvfra.org/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=119 http://www.pgcvfra.org/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=118 Join Team MSFA as we team up to raise funds for the 16th Annual Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge. Come play in the cool Chesapeake Bay while Team MSFA, the Maryland State Police and 1000's of your coolest friends raise money for Special Olympics of Maryland. What's the Plunge? Be a part of THE event of winter and join us for the 16th Annual MSP Polar Bear Plunge where, for just $50 in pledges, Plunge participants take a quick dip in the Chesapeake Bay to raise funds for Special Olympics Maryland, the state's largest year-round organization devoted to sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Anyone can participate! (Under 18 requires parent or guardian signature.) Cool Prizes For Plungers With just $50 in pledges, all participants receive a commemorative 16th Annual Plunge sweatshirt, a great anniversary gift (TBA) and the great feeling of freezing your "fur" off for a truly worthy cause. Plus, the more money Plungers raise, the more cool stuff they can get - like essential Plunge gear. Visit http://bit.ly/TeamMSFA and join Team MSFA in the coolest thing you can do this January. If you can't participate - sponsor a Plunger and help Team MSFA reach its goal. Wed, 09 Nov 2011 14:32:45 GMT http://www.pgcvfra.org/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=118 http://www.pgcvfra.org/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=117 There is a new way to sign-up for the Volunteer Recruit School Class. Use the email address vrssignup@gmail.com. Please include: Your Name Your ID Number Your Station Number And whether you need the full class or just Session #2 for equivalency member. You must receive a confirmation return e-mail stating you are enrolled in the class. AS OF JANUARY 2012 CLASS 30 THIS WILL BE THE ONLY WAY TO REGISTER FOR VRS. Tue, 08 Nov 2011 19:39:23 GMT http://www.pgcvfra.org/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=117 http://www.pgcvfra.org/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=116 The Prince George's County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association 2011 Tribute was held on Saturday, November 5, 2011. This years' honorees are Reverend Harry and Lois Hetz from the Beltsville Volunteer Fire Department, Company 31, and Jim and Martha Neal from the Kentland Volunteer Fire Department, Company 33/46. Both couples were honored for their many years of dedicated volunteer service to Prince George's County and the state of Maryland. Tue, 08 Nov 2011 14:37:08 GMT http://www.pgcvfra.org/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=116 http://www.pgcvfra.org/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=115 Our leadership has been working diligently this month in our efforts to ensure the volunteer fire service continues to be an effective, vocal participant in Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department. The level of support and participation by our membership has been overwhelming, our voices are being heard and they are having a huge impact. We are happy to report that we are communicating directly with the Prince George's County Council membership and the Fire Chief to resolve Council Bill's which have a huge impact on our operations. They know where we stand, they know that we have the leverage to negotiate an agreement that benefits not only the citizens of Prince George's County but is beneficial to our mission and objectives moving forward. Our Friday evening meeting concluded with all parties agreeing that it was in the best interest of all to table the bill while the parties concerned resolve our differences and introduce a new bill. Leadership met again on Monday evening to develop a series of standing meetings and timetable for working through our issues. Our next meeting is scheduled for next Tuesday and we will begin a concerted effort to resolve the makeup of the Fire Commission, as well as address our need for a volunteer bill of rights/memorandum of understanding. Leadership will oppose and fight any and all attempts to have union representation on the commission. While we are all in agreement that county residency is necessary, as well as citizen participation, the third group will bring no value to the volunteer fire service and is seen as a political ploy to ensure union influence in Fire Commission decisions. They have their own bargaining agreements and avenues in the command structure and we feel strongly they should continue to use those. We strongly encourage your continued calls to council members and reaching out to community leaders. We are all very proud of your hard work and diligence, and encourage you to help keep the momentum in our favor. You should also send the recent 1619 letter to your local council members and point out the lies and deceit that this organization has caused our volunteer fire service. We appreciate your support and will provide additional updates on a weekly basis. Feel free to contact one of us if you have any questions. Respectfully, Glenn Sherman, President Chuck Walker, 1st Vice President John Maine, 2nd Vice President Thu, 20 Oct 2011 19:36:40 GMT http://www.pgcvfra.org/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=115 http://www.pgcvfra.org/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=114 We are asking all Prince George's County residents who support the volunteer Fire/EMS system to please call the offices of County Executive Rushern Baker (301-952-4131) and Council Chair Ingrid Turner (301-952-3094), and your District Councilperson to let them know that you are 100% opposed to the "Fire Protection Oversight Bills" (CB-060-2011 and CB-45-2011) that are currently under consideration by the Public Safety and Fiscal Management committee, and that you fully support the current Fire Commission. The bills would dramatically alter the structure and role of the Fire Commission which has represented the volunteers of Prince George's County for 40 years. The current Commission consists of 9 representatives elected by the volunteer corporations, and is responsible for oversight of the volunteer budget, fiscal audits, and certification of volunteer officers, among other responsibilities. The proposed legislation would eliminate the elected Commissioners, replacing them with nine appointees: three representing the volunteers, three representing the career staff, and three representing County citizens at large. The new Commission would function solely in an advisory capacity to the County Fire Chief, and would have no direct control over any funding. This would severely impact the financial health of many of the County's volunteer fire department. The volunteer fire service in Prince George's County dates back to the late 1800s. Things have changed a lot over the years, and the current combination system reflects those changes. Volunteer corporations still own 75% of the fire apparatus and 75% of the fire stations in the County. More than 1,500 volunteers stand ready to answer the call for help, day or night, and they receive the same or higher levels of training as paid firefighters. Volunteer and career personnel have successfully worked side-by-side for 40 years, and many paid firefighters begain their careers in the fire service as volunteers. Another 500 Volunteers serve in administrative and support roles. The proposed legislation will not improve that system, but could harm it irreparably. Please support your local volunteers by contacting Mr. Baker, Ms. Turner, and your County Council District Representative. Sat, 01 Oct 2011 12:07:17 GMT http://www.pgcvfra.org/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=114 http://www.pgcvfra.org/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=113 Pictures from the Prince George's County Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association Convention. Taken By Jen Wilbanks. Field Games, Saturday September 17th https://picasaweb.google.com/junderwoodphoto/Convention2011Laurel?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCMTsgbi8lbrFdw&feat=directlink Meeting and Awards, Thursday September 22nd https://picasaweb.google.com/junderwoodphoto/Thursday92211?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCK-T7syz_b_nrgE&feat=directlink Saturday, September 24th Prayer Breakfast https://picasaweb.google.com/junderwoodphoto/PrayerBreakfast?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCIfp6ee_9Oi76wE&feat=directlink Parade https://picasaweb.google.com/junderwoodphoto/Parade?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCJr4gbiKyaurpgE&feat=directlink Hook-Up Contests https://picasaweb.google.com/junderwoodphoto/HookUpGames?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCM3r2t-JqOCavAE&feat=directlink Wed, 28 Sep 2011 20:38:04 GMT http://www.pgcvfra.org/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=113 http://www.pgcvfra.org/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=96 SAVE ON YOUR ELECTRIC BILL FUNDRAISER Save money every month on your electric bill and help the Prince Georges County Volunteer Fireman's Association. If you are serviced by Pepco or BG&E, simply click on the link and follow the instructions on the Viridian site. By doing this you will help the PGCVF&RA earn $2.00 per month per meter, and you will save on your electric bill and help the environment by using "green" energy. So, what are you waiting for--click on the link and start saving. www.viridian.com/PGCVFRA Fri, 05 Nov 2010 02:14:40 GMT http://www.pgcvfra.org/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=96