1st Responder Mid Atlantic March April Edition

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SEVEN COUNTIES RESPOND TO WILLIAMSPORT FIVE ALARM - Page 12

- Page 13

- Page 28

MIKE PANNILL

MD - On February 4th, Washington County received a call reporting heavy black smoke to the rear of 110 North Conococheague Street in Williamsport. The caller advised them that her house was also filling with the smoke. Crews were quickly dispatched at 7:20 a.m.

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March/April, 2013

VIRGINIA

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Henrico, VA. Fire destroyed a 28 unit apartment building in Western Henrico. Henrico County Division of Fire responded to a report of an apartment on fire at 12:18 p.m. on February 12th.

Units responded to the Quarter Mill Apartment complex at 3031 Quarter Creek Lane for several 911 calls reporting heavy smoke and fire. Units found a four story apartment with heavy fire visible from three floors.

First in units quickly requested a second alarm for more resources to respond. It took eleven fire units, three ambulances and numerous support staff to bring the blaze under control.

Deck guns from the engines were rapidly deployed to slow the blaze while ladder trucks set up to fight the fire from above.

Crews transitioned to interior operations when the bulk of the fire was knocked down.

Firefighters were slowed when they discovered some structural integrity in the floor joists in some of the units. It took firefighters just under an hour to mark the situation under control.

Crews rescued two dogs and two cats from the apartments, which are being cared for by Henrico Animal Protection until the owners get settled. One resident sustained minor smoke

JUMP TO FILE #021413110

inhalation while he was attempting to notify occupants of the fire.

He was treated and released on scene.

The American Red Cross responded to assist occupants affected by the fire. The building had a total of 28 units. 14 units were directly impacted by fire while the other units sustained smoke and water damage. Current count is 16 adults have been displaced. No firefighters were injured.

According to officials, 24 of the 28 units were occupied and four were vacant. The Red Cross has assisted 19 adults.

Building officials have rendered the structure as unsafe and only fire officials are being allowed in the structure. Fire personnel have been gathering savalgable items and bringing them out for the residents.

A total of eight pets including four dogs, two cats, a snake and lizard were rescued and reunited with their owners. Two cats perrished in the blaze.

The fire is still under investigation by Henrico Fire Marshal's - JIM MELLON JIM MELLON

26

CORPORATE INFORMATION 1st Responder News (ISSN 017-633) - Mid Atlantic Edition - Vol. 12, 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 A division of: omitted or in error.

Omissions or errors must be brought to the attention of the newspaper during the same month of publication.

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PUBLICATION CONTENT Notice: The advertisements, articles, and letters contained in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of 1st Responder Inc. and Belsito Communications, Inc. Advertisements are sold pursuant to the "space available" and corresponding fee schedule. The mere fact that advertisements are contained in this publication does not express nor imply that 1st Responder Inc. and Belsito Communications, Inc. vouches for the credibility of the claims made in the advertisements or the representations expressed or implied in them.

Outside fire damages house Henrico, VA. A fire to the outside of a home caused damage at 12:54 p.m. on Jauary 29th. Henrico 911 received a call for a house on fire at 911 Francis Road. The caller stated flames were visible and the rear of the house was on fire. As fire units arrived, they found a single family two story home with heavy smoke visible from the front. As crews determined the plan of attack they found the bulk of fire was exterior on the back deck. The fire was quickly knocked down and crews checked for extension. The fire was confined to the exterior.

No one was home at the time of the fire and contact with the homeowner is being made. A fire investigator was called to the scene to determine the cause. No injuries were reported.

Powhatan firefighters perform extrication Powhatan, VA. Tones sounded on February 8th shortly after midnight dispatching Deep Creek Engine 5, Macon Engine 3 and Huguenot Rescue 2 to the 5500 block of Anderson Hwy for a serious crash with entrapment. District Chief 5 assumed command. A vehicle was into a tree, with victims trapped.

One occupant had legs trapped under a dash. Medical personnel assisted the victims while crews began the technical rescue. Hydraulic tools were used to cut away the vehicle's roof and doors. A wrecker then pulled the vehicle away from the tree providing the space for crews to do a dash roll back and the extrication was performed. Two patients were transported to a local hospital. Crews were on scene for approximately two hours. The crash is under investigation.

1st Responder Newspaper - MA

March/April, 2013

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March/April, 2013

1st Responder Newspaper - MA

VIRGINIA

JIM MELLON

Fire causes damage to West End house Henrico, VA. A fire in a West End house caused major damage to the interior of the home. At 3:15 p.m. on February 25th, Henrico County Division of Fire responded to a report of a house on fire at 1811 Haviland Drive. Fire units found a single story residential structure with heavy smoke from the eves and gable vents. Crews were met by the occupant who stated no one was home. Fire crews made entry and found a fire in the living room. The fire was extinguished quickly, but heavy damage to the home had already occurred. No injuries were reported. Two adult occupants are being assisted by the American Red Cross. Fire investigators are on scene to determine the origin and cause of the fire.

