Area first responders play in hockey tournament for DC Firefighter's Burn Foundation

LAUREL, Md. - DC-area first responders are spending this weekend in Prince George's County competing in the DC Firefighter's Burn Foundation tournament.

The competition kicked off yesterday and included police, fire, EMS and military hockey teams.

"We're all public servants. We all give back to the community in a lot of different ways and this is one way we can play hockey and give back to the community at the same time by raising money for a great organization," said Robert Raymer, D.C. fire hockey president.

The match-ups are taking place at the Gardens Ice House in Laurel. Proceeds from the tournament will benefit the D.C. Firefighters Burn Foundation.

There was also a puck drop by a Prince George's County Firefighter who was just released from the Burn Unit at Medstar Washington Hospital Center, where he spent just over two weeks being treated for burns sustained in a house fire.

The organization assists in the recovery and rehabilitation for injured firefighters and burn patients in the D.C. metropolitan area. Since 2004, the non-profit has provided more than a million dollars to the burn center at Washington Hospital Center and several other programs for burn survivors.

The Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department Hockey Team, "The Southsiders" took the ice as well.