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MARCH/APRIL, 2019
MULTIPLE CREWS RESPOND TO HOUSE FIRE IN SABILLASVILLE
FREDERICK COUNTY DIVISION OF FIRE & RESCUE SERVICES
Sabillasville, MD - On the afternoon of March 2nd, emergency crews from four different counties between Maryland and Pennsylvania responded to Sabillasville in Frederick County, MD for a working house fire. Frederick County 911 received the call reporting the blaze at 16636 Buck Lantz Road.
- See full story on page 12
eLEND joins Heroes Mortgage Program to offer down payment assistance for heroes SEE PAGE 24 FOR DETAILS.
Celebrating 25 Years of Service to Local Emergency Service Communities
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March/April, 2019
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1st Responder News (ISSN 017-633) - Mid Atlantic Edition - Vol. 19, No. 2 - is published bi-monthly, 6 times a year for $15 per year by Belsito Communications, Inc., 1 Ardmore St. New Windsor, NY 12553. Periodicals Postage Paid at Newburgh, NY and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to 1st Responder News, 1 Ardmore Street, New Windsor, NY 12553. No financial responsibility is assumed by this newspaper to publish a display, classified, or legal ad or for typographical errors except of reprinting that part of the ad which was omitted or in error. Omissions or A division of: errors must be brought to the attention of the newspaper during the same month of publication. Printed in Canada.
DC FIRE AND EMS
Rooftop Blaze Damages DC Building
Washington, DC - A highly visible rooftop blaze lit up the evening sky over the busy H Street corridor on Thursday, January 24th. A Box Alarm was sounded at 5:35 P.M. after several calls were received reporting flames coming from atop 1348 H Street NE, a two-story commercial building. First arriving units reported fire showing, and a Working Fire dispatch was immediately requested. Firefighters worked their way up to the roof to find a deck and bar area well involved. The first attack lines were able to quickly extinguish the blaze before it could spread downwards into the structure itself. There were no injuries and fire investigators are working to determine the cause.
WORKING FACES If you have photos you would like to see in our “Working Faces” feature, please upload them on our website, www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com
DC FIRE AND EMS
Potomac River Water Rescue Ends with Body Recovery Washington, DC - What began as a medical call turned into a water rescue assignment on Monday evening, February 25th. A medical local was initially dispatched around 7:00 P.M. to the 3500 block of Water Street NW for an individual acting erratically. Engine 5 arrived on scene and was advised by Metropolitan Police that the person had just jumped into the Potomac River. Engine 5 immediately called for additional resources, bringing a full water rescue assignment to the scene under the command of the Special Operations Battalion. A search pattern was quickly established. River resources included two fireboats and inflatables launched
JUMP TO FILE #022819111 by Rescue Squads 1 and 2. They were joined by assets from the Metropolitan Police Harbor Division, the United States Coast Guard, and fireboats from the city of Alexandria Virginia and Reagan National Airport. Despite an extensive search, both in the river and along the shoreline, the victim was not located. The incident then transitioned from a rescue to a recovery operation, and was eventually concluded. - DC FIRE AND EMS
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DC FIRE AND EMS
On Saturday, February 23rd, 10 members of DC Fire & EMS' Fire Prevention Division & 17 volunteers from the National Capital Region of the American Red Cross teamed up for a DC home fire campaign event in the Deanwood neighborhood of Ward 7. Meeting at the quarters of Engine Co. 27, they then proceeded out into the community, canvassed homes in the area to install smoke detectors where needed, and provided emergency preparedness materials and fire prevention literature.
DC FIRE AND EMS
1ST Responder Newspaper - MA
March/April, 2019
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March/April, 2019
1ST Responder Newspaper - MA
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
FLASHBACK If you have photos you would like to see in our “FLASHBACK� feature please upload them on our website, www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com
DC FIRE AND EMS
Multiple Homes Damaged by Two-Alarm Fire in DC Members of DC's Bravest Truck 17 put on this display in 1971 for the students at Weatherless Elementary School, which was located at Burns and C Streets SE. The school closed in 1993. DC FIRE AND EMS
Washington, DC - Three homes were damaged and nine residents were displaced by a two-alarm fire on the morning of Monday, February 4th. Several calls were received JUMP TO FILE# shortly before 8:00 030119104 A.M. reporting a fire in the area of the 500 block of 24th Street NE. Several addresses were initially given. Box Alarm companies arrived to find fire showing from a two-story occupied row home at 538 24th Street NE. Flames had control of the second-floor rear and had already eaten into the attic. A Working Fire dispatch was requested as firefighters began an aggressive interior attack and a search for any possible victims. Units quickly discovered that fire had already extended into one adjacent home and was threatening the other attached structure. Based on these reports, a second-alarm was requested, bringing a total of 20 firefighting units and 80 personnel to the scene. Quick work was able to contain and control the blaze before it could spread any further. Despite the extent of the fire, there were no injuries to either firefighters or civilians. Investigators were able to determine the cause of the fire was accidental, and that there were no smoke alarms in the home. - DC FIRE AND EMS
DC FIRE AND EMS
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March/April, 2019
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DELAWARE
GENE SHANER
Clayton Fire Co. Installs Officers for 2019
R.BUFF
One-Car Crash with Entrapment in Magnolia
Clayton, DE - The Clayton Fire Company installed its officers for 2019 during their December 2018 meeting. The administrative officers are led by President Kevin L. Wilson, Vice President Cheryl Hurlock, Secretary Ken Virdin, Treasurer Jim Cubbage, 3-Year Director Denys Demczak, 2-Year Director Jay Hurlock and 1-Year Director Joey O’Neal, Asst. Secretary Julie Reed, Asst. Treasurer Steve Hudson, Pension and Personnel Officer Cindy Scott and Asst. Personnel Officer Ashley Carrow. The administrative officers were swornin at the meeting by State Representative William Carson, past chief of the Citizen’s Hose Company of Smyrna. Pictured are (L to R, Bottom Row): Kevin L. Wilson, Cheryl Hurlock, James L. Cubbage, Jr. and Ken Virdin; (L to R, Standing): Alex Carrow, Ashley Carrow, Cindy Scott, Julie Reed, Denys Demczak, and John Pridemore; (Not pictured): Jay Hurlock and Joey O’Neal.
Magnolia, DE - On the evening of January 5th at 5:27 P.M., the Magnolia Volunteer Fire Co. was alerted for a single-vehicle MVC with one subject trapped. Crews worked to extricate the subject, who was transported to an area hospitial for evaluation. The scene was then turned over to the Delaware State Police for further investigation.
LITTLE BIG GUYS If you have photos you would like to see in our Little Big Guys feature, please upload them on our website www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com.
M.STOLTZ
Downed Power Lines Hinder Extrication in Magnolia
Ellendale Vol. Fire Company No.1 operates this 2004 Ford F550/Firematic 500/350 Brush Truck. FRANK ROBINSON
Magnolia, DE - At 10:06 P.M. on January 12th, MVFC was alerted for an MVC with entrapment in the 2400 block of Irish Hill Road. A past chief of the department arrived quickly to find a single vehicle versus electrical pole with wires down onto the vehicle and one subject trapped. Crews had to wait for the arrival of the power company to secure the electrical wires that were on top of the vehicle before they could extricate the patient. The patient was transported to an area hospital for evaluation. The scene was then turned over to the Delaware State Police for investigation.