BECKY ROBINETTE WRIGHT

Two residents displaced after Chesterfield house fire Chesterfield, VA. Chesterfield firefighters were toned out on February16th at 10:15 a.m to the 7400 block of Newbys Court for a structure fire.

As the flames and smoke went up, rain and wet snow came down.

Dispatched were Engines 24, 20, 9 and Wagstaff Volunteer Fire Department Engine 10, Truck 9 and Manchester Volunteer Rescue Squad.

Also on scene was a shift commander, a battalion chief, a tactical safety officer and county police.

Neighbors had spotted the fire

JUMP TO FILE #021813126

and smoke coming from the home and quickly went to alert their neighbor, while neighbors were alerting the resident a Chesterfield County police officer arrived on scene and assisted the resident from the burning home.

E24 was the first fire apparatus on scene and reported smoke and fire from the roof.

An initial exterior attack was performed to knock down the fire, then the operation was switched to

an interior attack.

After the fire had been extinguished and overhaul performed, crews covered the exposed areas with plastic to prevent further damage from weather events.

The cause of the fire was a squirrel's nest under the fire box within the prefabricated chimney, said Rick Edinger, Assistant Chief-Emergency Operations, Chesterfield Fire and EMS. The Red Cross assisted the adult female and male teen who were displaced.

- BECKY ROBINETTE WRIGHT

BILLY DEMPSEY

Jetersville structure fire with heavy smoke At 2:45 p.m., Amelia dispatched Companies 3, 1, 5, 4, Crewe Fire and AES to a report of a structure fire on February 20th.

EM-1 first on scene set Pot Rock command. Command advised heavy smoke coming from all sides of the structure, but no visible fire. E-1’s crew made a interior attack and located the fire in the kitchen area. Command advised interior that fire was now being scene from the B/C corner and partial roof collapse occurred on the same corner. A second hand line was used to attack the exterior fire. Crews cleared around 5:00 p.m. The units that responded were E-1, T-1, FR1, RS, E-31, T-4, T-5, Crewe E-3, AES, R-5 and EM-1.

BECKY ROBINETTE WRIGHT

1st Responder Newspaper - MA

March/April, 2013

PagE 5

VIRGINIA

PATCHES If you have photos you would like to see in our Patches feature, please upload them on our website, www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Heather@1stResponderNews.com.

JIM MELLON

Fire destroys unoccupied house Henrico, VA. Fire completely destroyed an unoccupied house in East Henrico.

Henrico County Division of Fire responded to a report of a house on fire near Elko Road around 9:49 p.m. at the end of February. The 911 JUMP TO FILE # caller stated they 020113107 saw a house on fire behind their house.

They were calling from Elko Road, but were unsure of the road name where the house was located.

Fire crews arrived at 3883 Rising Mt. Zion Road to a two story single family house fully involved in fire.

Additional resources were called to help battle the blaze.

Rising Mt. Zion Road is a nonhydrant area, so additional tanker trucks were called to shuttle water from Williamsburg Road at Elko Road, about 1 mile away.

Neighbors in the area advised fire crews the structure had been unoccupied for years and no one should be in the house.

An external fire attack was declared and it took fire crews about one hour and forty five minute to bring the blaze under control.

Contact was made with the property owner and they confirmed that no one should be in the house and that the house did not have power.

No injuries were reported.

Fire investigators are on scene and no determination on cause is expected immediately.

- JIM MELLON

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March/April, 2013

1ST Responder Newspaper - MA

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In memory of those who gave all 1st Responder Newspaper honors and remembers emergency responders lost in the line of duty New York: Owego, Matthew J. Porcari, 34

Rank: Captain Incident Date:01/22/2013 Death Date: 01/22/2013 Fire Department: Owego Fire Department Fire Dept. Info: Chief: Edward Franz Initial Summary: The Owego Fire Department Company #3 responded to a mutual aid call. While performing interior attack on the structure, Captain Porcari and another firefighter fell through the floor of the structure. Both firefighters were transported to separate facilities. Captain Porcari succumbed to his injuries shortly after arrival to the hospital. The other firefighter received burns and remains in serious condition.

