Morningside Volunteer Fire Department was recently awarded with the Hurst Jaws of Life Rescue of the Year for 2002. The award was selected from over 3300 nominations that were submitted to Hurst during 2002.
The rescue occurred shortly after midnight on 29 December 2002 when members of the Morningside Volunteer Fire Department heard a loud crash coming from the parkway adjacent to the firehouse. As the members responded to investigate, they found a head-on crash with one vehicle fully involved in flame and the other vehicle located close by with two individuals trapped in the vehicle. Members of Morningside Volunteer Fire Department quickly extinguished the fire and extricated the two individuals. The quick actions of the members of Morningside Volunteer Fire Department saved the lives of the trapped individuals before the fire reached them.
Morningside Volunteer Fire Department consists of approximately 50 volunteers and is augmented by four Prince George's County (MD) career firefighters who work 7AM to 5PM, Monday - Friday. The Department is made up of an engine company and a heavy-duty rescue squad company. The Department responds to over 5,000 calls annually. Rescue Squad 27, the Department's heavy-duty rescue squad was recently listed as the 4th busiest heavy-duty rescue squad in the nation according to Firehouse Magazine's Annual Run Survey. Bob Linster, Northeast Regional Sales Manager was on hand to present a battery operated portable rescue tool to the Department that was donated by Hurst Jaws of Life Company as the grand prize.
