Md. Rescuers Recall Fallen EMT, Mentor
WALDORF, MD - Young people yearning to get involved in the volunteer fire department here didn't have to look far for someone to answer their questions.
Now, there's a huge void to fill in the Waldorf Volunteer Fire Department.
That mentor, that person eager to welcome and show the ropes to new members - Tonya Mallard - was killed late Saturday in the crash of a Maryland State Police helicopter in Prince George's County.
"She was always smiling," said Waldorf Chief Dan Stevens. "She was a really nice person."
Mallard, an EMT-B, was part of the Waldorf ambulance crew that responded to a vehicle crash late Saturday night. She and others determined that two patients required treatment at a trauma center, and requested a state police helicopter.
The chopper, "Trooper 2," responded and landed near the scene. Since there were two patients, Mallard volunteered to fly along to take care of one of them. "It's something ambulance people do all the time. They don't think twice," Stevens said.
En route to the trauma center at Prince George's Hospital, the weather turned ugly. Visibility declined as the ceiling fell.
The pilot radioed ahead, saying he was headed back to the hangar at Andrews Air Force Base. Ambulances were requested to meet them to continue the transport to the local trauma center.
Investigators now say the pilot, a certified flight instructor, twice requested help from controllers. He asked for guidance back to the airport.
Not long after the second request, the helicopter dropped from radar.
Fire and rescue personnel as well as citizens listening to scanners knew something was amiss when both Charles and Prince George's dispatchers tried repeatedly to reach Trooper 2.
Back in Waldorf, Mallard's colleagues waited. Some prayed.
They were together when their worst fears were realized. "We were in shock," Stevens said Monday afternoon.
"It's taking a toll on our membership. We're pulling together to get through it."
The chief said there's been overwhelming support from nearby companies. The calls usually handled by volunteers at Waldorf's Station 12 are being taken by others right now.
Stevens said the assisstance is giving his members time to cope with the terrible loss.
A mother of two teenagers, Mallard joined the Waldorf fire company in 2004, but became inactive for a while. But, that changed this past spring.
"She came back to us, and was very active. She loved mentoring young people. Tonya shared a special bond with them."
On Saturday, she was on duty from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. In addition to responding to calls, Tonya helped set up for the company's annual car show at a local mall.
It was supposed to have been held on Saturday, but was rained out. The event went on as scheduled Sunday.
"She would have wanted it that way," said Capt. Jeff Duer, company spokesman.
Tonya's final call came in at 10:46 p.m. "She only had 14 minutes to go, and she would have been off," Duer said, adding that she may have responded anyway.
On Monday, an engine and ambulance from her beloved Waldorf company - staffed by her colleagues - escorted her home from Baltimore.
Funeral Information
Visitation will be held from 3-5 and 7-9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3 at Lighthouse Baptist Church, Middletown Road, Waldorf.
Funeral services will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 4 at North Point High School in Waldorf.
Interment will be held in Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens, Timonium.
Donations may be sent to Waldorf EMS 12, 3245 Old Washington Road, Waldorf, MD.
Departments planning to attend with personnel or apparatus should contact Greg Wood at 301-870-8296 or 301-848-3966, or John Durrer at 301-399-4618.
Related:
- Md. Medevac Crash Renews Calls for Tighter Safety Standards
- Notification Delayed in Maryland Medevac Crash
- Maryland Medevac Pilot Radioed for Help
- Work Continues at Md. Medevac Crash Site
- STATter 911: MD chopper crash survivor called out to rescuers
- STATter 911: MD grounds chopper fleet after crash kills 4
- Four Killed in Maryland Medevac Crash
- First Report:Medevac Chopper Crash Kills 4 in Md.
- Maryland State Police Aviation Command
- Waldorf Volunteer Fire Department
- National EMS Memorial Service
- National EMS Memorial Bike Ride
