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MICHAEL SCHWARTZBERG / PVFC
Baltimore County, MD - Shortly after 4:00 A.M. on Sunday, December 11th, Baltimore County Fire Department Engine-19 (Garrison career) was alerted for an MVA at the intersection of Reisterstown Road (Route-140) and Greenspring Valley Road (Box 19-4). Upon arrival, Engine-19 found a Honda passenger car on a grassy hill with the sole occupant, a driver who was not wearing a seatbelt, heavily pinned underneath the dashboard. - See full story on page 28
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Jan/Feb, 2017
DELAWARE
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1st Responder News (ISSN 017-633) - Mid Atlantic Edition - Vol. 17, No. 1 - 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. A division of: Omissions or errors must be brought to the attention of the newspaper during the same month of publication.
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1ST Responder Newspaper - MA
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SEAFORD VOL. FD GENE SHANER
(L to R): Craig Snyder, Dakota Correll, JJ Burnett, Cheryl Hurlock and Denys Demczak.
Clayton Fire Company Announces 2016 Award Winners Clayton, DE - Each year, the Clayton Fire Company takes time to honor the members that serve just a bit more than others. These members go above and beyond, giving just a bit more of their time. The 2016 awards were presented during the annual company banquet. Every year, the company gives out the "Steven Turner Memorial Award," named for Stevie Turner who died of cancer while serving as a junior member with the fire company in 1972. This award is given to the junior member of the fire company who tries the hardest. This year, the award went to Dakota Correll, who also won the award last year. Chief Carrow stated that ”Dakota is a quiet young man that just comes in, does his job and leaves. You never hear from him.” The William R. “Ace” Carrow award is given to the Fireman of the year and honors a member who gives back time and effort in the non-firefighting side of the fire company. This year, Vice President Cheryl Hurlock and Director Denys Demczak were presented with the award. President Robert Faulkner stated that “both of these ladies are here anytime you need them and never say no." The "Robert Berghorn Firefighter of the Year" award was
JUMP TO FILE #122216111 named to honor past Chief and President Robert Berghorn who passed away earlier this year. The award was presented to Lieutenant Craig Snyder. Fire Chief Skip Carrow stated that “Craig has only been a member for a short time and has established himself as a leader in this department and will do great things.” A new award was added to the list this year, called the "Turner/Hurlock" training award and is given to the member who trains the hardest. The award is named for Jamie Turner, retired Senior Instructor at the Delaware State Fire School and life member of Clayton, as well as past Fire Chief Jeff Hurlock, who is one of the strongest advocates of training in the fire company. Crew Leader JJ Burnett was awarded the inaugural award. The members of the Clayton Fire Company would like to congratulate and thank these members for their hard work and dedication to the citizens of the Clayton Fire District. - KEVIN WILSON
SEAFORD VOL. FD
Car Overturns on Sussex Highway in Seaford
Seaford, DE - On December 2nd, Seaford Fire, EMS and Sussex County Paramedics were dispatched to Sussex Highway for a reported motor vehicle accident, with one car overturned. Engine 87-5 was already in the area doing driver training, enabling them to make a quick response. Crews extricated one patient from the vehicle with the help of Rescue-87.
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Jan/Feb, 2017
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Jan/Feb, 2017
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DELAWARE
IN SERVICE If you have photos you would like to see in our In Service feature, please upload them on our website www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com.
GOOD WILL FIRE CO.
MVA with Extrication in New Castle
FRANK ROBINSON
Claymont, DE - The Claymont Fire Company operates a 2015 Pierce Arrow XT 500/500 Rescue Engine.
New Castle, DE - At 4:20 P.M. on December 6th, crews from Station-18 and New Castle County EMS were alerted to an MVA with entrapment in the area of Ferry Cutoff. Ambulance18 responded, along with Engine 18-6 Chief and Deputy Chief, and NCC Medic-2 with an EMS supervisor. Ambulance18 arrived, confirmed one patient trapped and began extrication. The crew from Engine 18-6 arrived next and provided additional equipment and manpower to complete the extrication. The patient was removed and transported to the local trauma center for further treatment.
Smyrna High School Student Performs CPR and Saves Child Dover, DE - On December 19th at approximately 11:45 A.M., Smyrna High School student Theresa’lyn Outten used her intuition and CPR skills to save the life of an JUMP TO FILE# 18-month-old child. 122116102 While having lunch with her sister at a Chick-Fil-A, an 18month-old girl began to experience breathing troubles. As the child’s breathing progressively became more difficult (eventually stopping all together), Theresa’lyn did not hesitate to assist the child in distress. She began with an over check of the child and as deemed necessary, began to preform CPR as others called 911 for help. Theresa’lyn continued CPR until the ambulance arrived on-scene and took over care for the child. The child was transported to Kent General Hospital and with the help of medical professionals, was later awake and alert. Theresa’lyn attributes her skills and quick thinking to the training she received in her Allied Health class, taught by Mrs. Amie Campanicki at Smyrna High School. Great job Theresa'lyn! - ASHLEY E. CARROW
Smyrna High School student Theresa’lyn Outten.
PROVIDED
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Jan/Feb, 2017
VIRGINIA
HENRICO FIRE
Christmas Eve Bedroom Fire Displaces One Henrico, VA – At 4:00 P.M. on December 24th, Henrico emergency communications officers received 911 calls for a house fire in the 2900 block of Muncie Road, near the intersection of North Laburnum Avenue and Harvie Road. The first personnel arrived in approximately six-minutes to find a tri-level home with flames coming from an upstairs window and smoke coming from the eaves at the roof level. In order to limit the damage of the fire and to also keep it from spreading to the attic, hose lines were immediately sent to the second-floor. At the same time, ladders were placed to windows in case firefighters or civilians needed to immediately escape. Through their aggressive actions,
JUMP TO FILE #010317104 firefighters were able to contain the fire to the area of origin. Firefighters searched the house and discovered that no one was inside. The incident was placed under control in 25-minutes. One person was evaluated on the scene for minor injuries, but did not require transportation to the hospital. The fire was determined to have started in an upstairs bedroom, but the cause remains under investigation. One adult occupant was displaced, but did not require the assistance of the Red Cross. - TAYLOR GOODMAN
Richmond Firefighters Burned While Rescuing Baby Richmond, VA - A one-yearold baby was rescued by two Richmond firefighters on December 17th, after fire erupted in a two-story apartment in the 2500 block of Phaup Street. Fire officials said the call was dispatched at 1:02 P.M., with the first unit arriving on-scene at 1:05 P.M. According to officials, two civilians were passing by the apartment when they noticed the fire and called 911. Emergency communications received information from a female stating that a baby was trapped upstairs in the house. The two civilians attempted to rescue the baby themselves, but the fire and smoke were too heavy, making them unable to complete the rescue. Richmond Engine-11 arrived on the scene and went into rescue
HENRICO FIRE
Fire Heavily Damages Home in Henrico’s North Side Henrico County, VA – Shortly before midnight on Saturday, January 7th, Henrico firefighters were dispatched to the 8400 block of Chamberlayne Road (US Route301), located in the county’s northside, for a house fire. Callers were reporting flames coming from the home. Firefighters, battling ice-slicked roadways and bitter temperatures, arrived to find a single-story home with flames coming from the rear. An interior fire attack was initiated, but due to the volume of fire, the fire attack had to be moved to the
JUMP TO FILE #010917114 exterior. Firefighters made their way back inside once they had a good knockdown on the blaze. Searches of the home determined that no one was inside. There were no injuries reported, although two adults and two juveniles were displaced. Crews operated in temperatures that dipped into the single-digits, which coated hoses, tools and personnel in ice for the duration of the call.