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March/April, 2019
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In memory of those who gave all
1ST Responder Newspaper - MA
1st Responder Newspaper honors and remembers emergency responders lost in the line of duty
Mississippi: Dustin Grubbs, 34 Rank: Firefighter Incident Date: November 3, 2018 Death Date: November 3, 2018 Fire Department: Magee Volunteer Fire Department Initial Summary: While driving his personal vehicle to the fire station to respond to a structure fire, Firefighter Dustin Grubbs was involved in a motor vehicle accident. During the accident, the vehicle left the road during a turn, hit a light pole and flipped over. Grubbs passed away on scene from the injuries sustained. South Carolina: Dennis Straight, 59 Rank: Assistant Chief Incident Date: November 7, 2018 Death Date: November 7, 2018 Fire Department: Charlotte Road-Van Wyck Volunteer Fire Department Initial Summary: Assistant Chief Dennis Straight was directing traffic at an accident scene on the onramp to Highway 5 from the northbound lane of Highway 521 when he was struck by a vehicle. Life-saving efforts were administered on scene and Straight was then transported to Springs Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
Michigan: Michael Lubig, 46 Rank: Firefighter Incident Date: November 8, 2018 Death Date: November 12, 2018 Fire Department: Detroit Fire Department Initial Summary: During his 24-hour shift on Nov. 8, 2018, Firefighter Michael Lubig led a crew as acting Sergeant for Squad 4 during which he responded to three fires and one medical incident. Toward the end of his shift, Lubig suffered a medical emergency and was transported to Henry Ford Hospital. On Nov. 12, 2018, Lubig passed away from the injuries sustained. The nature and cause of fatal injury are still to be reported.
Ohio: Daniel J. Lucius, 33 Rank: Firefighter Incident Date: November 15, 2018 Death Date: November 15, 2018 Fire Department: Carroll Township Fire and EMS Initial Summary: While responding to an emergency medical call, Firefighter Daniel Lucius was involved in an accident when he lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a pond. Emergency responders quickly responded to the accident scene and were able to pull Lucius from the submerged vehicle. Lucius was transported to Magruder Hospital in Port Clinton, Ohio, where he was pronounced deceased from the injuries sustained. New Jersey: Michael Galay, 71 Rank: Firefighter Incident Date: November 21, 2018 Death Date: November 22, 2018 Fire Department: Green Knoll Fire Rescue Initial Summary: On 11/21/18, Firefighter Michael Galay responded to smoke and a fire alarm activation at an office building. He returned from the incident and proceeded to assist several firefighters at Station 1 with the arrival of a new engine company. Galay then went home, where, on the morning of 11/22/18 at approximately 0645hrs, his wife attempted to wake him and found him unresponsive. CPR was administered and Galay was transported to the hospital where he died a short time later. The nature and cause of fatal injury are still to be reported.
February/March, 2019
1ST Responder Newspaper - MA
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March/April, 2019
1ST Responder Newspaper - MA
VIRGINIA
VENDOR SPOTLIGHT
Mid Atlantic
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HENRICO FIRE
House Fire Displaces Four Residents in Henrico
Henrico County, VA – Four adults were displaced by a fire in their northern Henrico home on January 31st. Just after 11:30 A.M., the Henrico 911 center started to receive multiple calls from drivers in the area of the 1800 block of Mountain Road reporting smoke coming from a house. Firefighters arrived to find heavy smoke pouring from the home. The occupants were all able to get themselves out of the house safely. Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire and searched the building for any unknown occupants or pets. No citizens or firefighters were injured in the blaze. The Red Cross was contacted to assist the four displaced adults. The Henrico Fire Marshal’s Office was on scene handling the investigation.
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COMMAND VEHICLES If you have photos you would like to see in our Command Vehicles feature please upload them on our website, www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com.
KOCHEK COMPANY, LLC
SEAN FESKO/FDNH911
The City of Lynchburg, VA runs this Chevrolet Tahoe as Battalion 2.
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March/April, 2019
1ST Responder Newspaper - MA
VIRGINIA
Man Seriously Injured in Henrico House Fire Henrico County, VA – One adult male was taken to the hospital on the evening of February 27th with serious injuries resulting from a fire in his home. Shortly after 11:00 P.M., firefighters re- JUMP TO FILE # sponded to the 8200 022819102 block of Woodman Road for reports of a house fire. Upon their arrival, the sole occupant had already evacuated the home. Firefighters determined the man had serious injuries from exposure to smoke and heat and transported him to the hospital while other firefighters entered the home and quickly extinguished the fire. The fire remains under investigation, but is believed to be accidental in nature. No firefighters were injured. - HENRICO FIRE
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COURTESY OF CHESTERFIELD COUNTY POLICE
House Fire Near Busy Roadway Summons Chesterfield Crews Chesterfield, VA - Tones sounded at 11:09 A.M. on February 28th for a structure fire in the 12700 block of Midlothian Turnpike. Responding units included Engines 20, 4, 9, 24 and 11, Truck 9, Ambulance 9, fire officials and county police. Crews arrived on scene and reported that the structure was heavily involved with fire. An aggressive attack with handlines and an aerial master stream had the fire marked under control at 12:02 P.M. No injuries were reported. According to officials, the house was vacant and the cause is under investigation.
SHANE SHIFFLETT
The patch of Defense Logistics Agency Richmond Fire & EMS.
1ST Responder Newspaper - MA
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MARYLAND
HE HE ER ERO EROES ROES RO OES ES INK INK
1st Responder Newspape er features EMERGENCY SERVICES RELA ATED TATTOOS
FREDERICK COUNTY DIVISION OF FIRE & RESCUE SERVICES
Multiple Crews from Four Counties Respond to House Fire in Sabillasville
"My name is Jorge Diaz with the Boston Fire Department. I am on Engine 28. My thin red line tattoo displays a half soldier/half firefighter, representing my service to the military and my current service to the City of Boston as a firefighter."
