At 0700 hours this morning July 18, 2010, several changes took place within the Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department; Paramedic Engine Company 844 was placed back in service at 6330 Riggs Road in the Chillum area of the county with an Officer, and two firefighters

The Engine Company was disbanded in August of 2009 due to staffing and budget problems leaving Hyattsville, Chillum-Adelphi Station 834 and Takoma Park to provide fire protection to the citizens of Chillum community.

Also in August of 2009 the county up-graded a paramedic ambulance from the Chillum station to a Medic unit leaving two paramedics at the Chillum station to staff the unit. Also the county up-graded a basic ambulance at station 855 to a dedicated paramedic ambulance.

To provide staffing for Paramedic Engine Company 844 several officers and firefighters from the Chillum Adelphi Station 834 and the Bunker Hill station 855 were moved from the Chillum station leaving only a daytime officer and three firefighters at station 834, two of the three firefighters will work a 24 hour tour.

The County also made changes at Bunker Hill Station 855; they down graded a dedicated paramedic ambulance to a non-dedicated basic unit leaving only an officer and three firefighters to staff and Engine, Ladder and a basic ambulance for 24 hours,

According to Mark Brady, Public Information Officer for PG Fire/EMS, having the engine company back at fire station 844 will provide relief to the surrounding companies and also will bring more ALS service to the Chillum Adelphi area as well as the surrounding areas "