The fire was determined to be accidental in nature, as the result of improper disposal of fireplace ashes. The occupants of the home were asleep and alerted to the fire by working smoke alarms, proving that working smoke alarms save lives! Companies cleared the scene after having been there for nearly 11-hours. A heavy fire load in the attic, dangerously low temperatures and iced-over equipment all contributed to extended operations. - TAYLOR GOODMAN
APPARATUS IN ACTION If you have photos you would like to see in our Apparatus in Action feature please upload them on our website www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com.
JUMP TO FILE #121716119 mode. Without any hesitation, the Richmond firefighters went into the house and made their way to the second-floor, where the one-yearold was trapped. The baby, who officials said sustained extensive burn injuries, was brought out by two firefighters, who were also burned during the rescue. The baby was transported to a hospital for further treatment while the burned firefighters were treated at the scene. The fire was marked under control at 1:25 P.M. and the cause is currently under investigation. - BECKY ROBINETTE WRIGHT
Ashburn, VA - Engine 606 from Ashburn Vol. Fire Company-6 responding to recent a call, sporting the company's new colors of black over yellow.
WDCPHOTO/BILL CLARE
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Jan/Feb, 2017
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In memory of those who gave all
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1st Responder Newspaper honors and remembers emergency responders lost in the line of duty
Montana: Darryl Elden “Poor Boy” Vielle, 51 Rank: Crew Boss/Engine Boss Incident Date: November 30, 2016 Death Date: November 30, 2016 Fire Department: Blackfeet Forestry and Fire Management Initial Summary: While serving on the Maple Spring wildfire in North Carolina, Blackfeet Nation Fire Management Crew Boss/Engine Boss Darryl Elden “Poor Boy” Vielle was found deceased in his motel room on the morning of November 30, 2016. The Blackfeet Forestry and Fire Management crew has been supporting firefighters in North Carolina since November 10th.
Michigan: Thomas Gary Walker, 70 Rank: Firefighter Incident Date: November 27, 2016 Death Date: November 27, 2016 Fire Department: Otsego County Fire Department Initial Summary: Later in the day after responding with his fire department to an early morning carbon monoxide alarm, Firefighter Walker collapsed at home and was transported to the hospital where he was pronounced deceased from a nature and cause of fatal injury still to be reported.
Washington: Charles “Doug” Archer, 49 Rank: Firefighter Incident Date: November 28, 2016 Death Date: Pending Fire Department: Spokane County Fire District 8 Initial Summary: After responding with his fire department to a residential fire and an aid call, Firefighter Archer returned to his residence to rest where he succumbed in his sleep. South Carolina: Jeffery A. Worsham, 45 Rank: Assistant Fire Chief Incident Date: December 2, 2016 Death Date: December 10, 2016 Fire Department: Whitesville Rural Volunteer
Fire Department Initial Summary: After responding to a motor vehicle accident call with the Whitesville Fire Department and then returning home, Assistant Fire Chief Jeffery A. Worsham was found in the morning by his spouse in cardiac arrest. The Whitesville Fire Department responded to Chief Worsham’s residence where he was treated and transported to the hospital but succumbed to his injury several days later. Ohio: Ruben E. Mast, 43 Rank: Firefighter Incident Date: December 19, 2016 Death Date: December 19, 2016 Fire Department: Wayne Township Volunteer Fire Department Initial Summary: Firefighter Ruben E. Mast was responding to an alarm in his privately owned Ford F-250 pickup truck when he lost control of the vehicle and struck a guardrail before overturning. Mast was reported to have been ejected from the vehicle. He was transported by Wayne Township Volunteer Fire Department and Smith Ambulance to Union Hospital in Dover, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Oregon: Ray Rubio, 52 Rank: Firefighter/Smokejumper Incident Date: November 23, 2016 Death Date: December 19, 2016 Fire Department: Redmond Smokejumpers Redmond Air Center Deschutes National Forest Initial Summary: Firefighter/Smokejumper Ray Rubio passed away in the Grandview Hospital, Birmingham, Alabama, from injuries he suffered in a fall on November 23, 2016. Rubio, a Smokejumper (RAC 95) with the Redmond Air Center (RAC) - Deschutes National Forest, had been assigned to the Southeast during an outbreak of multiple large fires in the region. Firefighter Rubio was reported to have been in travel status on his way home to Oregon and staying overnight in Birmingham at the time of his injury.
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Jan/Feb, 2017
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VIRGINIA
Icy Road Conditions Cause Bad Day for Fire Engines in Virginia Chesterfield, VA - With freezing rain falling on December 17th making travel on roads dangerous, Engine-3 and Medic-11 were dispatched at 4:28 A.M. for a multiple-vehicle crash on I-95, between Chippenham and Willis Roads. Due to multiple vehicles involved, En- JUMP TO FILE# 121716118 gine-11 was added to also respond. While on the scene, Engine-3 was struck by a vehicle. Chesterfield Fire and EMS officials reported that no firefighters were injured during the accident. The driver of the vehicle was assessed at the scene, but not transported. Tactical Safety Officer and Battalion-1 were then added to the call, along with Medic-11 (who had already cleared from the original crash call). Truck-3 responded to assist with blocking the roadway. Engine-3 sustained damage to the officer’s side of the unit and was towed away from the scene. A reserve unit from Dale Station-11 was planned to be used in place of Engine-3 for the time being. The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Later the same morning, a Fairfax fire engine slid off of an icy roadway. Officials from Fairfax Fire and Rescue reported that no crew members were injured after Engine-421 from Station-21 was involved in a crash at Route50 and I-66 East in the Fair Oaks section of Fairfax County, while responding to a call. The crash occurred at approximately 5:25 A.M. Officials stated that icy road conditions were a contributing factor to the crash. An additional unit was dispatched to handle the original call.
Engine-3 struck by a vehicle while on-scene of an MVA.
CHESTERFIELD FIRE AND EMS
- BECKY ROBINETTE WRIGHT
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Icy road conditions caused a Fairfax engine to slide off of the road.
FAIRFAX POLICE
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Jan/Feb, 2017
Chaplain’s Corner Didymus McHugh
Grief
When was the last time that we thought about grieving? People grieve many changes in their lives. We grieve losing a job, a divorce, death, moving and many other changes. But do we really understand what it is to grieve? They say that there are five-tonine stages of grief. The five that are most common are: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression and Acceptance. Some people think that you go from step one through step five in that order, but grief is not that neat and clean, or that predictable. A person can spend a long or short time in any of these phases. They can revisit any phase many times. You can go from denial, to anger, to bargaining, back to anger again, to depression, to anger again, to acceptance and to depression again. It all depends on the individual. Let’s look at the death of someone who died from being sick or old. The family may have been taking care of the individual for years. Even though they understand that the person may be at peace now, it still does not remove the pain. Months may go by until they decide to deal with the person's belongings. People may want this or that to remember their loved one. People may not even touch any of the possessions because it may cause them too much pain. Events that go by may trigger the grieving process again, such as the person’s birthday, the holidays, special landmarks in time or place, a smell that reminds them of the person, or a song. Just like Critical Incident Stress has many triggers, so does grieving; after all, it is a critical incident. Some may just
1ST Responder Newspaper - MA
want to sit there and experience the grief because they are afraid that when they stop grieving, they may forget the person. God says that we should love one another. Being there to be with someone as they grieve is a sign that you care, even just by helping someone figure out the paperwork, or what to do with the possessions. My friend told me that it was a great help as we cleaned out a relative’s house. We sat there for hours and talked as we went through everything. We figured out where it was to go, who it would go to, and/or if we would throw it out. Once in a while we would start to laugh, seeing things from our childhood that they saved from years ago, and seeing what we had from years ago. It is perfectly fine for someone to mourn. We all need time to process our losses. As I write this, I'm thinking of one of my clients that died, who I knew for about 30 years, and also one of my friend's relatives who died. I'm also thinking of someone who means a lot to me that was recently diagnosed with Leukemia. I, myself, am mourning losses with my friends, as well as preparing myself for things that are inevitable. I know that I may be devastated when the person passes, but I also plan to remember the person close to me and I plan on honoring the person with my service, thoughts and actions. Children sometimes have a harder time dealing with grief, which people can assist with. There are counselors and also some camps that help, such as Comfort Zone Camps. Comfort Zone is a nation-wide camp that assists children when they have challenges dealing with their own grief. I ask that you be there to grieve with those who mourn, and be patient. It is okay to just be there and be silent when you do not know what to say. It is part of caring for people and being part of a family. We will all grieve at one time or another. Stay safe, Didymus McHugh
DID Y OU K NOW The first known female firefighter in the U.S. was Molly Williams, a slave from New York, who fought fires side by side with men in 1815.
