Click on the link to view a Memorial Video in Honor of Life Member and Past Deputy Chief Mark “Mick” McKenzie. Higher quality DVD copies are also available through the Kentland online store with all proceeds benefiting a charitable organization in Mick’s name. Thank you for your support.

For several weeks the producers of TheBattalion.TV online series about Firefighters rode along with The Kentland Volunteer Fire Department. www.TheBattalion.TV is the world’s first weekly Webisode series about firefighters broadcast in High Definition for free over the internet. You can watch the webisodes anytime you want right from your computer. The staff of The Battalion were treated to many incidents while riding with the 100% Volunteer Kentland Fire Department and episodes will be posted every other Friday evening on www.TheBattalion.TV. Click on the East Coast Series about Kentland to see more about the filming. We would like to thank the producers of The Battalion Series for taking the time to represent Americas Volunteer System as well as career departments around the Country. Show your support, click the link below to see the new Webisode and catch up on the first 5.

At 1529 hours Tower Ladder 33 was alerted for a reported building fire at 16027 English Oaks Lane in Bowie. Moments later Engine 331 was added to the call as the 4th due Engine Company. The Engine, Tower and Chief 33 responded with 8 volunteers on the run. First arriving units found a 2 story apartment house with smoke showing. Chief 33 was assigned as Division 1 with the Tower Crew. Engine 331 established a secondary water supply and stood bye. Crews found a small fire in the walls, opened up and made quick work of it. Command held Tower 33, Rescue Engine 18 (Glendale) and Engine 431 from Bowie to complete overhaul. Volunteer Chief Havens had command.     
FIRE AUDIO LINK     

At 2238 hrs Tower Ladder 33 was alerted for a reported basement fire at 5704 K St. Enroute units were advised that District of Columbia Engine 30 and 17 Truck were on the scene of a working basement fire they had come across on a smoke in the area call over the line. Tower Ladder 33 with 4 volunteers arrived on the scene and went to work cleaning out windows, checking the roof for extension, opening up the walls and conducting overhaul operations. The units from DC held Tower 33 and Engine 51 (Capital Heights) to assist with overhaul and the investigators. The operated for just over 2 hours before returning to service. A second engine crew was maintained at Company 33 during the fire.
  FIRE AUDIO LINK ATTACHED       

With the summer coming to a close and the hot days and long nights growing shorter, a familiar wind began to blow thru the Kentland Volunteer Fire Station Number 33. The scent of competition was in the air, FINALLY softball had returned. For the 4th consecutive year the Kentland Volunteers participated in the annual Prince George’s County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Associations softball tournament. Saturday led to two victories for the 33 team, outscoring opponents 54 – 4 in 9 total innings. Sunday led to a relapse of the age old “ID Number Dispute”, teams of unfamiliar faces laced up the cleats to do battle with the Firetruck Riding Softball Players of Company 33. The members responded magnificently; courageously dueling it out into the Championship Game. Despite a heroic effort on the diamond of destruction, and an incredibly talented Heckling Section; the Kentland Volunteers finished a respectable Second Place out of the 12 teams present. The two day tournament was host to many highlights and memories for the Kentland Volunteers. Thanks to an introduction of a “Safer Softball” only one homerun was recorded for the whole tournament weekend, hit by Rescue Engine Lt. Joe Brown. The Semi-Professional Heckling Team turned in a masterpiece performance including 2 personal bests. Special thanks to the Kentland Volunteers who stayed behind to man Station 33 with two crews most of the weekend capped off by a working fire for the Tower Ladder.    

Around 2100 hours Tower 33 was dispatched as the second due truck for the house on fire in the area of Shady Glen Drive and Shady Glen Terrace in Seat Pleasant. Moments later Chief 8 arrived with a corrected address of 7605 Walker Mill Drive and advised of a 2 story cape cod with fire showing from the second floor. Tower 33 arrived with other units and assumed first due responsibilities and split its crew. The Officer and Barman forced the front door, located the fire and conducted the primary search of the entire house as the engine companies waited for water. Meanwhile the Driver and Canman threw 5 ladders, vented the windows and roof, and ran lights. Once the fire was knocked down the crew began to open up the house finding significant extension. After approximately 20 minutes Command scaled back the incident to Engine 372, Engine 51, Tower 33 and Rescue Squad 8. The Volunteers from Kentland operated for one and a half hours before returning to service.

