Brandywine VFD objects to plan to move firehouse

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Jeff Beavers, president of the department, said he was alerted at the end of March in a letter from Prince George's Fire Chief Eugene Jones that the county had purchased a two-acre piece of land for a new fire station across from Gwynn Park High School at 13809 Brandywine Road for more than $440,000.

Fire spokesman Mark Brady said last month that no final decisions have been made regarding the property and discussions between the county and the volunteer department continue.

The proposed relocation of the station, just shy of two miles from the current location at 14201 Brandywine Road, would decrease "overall response times" due to its proximity to Branch Avenue, Crain Highway and Accokeek and Brandywine roads, Jones said in the letter.

However, Beavers said that while the move would decrease response times to areas in the northern part of the station's jurisdiction, it would increase response times to parts of the rural tier such as Baden and Aquasco.

In November, the county installed two 30,000-gallon water tanks in parts of the rural tier, allowing quicker response times by giving firefighters access to water in an area unequipped with fire hydrants. One of the tanks sits behind the Brandywine fire station and the other was placed at the intersection of Aquasco and Dr. Bowen roads in Aquasco.

The current fire station houses a large hall used for civic association meetings, senior activities and other community events. However, plans for the new station would not include a hall, which Beavers said would further detach the fire department from the community. The hall is currently used by groups including the Maryland Democratic Club, seniors and the Christ Mission Ministries church in Brandywine, who in return make a small donation to the station to cover cleanup and utility expenses.

"I don't see how [the station] can be a hub to the community when I have to tell the church and the seniors, ‘You all have to get out and find a new home,'" Beavers said.

In the letter to the Brandywine fire department, Jones requested that the station select a representative to participate in all future meetings regarding the new station's design. However, Beavers said he was not contacted for input until after the land was purchased.

"We've picked a representative not because we're supporting this new firehouse, but to protect our interest," Beavers said.

Calls to Jones' office were not returned by press time.

"We don't want to disrespect the fire chief. He has been very accommodating," Beavers said, adding that Jones had told him the decision to renovate the station was not within his authority, as it was already approved by the Prince George's County Council and put into the budget.

Brandywine Volunteer Fire Department representatives said they have also contacted Prince George's County Council Chairwoman Marilynn Bland (D) and Vice Chairman Thomas Dernoga (D) to ask for support.

Neither Bland nor Dernoga returned calls for comment.

mmckeever@gazette.net