MD Man Impersonating Firefighter Tried To Cancel Fire Call: Officials

ALLEGANY COUNTY, MD — A Maryland man is facing charges after state authorities said he impersonated a firefighter and tried to use a two-way radio to call off fire and EMS workers responding to an emergency.

Matthew W. Milburn, 32, of Romney, was charged with impersonating a firefighter and impeding emergency transmissions after a 911 call was made earlier this week, according to a Maryland State Fire Marshal news release. Authorities said Milburn faced three similar charges in May 2017 after pretending to be a Reynolds Store volunteer firefighter.

According to the fire marshal's office, Barton Hose Company and the George's Creek Ambulance Service were called to the 17100 block of Pekin Street in Allegany County for a medical emergency.

While responding, authorities said Fire Chief Kevin Rounds heard over an online cell phone app called Zello a person calling himself "Captain 38." Authorities said the person, later identified as Milburn, told responding firefighters the unconscious person was "10-4," and they could cancel their response.

When first responders arrived at the home, they found Milburn leaving the property, authorities said. According to the fire marshal's office, the person who placed the initial 911 call told authorities Milburn used Narcan on the unconscious person to counteract a drug overdose, then used a two-way radio to transmit his message.

Rounds stopped Milburn and discovered the man had a two-way radio attached to his belt, authorities said. Milburn gave Rounds the radio before running away, according to the news release.

Milburn was taken into custody Friday after Allegany County Sheriff's Office received a call regarding a gun dispute between neighbors. Authorities responded to the home, where they found Milburn, the fire marshal's office said.

Authorities said Milburn was arrested on an outstanding Garrett County warrant and later admitted to investigators he was the man on the radio.