Prince George County Fire EMS Department Preparing For Busy Charity Weekend

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Members of the Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department (PGFD) are getting ready for what is traditionally one of the busiest weekends of the year for their department with several large events scheduled throughout their county, according to a news release from PGFD.

Prince George's County Professional Fire Fighters & Paramedics Association, IAFF Local 1619,  will host the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) MDA Softball Tournament to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). About 80 teams of firefighters and paramedics from across the United States and Canada will play to raise money to fight neuromuscular diseases.

According to PGFD, during this year's tournament, more than 1,000 firefighters, families and friends will gather on Saturday not just to to compete but to remember the sacrifices made by those on September 11, 2001. Many of the firefighters participating in the tournament were part of the efforts following September 11. According to the department, three New York firefighters that played in this tournament in 2001 were among the 343 firefighters that died in the World Trade Center tragedy.

This softball tournament is the largest gathering of firefighters outside of the International's convention. According to PGFD, over the last 32 years, this tournament and related functions have allowed Local 1619 to donate more than $1.6 million to Jerry's Kids.

Opening Ceremonies for the IAFF Softball Tournament will be Friday at 6:00 p.m. at Watkins Regional Park in Kettering, Maryland. Admission is free and food and drinks will be available for purchase.

The softball games start on Friday and run through Sunday afternoon. For more information visit www.iaff1619.org.

On Sunday, the Prince George's County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association (PGCVFRA) and Ladies Auxiliary will begin their annual convention that runs through September 18, 2010. According to PGFD, Sunday's activities include firefighter competitions and field events that will be held during the Prince George's County Fair in Upper Marlboro, Maryland.

On Sunday night, nearly 65 PGFD firefighters and paramedics will be providing emergency and non-emergency services to nearly 100,000 fans at the Washington Redskins and Dallas Cowboys Opening Night Football Game at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland.

Another football game is expected to draw a capacity crowd on Saturday evening as the University of Maryland Terrapins host Morgan State at Capital One Field at Byrd Stadium in College Park, Maryland. According to PGFD, up to 54,000 fans are expected.


Author:Barbara Brooks - Fire Department Network News