Would you like your emergency services related tattoo featured here? Contact Lindsey at
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Sabillasville, MD - On the afternoon of March 2nd, emergency crews from four different counties between Maryland and Pennsylvania responded to Sabillasville in Frederick County, MD for a working house fire. Frederick County 911 received the call reporting the blaze at 16636 Buck Lantz Road. Emergency crews from Guardian Hose Company out of Thurmont, MD, along with several other surrounding departments, were dispatched on Box 10-23 for the fire at 3:56 P.M. Thurmont Community Ambulance 308 reported heavy smoke coming from the area while responding, prompting Guardian Hose Chief 30-1 to request the Rapid Intervention Dispatch Assignment along with a Tanker Task Force to be started on the call. Units arrived to find a fully involved structure with heavy fire conditions throughout the residence and several exposures. Deputy Chief David Yankey from Smithsburg Fire Co. arrived at 4:09 P.M., confirming he had a fully involved structure and establishing Buck Lantz Command. Chief Yankey began to assess the scene as Blue Ridge Summit’s Engine 4-2 arrived and took up position on side 'Alpha' of the structure. Blue Ridge Lieutenant Chris
JUMP TO FILE #030519100 Mowen was assigned to be the fire attack supervisor as firefighters began to deploy several hand lines to begin their fire attack. Lieutenant Mowen quickly conducted a 360 walk-around and reported to command that they had heavy fire throughout the structure with exposures. Heavy fire conditions, along with the rapid deterioration of the structural integrity of the home, forced firefighters to battle the blaze in a defensive mode. Crews were able to confirm that all occupants were out of the structure upon their arrival and used multiple attack lines from the exterior of the home to battle the flames while also protecting surrounding exposures. Firefighters worked for over an hour before knocking down a bulk of the blaze, which was followed by conducting overhaul operations for several more hours. Crews were able to begin wrapping up operations around 7:00 P.M. that evening. Investigators from the Frederick County Fire & Rescue Fire Marshal’s Office are investigating the Saturday afternoon blaze. Firefighters were able to keep
the fire contained to the house and a small adjacent shed. The point of origin and cause of the incident has not yet been released. The house was a complete loss and the occupants are receiving assistance from the American Red Cross. None of the occupants were injured during the incident, but one firefighter was transported to Waynesboro Hospital for minor injuries sustained at the scene. Emergency personnel from four different counties responded to the incident. Frederick County crews responded from Thurmont’s Guardian Hose Co.10, Emmitsburg’s Vigilant Hose Co.6, Graceham V.F.C. Co.18, Wolfsville V.F.C. Co.21, Lewistown V.F.C. Co.22, Independent Hose Co.1, Frederick County Fire & Rescue Battalion 900 Units, Safety 901, and Fire Marshal 903. Guardian Hose received out-ofcounty mutual aid from Washington County, MD crews from Smithsburg Fire Co.7 and Leitersburg Fire Co.9, along with Franklin County, PA crews from Blue Ridge Summit Fire & Rescue Co.4, Waynesboro Fire Co.2, Raven Rock Emergency Services Co.19, and Adams County, PA’s Fountaindale V.F.D. Co.3. - WILLIAM KING
FREDERICK COUNTY DIVISION OF FIRE & RESCUE SERVICES
1ST Responder Newspaper - MA
MARYLAND
MICHAEL SCHWARTZBERG/FIREPIX1075
Two-Alarm Fire Damages Vacant Baltimore City Bar Baltimore, MD - Shortly after 2:30 P.M. on Saturday, March 9th, Baltimore City Fire Communications struck Box 5-71, reporting a building fire at the corner of South Broadway and East Pratt Street in the Fells Point neighborhood. BCFD Truck 3 arrived first and reported heavy smoke showing from a three-story vacant commercial building. The incident was quickly upgraded to a Working Fire and command ordered exterior operations, with a second-alarm
JUMP TO FILE #030919104 struck about 10 minutes after units arrived. The fire was in the vacant "Rumba Bar", located at 1654 E Pratt Street, and is under investigation by BCFD's Fire Investigation Bureau. - MICHAEL SCHWARTZBERG
MICHAEL SCHWARTZBERG/FIREPIX1075
March/April, 2019
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March/April, 2019
1ST Responder Newspaper - MA
MARYLAND
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BCFD firefighters vent the roof.
MIKE SCHWARTZBERG/FIREPIX1075
Working Fire Strikes Vacant Restaurant in Baltimore City Baltimore City, MD - Around 7:30 A.M. on the snowy Wednesday morning of February 20th, Baltimore City Fire Department units were dispatched to Fire Box 29-82, reporting a building fire near the intersection of West Belvedere Avenue and Park Heights Avenue, across the street from the Pimlico Race Track. First-arriving Engine 46 re-
JUMP TO FILE #022119100 ported smoke showing from a vacant one-story restaurant. Firefighters stretched an attack line while Truck 27 laddered the roof. During an aggressive attack, firefighters located fire inside the 75'x125' building, as well as in the
roof area, with extension to several apartment units that were exposures. The fire eventually burned through the roof, which collapsed. Firefighters used several handlines to bring the working fire under control shortly after 9:00 A.M. - MICHAEL SCHWARTZBERG
MIKE SCHWARTZBERG/FIREPIX1075
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A Word On Integrity Chaplain’s Corner
Pastor Fernando Villicana
After having served many years in the Fire Service, I can think back at some of the most outstanding peers and supervisors I have worked with. Some I admired for their reputation on the job (their job skills), others for their ability to lead well, and some for the way they treated the people they worked with. But I would have to say that one of (if not the) most important attribute is integrity. What comes to mind when you hear the word integrity? Having integrity and speaking with integrity is a huge plus to all who seek a quality relationship with another person or group of people. For the past 30 years they’ve done an annual “Most Admired Men” list in America. While presidents and politicians and stars and athletes have come and gone, one man has been on that list every year for the last 30 years – either number one, number two or number three. His name…Billy Graham. Why is Billy Graham’s name on the list of the most admired men in America for over 30 years? Because there are very few people in America who live with rock-solid integrity. What is integrity? Integrity is composed of three different activities – telling the truth, keeping your word, and practicing what you say you believe. The Bible has a lot to say about these three qualities.
Proverbs 17:7 (GN) “Respected people do not tell lies.” True leadership is built on one thing - trust. It’s difficult to follow somebody you don’t trust. And all trust is built on truth. So, if you don’t tell the truth nobody trusts you, and if nobody trusts you, nobody’s going to want to follow you (home, marriage, work, church… ). Why is it that when we look around in our society many of our leaders are held in low esteem? Because they don’t tell the truth, because they don’t keep their word, because they don’t practice what they say they believe. In other words, they lack integrity. Proverbs 25:14 (GN) “People who promise things that they never give are like clouds in a wind with no rain.” If you want to be a person of lasting legacy, you’ve got to keep your word (even little things). Studies have shown that the number one cause of resentment in children is parents who don’t keep their promises. Is it easy to live with integrity? No. That’s why you need God’s help. You need to make as your prayer this next verse. Psalm 101:2 (LB) “I will try to walk a blameless path but how I need Your help especially in my own home where I long to act as I should.” A good definition of success (relationally speaking) is having those who know me best, respect me most. To me that’s success. It’s easy to impress people from a distance. But real integrity is when those who know you best respect you the most.
March/April, 2019
1ST Responder Newspaper - MA
MARYLAND
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CRUISES • DESTINATIONS • HOTELS • TOURS
WHERE ARE THEY NOW? If you have photos you would like to see in our Where are they Now? feature please upload them on our website www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com.
CONTACT US TODAY! CHUCK LOWE
Walkersville Quint 11, a 2000 Pierce Dash 1500/500/85’ Aerial, was sold in 2014 after 14 years of service. It was replaced by a new Pierce Tower Ladder at that time. The 2000 rig was acquired by Upton Massachusetts, who placed it into service as Tower 36. This apparatus remains painted in Walkersville's blue paint scheme even though every other Upton rig is red. Their chief has no desire to repaint it.