Pennsylvania: Berwick, Michael Martin, 51

Rank: Firefighter Incident Date:11/27/2012 Death Date: 11/27/2012 Initial Summary: Firefighter Martin passed away while participating in a first responder training program at the Luzerne County Community College Public Safety Training Institute. Martin, an employee of PPL Susquehanna, was employed at the PPL nuclear power plant in Salem Township and was part of the company's on-site fire brigade. During a SCBA portion of the training, Martin required medical assistance. The on-site trainer began to administer CPR and a college official called 911. An ambulance transported Firefighter Martin to Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center where he succumbed to his injury. Investigation into the incident continues by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Texas: Bryan, Gregory Pickard, 54

Rank: Lieutenant Incident Date: Feb 15, 2013 Death Date: Feb 16, 2013 Fire Department: Bryan Fire Department Fire Dept. Info: Chief: Randy McGregor Initial Summary: While battling a blaze at a Knights of Columbus Hall, Lieutenant Wallace became trapped inside the structure. He notified others on the scene by radio, stating he was low on air. Lieutenant Pickard, accompanied by two other firefighters, entered the building to rescue Lieutenant Wallace. During the rescue, the roof collapsed. Lieutenant Wallace died at the scene and Lieutenant Pickard was rushed to the hospital where he later passed away from his injuries. Both firefighters died from burns sustained in the collapse. The two other firefighters involved are in stable but serious condition.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Texas: Bryan, Eric Wallace, 36

Rank: Lieutenant Incident Date: Feb 15, 2013 Death Date: Feb 16, 2013 Fire Department: Bryan Fire Department Fire Dept. Info: Chief: Randy McGregor Initial Summary: While battling a blaze at a Knights of Columbus Hall, Lieutenant Wallace became trapped inside the structure. He notified others on the scene by radio, stating he was low on air. Lieutenant Pickard, accompanied by two other firefighters, entered the building to rescue Lieutenant Wallace. During the rescue, the roof collapsed. Lieutenant Wallace died at the scene and Lieutenant Pickard was rushed to the hospital where he later passed away from his injuries. Both firefighters died from burns sustained in the collapse. The two other firefighters involved are in stable but serious condition.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Pennsylvania:

Summit Hill, Claudia Sokol, 55 Rank: Fire Police Officer Incident Date: Feb 21, 2013 Death Date: Feb 22, 2013 Fire Department: Diligence Fire Company No.1 Fire Dept. Info: Chief: Shawn Hoben Initial Summary: Fire Police Officer Sokol suffered a medical emergency while on traffic control duties at the scene of a motor vehicle accident on Thursday and passed away Friday evening, February 22.

Tennessee:

Church Hill, David Schnepp, 43 Rank: Firefighter Incident Date: Feb 24, 2013 Death Date: Feb 24, 2013 Fire Department: Carter's Valley Fire Departmentt Fire Dept. Info: Chief: Michael Yates Initial Summary: A short time after fighting a brush fire Sunday evening, February 24, Firefighter Schnepp passed away from a cause still to be determined. Incident Location: Pending

Michigan:

Mattawan, Nate Fruin, 22 Rank: Firefighter Incident Date: Feb 26, 2013 Death Date: Feb 26, 2013 Fire Department: Mattawan Fire District Fire Dept. Info: Chief: Terron McLean Initial Summary: Firefighter Fruin was responding to a structure fire when he fell ill from a cause still to be determined. Shortly after leaving the station, Fruin's partner, who was driving, called to report the medical emergency. He then pulled over to the side of the road, and according to reports, Fruin went into cardiac arrest. Other responders stopped and rendered aid, but Firefighter Fruin succumbed to his injury.

March/April, 2013

1st Responder Newspaper - MA

Page 7

Storm preparations for your firehouse Most people heeded the evacuation warnings that were given, but as usual there were those who remained behind thinking they could ride it out and be safe. They were wrong and placed emergency responders’ lives in jeopardy in order to rescue them.

STAYING T h e SAFE pager has just opened Chief Henry and broadCampbell casts the following message, “The Weather Bureau has issued a tornado and severe thunderstorm warning for the area between the hours of p.m. and 9 p.m. There is a potential for heavy rains, nickel sized hail and winds in excess of 60 miles per hour with the potential for flooding in low lying areas. Should a storm hit in your area, you should immediately report to your fire station.” Will the damage from the storm be minor and last an hour or less? Or will there be major damage to your community requiring emergency duty lasting a day or possibly extending into weeks.

As you respond to your fire station in compliance with the storm message, you should feel secure in knowing your family is prepared, but how about your fire station. Is it prepared to handle an extended operation? If not, it should be. Does the fire station have the capability to house (sleep) the number of members who have reported for duty? When any extended emergency requires you to go on long term (more than a day or two) emergency response and standby, it will require the feeding and housing of the firefighters and EMS personnel responding to the numerous and varied calls.

