CALVERTON, Md. -- 9NEWS NOW has learned that Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department Chief Eugene Jones wants to completely close two firehouses starting on August 1.
According to numerous sources familiar with the plan, Chief Jones is anticipating final approval as early as today to shut down Station 841 in Calverton and Station 844 in Chillum. The plan, as submitted, also calls for the removal of career firefighters from Station 805 (Capitol Heights) and Station 813 (Riverdale Heights) Neither station has significant volunteer participation.
As part of the plan, Prince George's Fire Department will add staffing at other stations in the county.
Contacted this afternoon, Prince George's Fire Department Chief Spokesman Mark Brady would only say that the new staffing plan has been submitted for final approval.
Station 841, at 3939 Powder Mill Road off of I-95, and Station 844, at 6330 Riggs Road are two of Prince George's County's closest stations to the Montgomery County border. Both stations run many calls into Montgomery County, as Montgomery Country fire stations in Prince George's County.
We have contacted Montgomery County Fire Rescue Service for comment. According to sources, Montgomery's officials only learned of the plan in the last two days.
The plan is expected to replace one that has been in effect since July 1. That plan currently removes career staffing on a rotating basis from as many as seven stations each day. It relies on volunteer crews to cover shifts when available. While a number of stations have been able to provide volunteer staffing under the temporary plan, fire stations are going without staffing and failing to respond on numerous calls.
Republished with permission of WUSA-TV.