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March/April, 2019
1ST Responder Newspaper - MA
MARYLAND
Three Residents Escape Electrical Fire that Destroys House in Cascade Cascade, MD - On the morning of February 20th, Washington County’s Emergency Communications Center received a call reporting a possible house fire in Cascade, which is in the northeast section of Washington County. Emergency crews due on Wash- JUMP TO FILE# ington County’s 022719104 Box 7-6 were dispatched out to 25303 Springdale Avenue at 6:12 A.M. Dispatchers advised responding units that they received the call from a neighbor who reported smoke and flames coming from the second-floor of the residence. Ambulance 4-7 out of Blue Ridge Summit Fire & Rescue arrived shortly after dispatch and confirmed they had smoke showing from Division II of the structure. Blue Ridge Summit Fire Chief James Meeks, Jr. arrived directly after the ambulance and conducted a quick size-up of the scene. Chief Meeks established command and reported that he had a two-story residential structure with fire showing on the 'Delta' side of Division II. Firefighters quickly deployed an attack line to begin their fire attack as EMS checked out the residents of the home. EMS providers from Smithsburg EMS and Blue Ridge Summit had three juvenile patients that were able to escape from the house prior to firefighters' arrival. The juveniles detected the fire prior to
the smoke detectors activating and quickly evacuated the home. Two of the juveniles were trapped on the second-floor and were forced to climb out onto a porch roof and jump to safety while the third was able to safely flee the residence from the front door. One of the juveniles who jumped from the roof suffered minor injuries and was transported to Waynesboro Hospital by Blue Ridge Summit Ambulance 4-7. The other two juveniles suffered no apparent injuries and did not require transport to the hospital. Firefighters battled the Wednesday morning blaze for nearly an hour before getting a significant knock down on the rapidly spreading fire. Interior crews were hampered by a partial roof collapse, forcing them to evacuate Division II and utilize Waynesboro Truck 2’s Ladder Pipe to gain better control during their attack. Once they had a bulk of the fire knocked, crews were able to reenter Division II and extinguish the remaining hot spots. Crews worked for just over two hours before they were able to extinguish a bulk of the flames. Firefighters remained committed for an additional hour conducting extensive overhaul. Command was finally able to scale back and release a majority of the units around 8:52 A.M. Some firefighters remained on scene until 10:00 A.M. assisting the Maryland State Fire Marshal assigned to the incident, who was able to confirm that the point of
origin was the interior wall in the living room. They were also able to determine that the fire was electrical in nature and deemed the fire as accidental. The second-floor of the home was completely gutted by the blaze. Damages to the home and its contents were estimated to be around $220,000. The American Red Cross was notified, but assistance to the displaced family was delayed due to the inclement weather. Over 50 emergency personnel responded to the incident in Cascade from four different counties between Maryland and Pennsylvania. Washington County crews on the call responded from Smithsburg Community V.F.C. Co.7, Smithsburg EMS Co.79, Washington County Special Operations 20, Washington County Vol. Fire & Rescue Safety Officer, Washington County Emergency Support Services Air & Rehab Units Co.25 and Washington County Fire Police. Mutual aid was received from Franklin County Pennsylvania crews from Blue Ridge Summit Fire & Rescue Co.4, Waynesboro Fire Co.2, Raven Rock Emergency Services Co.19, West Shore EMS Medic 200, Frederick County Maryland crews from Emmitsburg’s Vigilant V.F.C. Co.6, Thurmont’s Guardian Hose Co.10, Wolfesville V.F.C. Co.21, and Adams County Pennsylvania crews from Fountaindale V.F.D. Co.3.
WAYNESBORO V.F.D.
Firefighters from four counties across MD and PA battled a house fire in Cascade, MD on February 20th.
- WILLIAM KING
WCVFRA-PT: KENNETH MOHR WAYNESBORO V.F.D.
1ST Responder Newspaper - MA
March/April, 2019
PAGE 17
MARYLAND
WCVFRA-PT: JOSEPH GOODRICH
House Fire Quickly Contained in Hagerstown Hagerstown, MD - On the morning of February 2nd, Washington County 911 received a call around 8:40 A.M. for a house fire in the north end of Hagerstown. Firefighters from the Hagerstown FD were alerted, along with several surrounding departments due on Box 32-4-1, to respond to 1100 Fairview Road. Heavy smoke could be seen as units approached the scene. Hagerstown Battalion Chief Mark Cleck arrived shortly after dispatch, established command, and reported fire showing from Division II of the structure. Antietam Fire Co.’s Engine 2 arrived and quickly dropped a supply line to side 'Alpha' to begin their offensive attack. As firefighters made entry, Chief Cleck quickly assessed the scene and called for the Safety Assignment to bring in additional resources to assist. Firefighters were able to have the fire knocked down within 15 minutes of their arrival on scene. Crews were committed on the scene for over three hours conducting overhaul operations. Firefighters' quick response and aggressive attack kept the fire contained to just one room on Division II of the residence. The Hagerstown Fire Marshal’s Office responded to the scene and determined that the fire was accidental in nature.
JUMP TO FILE #020819104 Occupants of the residence were home at the time of the fire and discovered it in an upstairs bedroom just before their smoke alarms activated. They were able to safely evacuate the structure prior to fire departments' arrival. None of the occupants were injured during the incident, but one firefighter did sustain minor injuries. The occupants are temporally displaced due to smoke damage to the rest of the home and are currently receiving assistance from the American Red Cross. The Hagerstown FD responded with units from First Hagerstown Hose Engine 1, Antietam Fire Co. Engine 2, Western Enterprise Engine and Truck 4, Independent Juniors Fire Co. Engine 3, South End Fire Co. Engine 5, and Pioneer Hook & Ladder Truck 3. Hagerstown received additional assistance from Longmeadow Fire Co.27, Funkstown Fire Co.10, Washington County Special Operations Co.20, Community Rescue Service Co.75, Washington County Emergency Support Services Air & Rehab Co.25, and Hagerstown City Police Auxiliary. - WILLIAM KING
Baltimore firefighters battle the two-alarm fire in a vacant dwelling.
MICHAEL SCHWARTZBERG/FIREPIX1075
Baltimore City Crews Battle Two-Alarm Vacant Dwelling Fire Baltimore City, MD - Shortly before 4:00 P.M. on Sunday, January 6th, Baltimore City firefighters were alerted for a reported dwelling fire (Box Alarm 40-40), at West Forest Park and Callaway Avenues. Fire Dispatch JUMP TO FILE# notified responding 010619112 units that multiple calls were being received. First arriving units reported heavy smoke showing from a large three-story frame house and began an aggressive attack on the fire. A Working Fire dispatch was quickly sounded. Conditions worsened as the fire progressed through walls and void spaces, and firefighters were ordered to evacuate. Exterior operations were then initiated. Firefighters had fire in the basement, all three floors and eventually through the roof. Car 5 (Shift Commander Goldberg), requested a second-alarm and special-called the Water Tower. The fire was brought under control after nearly three hours of operations and was under investigation by the BCFD Fire Investigation Bureau. One firefighter was transported to the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center with non-life-threatening injuries. - MICHAEL SCHWARTZBERG
MICHAEL SCHWARTZBERG/FIREPIX1075 WCVFRA-PT: JOSEPH GOODRICH
PAGE 18
March/April, 2019
1ST Responder Newspaper - MA
MARYLAND
Arson Arrest Made After Sharpsburg Home Burns Down Sharpsburg, MD - On the night of February 1st, firefighters from Sharpsburg FD were alerted with several other surrounding departments on Box 14 for a house fire at 4815 Churchey Road near Sharpsburg. Washington JUMP TO FILE# County 911 re- 020819103 ceived the call from the residence shortly before midnight, reporting the fire and some type of disturbance at the residence. The Washington County Sheriff’s Department was started with the fire department; one Sheriff’s Deputy was close by and arrived prior to the Fire Department to find a working fire. The Deputy reported their findings and quickly confirmed that all occupants were out of the structure. Sharpsburg FD Rescue Engine 1-1 arrived on the scene, advising that they had a working fire in the attached garage and first-floor of a two-story, wood-framed residence. Sharpsburg Fire Captain Brad Hineman established command as firefighters quickly deployed attack lines and attempted an offensive attack on the blaze. While awaiting the arrival of the Maryland State Fire Marshal assigned to the incident, Sheriff Deputies spoke with residents in reference to the disturbance that took place prior to the fire. Firefighters were faced with heavy fire conditions which spread throughout the home, compromising the structure's integrity and limiting firefighters' access to the second division of the structure. Crews battled the blaze for nearly two hours before bringing it under control. Firefighters were committed on the call for nearly six hours Friday night into Saturday morning conducting extensive overhaul operations and assisting the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office with their investigation. Crews were recalled back to the scene at 7:53 A.M. for a rekindle when a call came into Washington County’s 911 center reporting smoke coming from the remnants of the house. Sharpsburg Fire Chief Matthew Stevens arrived, reporting that the house was fully involved and that crews would be working in a defensive attack only. Chief Stevens established command and called for additional tankers as firefighters set up for ladder pipe operations. Crews were committed on the rekindle for just over four hours. A release from the State Fire Marshal’s Office stated that damages to the residence were estimated to be around $200,000 between the structure and its contents. The point of origin was determined to be in the basement area of the residence.
