Fire & Rescue

Holiday Christmas Tree, Lighting, and Decoration Safety Tips

Holiday Christmas Tree, Lighting, and Decoration Safety Tips

By Ridge VFD Lieutenant Scot Best. December 1, 2022 – Nothing spreads cheer quite like holiday decorations, but care must be used to ensure your festive winter décor is fire-safe. Candles are widely used in homes throughout the holidays, which means December is the peak month for home candle fires. One-third (33%) of home...
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Vacant Trailer and Shed Destroyed by Fire in Waldorf, State Fire Marshal Investigating

Vacant Trailer and Shed Destroyed by Fire in Waldorf, State Fire Marshal Investigating

On Thursday, December 1, 2022, at approximately 3:06 p.m., firefighters from Waldorf and surrounding departments responded to 2690 Old Washington Road in Waldorf, for the reported trailer on fire. Firefighters arrived on the scene to find a vacant house trailer fully engulfed in flames with extensions to a nearby shed and wooded area. The...
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NO ACTIVE THREAT: Police Investigating Reports of Subject with Gun Near Green Holly Elementary School in Lexington Park

NO ACTIVE THREAT: Police Investigating Reports of Subject with Gun Near Green Holly Elementary School in Lexington Park

On Thursday, December 1, 2022, at approximately 4:00 p.m., police responded to Green Holly Elementary School located at 46060 Millstone Landing Rd, Lexington Park, for the reported subject with a firearm. 911 callers reported children on the playground stated they observed a man near the fence line holding a firearm. Troopers from the Maryland State...
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16-Year-Old ATV Operator Flown to Trauma Center with Life-Threatening Injuries After Being Struck by Vehicle

16-Year-Old ATV Operator Flown to Trauma Center with Life-Threatening Injuries After Being Struck by Vehicle

On Wednesday, November 30, 2022 at 6:00 p.m., Southern District officers were dispatched to a traffic crash in the 800 block of Mount Zion Marlboro Road in Lothian. The investigation revealed two dark colored four wheeled ATV’s were crossing Mount Zion Marlboro Road in an eastbound direction from a private driveway when a 2017...
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Two Adults and One Child Flown to Trauma Centers with Serious Injuries After Single Vehicle Collision in Waldorf

Two Adults and One Child Flown to Trauma Centers with Serious Injuries After Single Vehicle Collision in Waldorf

On Thursday, December 1, 2022, at approximately 7:37 a.m., police, fire and rescue personnel responded to Poplar Hill Road and St Peters Church Road in Waldorf, for the motor vehicle collision reported serious with one vehicle overturned. 911 callers reported a single vehicle overturned with entrapment and ejection, one caller reporting one victim was...
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Minor Injuries Reported After Motor Vehicle Collision in Lexington Park

Minor Injuries Reported After Motor Vehicle Collision in Lexington Park

On Wednesday, November 30, 2022, at approximately 5:50 p.m., police, fire and rescue personnel responded to Hermanville Road and Sewell Road in Lexington Park, for the motor vehicle collision reported serious with one trapped. Bay District Volunteer Fire Department responded with 9 personnel on Rescue Squad 3, Engine 31, Chief 3, Chief 9B, and...
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St. Mary’s County Commissioner Meeting Rollup – November 29, 2022

St. Mary’s County Commissioner Meeting Rollup – November 29, 2022

The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County held their regular business meeting in the Chesapeake Building Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022, with the invocation and pledge, followed by approval of the consent agenda. The Commissioners began by recognizing Sheriff Tim Cameron’s upcoming retirement. The Commissioners then approved the Department of Public Works & Transportation’s 2023-2032 Comprehensive...
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Police Investigating Fatal Motor Vehicle Collision Involving Pedestrian After Victim Attempted to Remove Debris from Roadway

Police Investigating Fatal Motor Vehicle Collision Involving Pedestrian After Victim Attempted to Remove Debris from Roadway

The Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Unit is investigating a fatal collision that occurred Monday evening in Fort Washington. The victim is 27-year-old Katelin Rodriguez of Fort Washington. On Monday, November 28, 2022, at approximately 8:35 pm, officers responded to the area of Indian Head Highway and Livingston Road. The preliminary investigation revealed Rodriguez was...
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Charles County Testing of Early Warning Devices/Sirens on Saturday, December 3, 2022

