News

The Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department was very busy this past weekend. With the impending blizzard, leaders in the department (Chief Steve Grunewald & President Dave Van Gasbeck) made the decision to increase career staffing on Friday night as well as request a volunteer standby crew for the duration of the storm. This decision was made to ensure that responders would be ready and available, if there were any emergencies. Leadership also coordinated with the Ocean Pines Police Department and Ocean Pines Public Works to have officers and snowplows dispatched for emergencies during the storm.

Each time the OPVFD was dispatched to respond to a medical emergency, the standby crew would respond and shovel a path to ensure sufficient access for the EMS crews to those in need while plow crews ensured a safe path of travel for emergency units. The standby crew consisted of Firefighters, Fire Police Officers as well as Cadets (Jr. Firefighters ages 14 to 18). The three cadets who assisted, Brian Herbert, Anthony Angelo, and Tyler Baker were instrumental in the snow removal process and received high praise from our EMS crews.

On Saturday, our crews were dispatched for nine emergencies including two separate structure fires in Bishopville as well as a medical assist while providing coverage for Bishopville VFD. In addition to the emergency responses, our crews worked to clear trees and limbs as they navigated the roadways.

On Sunday, our crews responded to an additional five dispatches including assisting the Maryland State Police with clearing snow from traffic lights. The crew of engine 1101 traveled along Racetrack Road and used the engine deck gun (an aimable controllable high-capacity water jet) to clear the snow from all of the traffic lights.

On behalf of the department’s leadership, we would like to thank the following individuals and groups:

-Career Staff: Jason West, Sean Sullivan, Mike Yandle, Ian Spice, Bobby Wells, Jamie Englishmen, Brandon Grill, Harvey Booth, and Melissa Bragg.

-Storm & weekend Standby Crew: Assistant Chiefs Joey Widgeon & Joe Sturgill, Lt. Joe Enste, Lt. Steve Ready, Bill Kelly, Mike Allen, Brian Herbert, Anthony Angelo, Tyler Baker, Barry Gust, and Tracey Jones.

-Ocean Pines Public Works & Ocean Pines Police Officers

-A Bagel And for dropping off delicious treats for our crews on Saturday

Please enjoy this video recap of our weekend.