FIRE AUDIO LINK

Motorcyclists from all around the area gathered to pay tribute to a fallen hero. Sgt. Richard Findley was killed in the line of duty as a Prince Georges County Police Officer. He was also a proud member of the Beltsville Volunteers. The Sgt. Richard Findley Memorial Ride was a huge success and the Kentland Volunteers were proud to be a part of such an event. All proceeds from the event went to benefit Sgt. Findleys wife and two children. Check out the news link for more on the ride.  

The past several days have surely been emotional for the Kentland Volunteers, but all the hard work came together for a wonderful visitation and funeral service for Life Member and Past Deputy Chief Mark “Mick” McKenzie. With 56 volunteers, 6 pieces of apparatus and one support unit, the Kentland Volunteer Fire Department tried their best to honor a true hero and the definition of the word “Fireman”. Mick touched many lives as was represented by the departments that came to pay their respects both at the visitation and the funeral services. The precession was lead by none other then Mick’s beloved Tower Ladder 33 “Sally” followed by the rest of the Kentland Units. Units from The Wheaton Volunteer Rescue Squad, Tacoma Park Volunteer Fire Department, Kensington Volunteers, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue, West Lanham Hills, Burtonsville, NIH and many others showed up in Mick’s honor. The Kentland Volunteer Fire Department would like to thank all those who showed their love and affection for Mick through their thoughts, actions and prayers. A memorial video will be posted for others to remember Mick. Higher quality DVD’s will be available through the Kentland online store, with all proceeds going to benefit a charitable organization in Mick’s name. Keep Mick’s memory alive in your own hearts and minds, never forget his lessons, and always remember the great times. From the Kentland Volunteers; Mick we thank you.      

As the 56 Kentland Volunteers, Engine 331 (New), Engine 331 (Old), Engine 332, Rescue Engine 33, Tower Ladder 33, Mini-Pumper 33 and The Chiefs were attending funeral services for the late Mark “Mick” McKenzie, the fill-in crew from the Bladensburg Volunteers were alerted for a reported smoke coming from the home at 502 68th Street. Engine 92 acting as Engine 331 responded with 5 volunteers on the run as the third due Engine Company. First arriving units from Company 8 (Seat Pleasant) arrived on the scene of a single family home with smoke showing. Engine 331 arrived on the scene and advanced a handline to back up Engine 81. Crews found a room off in the rear of the home and knocked it down. The assignment was later scaled back to the units from Seat Pleasant. Thanks to the Bladensburg Volunteers for their support in this time of mourning.       

After a long and memorable day attending visitation for Mick, the volunteers returned home to contemplate the events of the past few days. This would not last long as crews were alerted for a reported house fire at 805 Parrot Court. Engine 331 and Rescue Engine 33 responded with 10 volunteers on the run. Engine 331 arrived on the scene of a two-story split foyer home with fire showing from the second floor. Engine 331 assumed the first due Engine Company responsibilities as Rescue Engine 33 upheld the Kentland policy and remained the 3rd due Engine Company. Both crews advanced lines into the home, Engine 331 from Side-A Alpha and Rescue Engine 33 from Side-C Charlie, checking the basement and advancing to back up E331. Crews found several rooms off on the second floor of the home and made short work of it, opening up and extinguishing all fire. Command held the units from Kentland to complete overhaul. Crews returned to service after 2 hours of work. The Kentland Volunteers returned home to see just what else Mick had instore for his beloved 33.     