Charles County Testing of Early Warning Devices/Sirens on Saturday, December 3, 2022

The Town of La Plata test its early warning devices/sirens in December and May. The next test will be Saturday, December 3, 2022 beginning at 10:00 a.m. The testing lasts about a half hour. The tests consist of both siren alerts and audible notifications. The tests are conducted in conjunction with the Charles County...
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Police in St. Mary’s County Arrest Leonardtown Man and Virginia Man Wanted for Murder and Arson in Virginia

Police in St. Mary’s County Arrest Leonardtown Man and Virginia Man Wanted for Murder and Arson in Virginia

Westmoreland County Sheriff’s Office Press Release: On Monday, November 28, 2022 at approximately 12:21 a.m., Westmoreland County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a structure fire at a residence on Crystal Lane in Cabin Point Subdivision, located in Montross, VA. Upon arrival of sheriff’s office deputies and volunteer fire personnel, the remains of one individual...
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Early Morning Structure Fire in Leonardtown Under Investigation

Early Morning Structure Fire in Leonardtown Under Investigation

On Tuesday, November 29, 2022, at approximately 2:25 a.m., firefighters from Valley Lee Volunteer Fire Department were dispatched to the area of 19649 Franklin Lane in Valley Lee, for the reported outside fire. Two 911 callers reported seeing something on fire through the woods. Brush 6 responded with 3 personnel, and Tanker 63 responded...
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Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department Announces Santa’s 18th Annual Tour of Hollywood!

Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department Announces Santa’s 18th Annual Tour of Hollywood!

It’s that time of year again! Old St. Nick arrived at the Hollywood Volunteer Fire House on Sunday, November 27th for their Annual Children’s Christmas Party and Tree Lighting. Starting on Friday, December 2, 2022, Santa will be touring our community spreading his Christmas cheer! Santa’s Elves have sent Santa’s itinerary to the fire...
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Second District Volunteer Fire Department & Rescue Squad Hosting 1st Annual Christmas Tree Lighting on Friday, December 2, 2022

Second District Volunteer Fire Department & Rescue Squad Hosting 1st Annual Christmas Tree Lighting on Friday, December 2, 2022

The Second District Volunteer Fire Department & Rescue Squad, Inc will be holding their First Annual First Annual Christmas Tree Lighting on Friday, December 2, 2022 from 6:00 p.m., to 8:00 p.m. The free event is welcome for all! Located at the new Second District Firehouse – 19330 Piney Point Road in Valley Lee,...
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House Fire in Lusby Deemed Accidental, No Injuries Reported

House Fire in Lusby Deemed Accidental, No Injuries Reported

On Friday, November 25, 2022, at approximately 1:07 a.m., firefighters from Solomons, Bay District, Prince Frederick, St. Leonard, Dunkirk, and Hollywood Volunteer Fire Departments responded to 11528 Ropeknot Road in Lusby, for the reported house on fire. Firefighters arrived in under 6 minutes from dispatch and found fire showing from the 1-story residence and...
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UPDATE: La Plata House Fire Deemed Accidental and Caused by Out of Control Brush Fire, State Fire Marshal Continues to Investigate Commercial Fire

UPDATE: La Plata House Fire Deemed Accidental and Caused by Out of Control Brush Fire, State Fire Marshal Continues to Investigate Commercial Fire

UPDATE 11/28/2022: On November 23, 2022, at approximately 4:53 p.m., firefighters responded to 9990 Harmony Farm Place in La Plata, for the reported structure fire. Crews arrived on the scene to find fire showing from the residence along with a brush fire and vehicle on fire. 75 firefighters responded and operated on the scene...
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No Injuries Reported After Trailer Fire in Welcome

No Injuries Reported After Trailer Fire in Welcome

On Tuesday, November 22, 2022, at approximately 4:00 p.m., firefighters from Charles County responded to 7782 Annapolis Wood Road in Welcome, for the reported structure fire. Crews arrived on the scene to find an exterior fire extended to a mobile home and a vehicle. 50 firefighters responded and extinguished the fire in under 15...
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Leonardtown Cancels Christmas Tree Light / Christmas on the Square Event Set for Friday, November 25, 2022