It was later determined that the fire was set intentionally after State Fire Marshals were able to determine that ordinary combustibles had been ignited with an open flame device. The suspect, who was one of the residents, was arrested without incident and has been charged with 1st Degree Arson, 1st Degree Malicious Burning, and one count of Reckless Endangerment. The other occupant displaced by the blaze is currently
receiving assistance from the American Red Cross. The house was a total loss, and no injuries were reported during the incident. Sharpsburg FD Co.1 responded to the fire, receiving assistance from Potomac Valley Fire Co.11, Rohrersville Fire Co.8, Boonsboro Fire Co.6, Boonsboro Rescue Co.69, Washington County Special Operations 20, Sharpsburg EMS Co.19, Fairplay’s Community Vol. Fire Co. District 12, Williamsport
Fire & EMS Co.2, Clear Spring Fire Co.4, Washington County Volunteer Fire & Rescue Safety Officer, Washington County Emergency Support Services Air & Rehab Co.25, and Washington County Fire Police. Additional mutual aid from surrounding jurisdictions was received from Jefferson County West Virginia’s Shepherdstown V.F.D. Co.3 and crews from Frederick County Maryland’s Middletown
WCVFRA-PT: KENNETH MOHR
V.F.C. Co.7 and Wolfsville V.F.C. Co.21. Units from Hagerstown’s South End Fire Co. Engine 5, Maugansville Goodwill Fire Co.13, Frederick County Maryland’s Brunswick Fire Co.5, and Loudoun County Virginia’s Loudoun Heights Station 26 also responded on transfers throughout the incident to cover the area while crews were committed on the incidents. - WILLIAM KING
WCVFRA-PT: KENNETH MOHR
1ST Responder Newspaper - MA
March/April, 2019
PAGE 19
MARYLAND
Commercial Storage Barn in Boonsboro Destroyed by Two-Alarm Blaze Boonsboro, MD - On the evening of March 16th, personnel from the 1st Hose Company of Boonsboro were alerted for a garage fire at 5:41 P.M. Washington County 911 received the call reporting a garage fire close to the residence at 7206 JUMP TO FILE# Monroe Road, 032219111 north west of Boonsboro town limits. Wa s h i n g t o n County quickly processed the call and dispatched units from Boonsboro along with several other departments due on Box 6-2. Heavy black smoke could be seen emanating from several miles out as units responded. Boonsboro EMS Paramedic 691 reported a fully involved structure as they were approaching the scene and requested the Safety Assignment to be started. Firefighters arrived at the Thomas and Sons Farm complex to find a large commercial storage barn with heavy fire conditions, which were being fueled by the windy conditions that evening. Boonsboro Deputy Chief Vern Wachter from the Rohrersville Station arrived directly after Paramedic 691 and reported a working fire in a large structure with heavy fire conditions and several exposures. Chief Wachter quickly assessed what his crews were faced with and requested the Tanker Task Force started to establish water supply, along with the second-alarm assignment. Boonsboro Engine 62 was the first-in engine and immediately took up position between the residence and the fire building, and deployed hand lines and began hosing down the residence to protect it from the flames. A crew from Sharpsburg Fire Company’s Rescue Engine 11 arrived and
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took up position, deploying attack lines to protect the large fuel tanks alongside the involved structure and an adjacent building on side 'Charlie'. Firefighters were faced with rural water conditions which forced Chief Wachter to call for a second Tanker Task Force to ensure a good water supply for their operations. Over 90 emergency responders from across the area responded to assist on the two-alarm blaze. Firefighters battled the blaze for about two hours before gaining control and remained committed on scene extinguishing the blaze for an additional hour, stripping away the tin walls and conducting overhaul operations. Command reported the fire out just before 9:00 P.M. that night. Boonsboro crews from Stations 6 and 8 remained committed on the scene for another hour to assure that the fire was out while assisting the State Fire Marshal’s Office. The Saturday evening blaze destroyed the 10,000-square-foot structure and all of its contents. The building was mainly used for storage, so there was no loss of live stock, but the business did lose several tractors, golf carts and other machinery stored in the building. The Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office released their report showing that an electrical malfunction in a vehicle inside the structure sparked the devastating blaze that caused $1,200,000 in damages to the structure and its contents. Firefighters' quick response and aggressive tactics were able to keep a bulk of the fire contained to the fire building, saving
the residence, which only received minor damage. No injuries were reported as a result of the blaze and no one was displaced. Emergency crews from four different counties across three states responded to the incident. The First Hose Co. of Boonsboro responded on the call with crews from their Station 6 in Boonsboro and their Station 8 in Rohrersville Area south of town. They received additional assistance from Sharpsburg Fire Co. (Co.1), The Community Vol. Fire Co. of District 12 (Co.12), Funkstown V.F.C. (Co.10), Mt. Aetna Fire Co. (Co.16), Williamsport Fire & EMS (Co.2), Smithsburg V.F.C. (Co.7), Potomac Valley V.F.C. (Co.11), Hagerstown’s South End Engine 5, Hagerstown’s Antietam Fire Co. Special Unit 32, Leitersburg V.F.C. Co.9, Boonsboro Rescue Squad (Co.69), Washington County Special Operations 20, Washington County Emergency Support Services Air & Rehab (Co.25), Washington County Vol. Fire & Rescue Safety Officer, Washington County Fire Police, Frederick County Maryland’s Myersville V.F.C. (Co.8), Middletown V.F.C. (Co.7), Jefferson County West Virginia’s Shepherdstown Fire Co. (Co.3), and Franklin County Pennsylvania’s Waynesboro Fire Co. (Co.2). Additional assistance was received that evening from Hancock Fire Co. (Co.5) and Loudoun County Virginia’s Loudon Heights Fire & Rescue Station 626, who responded to supply transfer crews to cover the area while crews were committed on the call. - WILLIAM KING
1ST HOSE COMPANY OF BOONSBORO
PAGE 20
March/April, 2019
RICHARD BILLINGS
1ST Responder Newspaper - MA
MARYLAND
PATCH OF THE MONTH If you have photos you would like to see in our “Patch of the Month” feature please upload them on our website, www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com.