VIRGINIA
HENRICO FIRE
Residents Jump from Second-Story Window to Escape Henrico House Fire Henrico County, VA – At 1:38 A.M. on December 31st, Henrico Emergency Communications received a call reporting a house fire in the 10200 block of Heritage Lane in the Glen Allen area of Henrico County. A Henrico Fire ambulance returning from a local hospital was on-scene within five-minutes and found the back of a two-story house heavily involved in fire. Upon investigation, firefighters found an adult male and a juvenile male in the yard after having jumped from a second-story window to escape the fire. The two pa-
JUMP TO FILE #010317116 tients were transported to VCU Hospital for treatment of non-lifethreatening injuries. It is believed that there may have been as many as four persons inside the home when the fire began. Firefighters advanced hose lines to fight the fire, while other crews attempted to search for additional victims. The search was delayed due to the heavy volume of fire throughout the upstairs area.
Crews went inside to complete extinguishment and searches once the bulk of the fire was knocked down. Investigators later confirmed that two people died in the fire; 60-yearold Janet M. Hall-Lane, and her husband, 76-year-old John C. Lane. The incident was placed under control within 90-minutes of arrival. The Henrico Fire Marshal’s Office and Henrico Police Division are performing a joint investigation into the fire, as well as the death of the two occupants. - TAYLOR GOODMAN
IN SERVICE If you have photos you would like to see in our In Service feature, please upload them on our website www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com.
? FRANK ROBINSON
Chesapeake, VA - The Chesapeake Fire Department operates a 2016 Pierce Quantum Heavy Rescue.
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Jan/Feb, 2017
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Jan/Feb, 2017
1ST Responder Newspaper - MA
WEST VIRGINIA
BEDINGTON VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY
Firefighters from Bedington arrive to find fire through the roof on Weaver Lane. Berkeley Springs arrives to find three building on fire on Pious Ridge
ZACHARY SIPE
Chimney Fire Displaces Resident and Destroys Several Other Buildings Get your personal copy of
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Berkeley Springs, WV - On Monday, January 2nd, Berkeley Springs Fire Company was alerted with several other departments for multiple buildings on fire on Pious Ridge Road, located in the area of the Warm Springs Baptist Church. Units due on Box 1-55 were dispatched out at 7:33 A.M. Chief Jami Clark from Berkeley Springs Fire marked up directly after dispatch, advising that he had a large column of smoke showing as he approached the area. Chief Clark arrived and made his way down the dirt lane to find a mobile home and two storage sheds on fire. Chief Clark confirmed that he had multiple buildings involved and established Pious Ridge Command. Berkeley Springs Fire was first on the scene and worked to contain the fires as firefighters split laid a line out to the main road beside the Warm Springs Baptist Church, where they set up a dump tank for tanker operations to establish a rural water supply. Once water supply and tanker shuttles were established, crews were able to gain control of the multiple fires and begin extinguishing them. Firefighters worked to battle the blaze for about 30-minutes before getting a knock down around 8:00 A.M. The church parking lot quickly filled up with apparatus from the 12 different departments that responded to the scene of the blaze. Nearly 45 firefighters from seven counties across the four-state area responded out to assist during the morning blaze that left one occupant homeless. The fire was determined to be accidental in nature and due to a malfunctioning flue which caught fire, destroying a small camper style home and quickly spreading
JUMP TO FILE #011017100 to several out buildings by the time the fire department had arrived on the scene. The occupant lost most of his belongings in the fire, but no one was injured during the incident. Firefighters were committed on the scene for several hours conducting overhaul operations to confirm the fire was completely out before clearing the scene. Crews were able to begin wrapping up operations shortly after 10:00 A.M. Final crews that were committed from Berkeley Springs were able to clear the scene around 11:00 A.M. Morgan County departments responding out on Box 1-55 that morning came from Berkeley Springs Fire Co. 1, Great Cacapon Fire Co. 2, South Morgan Fire Co. 3 and Morgan County EMS Co. 7. Berkeley Springs received additional assistance from five other counties that morning. Washington County crews from Hancock Fire Co. 5, Clear Spring Fire Co. 4, Emergency Air Unit-25 and Rehab Unit-255 responded out, along with Berkeley County’s Hedgesville Fire Co. 30, Fulton County’s Needmore Fire Co. 55, Allegany County’s Little Orleans Fire Co. 43 and Mineral County’s Ridgely Fire Co. 25. Additional assistance was received from Washington County’s Longmeadow Fire Co. 27 and Frederick County, Virginia's Reynolds Store Fire Co. 20, who responded to fill in at Berkeley Springs Co. 1 and Great Cacapon Co. 2 while crews were committed on the scene on Pious Ridge Road. - WILLIAM KING
Working Attic Fire Damages Home North of Martinsburg Martinsburg, WV - On the afternoon of December 23rd, Bedington Volunteer Fire Company was alerted at 2:34 P.M. along with several Berkeley County departments for a structure fire in the 300 block of Weaver Lane, located North of Martinsburg. Berkeley County 911 had reports of a working fire with possible entrapment. The caller also reported that the house was engulfed in flames and that they could hear screaming coming from the residence. Firefighters responding were able to see a heavy column of black smoke as they approached the scene. Crews arrived at 374 Weaver Lane to find a single-story rancher with an attached garage, with heavy fire showing. Bedington Chief David Brining reported to dispatch that he had fire through the roof and immediately assumed Command. Firefighters arrived, advancing multiple hose-lines to conduct an aggressive interior attack on the fire. Firefighters were able to gain control of the blaze, getting the fire knocked down within 10-minutes of their arrival on the scene. Firefighters searched the residence for possible victims and worked to
JUMP TO FILE #122816106 conduct overhaul operations as Command reported the fire under control at 3:09 P.M. No victims were found during crews' primary and secondary searches and no injuries were reported during the incident. West Virginia State Fire Marshals were called in to investigate what caused the afternoon blaze. Chief Brining advised that the fire appeared to have started in the attic space of the home and quickly spread, venting itself through the roof. The exact cause of the blaze has not yet been released and is still under investigation. Approximately 25 Fire and EMS personnel responded out to the incident. Bedington Fire Co. 40 responded out with Hedgesville Fire Co. 30, Baker Heights Fire Co. 60, Berkeley County EMS Medic-98 and Washington County’s Air Unit-25. Fire department operations were wrapped up and all units were cleared of the scene by 6:17 P.M. that evening. - WILLIAM KING
BEDINGTON VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY
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FIREFIGHTER PROFILES If you have photos you would like to see in our Firefighter Profiles feature, please upload them on our website www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com.
Firefighters work to extinguish the hay bales.
BERKELEY SPRINGS VFC
Firefighters Respond to Hay Bales on Fire Near Berkeley Springs
WV STATE FIRE MARSHAL
Charleston, WV - Congratulations to Assistant State Fire Marshal Bobby Light on his recent retirement. ASFM Light was with the agency for almost eight-years and previously retired from the National Guard, as well as from Dulles Airport where he was a firefighter.
