Another shinning example of Landovers golden boys at their finest!!!
Care to comment, no much can be said in defense of this one...
LANDOVER, Md. - FOX 5 has obtained video from sources close to Kentland Volunteer Fire Company 33 that shows alleged firefighters taking part in illegal behavior.
Sources close to the department say the men on the tape are Kentland Volunteer Firefighters. The video appears to have been recorded in May 2004, although those same sources claim it was recorded in May 2008.
The video given to FOX 5 shows the men lighting illegal fireworks allegedly inside Firehouse 33 with fire trucks in plain sight.
If that wasn't dangerous enough, one firework is ignited between a man's back side.
The video could be considered disturbing to some, and it is loaded with lewd behavior. In one clip, a man is seen dropping his pants inside a fire truck as it drives away.
Other parts of the video show someone referred to as a rookie. At one point, his underwear is pulled tightly around his neck. In other pieces of the tape, the same man repeatedly uses slang terminology to indicate he is drunk. The other men seen in the video-- who are allegedly Kentland Volunteer Firefighters-- heckle him, call him names, and order him to pick up trash numerous times.
On Wednesday, FOX 5 confronted the Kentland Fire Chief and asked him if he's ever taken part in such activity, or if a tape ever existed.
"I've never seen a hazing incident here," Chief Tony Kelleher told FOX 5. "There are guys who mess around, play practical jokes. There has never been an outright hazing incident. It would never be condoned. I mean, it's unlawful, for one. We wouldn't let it happen."
In other parts of the tape, a now-dismissed recruit is sprayed with fire hoses, and fire extinguishers are set off in his face over and over again. At one point, it is clear he is choking.
According to sources, the alleged volunteer firefighters got an emergency call during the incident, and it can be heard on the tape. Based on the video, there doesn't seem to be an urgent response to the call. The men involved appear to delay until the man they call 'rookie' is forced to stand in the driveway and wait for the truck to drive right by him.
Chief Kelleher told FOX 5 if incidents like the ones captured on the tape happened under his watch, he would take swift action.
"If I saw it under my watch today, there would be strict disciplinary action taken," Chief Kelleher told FOX 5 during Wednesday's interview. "The person would be removed from operations."
But the video tape, which appears to have been made four years ago, shows Kelleher, who was then a firefighter.
On Thursday night, FOX 5 spoke by phone with Chief Kelleher again. At that time, he said the tape is four or five years old and he has no explanation for the behavior. However, he said at the time the department had just suffered a loss. Still, Kelleher expressed regret and said he was much younger. He said he has grown up since then.
Prince George's County Fire & EMS oversees the volunteer department. On Thursday night, spokesman Mark Brady released the following statement:
"All fireworks are illegal in Maryland. Hazing, excessive horseplay is considered workplace violence and we have a zero tolerance. We are trying to get the tape to investigate the allegations."
The Kentland Fire Department dates back to 1951, and they receive awards yearly for saving lives.
Another shinning example of Landovers golden boys at their finest!!!
Care to comment, no much can be said in defense of this one...
LANDOVER, Md. - FOX 5 has obtained video from sources close to Kentland Volunteer Fire Company 33 that shows alleged firefighters taking part in illegal behavior.
Sources close to the department say the men on the tape are Kentland Volunteer Firefighters. The video appears to have been recorded in May 2004, although those same sources claim it was recorded in May 2008.
The video given to FOX 5 shows the men lighting illegal fireworks allegedly inside Firehouse 33 with fire trucks in plain sight.
If that wasn't dangerous enough, one firework is ignited between a man's back side.
The video could be considered disturbing to some, and it is loaded with lewd behavior. In one clip, a man is seen dropping his pants inside a fire truck as it drives away.
Other parts of the video show someone referred to as a rookie. At one point, his underwear is pulled tightly around his neck. In other pieces of the tape, the same man repeatedly uses slang terminology to indicate he is drunk. The other men seen in the video-- who are allegedly Kentland Volunteer Firefighters-- heckle him, call him names, and order him to pick up trash numerous times.
