Firefighters Will Stay At Beltsville Station While Critical Repairs Are Made To Building

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — Fire Chief Tiffany Green announced at a community meeting this week that the county fire and EMS career firefighters will remain at the Beltsville Volunteer Fire Station 831 in order to keep it staffed while repairs are made to the station.

The fire/EMS department and county leaders have secured trailers to be used on site for fire station offices and living quarters. A roster of 20 career firefighters and 18 volunteers currently staff the station. The Beltsville Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. owns the fire station and emergency response apparatus.

"The safety of our members, paired with uninterrupted service delivery to the community, remains our top priority," Green said.

Health and safety concerns identified at the Beltsville Volunteer Fire Department, located at 4911 Prince George's Ave., pose a potential risk to the firefighters, leaders say, so repairs will be made after a third-party assessment is conducted and should conclude before July 1.

"Since diesel exhaust fumes in the firehouse is a primary concern of Chief Green's, I have requested that an air quality test be performed. This would enable us to determine if there is indeed an immediate hazard that needs to be mitigated. I have asked that it be independent of the other inspection scheduled so that we can receive quicker results and get work done immediately if necessary," the fire company posted on its Facebook page.

The following protocols and safety precautions have been established in order to keep the emergency workers safe during the construction period:

• The station will be actively ventilated around the clock.
• The county will install air purifiers throughout the station to maintain acceptable air quality levels.
• Assigned personnel will ensure the proper use of current vehicle exhaust systems.
• The county fire/EMS department has provided a reserve frontline engine due to a failed exhaust system transmitter on the assigned engine. There may be potential for other areas of diesel exhaust infiltration within the station that will continue to be monitored and mitigated.
• Staff will be monitored for signs and symptoms of illness associated with the
identified risks.

Related:

Safety Hazards Detected At Beltsville Volunteer Fire Department