Bowie VFD Auxiliary Support Team

The Auxiliary will be on-hand for the Back To School Bash this Saturday, August 21, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the City Of Bowie Gym on Northview Drive. Please contact Amy Locker for more information.

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 April Auxiliary meeting will be at 7:30 PM on Monday, May 17, at Company 39.

The Auxiliary will be on-hand for Whitehall Elementary School's Fun Fair from 12:00 to 4:00 PM on Saturday, May 1. Please contact Amy Locker for more information.

The April Auxiliary meeting will be at 7:30 PM on Monday, April 19, at Company 39.

During the week of April 19th, 2010, the Bowie Volunteer Fire Department will begin its annual Photo Fund Drive. This fundraising event is conducted door-to-door each year by Volunteer Funding Dimensions, Inc. on our behalf. Proceeds from this fund drive play a major role in continuing our mission to provide high quality Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Medical Services to Bowie and the surrounding area. Citizens who make a donation receive a voucher for a free family portrait sitting with a photographer, which is held at Bowie VFD Station 43 on Pointer Ridge Drive.

In past years many citizens have had questions regarding several different fundraising efforts within Bowie. The Bowie Volunteer Fire Department conducts only two fundraisers per year: the current Photo Fund Drive, and a direct mailer in the fall. The Bowie Volunteer Fire Department never requests donations by telephone. Anyone with questions regarding this fundraiser may contact our Fundraising Leader, Mr.Jeffery Nigro, at 301-351-3072 with any questions or comments.

Although we receive partial funding from the City of Bowie and Prince George's County, we rely heavily on citizen donations to purchase equipment and apparatus. The Bowie Volunteer Fire Department currently operates 4 fire stations equipped with 7 fire engines, 3 tower/ladder trucks, 5 ambulances, 2 brush trucks, 1 tanker, 3 utility trucks, 1 breathing air supply unit, 1 canteen unit, 5 command vehicles, 1 training trailer,and 3 units for public safety/administrative duties. Of these 32 units 24 are owned by the Department.

Bowie VFD Company 19 will hold a Station Open House in support of the Annual Old Town Spring Fling from 11:00 AM until 4:00 PM on Saturday, April 24, 2010. Our members will provide station tours, fire safety information, recruiting materials, and other activities. We would invite the citizens of the community we proudly serve to come out to meet us and learn more about our organization.

The Bowie Volunteer Fire Department was requested for two stand-bys in conjunction with the line of duty death of PGPD Private First Class Thomas Jensen. On Sunday, march 14, Canteen 39 was staffed by several Auxiliary members to provide support services from 11:00 to 20:00 during the viewing at Evans Funeral Home. On Monday, March 15, the BVFD Special Events Ambulance was staffed by our volunteer firefighters/EMTs to stand-by at Riverdale Baptist Church during the  funeral service. Our Department is honored to have support PGPD in a time of need.

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.