Thank You from the Fire Chief- Firefighter Kevin Swain, Firefighter Shaquita Livingston, and David Riley
On behalf of Fire Chief Michael Poetker, President David Hansen, and the membership of the Morningside Volunteer Fire Department, we would like to thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers, and well-wishes during this very trying time. The support we have received from our community, government leaders, police officers, and fellow firefighters is truly remarkable and has greatly helped our membership begin to recover from the traumatic events of April 15, 2016.
Firefighter Kevin Swain continues to recover from his injuries at R. Adams Crowley Shock Trauma Center and his family has asked for continued privacy. In lieu of monetary donations to help with medical expenses the Swain family has ask that donations be made to a charity fund in Kevin’s name. The donations will benefit the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, cystic fibrosis research, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder treatment. A link to the YouCaring.com charity page can be found below.
http://www.youcaring.com/morningside
Captain David Riley and Firefighter Shaquita Livingston also continue to recover (at home) from their injuries. Captain Riley suffered a knee injury and firefighter Livingston suffered an injury to her jaw during the incident.
We would like to offer our sincere gratitude to the leadership of the Baltimore City Fire and Police Departments as well as members of the Baltimore City Fraternal Order of Police for meeting Kevin upon his arrival at Shock Trauma. Also to the paramedics and pilots of the Maryland State Police Aviation Command for their remarkable treatment and transport of Firefighter Swain.
A special thank you to Senator Anthony Muse for your continued support.
Lastly, emergency calls don’t stop coming in even during the most trying of times. Shortly after last Friday’s incident fellow firefighters from around the area showed up at our fire station to ensure that calls for service were not left unanswered. We would like to acknowledge the following departments for providing Fire and EMS
coverage to the citizens of Morningside and the surrounding neighborhoods of Prince George’s County:
Kentland Volunteer Fire Department
Berwyn Heights Volunteer Fire Department
College Park Volunteer Fire Department
Ritchie Volunteer Fire Department
Chapel Oaks Volunteer Fire Department
Wheaton Volunteer Rescue Squad
La Plata Volunteer Fire Department
Huntingtown Volunteer Fire Department
Saint Leonard Volunteer Fire Department
Prince William County Fire Department
The Morningside Volunteer Fire Department also wishes to offer our sincere condolences to the family of Firefighter/Medic John Ulmschneider. Please continue to keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.