Berkeley Springs, WV - On the evening of December 28th, Berkeley Springs Engine Company-1, along with Great Cacapon Engine Company-2, were both alerted for an outside fire on Rob’s Lane off of New Hope Road. Morgan County 911 received a call reporting several hay bales on fire and impinging on a diesel fuel tank located at 326 Rob’s Lane. Assistant Chief Zahnow of Berkeley Brings marked up directly after dispatch, reporting heavy smoke showing from that area. Firefighters arrived to find 10 large hay bales on fire, approxi-
JUMP TO FILE #010217103 mately 100-feet away from the diesel tank. Assistant Chief Zahnow reported his findings to Morgan County dispatch upon his arrival and established Command-1. Firefighters arrived and worked to keep the fire contained to the hay bales only. Firefighters worked with the property owners for several hours to safely move the hay bales out into the center of the farm field, away from any exposures, using brush
rakes and other hand tools to pull the hay bales apart so that they could be soaked down and extinguished. Firefighters were committed to the scene for over three-hours working to extinguish the blaze. No exposures were damaged and no injuries were reported during the incident. Departments that responded to the fire were Berkeley Springs Fire Co. 1, Great Cacapon Fire Co. 2, South Morgan Fire Co. 3 and Washington County’s Hancock Fire Co. 5. - WILLIAM KING
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1ST Responder Newspaper - MA
Jan/Feb, 2017
PAGE 13
PAGE 14
Jan/Feb, 2017
1ST Responder Newspaper - MA
A New Years Wish STAYING SAFE
Chief Henry Campbell
Well, it's the beginning of another year and hopefully your resolution is to make it a safe one for you, the members of your department and the fire service in general. There was no final figure for Lineof-Duty deaths in 2016 as I prepared this article, using the USFA as my source, but the figure on December 14th was 82. We can and must do better in the reduction of this annual toll of lives taken in the line-of-duty and it will require a total commitment from all in the fire service. Staying out of harm’s way is not easy as we go about the performance of our duties with all of its inherent dangers. There exists tremendous potential from all forms of hazards that we encounter and are exposed to on a daily basis that can result in serious injury or death, even when we are observing caution. Imagine what can occur when you are not concentrating, relaxed, and lowered your guard, or do something just plain dumb. One must maintain the proper attitude relative to safety in order to remain safe and stay alive, and if you don’t, you can easily become a statistic. So, what can we do to help reduce this annual loss of life? You can start out by maintaining, or getting in good physical condition, since the leading cause of firefighter deaths is still heart attacks. Remember, round is not a shape unless you are a ball, so get in shape! It will enable you to perform at high physical stress levels, with less risk of a heart attack. Cigarette smoking is another major contributing factor for heart attack, so if you smoke, do your best to kick the habit. Believe me, I have heard all the stories and glories about "eating smoke at a fire, so why should I quit smoking??" Well for starters, the days of the smoke eater are long past and you should be using SCBA. Secondly, if there is one habit that contributes to almost every medical ailment known to science, it's smoking. Some fire departments have a no smoking policy that they have had in place for many years and in these departments’ retirement and pension, benefits hinge directly to this no smoking policy, especially should heart and lung medical illnesses arise. It might be the perfect time for the entire fire service to incorporate this, or a similar policy. In conjunction with a no smoking policy, it may also be time the
fire service begins enforcing a physical agility standard on an annual basis that requires all firefighting personnel to meet the standard or confront dismissal from the department. It may appear as an unreasonable option, but it may just be what is needed for some individuals to finally decide to take the necessary steps to keep his/her position, while improving and maintaining their health. Many career departments have volunteer participation physical agility programs, and if they have full compliance programs, they generally do very little policing of those who fail to meet the standard. In the volunteer service, where recruiting new members is becoming more difficult and getting a crew out during the week is difficult, the last thing you want to do is stop anyone from responding, so we sometimes look the other way. Another key factor relative to heart attacks in the volunteer service is that many members are much older than in the career departments. Many career firefighters have retired by the age of 55, whereas in the volunteer fire service, a member may continue active into his/her 70’s. With the increase in age also comes the increase in the potential of having a heart attack while performing stressful activity. It's tough to hold back some of the old dedicated members, and surely they would be missed, so it is incumbent for the department to make sure these members have a minimum medical examination and get plenty of monitoring and rehab when assisting at the emergency scene. Even then, there still remains the increased risk. If we can reduce the annual stress related line-of-duty deaths, we will have taken a major step in decreasing the annual death toll. We will not have eliminated LODD’s, but we will be moving toward a goal of reducing the annual death toll. Motor vehicle and apparatus related deaths need to be reduced. Risk management has to be reviewed and some logical determinations made by command officers, as to how much risk will be taken on the fire ground in order to save what? I realize the saving of life is our most important mission, and that includes our own personnel, but after that, almost every material item can be replaced. The life of a firefighter caught in a collapse, trying to save property from further destruction by fire, is too high a price to pay. So, as we enter this New Year, let us all resolve to do all we possibly can to reduce the annual death and injury toll. It can be done! Till next time, stay safe and God Bless!
Read previous columns from Henry Campbell and the rest of our staff at www.1RBN.com
WEST VIRGINIA
WCVFRA-PT: C.J. RINEHART
Stove Fire Displaces 13 Residents from Apartment Building Berkeley Springs, WV - On December 21st, Berkeley Springs Fire Company was dispatched out for a reported structure fire at 1:23 A.M. Morgan County 911 received calls reporting a fire in an apartment building JUMP TO FILE# located at 50 Briar- 122416100 wood Lane. Units from Morgan, Allegany and Washington Counties were dispatched out on the Box Assignment. Morgan County continued receiving calls reporting the early morning blaze as firefighters responded. Sergeant Zachary Sipe from Berkeley Springs arrived on the scene to find a two-story apartment building complex with heavy smoke showing. Sergeant Sipe reported to dispatch that he had a working fire with two apartments involved and requested the Working Fire dispatch and the second-alarm assignment started. Firefighters arrived and stretched two lines into apartment numbers two and three to make an offensive interior attack on the fire. Entry crews found heavy fire in apartment #2, which appeared to be extended up into the secondfloor. Apartment #3 was found to be all clear, with no fire conditions. Interior crews were able to get a bulk of the fire in apartment #2 knocked down within 15-minutes of their arrival on the scene. Firefighters worked the scene and finally extinguished the blaze around 1:57 A.M., at which time Command reported the fire as knocked down. All units were held at the scene for extensive overhaul. Firefighters were committed on the scene for several hours that morning. Crews worked for about
one-hour conducting salvage and overhaul operations. Firefighters were able to contain a majority of the fire damage to just two of the apartments in the building. Apartment #2 was a total loss, while the apartment above it sustained moderate damage. The rest of the apartments in the building sustained smoke and water damage from the incident. The fire displaced 13 residents in the apartment complex. The American Red Cross was requested to the scene by Command to assist the displaced residents. A cat and a dog were lost during the blaze, but no other injuries were reported. West Virginia Fire Marshals for the Eastern Panhandle were called in to investigate the blaze. A stove fire is believed to be what sparked the early morning blaze, but the stove was not being used for cooking at the time. Over 75 Fire and EMS personnel responded out from multiple ju-
risdictions throughout six different counties. Responding units included Morgan County’s Berkeley Springs Fire Co. 1, Great Cacapon Fire Co. 2, South Morgan Fire Co. 3 and Morgan County EMS Co. 7; Washington County, MD’s Hancock Fire Co. 5, Clear Spring Fire Co. 4, Williamsport Fire Co. 2, Maugansville Fire Co. 13, Washington County Air Unit-25 and Washington County Rehab-255; Berkeley County, WV’s South Berkeley Fire Co. 20, Hedgesville Fire Co. 30 and Bedington Fire Co. 40; Frederick County, VA’s Battalion-10, Gainesboro Fire Co. 16 and Reynolds Store Fire Co. 9; Allegany County, MD’s Little Orleans Fire Co. 43, Flintstone Fire Co. 12, Fulton County, PA’s Needmore Fire Co. 55; Franklin County’s Mercersburg Fire Co. 9, as well as the Morgan County Sheriff’s Department and Deputy Reserves.. - WILLIAM KING
ZACHARY SIPE
Captain Christopher Sipe of Berkeley Springs makes entry into the fire building.
