Last Thursday, June 27, the Greenbelt Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad (GVFD) held a volunteer interest meeting at the Greenbelt Firehouse at 124 Crescent Road. The event was an opportunity for residents to learn about Company 35, talk with current volunteers and get started on the membership process. Roughly a dozen volunteer hopefuls attended the event, filling the cozy room which was set with refreshments.
The event is timely for the department. On Sunday, Prince George’s County shifted 24 career firefighters out of GVFD to other parts of the county. This has created a gap in shift coverage that will be difficult to supplement with an entirely volunteer staff. Although volunteer firefighters and emergency medical technicians have comparable training to their career counterparts, they have to balance volunteer and job obligations.
The relocation of career firefighters has gotten a lot of attention in recent weeks. On June 12, Greenbelt City Council released a public statement expressing concern over the reduction of career firefighters. Last Monday, former governor and current Republican Senate candidate Larry Hogan spoke at the fire station, decrying the reduction of career firefighters as a result of the county’s de-prioritization of public safety.
At the event, Thomas Ray, GVFD chief, had a few words to share before attending a city council worksession. He emphasized that regardless of the change in career staff, the GVFD will always be committed to the community. He also saw those looking to join the fire department as volunteers as a great boon to help with coverage and ensure that volunteers are not stretched past their limit.
The GVFD team members introduced themselves. Ages ranged from the early 20s to those who have been with the firehouse since the 1970s. They also came from a variety of backgrounds; some were from a long line of firefighters, some joined recently to break up the monotony of a 9-to-5 office job and get to know the community better. Some of the volunteers serve as emergency medical technicians (EMTs), some in dual roles as both firefighters and EMTs, and others assist in administrative functions. The thing that they all had in common was a sense of fellowship with the rest of their teammates and belonging in the Greenbelt community.
Similarly, the interested attendees were all coming to the event at different stages of their lives. Some were students and recent graduates from Eleanor Roosevelt High School who became interested in the department after the GVFD’s presentation at career day. A few parents came for support, though by the end of the presentation some began considering joining themselves. Others came out of concern for the loss of career firefighters and, at the same time, for an opportunity to engage more meaningfully with their neighbors. As one of the volunteer hopefuls put it, joining was a chance to “build your village.”
The presentation included what being a part of the GVFD entails, the process to become a member and the amount of training to expect. For those starting out, the free training is the largest time obligation as the classwork can take as much time to complete as some college courses, but it is designed to be completed at the student’s pace. Volunteers can take up to three years to complete the training.
After the presentation, the GVFD gave a tour of the firehouse. Interested residents had a chance to check out the station’s two ambulances and two fire engines to see their many features. The station itself has a handful of live-in quarters where a few of the volunteers can stay, depending on need and availability. In the common spaces, the walls are covered in plaques, photographs and awards which spoke to the history and impact of the fire department.
There will be more volunteer interest events, though the date for the next one is not yet set. To stay up to date, Lisa Ray, the GVFD recruitment officer, recommends following the Engine 35 Facebook page. People can also go to engine35.com to apply to be a volunteer.