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We Support the IAFF’s “Campaign For A Smoke Free Union”

As a combination Paid/Volunteer station we are obligated to help meet the needs of all who a part of the Silver Hill Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad Inc. One may find it odd to have a quote from the IAFF on our site but those who work in our station know we care about the health and well being of all our people. These dedicated professionals spend more time with us than they do with the management of the Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department. Because we are a service organization we put kindness and concern for others over politics no matter their affiliation. We work together to put the needs of others over our own individual needs. Why, because we got it like that. This is what we do. Serve the community that live, work and play in Silver Hill, Suitland and surrounding jurisdictions.

What follows is excepts from the IAFF website on smoking.

The IAFF asks, “Why Quit”?

Their Answer:

Health Risks To Fire Fighters

Fire Fighters face serious risks on the job. They face heat, flames, physical and mental stress and high levels of carbon monoxide (CO) and other toxic risks in the areas around fires. Fire fighters face a high risk for many diseases. Fire fighters who smoke are at greater risk. Smoking increases the risk of getting heart disease, cancer, respiratory illnesses, stress, and poorer treatment outcomes for certain diseases, such as hepatitis.

Heart Disease. Heart attacks account for 45% of all work-related deaths among fire fighters. This risk is high during fire fighting itself. It may be caused by heavy work near hot fires, exposure to carbon monoxide, and other stresses associated with the job. Lack of physical fitness, being overweight, and smoking makes these risks higher. Fire fighters who also smoke have a higher risk from CO and other pulmonary risks. High levels of physical and mental stress makes the heart need more oxygen, but at the same time, breathing in more CO reduces the amount of oxygen a fire fighter gets. This can cause heart attacks from both coronary artery disease and from abnormal heart rhythms.

Check out the story at IAFF.org for more information.

We place no smoking signs all over the fire station supporting the State and County’s drive to have a smoke free environment. Sadly, no matter how much we talk about it, meet about it and use mitigation, preparedness and response type interventions to reduce smoking in the fire station it is a continuous process. Smoking is addictive and it leads to premature death. We will continue to help our fire fighters eliminate smoking from their lives as the IAFF encourages.

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Don’t Give Up on Your Training Program

The road to becoming a certified EMT or Firefighter may be long but it is worth it. The career field has too many benefits to walk away from. While training isn’t glamorous or exciting it leads to the type of lifestyle you want to enjoy. When you compare your future with training, to your life without training you can see why you started the training.

Don’t quit because of the time commitment. Anything worth doing takes time. You can’t expect to treat patients and respond to fires with little to no training. The training we provide is very targeted to get you providing services in the shortest time. We are providing training through accredited post secondary educational institutions like the University of Maryland and the Maryland Institute of Emergency Medical Services. Many of the courses can be turned into college credits saving you thousands of dollars in college fees. You can get the same training with us that you take from colleges and universities much faster and at a much lower cost. In most cases our training is free.

We provide free on-line training and in station drills to help you meet your fire service goals. So if you want to serve your community and make yourself available to the fire service market come to the Silver Hill Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad at 3900 Old Silver Hill Road. Go to our apply now page and Come Join Us!

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Business is Booming

New construction, new vehicles, new members, completed certifications and more is what we have going on at the Silver Hill Volunteer Fire Department. Thanks to the Board of Directors, the Chief of the SHVFD&RS and the members who skillfully go about the business of service, things are very bright. If you want to be a part of the growth come by and see for yourself.

It’s exciting times in the face of danger, disasters and emergencies. Contact us for the training and education you need to get involved. Come to 3900 Old Silver Hill Road, go to our “Apply Now” page and Join Us!.

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Those Who Make Things Happen and Those That Complain

The Pioneers and the Settlers (In The Goldilocks Zone)

There are a lot of Pioneers in the Fire and Rescue Services that are criticized by those who are on the sidelines (Settlers) waiting for things to get done. These Settlers are not bad people, they just don’t have the talent to make things happen. You know who they are. They come into your home, complain about the chairs either being too soft or too hard. They complain about the food either being too hot or too cold. They complain about the beds either being too hard or too soft. We get that they want things to be just right but they don’t do their part to help make things just right.

To all the Settlers out there, and you know who you are, no one made things just right for the Pioneers. The Pioneers build the company, buy the apparatus, acquire the equipment, fix the facilities and work hard to make things just right. Pioneers have faced more dangerous things than the criticism of Settlers. Pioneers know the truth about the situation. They continue the work knowing the Settlers will always only be concerned about their comfort. So it comes down to perspective.

Pioneering is hard work and the more energy you waste on Settlers the harder the work becomes. Pioneers need to focus on enjoying the fruit of their labors rather than being worried about Settlers enjoying the same.

 

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Newly Certified Members take Center Stage.

Two newly certified firefighters were added to the team and two nationally certified emergency medical service technicians were also added. Step by step SHVFD&RS is adding to its operational capability. We appreciate the hard work and dedication of our members.

Address

Silver Hill Fire Department
and Rescue Squad
3900 Old Silver Hill RD
Suitland, MD 20746

Contact us!

Email: silverhillvfd@comcast.net

Phone

Emergencies: 911

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