1ST Responder Newspaper - MA
20th Century Firefighting ON THE BOOK SHELF
by John Malecky
20th Century Firefighting As seen through the eyes of Illustrator, William Hicks, Milton Fireman 1899-1942 By Nathan R. Murphy and Lieutenant Brian Doherty 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: $22.00 This is a soft covered book, measuring 9-inches by 11 ½inches and has 56 pages. From page 6 through 55 there are sketches and illustrations, except for one page which has a photo of a monument dedicated to six Milton, Massachusetts firefighters and two police officers who gave their lives in the line-of-duty to the city. This book is the product of an idea put forth by Lieutenant Brian Doherty to Nathan R. Murphy, en-
couraging him to write this book while he secured the rights to use the artwork in the book that was done by Firefighter William Hick, Nathan’s great, great Grandfather. William Hicks was a very talented firefighter and person. He served the city of Milton’s fire department for the first four decades of the 20th century. He was part of the transition of volunteers to career firefighters and from horse drawn to steam engines. He sketched illustrations of all aspects of being a firefighter, from fighting fires, responding to rescues and other emergencies, to firehouse life, social events, duties and what have you. Many, if not most of the sketches are of actual calls with the likes of actual firefighters who responded. Many locations are named and the nature of the call described. The days of old are well represented and it is an education to anyone interested in history. Modern day firehouse life and firefighting are a light-year difference from much of what you will view on these pages. It is an enjoyable look of yesteryear, but sometimes sad when tragedy results. Nathan used this book as an Eagle Scout project. Lieutenant Doherty is the current president of the Milton Historical Society and helped to establish the Milton Firefighter Memorial Archives.
Jan/Feb, 2017
PAGE 15
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PAGE 16
Jan/Feb, 2017
1ST Responder Newspaper - MA
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Multiple Same-Day Incidents for DC Fire and EMS Washington, DC - Wednesday, January 11th, was a busy day for DC Fire and EMS, as they fought three fires, dealt with a severe crash and a hazmat incident, while also answering hundreds of other calls for service. The first of the three fires took place during the JUMP TO FILE# 011317117 early afternoon in the 3700 block of Kansas Avenue NW. A Box Alarm assignment encountered fire on the second-floor of an occupied two-story, end of row dwelling. The occupants were able to safely evacuate and the blaze was quickly brought under control. While units were operating on Kansas Avenue, another Box Alarm was dispatched to 700 New Hampshire Avenue NW, an address that is part of the massive Watergate complex in Foggy Bottom. As units were en-route, a second Box Alarm was sounded for the 2600 block of Virginia Avenue NW, part of the same complex. Firefighters encountered increasingly heavy smoke conditions as they reached the upper floors. Flames were eventually located burning in discarded construction material on the 13th-floor balcony of an apartment that was under renovation. A Working Fire dispatch was requested, but the fire was confined to just the one apartment and there were no injuries. As day turned into night, DC Fire and EMS crews were called to a serious crash on New York Avenue NE, located just before Florida Avenue. The three-vehicle wreck involved one car wrapped around a pole, with an occupant pinned. Crews extricated the victim, who was then transported to a trauma center. Unfortunately, the patient's injuries were fatal. The hazmat incident the crews responded to involved fumes from a lacquer treatment being done at the Ritz Carlton hotel located at 3100 South Street NW. The original call reporting a strange odor was upgraded to a full Hazmat assignment by the initial units. DC Fire and EMS personnel conducted a partial evacuation, metered the scene and ventilated the area until the problem was mitigated. They evaluated one person on the scene. The evening continued with a fire reported in the 2200 block of M Street NE. There, the crews encountered flames in the basement apartment of an occupied building. A Working Fire dispatch was again requested. Thanks to fast work by personnel, the flames were contained to the apartment of origin. The crews extinguished the blaze without injuries. - DC FIRE AND EMS
This three-vehicle wreck on New York Avenue NE involved one car wrapped around a pole.
DC FIRE AND EMS
A Box Alarm was dispatched to 700 New Hampshire Avenue NW, an address that is part of the massive Watergate complex in Foggy Bottom.
DC FIRE AND EMS
Submitting photos and press releases is EASY!
Register at www.1rbn.com to begin posting directly. Prefer emails? Email your press release The first of the three fires took place in the 3700 block of Kansas Avenue NW, where firefighters encountered fire on the secondfloor of this occupied two-story, end-of-row dwelling. DC FIRE AND EMS
and photos directly to
Lindsey@1strespondernews.com
1ST Responder Newspaper - MA
Jan/Feb, 2017
PAGE 17
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Jan/Feb, 2017
1ST Responder Newspaper - MA
MARYLAND
HE HE ER ERO ROES RO OES ES INK INK
1st Responder Newspape er features EMERGENCY SERVICES RELA ATED TATTOOS
CHARLES LEWIS
Crews await the arrival of heavy equipment to make entry and search for the six victims.
Six Children Killed in Overnight Baltimore City Fire Rachelle Lutz has been an EMT for 17 years and is currently in Paramedic Class. She has been a firefighter for 19 years, and is a state Certified Firefighter-1. Rachelle currently runs EMS with Jeannette EMS and Irwin VFD EMS. She is also a firefighter with North Irwin VFC. When asked what inspired her to get the tattoos, she responded "I got the star of life one in 2013 after 13 years of certification. The Maltese Cross one was just done in June of 2016, the same day I received my certificate for passing the state Firefighter-1 exam! If you look, behind both are tendons and muscle (tattoos). This symbolizes that these two things, Firefighting and EMS are a part of me...of who I am. I have tried to get away from the field, but have always been drawn back to it. My entire family is involved. I have two uncles who are paramedics and have served as officers in the fire department as well. My aunt is a Paramedic and a junior coordinator at a fire department. My mother took the EMT with me, but is no longer active. She is a nurse. My great grandfather was a founder of a fire station. I also have cousins involved in the fire department and/or EMS. The heart shape is simply a symbol of my love for the field. The EKG lines are important. The one is my husband's rhythm, and the other is mine. He is a Paramedic and a Firefighter-1 as well. In fact, we tested for the state exam together."
Baltimore, MD - At 12:30 A.M. on January 12th, Box Alarm 54-20 was sounded for a dwelling fire with children reported trapped in the 4200 block of Springwood Avenue. Squad-54 and Truck-30 arrived to find heavy fire showing from all three floors of a two-and-a-half story, wood frame, single-family dwelling and immediately requested the working fire assignment. Truck-30 then stated that there were nine children reported in the dwelling. Battalion Chief-4 then requested a second-alarm, additional medic units and the EMS battalion
JUMP TO FILE #011517107 chief to the scene. A short time later, three of the children were located in the rear yard and immediately placed in the care of EMS personnel. After a partial collapse of the front of the dwelling, Command ordered an exterior operation only. It was reported that six children were unaccounted for in the dwelling. Due to significant interior collapse, heavy equipment was needed to
allow crews to enter the dwelling and search for the victims. The bodies of the six children were recovered by evening. In addition to the three children, an adult female also escaped the dwelling. The woman and two of the children were reported to be in critical condition at the hospital. The third child was released and is in the care of family. The deceased children ranged in age from nine-months to 11-years-old. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. - CHARLIE LEWIS
FIRE EQUIPMENT If you have photos you would like to see in our “Fire Equipment� feature, please upload them on our website, www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com.
