Mark E. Brady, Branchville Public Information Officer, PIOMarkBrady@gmail.com

COLLEGE PARK, Md.— The Branchville Volunteer Fire Company and Rescue Squad (BVFCRS) is expanding its lifesaving services for College Park and surrounding communities.

Beginning in late March 2025, Branchville, with support from the Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department (PGFD), will enhance Advanced Life Support (ALS) services by placing a paramedic engine in service. The company already provides ALS with four Maryland-licensed volunteer paramedics and a paramedic ambulance. The paramedic ambulance or engine will be available when one of our volunteer paramedics are part of the staffing.

A paramedic engine is a fire engine that carries firefighting equipment but is also staffed with a paramedic and equipped with ALS medical tools, including:

• A cardiac monitor/defibrillator
• Advanced airway tools
• IV/IO supplies for administering fluids and medications
• Medications approved by Maryland EMS protocols
• Trauma and medical assessment tools

“I am proud of our members for their commitment to training and staffing our fire and EMS units,” said Branchville Fire Chief Michael T. Hughes. “Anytime we are able to staff an additional ALS resource will be better for our community.” 

Paramedic training requirements:

• Up to 1,800 hours of training for national certification
• 720 hours of internship within the PGFD system
• All firefighters are trained as Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), which requires:
  • A minimum of 120 hours of training
  • Additional ride-along and observation time
  • An extra 30 hours of training for Branchville firefighters assisting paramedics on the engine and ambulance

BVFCRS is an all-volunteer fire and EMS company in North College Park, Maryland. The department operates as part of PGFD, which has 45 fire stations, including 10 all-volunteer stations and 2 all-volunteer fire stations with career staffed ambulances. The Branchville station responds to nearly 2,000 calls each year.

Branchville is always seeking dedicated volunteer members interested in emergency medical services (EMS) and fire suppression. Many of our active members are students at the University of Maryland, located just a short distance from the station. Live-in opportunities are also available!

Branchville recently celebrated its 100th anniversary and remains committed to providing fire protection and emergency medical services to the community.

For more information, visit BVFCO11.com.