This patch belongs to Hagerstown, MD Truck 1; "Second to None". SHANE SHIFFLETT
March/April, 2019
1ST Responder Newspaper - MA
PAGE 21
MARYLAND
A Healthy Alternative
HEALTHY HERO SNACK PACK
FIRST RESPONDERS going nuts over KARIBA FARMS new variety snackpack
MICHAEL SCHWARTZBERG/FIREPIX1075
Working Fire in Baltimore City with Civilian Jumper Baltimore, MD - Shortly before 12:30 P.M. on Saturday, March 9th, Baltimore City Fire Communications dispatched BCFD units to 109 N Poppleton Street (Box Alarm 23-73) for reports of a building on fire. First arriving JUMP TO FILE# units encountered 031019100 heavy smoke conditions from a threestory building at the corner of N Poppleton Street and Vine Street, with fire on the first floor and a civilian jumper down in front of the building. Firefighters made an aggressive attack and a Working Fire dispatch was requested as fire consumed all three floors of the building. The civilian victim was transported to the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in serious condition.
Kariba Farms, one of the preeminent specialty food companies in the country, is launching a new Healthy Heroes Snack Pack monthly subscription for police, fire, rescue and EMS departments to help their members make healthy choices when they are reaching for a snack at the station.
Each month’s Healthy Heroes Snack Pack will arrive at your department with a generous supply of almonds, cashews, pistachios and other nuts to compliment a variety of healthy, seasonal dried fruit snacks. Additionally, Kariba Farms will carefully select special treats each month such as chocolate covered almonds, corn crisps, dried
MONTHLY DEPARTMENT SUBSCRIPTION PLANS
Kariba Farms will send a Healthy Heroes Snack Pack to fit the size of your department so there is enough to keep your members healthy and happy for the whole month before the next month’s shipment arrives. All subscription prices include free shipping.
vegetables, etc. to include. A report by the Harvard School of Public Health found that people who ate nuts every day lived longer, healthier lives than people who didn’t eat nuts. Additionally, eating nuts lowers LDL (‘bad’ cholesterol), raises HDL (‘good’ cholesterol) and also lowers blood pressure and blood pressure responses to stress.
Kariba Farms has been a leader in the dried fruits, nuts and specialty food industry for over 25 years. They scour the world to source the highest quality natural and organic products to bring their customers snacks that are Star-K Kosher certified as well as non-GMO, all natural, organic, wheat and gluten free. Small Department/Squad Under 10 Members $65 per month Medium Department/Squad Up to 25 Members $125 per month Larger Department/Squad Up to 50 Members $225 per month
Kick up your department’s game in the kitchen! MEMBERS RECEIVE EVEN MORE BENEFITS NUTCRUSTERS
TM
Turn your common dish into a gourmet meal in minutes with our delicious blend of nuts, gourmet spices and Japanese style breadcrumbs. We offer flavors and recipes for:
- MICHAEL SCHWARTZBERG
Seafood Meat (wings, pork, poultry) Tofu Vegetables
Every flavor is all natural with no preservatives and is made with Flax* for heart-healthy ALA Omega 3's. * If you are allergic to flax, please let us know when you place your order and we will make a special batch for you without flax.
Baltimore City firefighters throw an additional ground ladder at the scene of the Poppleton St. working fire.
MICHAEL SCHWARTZBERG/FIREPIX1075
One of the benefits of your department joining the Healthy Heroes Snack Pack is that members of your department will receive special coupon codes that will allow them to shop on the Kariba Farms website with savings not available to the general public. That way they can extend the healthy snacking to their family and friends. When you call to order your
HEALTHY HEROES SNACK PACK
ask for more information
973-233-7142
Contact Kariba Farms today to get your department started on the road to healthy snacking! www.KaribaFarms.com | info@KaribaFarms.com A Healthy Alternative
PAGE 22
March/April, 2019
1ST Responder Newspaper - MA
MARYLAND
Three-Alarm Blaze Rips Through Frostburg Apartment Building Frostburg, MD - On the morning of January 22nd, the Frostburg FD was dispatched on Box F1605 with several surrounding departments for a reported apartment building fire at 93 East Main Street. Alleghany County’s Joint Op- JUMP TO FILE # erations 911 Center 013119102 took several calls reporting a possible basement fire. Alleghany County EMS Paramedic 518 arrived shortly after dispatch to find smoke coming from the roof of the building and reported a working fire. The assignment was immediately upgraded to a working structure fire and additional units were automatically started. Frostburg Assistant Chief 16B arrived and assessed the scene, reporting that they had what appeared to be a working basement fire which had extended into the second-floor of the structure. Frostburg’s Assistant Chief assisted with operations as FF Doug Hanson from Frostburg established command. Command immediately requested the second-alarm to be started and notified incoming units to stage at Frostburg’s Station. At that point firefighters were faced with a two-story, middle-of-therow apartment building with a business on the ground floor and several apartments above it, with
confirmed active fire in the basement and on Division II. Crews worked to make access to the fire as heavy smoke began to vent from the 'Charlie' side of 97 East Main. Conditions appeared to be quickly deteriorating when heavy fire began venting from the 'Alpha' side of 97 East Main, which was two doors down from the initial location. With the fire rapidly spreading, Command called for the third-alarm to be started. Firefighters continued their offensive attack using multiple attack lines and master streams to try and bring the blaze under control. Command worked to continuously evaluate the building throughout the incident to keep crews safe. After battling the blaze for nearly an hour, the structural integrity was beginning to deteriorate and command called for the Evac Tone to be sounded and had all personnel evacuate the structure due to the threat of collapse. Firefighters continued to battle the blaze for about two more hours before bringing it under control. Investigators from the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office were on the scene for several hours investigating the cause of the Three-Alarm blaze and were able to confirm that the basement area was the point of origin. The cause of the fire was found to be accidental in nature, resulting from an electrical malfunction of wiring in the building. The bal-
loon-frame construction allowed the flames to rapidly spread throughout the building. Four firefighters were checked out by EMS during the incident. Two were transported for checkup while the other two refused transport. No other injuries were reported. The total damage was estimated to be around $500,000. Several occupants were displaced and are receiving assistance from friends and family. Over 60 emergency personnel between Maryland and West Virginia responded to the blaze. Frostburg FD Co.16 responded on the call with assistance from Shaft VFD Co.17, Midland VFD Co.18, Mt. Savage Vol. Fire Co.15, LaVale VFD Co.2, Cresaptown VFD Co.9, Alleghany County Emergency Medical Services Co.51, Barton Hose Co. No.1 Co.19, Good Will Fire Co. No.1 Co.20, Bowling Green VFD Co.8, Corriganville Vol. Fire Co.5, Ellerslie Vol. Fire Co.6, Potomac Fire Co. No.2 Co.22, Rawlings VFD Co.47, Alleghany County DES, Lavale Vol. Rescue Squad Co.52, George’s Creek Ambulance Service Co.55; Garrett County’s Eastern Garrett VFD Co. 80, Grantsville VFD Co.60; Mineral County West Virginia’s TriTowns VFD Co.24, and Ridgely VFD Co.25. - WILLIAM KING
COURTESY OF SHAFT V.F.D.
COURTESY OF SHAFT V.F.D.
Over 60 emergency personnel members worked to battle a 3-Alarm blaze in Frostburg on 1/22/19.
ALLEGHANY COUNTY DES PIO TODD BOWMAN
A local business, Fatboy's Pizza Shack, opened their doors to the firefighters battling the blaze, feeding them and allowing them to warm up during the incident.
1ST Responder Newspaper - MA
MARYLAND
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES If you have photos you would like to see in our “Emergency Medical Services” feature, please upload them on our website www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com.
Pictured is Ambulance 108 of Federalsburg Volunteer Fire Company, located in Caroline County, MD.