FIRE AUDIO LINK

At 0527 hrs Rescue Engine 33 with 5 volunteers was alerted for a reported person struck by a train in the area of Annapolis Road and Princess Garden Parkway. Units were told to meet Amtrack personnel behind the McDonalds on Annapolis Road for an access point. As units from West Lanham were led back an access road, Rescue Engine 33 was lead to another access point off 85th Ave that was large enough for the unit. The Rescue Engine made its way down a very tight gravel assess road and arrived on the scene of a worker who had been struck by a train, but was alert and communicating. The crew of quickly went to work with EMS crews to package the priority one patient as other members quickly collected severed limbs from the track bed to be transported to the trauma center with the patient. The patient was loaded and transported to PG Hospital priority one. The Rescue Engine crew returned to service a short time later.   

At 2221 hrs as the Volunteers of Kentland were preparing for Mick’s memorial celebrations they were dispatched to the area of Annapolis Road and Landover Road for a report of smoke coming from a vacant building. Units from Company 9 (Bladensburg) arrived in the area to investigate, the remaining units were staged in line of approach. Engine 331 staged in the area with 6 volunteers. With nothing found a further call back for the reporting party stated it was the vacant building next to the gas station at Landover and Annapolis. Engine 331 stood by a hydrant at the gas station and awaited further instructions. Investigating units could not locate the reason for the call and returned the balance of the assignment for them to investigate further. As units returned to service members of Company 33 noticed a light haze from the building on the Charlie Side. Engine 331 laid a supply line to the front of the building as the box assignment was recalled. The crew made entry into the alpha side of the dilapidated building through a large picture window, locating a fire in a back room of the building. The fire was quickly knocked down and command held units from Company 9 and 33. Units operated for just over a half hour.  

FIRE AUDIO LINK

As friends and members of the Kentland Volunteer Fire Department send pictures in of Mick, they will be posted for everyone to see on our website.

Pictures can be forwarded to Jbrown@Kentland33.com. Thank you.

Just before 1500 hrs Engine 81 (Seat Pleasant) advised communications on channel 1 that it was on the scene of a house fire with smoke showing down the street from the firehouse. The box alarm was transmitted for 6905 Adel St. which brought units from surrounding companies. First arriving units found a two story cape code style home with fire on the first floor and in the walls. As the fire began to escalate command requested the Task Force Alarm be sounded, this brought Rescue Engine 33 with 4 volunteers to the scene, the Tower Ladder was on a separate call. When the Rescue Engine arrived they were assigned to ventilation and began performing ventilation from a sub-roof not involved in fire. As conditions further deteriorated the evacuation tones were sounded. After the home was clear of all personnel the crew of Rescue Engine 33 was reassigned to enter the structure with a hoseline, open up the walls and extinguished the fire. The crew quickly went to work and completed the task at hand. Once all fire had been extinguished the crew was released to rehab. Once clear of rehab the crew returned back to service. They operated for just over an hour before returning to service.

FIRE AUDIO LINK

It is with deep regret and great sorrow that the Officers and Members of the Kentland Volunteer Fire Department announce the death of Life Member and Past Deputy Chief Mark “Mick” McKenzie. Mick passed away at 1929 hours on this date at Frederick Memorial Hospital in Frederick, Maryland. Mick joined the Kentland Volunteers in January of 1990 and in that time received multiple awards for heroism and valor, including using a roof ladder to scale the outside of an apartment building to rescue a trapped occupant. He also played a large role in making the Kentland Tower Ladder Company what it is today. He was a wealth of firefighting knowledge and never hesitated to pass it along to eager minds. Mick touched many lives through his firefighting techniques, positive attitude and his overall love for the job he did so well. He will be greatly missed and always remembered. Arrangement details will be posted when they are known.

UPDATE:
The Funeral Arrangements for Life Member and past Deputy Chief Mark "Mick" McKenzie are as follows
 
The viewings will be at Pumphreys Funeral Home
Thursday August 21, 2008
300 W. Montgomery Ave Rockville, Maryland
1500-1700
1900-2100
FD Memorial Services 2000 hrs.
 
The Funeral will be at St Patricks in Rockville 
Friday August 22, 2008
4101 Norbeck Road at 11:00 hours
 
Internment at Gates of Heaven on Georgia Avenue in Aspen Hill
 
The after services will be held at Company 33 following the internment at the request of the family

7701 Landover Rd
Landover, MD  20785



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