MARK BRADY
Prince George's County Fire and EMS Department
The Prince George’s County, Maryland, Fire/Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Department (PGFD) made Oprah’s Favorite Things list. The Oprah Show has saved the best for her farewell season, The most fantastical Oprah’s Ultimate Favorite Things ever and PGFD is one of them!
Fire Lt. Mahaffey, Fire Lt. Ward and Fire Fighter Bird on the Oprah Show in 2004. (photo courtesy of
www.oprah.com)
The fire appears to have started in the basement. The ground ladder was used to remove the critically injured firefighter from the second floor window. (Mark Brady photo)
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For the past 25 years, The Oprah Show has made saying two little words—"thank you"—into an art form. "We believe in the power of gratitude," Oprah says. In honor of Thanksgiving Day, Oprah is looking back at some of her favorite thank-yous!
In February 2004, several firefighters searched for a fallen comrade after he broadcast a MAYDAY.
Two PGFD firefighters represented the other members of the rescue team and the entire Fire/EMS Department when they appeared on the Oprah Show to talk about the rescue which was in conjunction with the promotion of the soon to be released “Ladder 49” with John Travolta.
Emotions were high as the Fire Lt. Dino Mahaffey surprised Fire Lt. Ken Ward and Firefighter Phil Bird with Medals of Valor which he presented on the show. Dino’s emotional thank-you warranted several boxes of tissues as just about everyone was brought to tears; including Oprah and John Travolta.
The PGFD show made Oprah’s Favorite thank-you show. The show aired on Friday, November 26, 2010. Script and pictures can be viewed here, '
25 Years of Saying Thank You.'
We would also like to acknowledge Fire Fighter/Paramedic Miller Stroud with the City of Memphis, Tennessee Fire Services for his story making Oprah’s favorite thank-you shows.