Leonardtown Cancels Christmas Tree Light / Christmas on the Square Event Set for Friday, November 25, 2022

Due to the forecasted inclement weather, and in the interest of public safety, the Town of Leonardtown and Leonardtown Volunteer Fire Department in coordination with the emergency response team announce the difficult decision to cancel the Friday, November 25, 2022 Christmas on the Square event. However, Santa Claus is still planning to arrive in...
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Maryland State Police Increasing Patrols As Motorists Take To The Road Ahead Of Thanksgiving

Maryland State Police Increasing Patrols As Motorists Take To The Road Ahead Of Thanksgiving

With more than 1 million Marylanders expected to travel 50 or more miles over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, Maryland State Police will be increasing patrols to ensure motorists arrive safely at their destination. Maryland State Police will be conducting saturation patrols at each of the 23 barracks with a focus on impaired, aggressive and...
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Police Investigating Motor Vehicle Collision Involving a Dump Truck at County Line in Budds Creek

Police Investigating Motor Vehicle Collision Involving a Dump Truck at County Line in Budds Creek

On Tuesday, November 22, 2022, at approximately 4:20 p.m., police, fire and rescue personnel from Charles and St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s responded to the area of Budds Creek Road and Marsh Court at the Charles County/St. Mary’s County Line, for a reported motor vehicle collision involving a dump truck. Crews arrived on the scene...
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Police Investigating Two Vehicle Collision in California That Sends Multiple to Hospital

Police Investigating Two Vehicle Collision in California That Sends Multiple to Hospital

On Wednesday, November 16, 2022, at approximately 2:25 p.m., police, fire and rescue personnel responded to the area of Three Notch Road and Shady Mile Drive in California, for the motor vehicle collision reported serious with multiple subjects trapped and one vehicle overturned. 12 firefighters from Bay District Volunteer Fire Department responded and arrived...
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Bowie Woman Charged After Fatal Five-Car Crash in Anne Arundel

Bowie Woman Charged After Fatal Five-Car Crash in Anne Arundel

Maryland State Police arrested a woman on impaired driving charges following a multi-vehicle crash in which one person died early this morning in Anne Arundel County. Shortly before 12:45 a.m. this morning, troopers from the Glen Burnie Barrack responded to southbound Interstate 97 at Route 32 for a report of a five-vehicle crash. According...
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State Fire Marshal Announces New Accelerant Detection Canine Team

State Fire Marshal Announces New Accelerant Detection Canine Team

The Office of the State Fire Marshal added a new employee to the ranks yesterday, and while every newly minted Deputy State Fire Marshal is required to raise their right hand and be sworn in, K9 Deacon just wanted belly rubs and loved. Senior Deputy State Fire Marshal Jeff Thomas’s new partner, Deacon, is...
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State’s Attorney’s Office Brings Back “Drive Sober” Initiative for One of the Deadliest Times on the Roadways

State’s Attorney’s Office Brings Back “Drive Sober” Initiative for  One of the Deadliest Times on the Roadways

The State’s Attorney’s Office for Charles County (SAO) is bringing more awareness to the grave dangers of driving impaired, as well as helping the public take preventative measures for its “Drive Sober” initiative. For the second year, the “Drive Sober” initiative will run during the holiday season – November 21, 2022, through January 1,...
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Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Launch Annual Tie One On for Safety Holiday Campaign

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Launch Annual Tie One On for Safety Holiday Campaign

Some of the most dangerous days of the year on our nation’s roadways are between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. The Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) has launched the annual Tie One On for Safety® red ribbon holiday campaign by asking drivers to display a red ribbon on their vehicles as a reminder to...
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Detectives Seeking Assistance in Locating Suspect Wanted for Murder of 19-Year-Old Waldorf Teen

Detectives Seeking Assistance in Locating Suspect Wanted for Murder of 19-Year-Old Waldorf Teen

Charles County Sheriff’s detectives are seeking the public’s help in locating the suspect wanted in connection with a shooting / homicide that occurred last month. On October 23, the victim, Aden Christopher Garcia, 19, of Waldorf, was a passenger inside a car in the 2700 block of Albemarle Place in Waldorf when he was...
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