Repairs to Be Made After Safety Hazards Detected At Beltsville Volunteer Fire Department

BELTSVILLE, MD — Health and safety concerns have been identified at the Beltsville Volunteer Fire Department, located at 4911 Prince George's Ave. Those safety hazards 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.

On Wednesday, Prince George’s County Fire Chief Tiffany D. Green and command staff hosted a community meeting at Station 831 with the residents, volunteer leadership and elected officials to discuss the need for the temporary relocation of assigned career and volunteer personnel, which could happen on or before Feb. 11.

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.

"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 Friday.