Would you like your emergency services related tattoo featured here? Contact Lindsey at
Lindsey@1strespondernews.com
Frederick County, MD - Firefighters show their support for cancer awareness with these pink air packs.
SHANE SHIFFLETT
1ST Responder Newspaper - MA
Jan/Feb, 2017
PAGE 19
MARYLAND
Six Hagerstown Residents Displaced by Working Attic Fire Hagerstown, MD - On the evening of January 8th, Washington County 911 received several calls reporting a structure fire at 233 North Mulberry Street in Hagerstown. Hagerstown Fire Department JUMP TO FILE# crews were dis- 011117101 patched on Box 14-5 for the reported house fire at 6:32 P.M. that evening. Reports came in to the 911 center reporting flames coming from the roof of the house, with one of the occupants still inside. Captain Sprecher from Antietam Fire Company arrived on the scene shortly after dispatch to find heavy smoke pouring from the structure. Captain Sprecher reported a single-family dwelling, with heavy smoke coming from the "Alpha" and "Bravo" sides of the structure. Battalion Chief Grimm arrived directly after Captain Sprecher and assumed North Mulberry Street Command. Battalion Chief Grimm quickly evaluated the scene and immediately requested the Safety Assignment started. Firefighters had reports of occupants still being in the structure upon their arrival. Captain Sprecher worked with firefighters to quickly confirm that all occupants were out of the structure and then commenced their interior attack on the fire. Command reported that “2-in-2out” was in effect for accountability as crews made entry to the building. Heavy smoke billowed from the third-floor windows and the eves of the roof as firefighters made entry. The attack group found heavy fire in the attic area that was quickly spreading as firefighters worked to access the blaze. Crews were hampered by hoarding conditions found in the attic which caused access issues to the fire and also adding to the fuel load for the fire, making the interior attack more dangerous. The attack crew assessed what they were faced with and decided to retreat from their position in the attic. The fire conditions in the structure were rapidly deteriorating as the fire quickly spread through the attic. Command ordered for the structure to be evacuated at 7:05 P.M., switching to a defensive attack mode. Washington County Dispatch sounded the evacuation tones (per Command), to notify all operating units at the scene that all crews were to evacuate the structure. Firefighters
pulled all hose lines out of the structure and worked to battle the blaze from the exterior only. Firefighters regrouped and worked from the exterior using multiple hose lines and also placed ladder pipe operations into effect, as the fire began to vent itself through the roof. Firefighters battled the blaze as other crews cut a hole in the exterior wall on side "Bravo" of the structure. Firefighters worked for over an hour to bring the fire under control. Crews were committed on the scene for several hours, braving the below-freezing temperatures. Several first responders sustained falls due to the icy conditions, but no major injuries were reported. Command requested assistance from Hagerstown Regional Airport, which responded with an old County Commuter Bus, used as a cold weather shelter for the first responders in rehab during the incident. All occupants of the home were able to safely evacuate the structure without injury. The American Red Cross was called in to the scene to assist six occupants who were displaced. The house sustained heavy damage from the fire, but no cause has been released at this time. The incident is currently under investigation by Hagerstown City Fire Marshals. Over 50 first responders responded to the call, including the Hagerstown Fire Department with units from First Hagerstown Hose Engine-1, Antietam Fire Engine2, Independent Juniors Engine-3, South End Fire Engine-5, Western Enterprise Engine-4 and Truck-4, Pioneer Hook & Ladder Truck-1, HFD Command Staff and the Hagerstown City Fire Marshal’s Office. Hagerstown received additional assistance from Washington County Special Operations-20, Longmeadow Fire Co. 27, Halfway Fire & EMS Co. 26, Community Rescue Co. 75, Washington County Division of Emergency Services, Washington County Volunteer Fire & Rescue Safety Officers 207 and 101, Washington County Air Unit-25, Washington County Rehab-255, Hagerstown City Police Auxiliary, Hagerstown Regional Airport and the American Red Cross. Hagerstown received additional assistance from Williamsport Fire Co. 2 and Funkstown Fire Co. 10, who transferred units into the city to fill in while crews were committed on the scene.
WCVFRA-PT: TERRY SIGLER
WCVFRA-PT: TERRY SIGLER
- WILLIAM KING
WCVFRA-PT: TERRY SIGLER
PAGE 20
Jan/Feb, 2017
1ST Responder Newspaper - MA
MARYLAND
House Fire in Columbia Quickly Knocked Columbia, MD - Shortly before 10:00 P.M. on Thursday, January 19th, firefighters and paramedics from Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services (HCDFRS) were alerted for a house fire in the 10100 block of Silver Twine Lane in JUMP TO FILE# Columbia. Initial re- 012017103 ports to 911 dispatchers indicated that there was a possible victim trapped inside the home. Upon arrival, firefighters found heavy fire showing from the front of the structure and performed an aggressive interior fire attack and search. The bulk of the fire was extinguished within 15minutes and searches revealed no victims. It was determined soon after that the residents were not home at the time of the incident. It took 35 firefighters approximately 30-minutes to completely extinguish the fire. There were no injuries to civilians or responders. The incident is under investigation by the HCDFRS Fire Marshal’s office. - HCDFRS
HCDFRS
Fire Companies Spread Christmas Cheer to Family in Need Fairplay, MD - On December 20th, units from the Community Vol. Fire Co. of District-12, along with the Vol. Fire Co. of Halfway Company-26 were seen responding out to the Westfields Development, located off of Sharpsburg Pike. Onlookers gathered as the units arrived, but there was no JUMP TO FILE# 122116116 smoke or flames to be seen. Instead, they watched a group of volunteers come out to spread some Christmas cheer to a family in need! Personnel with the Vol. Fire Co. of Halfway had recently learned of the hardship a family was going though. U.S. Army Sergeant Andrew Campbell, along with his wife Becca and 10-month-old daughter Brooklyn, were relocated to the area from Puerto Rico after Sergeant Campbell was reassigned to Walter Reid National Medical Center. He had been diagnosed with cancer in early November. Sergeant Campbell is a 68T Animal Care Specialist who tends to military service dogs and is currently under hospice care due to his medical condition, but is still active with the U.S. Army. The personnel from Halfway learned of the family’s situation and were touched by their hardship. They
felt the need to do something to help! CAO Chris Amos of Halfway received approval from Deputy Chief Drawbaugh to reach out to Chief Mark Kopp of the Community Vol. Fire Co. of District-12 and plans were set into motion to fill this home with Christmas cheer. They approached the family to see what they could do to help. All they wanted was a blue tree and some Christmas decorations. Over 40 members from both departments came out to help with the activities. Members brought out decorations for the Campbell’s home, along with food and Christmas gifts for the family. The members of both departments went above and beyond, not only decorating the home, but going a little bit further and also helping the family to hang photos in the house, move and put together furniture, and even walk the family’s dog. The Sergeant's home was decorated in the patriotic colors of Red, White and Blue. The best part of the evening was seeing Engine 12-1 roll up to the house and drop off Santa himself so that he could wish the family a Merry Christmas and personally tell Sergeant Campbell that they would be taken care of this Christmas. The brotherhood within the fire department runs deep. Seeing it all put together in less than one week to help a local veteran and his
KIRA MARAVELIS-HORNING
Volunteer Fire Company of Halfway's Tower-26 extends out as volunteers work from the platform, hanging Christmas lights on the Campbell residence.
family during the holidays, bringing joy to them, is truly magnificent! Anyone interested in lending a
hand to help the Campbell family can visit gofundme.com/help-sgt-andrewcampbell-family which was set up by
his Branch Chief at Fort Knox, KY.