PAGE 23
FDNY Rescue 3, 1991 VIDEO REVIEW
Video reviews by John Malecky
SHANE SHIFFLETT
March/April, 2019
FDNY Rescue 3, 1991 By Alan Simmons Productions Available from: FSP Books & Videos 188 Central Street, Suite #4 Hudson, MA 01749-1330 1-800-522-8528 e-mail: support@fire-policeems.com www.fire-police-ems.com Price: $29.95 (DVD) This DVD is 60 minutes in length and is about the weekend of July 4th, 1991. It’s original release was in 1991, but it was revised in 2010. It centers around Rescue 3 when it was stationed in upper Manhattan with Engine 93 and Tower Ladder 45. At the time, they were assigned a 1988 Mack MR/Saulsbury rescue truck. The video is action packed in many ways, featuring fires in more than one borough. Rescue 3
covers all of The Bronx and some of Manhattan. It is now quartered back in The Bronx. The footage explains the number of fires they responded to this particular week, all of which are all-hands to multiple-alarms. The viewer will not only travel to the assignments, but they will see some firehouse routines. They will travel to West New York, NJ for a general alarm which involved two large buildings of ordinary construction. The fire went through the roof of both buildings and was fought by several fire departments. This was before the consolidation of Union City, Weehawken, Guttenburg, West New York and North Bergen into the North Hudson Regional Fire Rescue Department. You will also see a Jersey City truck company and their rescue unit at the scene, as well as an aerial from Cliffside Park operating. This town is in Bergen County, just north of Hudson County. Back to New York City and running rampant to fires during this week will give you your money’s worth and help you to appreciate the workload of the New York City firefighters.
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March/April, 2019
1ST Responder Newspaper - MA
eLEND joins Heroes Mortgage Program to offer down payment assistance for heroes
For many Americans, funding the down payment necessary to realize a dream of home ownership simply is not possible; and squirreling away the dollars to do so on a limited budget could mean several years of renting and waiting to buy a house. In some cases, first responders and other community service employees have trouble affording homes in the areas where they work. With a purchase as big as buying a home, a little help can go a long way. The Advantage Program, introduced to the Heroes Mortgage platform by eLEND, helps hometown heroes like police officers, volunteer and paid firefighters, EMS workers, medical professionals and educators purchase a home within the community where they work, even in high-cost areas. The unique down payment assistance program was specifically designed for those who make a difference in other people’s lives, as well as first time home buyers. “The Heroes Mortgage platform helps connect members of the emergency services community with lenders that are specifically interested in working with them,” said Joseph P. Belsito, publisher of 1st Responder Newspaper. “The Advantage Program created by eLEND is exactly what makes the Heroes Mortgage Pro-
“We’re excited to introduce our Advantage Program to the Heroes Mortgage platform. It’s our way of trying to help hometown heroes advance their dreams of home ownership.”
- BILL PACKER Executive Vice President eLEND
gram a valuable resource for heroes in our community looking for home financing.” Grant provides help to homebuyers Many buyers wait patiently on the sidelines, saving money and watching interest rates rise. Unlike many other home buying assistance programs, eLEND’s Advantage Program provides a grant for the down pay-
ment. These resources can immediately build a borrower’s buying power, helping them act on a purchase more quickly for either that first home, or a move-up home as the family has grown and needs more space. Qualified buyers can receive grants up to 2% of the purchase price, minimizing the
down payment dollars needed at closing. The grant is “forgivable” so it doesn’t have to be paid back, and there are no resale or borrower repayment restrictions. In the state of Wisconsin, appraisal cost (up to $700) is credited back at closing. This program is not yet available in Hawaii or Washington. To qualify, a borrower need only meet one of the following very flexible requirements: a current, retired, volunteer or professional first responder (police officer, firefighter, paramedic, emergency medical technician, etc.), educator, medical personnel, civil servant or military personnel, or a first-time homebuyer or meet certain income requirements. “We’re excited to introduce our Advantage Program to the Heroes Mortgage platform,” said Bill Packer, executive vice president of eLEND, a division of American Financial Resources, Inc. “It’s our way of trying to help hometown heroes advance their dreams of home ownership.” For more information or to check your eligibility for The Advantage Program, visit www.heroesmortgage.com/AdvantageProgram or call 877-541-HERO.
For more information or to check your eligibility for The Advantage Program, visit www.heroesmortgage.com/AdvantageProgram or call 877-541-HERO.
1ST Responder Newspaper - MA
March/April, 2019
PAGE 25
MARYLAND
Fire Damages Baltimore County Auto Service Shop Baltimore, MD - Shortly after 7:00 P.M. on Monday, March 11th, westside Baltimore County firefighters were alerted to respond to Fire Box 3-3 for a building fire at the Hebron Auto Service on Liberty Road in JUMP TO FILE# 031719105 Gwynn Oak. First arriving BCoFD Engine 3 from the Woodlawn station reported light smoke showing and laid a line. Firefighters found that a burn barrel had ignited a rear wall, causing a small fire in the one-story commercial structure. Command used two engines and a truck to handle the incident and released additional units. - MICHAEL SCHWARTZBERG
MIKE SCHWARTZBERG/FIREPIX1075
Three-Vehicle Crash in Baltimore County Ends in Arrest Baltimore, MD - Shortly after 7:00 A.M. on Wednesday, January 16th, Baltimore County Police and Fire units were dispatched to a vehicle crash at Patterson and Wildwood Avenues in the Lochearn area (Box 2-24). Upon arrival, units found a three- JUMP TO FILE# vehicle crash at the 011819108 intersection. One car struck the house at 3801 Patterson Ave., causing a large hole in the cinderblock. BCoFD Engine 2 took command of the incident and requested two EMS units, as well as a truck company and USAR 17 to assist with shoring up the structure. BCoFD EMS units transported several patients to area hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries. Following an investigation, one of the drivers was arrested by BCoPD on charges related to a suspected road rage incident. - MICHAEL SCHWARTZBERG
Firefighters from USAR 17 work to shore up the structure.
MIKE SCHWARTZBERG/FIREPIX1075
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March/April, 2019
1ST Responder Newspaper - MA
MARYLAND
SAMANTHA REIBER
Family’s Pets Perish in Elkton House Fire Elkton, MD - On the evening of February 5th, Cecil County 911 received a call from 1821 East Old Philadelphia Road reporting a fire in their house. Personnel from the Singerly Fire Co. were dispatched for the call at 7:42 P.M. JUMP TO FILE# with several other 021819107 companies due on Fire Box 1301. Cecil County 911 advised responding units that the homeowner called 911 reporting a fire in the back corner of the house. The caller also reported that the house had been evacuated, but there were several animals still inside the home. Singerly Deputy Chief Kenneth Street arrived to find a single-story residential structure with fire showing from the 'Alpha' and 'Charlie' sides. Deputy Chief Street established command as firefighters took up position to begin their fire attack. Singerly Chief Michele Ewing conducted a 360 walkaround, confirming heavy fire conditions in sides 'Alpha', 'Bravo' and 'Charlie'. Command immediately requested the First-Alarm Tanker Task Force while firefighters advanced their attack lines to begin an offensive attack. Conditions started to deteriorate due to the heavy fire load, which caused a partial collapse on the 'Charlie/Delta' corner. Firefighters battled the blaze for just over an hour before command was
able to report it as under control at 8:56 P.M. Crews operated on the scene for an additional hour conducting extensive overhaul operations. The Tuesday night blaze caused around $150,000 in damages between the structure and its contents. Investigators from the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office were able to confirm that the fire started inside the residence, but were still working to determine the cause of the blaze. Three occupants were displaced and are receiving assistance from the Delmarva Chapter of the American Red Cross and their families. The occupants were checked out by EMS on the scene that night, but no transports were reported. No other injuries were reported as a result of the incident, but several family pets were lost in the blaze. Over 70 emergency personnel members responded to the scene from both Maryland and Delaware. Singerly Fire Co. Stations 3 and 13 responded, receiving assistance from North East V.F.C. Stations 4 and 44, Charlestown Fire Co.5, Chesapeake City V.F.C. Stations 2 and 12, Water Witch Fire Co. Stations 72 and 73, Community Fire Co. of Rising Sun Station 8, Cecil County EMS Paramedic 2, and New Castle County Delaware’s Aetna Hose Hook & Ladder Co. Station 9. - WILLIAM KING
COURTESY OF VFC OF HALFWAY
Emergency crews work to extricate a Priority 1/Category A Trauma patient on I-70 in Washington County on 1/25/19.
