by Jonathan Blakley

This is a photo gallery of some of Prince George's County Maryland's Bravest... the men of Ladder Company 14 in Berwyn Heights. Although the county's fire department has been decimated by the same budget cuts affecting the entire country, these firefighters are staying strong.

  • Nicknamed "The Memphis Belle", ladder truck 14 sits at the Berwyn Heights fire station in Prince George's County, Maryland... waiting for a call. A pipe to remove exhaust hangs from the ceiling.
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    Nicknamed "The Memphis Belle", ladder truck 14 sits at the Berwyn Heights fire station in Prince George's County, Maryland... waiting for a call. A pipe to remove exhaust hangs from the ceiling.
  • Truck and Squad 14 are manned by volunteer and career firefighters, some of whom have been with the Berwyn Heights station for years.
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    Truck and Squad 14 are manned by volunteer and career firefighters, some of whom have been with the Berwyn Heights station for years.
  • One volunteer firefighter performs maintenance on the engine of Ladder 14, which was built in 1991.
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    One volunteer firefighter performs maintenance on the engine of Ladder 14, which was built in 1991.
  • Maintenance on the ladder and the squad are performed every morning. Even the brakes have to be calibrated... it takes a lot of effort to stop a fire truck, speeding along Greenbelt Road at 60 miles per hour.
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    Maintenance on the ladder and the squad are performed every morning. Even the brakes have to be calibrated... it takes a lot of effort to stop a fire truck, speeding along Greenbelt Road at 60 miles per hour.
  • Some of the equipment in behind the compartment doors of Squad 14. This machinery is used to extract car accident victims. The firefighters in Berwyn Heights are nationally recognized for their extraction prowess.
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    Some of the equipment in behind the compartment doors of Squad 14. This machinery is used to extract car accident victims. The firefighters in Berwyn Heights are nationally recognized for their extraction prowess.
  • Racing east on Greenbelt Road in Ladder 14. There's a fire reported at an office building in Greenbelt, Maryland.
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    Racing east on Greenbelt Road in Ladder 14. There's a fire reported at an office building in Greenbelt, Maryland.
  • The building, which housed doctors offices, had to be evacuated while crews searched for the fire.
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    The building, which housed doctors offices, had to be evacuated while crews searched for the fire.
  • It was only a small electrical fire, but firefighters raised their ladder and searched the roof of the office building as a precaution.
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    It was only a small electrical fire, but firefighters raised their ladder and searched the roof of the office building as a precaution.
  • On another run, firefighters were sent to a suspected gas leak at a Greenbelt apartment building. Even though there was no fire or explosion, they had their hoses at the ready, just in case.
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    On another run, firefighters were sent to a suspected gas leak at a Greenbelt apartment building. Even though there was no fire or explosion, they had their hoses at the ready, just in case.
  • On the way back to the station, the firefighters relax. Firefighters often whip out their Blackberries when things have calmed down.
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    On the way back to the station, the firefighters relax. Firefighters often whip out their Blackberries when things have calmed down.
  • Prince George's County has slashed its budget and firefighters across the county are facing layoffs and furloughs. Morale is low. Despite this, the dedication and professionalism of the Berwyn Heights fire department is remarkable.
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    Prince George's County has slashed its budget and firefighters across the county are facing layoffs and furloughs. Morale is low. Despite this, the dedication and professionalism of the Berwyn Heights fire department is remarkable.

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