- WILLIAM KING
1ST Responder Newspaper - MA
Jan/Feb, 2017
PAGE 21
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PAGE 22
Jan/Feb, 2017
1ST Responder Newspaper - MA
MARYLAND
HCDFRS
Heavy smoke pours from the front of this six-story building. An interior collapse prevented the crews from making entry.
CHARLES LEWIS
Four-Alarm Building Fire in Baltimore City Baltimore City, MD - At 7:00 P.M. on January 14th, Box Alarm 23-13 was sounded for the report of a building fire at 320 N. Eutaw Street. Engine-23 arrived a few minutes later and reported heavy smoke and fire showing from the first two floors of a six-story building. Battalion Chief6 arrived and quickly requested a second-alarm. An interior collapse forced crews out of the building and the third-alarm was sounded. Command requested a fourth-alarm after the fire started to extend to an attached building. Ladder and monitor pipes were setup to fight the fire. At 11:30 A.M. on January 15th, crews were still on the scene fighting the fire. The cause of the blaze has not yet been determined.
BOB LONG
One Found Dead in Howard County Basement Fire Glenwood, MD - At approximately 1:45 P.M. on January 18th, units from Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services were dispatched to the 2800 block of Glenwood Springs Drive for a reported house fire. Units arrived to find smoke coming from the front door of the residence. Firefighters and paramedics entered the home and discovered a fire contained to the basement portion of the structure. Upon arrival, units were notified of a victim in the basement. A deceased adult was discovered in the basement of the home. The fire was quickly placed under control. All other occupants, including two dogs, escaped the residence before HCDFRS' arrival. The family is being supported by the Mobile Crisis team and the HCDFRS chaplain.
JUMP TO FILE #011917100 Mutual Aid was provided by units from Carroll and Montgomery counties. A total of 50 emergency personnel responded to the scene. There were no additional civilian or firefighter injuries reported. Damage to the home is estimated to be approximately $50,000. Fire investigators are working with the Howard County Police Department (HCPD) to determine the origin and cause of the incident. Per standard procedure, HCPD investigates incidents when there is a fatality. Investigation is ongoing at this time. - HCDFRS
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Jan/Feb, 2017
PAGE 23
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FACES OF MID ATLANTIC’S EMERGENCY SERVICES Jan/Feb, 2017
1ST Responder Newspaper - MA
To see your faces in the newspaper upload them on our website www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com.
Funkstown, MD - Funkstown Firefighter/Photographer William Green captures the perfect shot.
SHANE SHIFFLETT
DC FIRE AND EMS
Washington, DC - DC Fire and EMS Chief Gregory Dean and DC Police Dept. Chief Peter Newsham with boots on the ground, ensuring a smooth transition of power during the presidential inauguration held on January 20th.
Boonsboro, MD - Safety Officer Casey Snook reports to Chief Oley from First Hose of Boonsboro at the scene of a structure fire. TREVOR JAMES
FAIRFAX FIRE RESCUE
Halfway, MD - Halfway Fire Co. Deputy Chief Drawbaugh briefs Trooper-3 paramedics as they approach a patient.
WCVFRA-PT: ANDY MADSEN
Fairfax County, VA - Fairfax Fire Rescue members assisted with Inauguration activities in Washington on January 20th. Some were on ambulances and/or ATV units during the festivities.
1ST Responder Newspaper - MA
PAGE 25
Jan/Feb, 2017
MARYLAND
Bicyclist Dies After Being Struck by Dump Truck in Halfway Halfway, MD - On January 12th, emergency crews from the Volunteer Fire Company of Halfway and Washington County EMS 1811 were alerted shortly after 11:30 A.M. for a personal injury collision. Halfway was dispatched for their JUMP TO FILE # Engine Company 011417101 and Medic Unit for a reported collision involving a motorcycle. Washington County 911 received conflicting reports that a subject on a bike had been struck by a dump truck at the intersection of Downsville Pike and Progress Way, located South of Hagerstown. Paramedic 26-8 marked up on the call directly after dispatch and was advised that they had follow up reports confirming that there was bicyclist with serious injuries after being struck by a dump truck. With the information received, Washington County contacted Syscom to check on the availability of aviation for the incident as Paramedic 26-8 arrived on the scene. Deputy Chief Jamie Drawbaugh from Halfway arrived directly after Paramedic 26-8 and assumed Downsville Pike Command. After a quick assessment, dispatch was advised that the patient was a Priority-
2, Category-B trauma and aviation was requested to the scene. Trooper3 from the Maryland State Police’s Aviation Division was launched from Frederick. Fire and EMS crews from Halfway and EMS-1811 worked together to stabilize the patient and prepare them for transport while awaiting aviation to arrive. The patient suffered multiple injuries as a result of the collision. As Trooper-3 approached the scene, paramedics preparing the patient for transport upgraded their status to a Priority-1, Category-A trauma. Patient care was transferred over to the paramedics on Trooper-3 and the patient was medevaced to R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma in Baltimore with personnel from EMS-1811. The section of Downsville Pike where the incident occurred, between Sterling Rd. and Rench Rd., remained shut down for several hours after Trooper-3 lifted off. Halfway Fire Company crews remained on the scene assisting Maryland State Police as needed into the early afternoon hours. The Maryland State Police reconstruction investigators were called in to investigate the incident. The reconstruction team was able to wrap up their operations and all units were able to clear the scene, re-opening the roadway around 3:00 P.M. that afternoon.
WCVFRA-PT: SHANE SHIFFLETT
MSP Trooper-3 lifts off from the scene, en-route to R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma.
The Maryland State Police’s preliminary investigation revealed that the dump truck involved was traveling West towards Downsville Pike on Progress Way when the collision occurred. The dump truck driver failed to yield the right of way and struck the bicyclist, who was traveling
North on Downsville Pike. The bicyclist was the only injury reported during the incident. He succumbed to his injuries at R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma the next day. The Volunteer Fire Company of Halfway Co. 26 responded out, receiving assistance from Washington
County EMS-1811, MSP Aviation Division’s Trooper-3 out of Frederick, Maryland State Police, Washington County Fire Police, Hagerstown City Police Auxiliary and the Maryland State Highway Administration.
- WILLIAM KING
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Jan/Feb, 2017
1ST Responder Newspaper - MA
MARYLAND
Blaze Destroys Volunteer Firefighters’ Home English Consul, MD - At 9:15 P.M. on January 7th, Baltimore County Fire Dispatch alerted Fire-Rescue Box 37-1 for the report of a dwelling fire with persons trapped in the 2900 block of Michigan Avenue. Engine-371 arrived within one-minute of dispatch and reported fire through the roof of a one-and-a-half story, single-family dwelling. They also reported one female on the ground in front of the dwelling and requested immediate EMS. Engine-372, returning from a detail, arrived about two-minutes later and established a water supply at the firehouse, located on the same block as the fire. Truck-5 arrived and began search and ventilation of the dwelling, while Engine-5 took command and requested a Working Fire dispatch. Several animals were rescued from the house, including three birds, two of which did not survive. The surviving bird was transported to a veterinary hospital for treatment. The female, who had jumped from the second-floor window, was transported to the hospital with injuries. In addition, two firefighters were also transported with minor injuries. The fire was brought under control at 11:30 P.M. It was later reported that several occupants of the house were members of the English Consul Volunteer Fire Co., holding various positions within the company. Two of the residents were on Engine-372, returning from a previous detail when the call was dispatched. The following is a Facebook post from Firefighter Noah Condon, a resident of the house: "Not every morning you wake up and realize you have such amazing friends and family. Well last night, I was going to stay in at the firehouse for a regular duty night and it felt like a normal day. We were going available to switch over medic units at the hospital, but they got the one started. So we decided to go get dinner from Wawa and as we are walking into Wawa, we get picked up for a fire rescue box on Michigan Avenue. At this time i knew it was my house because my brother had called me and said
If you have photos you would like to see in our “Buddy Shots” feature, please upload them on our website, www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com.