On Wednesday, FOX 5 confronted the Kentland Fire Chief and asked him if he's ever taken part in such activity, or if a tape ever existed.
"I've never seen a hazing incident here," Chief Tony Kelleher told FOX 5. "There are guys who mess around, play practical jokes. There has never been an outright hazing incident. It would never be condoned. I mean, it's unlawful, for one. We wouldn't let it happen."
In other parts of the tape, a now-dismissed recruit is sprayed with fire hoses, and fire extinguishers are set off in his face over and over again. At one point, it is clear he is choking.
According to sources, the alleged volunteer firefighters got an emergency call during the incident, and it can be heard on the tape. Based on the video, there doesn't seem to be an urgent response to the call. The men involved appear to delay until the man they call 'rookie' is forced to stand in the driveway and wait for the truck to drive right by him.
Chief Kelleher told FOX 5 if incidents like the ones captured on the tape happened under his watch, he would take swift action.
"If I saw it under my watch today, there would be strict disciplinary action taken," Chief Kelleher told FOX 5 during Wednesday's interview. "The person would be removed from operations."
But the video tape, which appears to have been made four years ago, shows Kelleher, who was then a firefighter.
On Thursday night, FOX 5 spoke by phone with Chief Kelleher again. At that time, he said the tape is four or five years old and he has no explanation for the behavior. However, he said at the time the department had just suffered a loss. Still, Kelleher expressed regret and said he was much younger. He said he has grown up since then.
Prince George's County Fire & EMS oversees the volunteer department. On Thursday night, spokesman Mark Brady released the following statement:
"All fireworks are illegal in Maryland. Hazing, excessive horseplay is considered workplace violence and we have a zero tolerance. We are trying to get the tape to investigate the allegations."
The Kentland Fire Department dates back to 1951, and they receive awards yearly for saving lives.
Not that I am a Kentland nut hugger like many of you but come on! You know this happens at just about every firehouse paid or volunteer. Bad thing was that someone video taped it and now it is going to bite someone in the butt
just another poor example of what jealous and pissed off people in this county will do to try and get kentland on the news in a bad way... why do we always have to call the news people... you got a problem, i challenge you to show up at their front door and confront them... didnt think so.. NO BALLS...
Grow up people, do the job, go home, live to see another day
Most Important of All - MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS!!!!
Please have Dave Staffer request an application to become a member of Kentland VFD.
Each week Dave has something to say about them. He criticizes them and never points out the great effort this fire company does.
They are not PAID and each day put there lives on the line for the county that does not appreciate them. May times a day they are held on working fires to clean up and the career side is released. Something is not right here.
Dave if you are so interested about Kentland you need to be one of them. You could get the inside track on them. I don’t believe you would be accepted by them
So where is the crime here? What station doesnt have horseplay going on in the fire house. Cant say I agree with shooting off fireworks in the station, but its not my place to judge. It looks to me as someone is trying to stir the pot again. First the tape was made in 2008 and in reality it was made in 2003-2004 timeframe. Sounds like BS frame job. Maybe Fox 5 should spend some time following some of the PGFD "finest" and see how fast they get out the door.
I'm sorry, but this is what makes volunteers look bad. Thier no excuse for this! Unbelievable!!!! The Chief needs to resign. Today.
smcitizen keep your comments and business to your own counties problems
I am sure you sheep humpers down south have your own problems to worry about much less nosing into P G's problems.
Seems like one of thier own members, or past members, stabbed them in the back.
Yes, some things like this "may" occur at some firehouses, but what kind of moron would go and video tape it. Seems like immaturity is getting the best of them.
It looks bad for the volunteers, but looks even worse for the volunteer companies that are actually respectable and disciplined. That is what happens when you don't have mature chiefs and officers.
Ol' Dave quotes his "sources" as saying that these old videos and other information comes from a "former member" who "wrote a book about how Kentland operated"... Looks like "disgruntled former employee syndrome"!! A 'certain somebody' is maybe pissed because he was 'kicked to the curb'? Funny. I it also seems that since a certain reporter left the Pee Gee system HE has had a brick on his shoulder for the fire service in general, especially Pee Gee!
