Maryland Fire Department Bans Ride-Alongs After Teen Burned
The order from Lt. Col. Robert McCoy is very clear, "effective immediately, the Ride-Along Observer Program is suspended."
Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department Major Chauncey Bowers said Wednesday, the stopping of the program is a reaction to criminal and internal investigations currently underway at the Riverdale Volunteer Fire Department, along with other concerns.
In the email message sent to command officers on Monday, Lt. Col. McCoy wrote: "The Department has recently been involved in issues that require us to look at our current procedures. One procedure in particular is General Order 1-03, Ride Along Observer Program. We have personnel riding that do not meet the requirements of the program, are not abiding by the rules of the program, and the scrutiny and responsibility has decreased."
As 9NEWS NOW first reported last month, a 17-year-old boy from Pennsylvania, who was riding at the Riverdale station, was set on fire by two volunteer firefighters. Riverdale Volunteer Fire Department Chief Vince Harrison said he suspended the two volunteers for 30 days after they ignited an alcohol-based disinfectant foam that had been sprayed on the teenager.
The incident was not immediately reported and the teen did not receive medical treatment until Prince George's County Fire investigators were told about it almost a week after it occurred. Sources tell 9NEWS NOW the boy received second-degree burns to his back.
While Chief Harrison said again on Tuesday night that Riverdale's investigation has been completed, Major Bowers tells STATter 911 the county continues both internal and criminal probes into the matter.
According to Chief Harrison, he had suspended Riverdale's ride-along program within days of the late September incident.
While they did not have authorization to speak publicly about the new order, a number of volunteer chief officers in Prince George's County have told 9NEWS NOW they are concerned the suspension of the program will have an adverse effect on recruitment efforts.
Republished with permission of WUSA-TV.