CHARLES LEWIS
JUMP TO FILE #011517105 "the house is on fire." "I went busting out the door at Wawa to the engine to inform the driver (who was my dad), that our house was on fire. He said it isn't our house becuase they gave the wrong address. I said it is our house dad. Well now everyone is panicking becuase it had multiple calls and people trapped. On our way to the fire, 371 arrived and found the "bravo" corner fully involved in fire and everyone was out of the house. I was on 372, which was the second arriving engine. We made quick work down the street to the house, where i found my mom laying in the grass with the paramedic off of 375." "I went over to her and said everything is gonna be ok. Well, what I didn't know was that she jumped out the window of the second-floor. I then went inside of my own house to do the job I love doing. I went upstairs as the Division-2 attack team. We made a quick knock of the fire for the most part. I then went to my own bedroom on Division-2 and lost it. I was then told to go outside and cool down, I just needed some air. I rested up and went back inside." "I was then told i needed to be with my mom, who is in shock trauma. It has been a rough week-
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end. Everything is really starting to hit me because it's really hard to say that I had to fight my own house fire. It sucks, but with the support group we have, I am very thankful for everyone and everything. Thank you everyone. We did lose some animals in the fire, but we didn't lose any lives, so that I am grateful for." It was later determined that the fire was caused by unattended grease on the stove. - CHARLIE LEWIS
SHANE SHIFFLETT
Hagerstown, MD - Santa takes a moment from giving gifts to stop and meet with Fire Photographer Andy Madson in December.
1ST Responder Newspaper - MA
Jan/Feb, 2017
PAGE 27
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Jan/Feb, 2017
1ST Responder Newspaper - MA
MARYLAND
MICHAEL SCHWARTZBERG / PVFC
MIKE RUSSELL
Where to Begin: Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Your Fire Department The new year has rolled in and your fire department has started the dialogue to consider incorporating unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), often referred to as “drones”, into departmental operations. Your officers and firefighters have witnessed some of the benefits of using UAS during departmental operations because a local hobbyist has volunteered to fly his aerial vehicle over your fire scenes and has shared the videos in real-time with the chief. So, where do you go from this point? The first step is to immediately stop what you are doing. While the intentions of the hobbyist may be sincere and much appreciated by the fire department, they go against federal regulations and can land both the fire department and the hobbyist in serious trouble, including fines adding up to tens of thousands of dollars, if not more. The same holds true for any firefighter who may be using his or her personal UAS on scene for the benefit of the fire department. The bottom line is, this is not allowed within the scope of federal UAS regulations. Fire chiefs have recognized the value of using UAS during departmental operations. Whether it’s for scene size up, hazmat conditions, search and rescue, or large scale incidents, the benefits of this technology are certainly notable. The decision to acquire a UAS is not one that should be entered into lightly. For any fire department, this process should be initiated with a strategic-level needs assessment that evaluates a variety of factors, including types of calls, number of alarms, manpower and
JUMP TO FILE #121216109 budget. The appropriate UAS platform and accessories must also be matched with the department’s operational needs. Fire departments need to conscientiously and sensibly establish comprehensive and risk adverse UAS programs along with substantial educational and training protocols for the utilization of this technology as a practical and sustainable tool. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has established separate guidelines for the use of UAS by public organizations as compared to hobbyists and commercial entities. As public organizations, fire departments need to follow the procedures set forth in this category by the FAA in order to deploy UAS legally and safely during departmental operations. Through the FAA, public agencies can apply for a Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA) in order to seek approval to conduct UAS operations in the nation’s airspace. This approval follows a lengthy all-inclusive operational and technical preparation by the fire department and an equivalent review by the FAA. Fire departments may also utilize elements of the newly designated FAA small UAS rule (Part 107) to become properly certified to fly for their department’s aerial vehicle. Attaining this certification, which must be renewed every 24 months, requires becoming proficient in general aeronautical knowledge. This includes being able to read visual flight rules (VFR) sectional
charts in order to recognize various airspaces and their limits; the understanding of weather phenomena and their effects on your UAS in flight; and specifics about the Part 107 regulations that you will be flying under. Depending upon the individual, preparation for this test could take more than 20 hours of study time. All of these details illuminate the fact that fire departments are not permitted to simply go to a store, purchase a drone, and deploy it during their calls. It is an exciting time in the world of unmanned aerial technology. Use cases are presenting themselves at dizzying rates as the aerial and imagery technology continues to rapidly advance. In this blur of progress it is essential for fire departments and other public agencies to remember that they are being closely scrutinized by the public. Your department needs to ensure that it has developed and implemented a comprehensive UAS program that encompasses regulatory compliance, ground safety, executive management and operational training. Much consideration needs to be made by your department and municipality in regard to budgeting and vendor management, as well as designing appropriate policies, standard operating procedures and emergency safety protocols. In the end, the essential objective is to be able to deploy your UAS in a safe and responsible manner in order to aid your department in effectively saving lives and property. - MIKE RUSSELL
MICHAEL SCHWARTZBERG / PVFC
Firefighters extricate the driver from the vehicle.
MICHAEL SCHWARTZBERG / PVFC
Crash Victim Trapped for 45Minutes in Baltimore County Baltimore County, MD Shortly after 4:00 A.M. on Sunday, December 11th, Baltimore County Fire Department Engine-19 (Garrison career) was alerted for an MVA at the intersection of Reisterstown Road (Route-140) and Greenspring Valley Road (Box 19-4). Upon arrival, Engine-19 found a Honda passenger car on a grassy hill with the sole occupant, a driver who was not wearing a seatbelt, heavily pinned underneath the dashboard. Engine-19 then requested a rescue assignment, bringing Battalion Chief-22, EMS5, Pikesville Volunteer Fire Company Squad-322 and Baltimore County Fire Department Truck-18 (Randallstown career) to the scene. It is believed that the car was heading westbound on Greenspring Valley Road when the driver
JUMP TO FILE #121116111 hit a curb as she was approaching Reisterstown Road, causing her to strike several poles and signs before landing on the hill. Firefighters from the Squad and Truck worked together for approximately 45-minutes removing the car's roof to access the patient and free her from underneath the dash. The driver was transported as a Priority-1 to the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in downtown Baltimore. The crash is under investigation by the Baltimore County Police Department Crash Team. - MICHAEL SCHWARTZBERG
1ST Responder Newspaper - MA
Jan/Feb, 2017
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Jan/Feb, 2017
1ST Responder Newspaper - MA
MARYLAND
APPARATUS IN ACTION If you have photos you would like to see in our Apparatus in Action feature please upload them on our website www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Lindsey@1stResponderNews.com.
JERRY DORSEY
Boonsboro, MD - Boonsboro Fire Co. Tanker-6 supplying water at a barn fire in December.
CHARLES LEWIS
Crews Respond to Vacant Dwelling Fire in Baltimore City Baltimore City, MD - At 8:20 A.M. On January 14th, Box Alarm 33-80 was sounded for the report of a dwelling fire in the 1600 block of North Montford Avenue. Since some of the firstdue crews were already operating at a working fire two-miles away, some responding units had an extended response. Truck-5 arrived and reported a small fire inside of a two-story, vacant, middle-of-group dwelling. The fire was quickly knocked down and the cause remains under investigation.
CHARLES LEWIS
Baltimore City, MD - Engine-5 was one of three Pierce Enforcer Engines placed into service in Baltimore City. Here it is shown operating at a working dwelling fire.
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Jan/Feb, 2017
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Jan/Feb, 2017
1ST Responder Newspaper - MA
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