Bowie VFD Auxiliary Support Team

The Bowie Volunteer Fire Department is actively recruiting volunteer members for all of our stations. The BVFD has played a large role in public safety for the City of Bowie and surrounding area since 1928. The volunteer fire and EMS system is unique, in that it allows our citizens the ability to have a direct impact on the safety of our community. The recent economic downturn has once again proven the value of volunteers in supplying high quality fire and rescue services.

There is a place in the Bowie Volunteer Fire Department for everyone that has a passion to serve their community. All interested candidates are urged to fill out our online interest form, or contact any of our stations in the evening. Members can participate as a Fightfighter/EMT, Emergency Medical Technician, or in our Auxiliary. We also have several live-in positions available for students attending local colleges including the University of Maryland. For more information about The Bowie Volunteer Fire Department please visit our website.

The March Auxiliary meeting will be at 7:30 PM on Monday, March 15, at Company 39.

The Bowie Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary Support Team will host our annual Lunch with Santa on Saturday, December 5th, 2009 from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The event will be held at Station 39 which is located at 15454 Annapolis Road in Bowie (Freestate Mall). The cost is $5.00 per child and includes lunch (choice of a hot dog or peanut butter & jelly sandwich, chips, and a drink), a picture with Santa, face painting, and fire safety-related information. No RSVP is required. For more information please call 240-508-1016.

We will be collecting canned goods for the Interfaith Food Pantry as well.

The Bowie Volunteer Fire Department will be conducting a Food Drive to support the Bowie Interfaith Food Pantry throughout the upcoming holiday season. During the 2008 holiday season we were able to collect close to a thousand food items. Our goal is to try and surpass that amount this year. Food items will be collected as follows:

• Evenings and weekends: At the Christmas tree lot at Company 39 (15454 Annapolis Rd.) beginning Friday November 27th
• 11am-3pm on Saturday December 5th: During Lunch with Santa at Company39 (15454 Annapolis Rd.)
• Evenings throughout the holiday season: Santa will be picking items up as he tours the community on the Fire Engines prior to Christmas
• Daily: Items may be dropped off at any of the four Bowie Volunteer Fire Department Stations until Monday, December 21st

We ask that you give as much as you're able to help the less-fortunate members of our community.

The Bowie Volunteer Fire Department would like to announce that our Annual Direct Mail Fund Drive will begin arriving at homes in our response area in early December. Although it traditionally starts in late October or early November, problems at the printer have caused a delay. The funds are used to repair and update the tools and apparatus used to provide fire and emergency medical services in Bowie and the surrounding area. As the stressed economy continues to challenge everyone, and funding from Prince George's County is cut back, we are working to provide the best possible service under the current conditions. The Department would ask everyone to do as much as they can to support our mission.

It is with great sadness that the Bowie Volunteer Fire Department announces the death of Alton (Bernie) Jones, Jr., who served as Deputy Chief 39B, on the evening of Thursday, October 8, 2009. Bernie and his wife, Andi, were active members of the Department until their move to Tennessee. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, October 14, 2009, at 10 AM at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Crossville. Visitation will be Tuesday, October 13, 2009 from 6 to 9 PM at Hood Funeral Home.

The Bowie Volunteer Fire Department participated in the City of Bowie's Back to School Bash on Saturday, August 18, 2009. Fire extinguisher training was provided, educational materials were distributed, and equipment was displayed.Several pieces of apparatus were on-hand, including Auxiliary 19, Canteen 39, Engines 192 and 432, the Special Events Ambulance, and Utility 49 with the Mobile Teaching Lab. Attendees included Auxiliary members Glenn Locker, Amy Locker, Wendi Howard, and Michelle Goodier and operation members included firefighter (FF) Ray Wingo, Deputy Chief Jason Bloom, Assistant Chief Jonathan Howard, Lt. Brandy Kreitzer, and FF Tevin Williams. Career staff from Station 43 also were on-hand to interact with the citizens and provide additional safety information.

Saturday, August 22, the City of Bowie will hold its annual Back to School Bash at the Bowie City Gym from 1000 to 1300. Auxiliary members are wanted to staff the Canteen. If interested, please contact Amy Locker or Michelle Goodier for additional details.

On 8/11/09 at 1720, Engine 392 (Bowie/Belair) was dispatched to the 2700 block of Felter Lane for a report of an outside fire. Upon arrival the officer on E392 (Vol. Capt. Blanton) notified PCS to fill the assignment, reporting an outside fire with extension to the house. Truck 19 (Bowie/Huntington), Canteen 19, Brush 39, Ambulance 399, Engine 432 (Bowie/Pointer Ridge), Rescue Engine 18 (Glenn Dale), and Arundel Engine 7 (nne Arundel County) all responded on the call. The source of the fire was found to be a defective gas grille that was placed too close to the house. Damage to the home was confined to the rear wall. All units cleared the scene at approximately 1820. Photos courtesy of Glenn Locker, BVFD PIO.

The Bowie VFD was happy to be invited by the Bowie Police Department to attend the National Night Out Against Crime on Tuesday, August 4. Auxiliary 19 (George Amyx), Canteen 39 (Lloyd Bass), Engine 391 (Kevin Loftus, Gary Blanton, Tom Hayden, Portia Suber, and Damon Sinclair), and Utility 39 (Ray Wingo) with the Mobile Teaching Lab in tow accompanied Chief 19 (Lee Havens) to Allen Pond. The Auxiliary gave out fire hats, pencils, pens, and coloring books to the kids. Adults were given safety information and tours of the apparatus.

Target made a generous donation of bottled water that will help us carry out our operational and educational activities.