Multi-Vehicle Crash in Washington County Shuts Down I-70 Halfway, MD - On the morning of January 25th, emergency crews from Washington County were dispatched for a multi-vehicle accident on Interstate 70 in the eastbound lane of mile marker 28. The Washington County 911 Center received multiple calls just before 11:30 A.M. reporting a serious accident with several vehicles involved, including a bus. Units due on the assignment were dispatched out at 11:31 A.M. Call takers received additional information confirming that at least two people were trapped in separate vehicles which prompted fire dispatchers to immediately start additional EMS units and an additional Rescue Squad to assist. Units arrived shortly after dispatch to find multiple vehicles scattered across the eastbound lane and in the median of I-70 just west of Exit 28. Halfway Fire Co.’s Paramedic 26-8 was the first to arrive and began to evaluate the scene as Clear Spring EMS Chief 49, Eric Ramacciotti, arrived and assumed I-70 Command, reporting seven patients total with two entrapments, one of which was heavily entrapped. Emergency crews were faced with an eight-vehicle accident involving three commercial vehicles and five passenger vehicles. Firefighters from multiple departments worked in two groups to
JUMP TO FILE #013019116 extricate two patients, one of which was heavily entrapped, while EMS personnel triaged other patients. Command confirmed that aviation would be needed for the heavily entrapped patient, who was classified as a Priority 1/Category A Trauma. Washington County confirmed that Maryland State Police Aviation Command’s Trooper 3 was enroute to assist. Crews worked vigorously as a team to extricate, triage and treat all patients, and had them packaged and clear of the scene within one hour of units being dispatched on the call. The heavily entrapped patient took 45 minutes to extricate and suffered serious injuries. Once extricated, they were packaged and transported by Maryland State Police Aviation Command’s Trooper 3 to R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore. The other entrapped patient was extricated within 25 minutes and transported by ground along with all the other patients to Meritus Medical Center. Firefighters remained on the scene for an additional hour mitigating hazards and cleared the scene around 1:30 P.M., while Maryland State Police
remained on the scene while the Interstate was shut down. Maryland State Police's preliminary investigation showed that eastbound traffic had slowed or stopped due to road construction when an empty passenger bus failed to stop in time, crashing into multiple vehicles and coming to rest in the median. Maryland State Police confirmed that there were no fatalities as a result of the accident. Over 50 emergency personnel members responded from multiple agencies to the Friday morning incident from the Volunteer Fire Co. of Halfway Co.26, Funkstown Vol. Fire Co.10, Williamsport Fire & EMS Co.2, Clear Spring Fire Co.4, Washington County Special Operations 20, Community Rescue Service Co.75, Clear Spring EMS Co.49, Washington County EMS 1811, Washington County Division of Emergency Services Command Staff, Maryland State Police Aviation Command, Washington County Vol. Fire & Rescue Safety Officers 101 and 202, and Washington County Fire Police. Boonsboro EMS Co.69 also assisted during the incident by transferring a crew to Williamsport Fire & EMS to cover the area while crews were committed on the call. - WILLIAM KING
1ST Responder Newspaper - MA
March/April, 2019
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Soup’s on! added to hot oil, which results in more flavor and depth than if you had just sprinkled some into chicken broth. You will get so much more from your dried spices by following this technique, no matter what dish it is you're making. The same can be said for aromatics like onion and garlic. Just think about that warm smell we all love when garlic hits a hot pan of olive oil. These flavors and aromas end up in our soup, stews, sauces, etc. And when we let the vegetables start to brown and caramelize, we bring out a sweetness from natural sugars the canned stuff could only wish they had. When we cook, we need to learn to push the limits sometimes. Don’t be afraid of color when we're sautéing our vegetables. I'm not saying burn your food till it’s
FORK & HOSE CO. a Food Blog by A.J. Fusco
Growing up, I craved nothing more than a hot bowl of soup to warm me up. Sure, some may have come out of a red and white can, but that didn’t matter to me as a kid. Now that I'm older, I truly appreciate a well made soup using quality ingredients and technique. All too often I see recipes which result in everything being put in together at the same time. The problem with this is that it doesn’t allow the building of layers of flavor. Dry spices “bloom” when
black. I'm referring to that goldenbrown color we love to see. This is flavor resulting from a process called the Maillard Reaction, which is a chemical reaction between amino acids and sugars. It’s good for your food, trust me. This recipe is also open to interpretation. Adding a smoked ham hock would be nothing short of outstanding. Or maybe turn it into a 3 Bean by adding canned Canellini and Kidney beans. Sure, you could follow the recipe on the back of the lentil bag, but what’s the fun in that? Use your imagination and instinct! Taste, season and taste again. Treating soup with as much respect as we do other dishes will ultimately result in a better final product, happy crew and a full belly!
LENTIL SOUP Serves 6
Ingredients: EUGENE WEBER JR.
This patch belongs to the Fairview Fire Department, located in Marion County, WV.
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1/2 Yellow Onion, diced 3 Medium Carrots, peeled and diced 1 Celery Rib, diced 1 Garlic Clove, diced 1 Tbs. Ground Coriander 1 Tbs. Ground Cumin 1 Tbs. Paprika 2 Sprigs of Fresh Thyme, leaves picked 1 Bay Leaf 3 Cups of Dried Lentils 14.5 oz. Can of Diced Tomatoes 6 Cups of Chicken or Vegetable Broth Salt and Pepper, to taste Extra Virgin Olive Oil Procedure:
There are five different stretchers on the average ambulance: When you hear the word stretcher, the first image that typically comes to mind is a long bed atop a set of wheels. Aside from that stretcher, somewhere inside the ambulance is a reeves, stair chair, scoop, and backboard. Each serves it’s own function.
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-In a dutch oven or heavy bottomed pot over medium heat, add enough oil to just cover the bottom of the pan and add onion. When onions start to turn translucent, add the carrots and celery. When vegetables start to turn a light brown, add the garlic, thyme and spices. Season with a pinch of salt and add the lentils, stirring for about a minute. Add the tomatoes, broth,
bay leaf and bring to a boil.
-Once it comes to a boil, reduce to a simmer for about 35-45 minutes or until the lentils are tender. Using a stick blender or conventional blender (careful doing this with hot liquid), blend about a quarter of the soup and return to the pot. Stir, taste for seasoning, and serve.
Optional: Garnish with fresh parsley and lemon AJ FUSCO
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March/April, 2019
1ST Responder Newspaper - MA