He's gotten so bad that he's using gossip, years-old occurences and "sources" to discredit the Volunteers, but he's "got to check all of his information" when it comes to anything that is about "Larry's boys" (don't want to upset his "sources" in HQ). Ask around as to why you don't (and haven't for YEARS) see him on ANY DC incident scene, or MoCo either!
And as for Kelleher, he was a FIREFIGHTER back then! What the h#ll was he supposed to do back then? He's chief now and things have been cleaned up on his watch.
THAT WAS THEN....THIS IS NOW!! Things HAVE changed! Leave the past alone! You can't change that, only move forward.
Dave needs to go somewhere else to get his jollies, and 33 is MUCH better off without their "former NASCAR driver"! Maybe THIS engine will last a little longer without him tearing the guts out of it!
Geeez!! I can't believe I'm sticking up for 33! I'm not their fan. On the other hand...
IT'S TIME FOR ALL THE VOLUNTEERS TO STAND TOGETHER AND DO WHAT'S RIGHT!
__________________ Never tell a F/F "you can't do this".
Come on how can anyone condone this kind of behaver!
No one is condoning this behavior. But let's get real. This was from years ago, before the kid got burned in Riverdale. How far back do you need to go before it becomes irrelevant? I can tell you some good stories of serious hazing incidents in PG firehouses from years ago. I might even have some photos if I look hard enough. Some of the guys involved are now volunteer chief officers, some are now PGFD paid personnel. Should we dig up that crap too and make everyone look bad? C'mon...
It's the way it was... hazing was a thing born out of pride. Nobody got hurt (at least not seriously LOL). It served to bring the firemen together, to build comraderie. I agree in today's culture it's probably a thing best left in the past... but don't judge the past by today's standards.
Those who love Kentland defend them no matter what, those who hate them go out of their way to take stupid little shots at them (like this).
If it happened recently it would be news. It's old, it's a non-issue, let's move on.
No one is condoning this behavior. But let's get real. This was from years ago, before the kid got burned in Riverdale. How far back do you need to go before it becomes irrelevant? I can tell you some good stories of serious hazing incidents in PG firehouses from years ago. I might even have some photos if I look hard enough. Some of the guys involved are now volunteer chief officers, some are now PGFD paid personnel. Should we dig up that crap too and make everyone look bad? C'mon...
It's the way it was... hazing was a thing born out of pride. Nobody got hurt (at least not seriously LOL). It served to bring the firemen together, to build comraderie. I agree in today's culture it's probably a thing best left in the past... but don't judge the past by today's standards.
Those who love Kentland defend them no matter what, those who hate them go out of their way to take stupid little shots at them (like this).
If it happened recently it would be news. It's old, it's a non-issue, let's move on.
I understand what your saying and I agree to a point. But, what we have here is a Chief that now TODAY, would punish someone for something he himself did. He has no credibility. It just looks bad, and again volunteers are their own worst enemy. The public whether it’s right or wrong now has a perception that Kentland is nothing more than a college prate house. It’s just sad.
Why don't all the Politicly Correct Tree Huggers just go the Curb?? If the things that occur nowadays bother you,Y'all Wouldn't have been able to handle 30 years ago.
I could tell you stories that many on here could also tell that would make you think about the sanity of some. And no,it wasn't JUST Volunteers..Career also were involved.And guess what??? NOBODY was hurt,damaged or mentally Fubared. And MOST are STILL Fighting Fire!!!!
BUT, it was also a DIFFERENT concept of the things also. It wasn't the Me,Me,Me mentality of today. It was accepted as a "Part of the job" or being "Part of the Family/Brotherhood" at that time.
Now,I must agree that lighting a Firework from your Anal Cavity makes me question the sanity of that individual,But, that was his choice.
I guess the next thing that people will Bitch about with 33 is they used too much WATER in Saving Lives and Property.
People just need to get a grip.....
~~~~Off Soapbox now~~~
Re: Kentland in the News (Again)
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