Living and working out of the fire station for prolonged periods of time requires preparation and if you aren’t or haven’t prepared, you should. Any of the aforementioned storm scenarios can be encountered by most communities at any time, then add the potential terrorist threats, hazmat or WMD’s and the potential for flu and related medical epidemics, the realization of having your fire station prepared for extended operations is important.

Having a standby source of electricity with a sufficient fuel supply to provide electric power to the fire station is very important should power fail. Portable radios and pagers will require charging; along with maintaining basic communication links within the fire station and dispatch. It is also important to note where you can obtain additional fuel for the standby generator system if needed, gasoline, diesel or propane.

A full service kitchen with an adequate supply of food, coffee, drinks, water and needed staples along with disposable paper products and utensils is required. The quantity in supply will be dependent upon the number of firefight-

ers you foresee having on hand in an emergency for a minimum of three to five days, or possibly longer. Your best food supply would be the commercial sized (large) cans of prepared foods and with a backup electric supply, you can also safely store frozen foods.

Most of these commercial meal type items can be purchased from the local supermarket or big box discount supply houses beforehand and will only require heating prior to serving when needed, even if no firehouse chef is available. Additional food supplies may be obtained initially at local supermarkets and merchants, but if it is an extended operation with power outages, their food stock will deplete rapidly and restocking may take days or longer. During an extended period of emergency operations, you may be very limited as to what you will be able to obtain locally during the emergency. Having some basic provisions on hand and replacing them annually is the way to go. You can use last year’s food stock products for an after meeting or drill meal, donate them to a local food pantry or whatever innovative way you choose while you replenish it with a fresh supply.

Rest for the weary firefighters is another priority. Does your fire station have sleeping accommodations and how many can it accommodate? If you don’t have sleeping accommodations or need a larger area, can you establish them by setting up a specific area or room that can be used solely for the purpose of firefighters catching some “shut eye.” You may have to split a large meeting room by installing movable room dividers and separating the room during an emergency.

Once you have a designated sleep area, you will need cots, blankets and pillows to provide the basics for a good sleep. Individual members should bring a personal grooming kit and a sleeping bag if they have one. Individual sleeping bags can be used with the cots and eliminate the need for blankets and sheets. In extended operations rest is important as the novelty, adrenaline rush, and excitement will quickly wear off, and a place to rest will become a must.

Throughout periods of high activity it would be wise to assign four to six firefighters per apparatus and to have those remaining firefighters/EMT’s be designated the off duty (rest) group. After a certain period of time, four to eight hours, the groups can exchange allowing for all personnel to have a rest period. It is important that everyone get their proper rest and an officer should be responsible for seeing that all firefighters comply with their assigned rest period.

Lack of rest often leads to unsafe acts, which in turn leads to injuries. Don’t forget personal hygiene and shower facilities will make the stay more livable and healthy for all!

Being prepared for long term emergency operations is taking proper proactive action and will help keep all safe while providing service to your community.

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PAGE 8

March/April, 2013

1st Responder Newspaper - MA

VIRGINIA

Spring into “Team Fitness” FIREFIGHTER FITNESS Lori Ann Hodgkinson

JIM MELLON

Four displaced after early morning house fire Henrico, VA. Three adults and one juvenile were displaced after fire ripped through their home. At 2:05 a.m. on January 27th, Henrico County Division of Fire responded to a report of a house on fire at four S. Fern Avenue.

The 911 caller advised they had fire in a bedroom and flames were visible from the back of the house. Fire crews found a one story single family home with fire visible. Fire units confirmed that everyone had gotten out, but the

JUMP TO FILE #012813107

family dog was still inside. Fire crews entered and located the dog and brought him to safety.

Crews made progress with fire knock down, but ran into difficulty when the fire extended to the attic. It took crews 45 minutes to bring the blaze under control.

Extensive fire damage occurred and the home will be uninhabitable.

The American Red Cross has been notified to assist the family.

The occupants did have a smoke detector in the home that did not activate. The fire was discovered by one of the family members, who attempted to fight the fire with a pail of water. The occupant notified the other members of the family who also attempted to fight the fire with two fire extinguishers before calling 911. No injuries were reported.

We have discussed the benefits of group fitness many times in the past. Quite simply group fitness is a great motivator and compliance booster. Working as a team comes naturally to members of the fire service, so it’s a good fit.

The arrival of Spring is a perfect time to take training as a group one step further. It’s a great time to get outside. The weather can be a factor at times, so you have to have a backup plan for this. A simple indoor circuit does the trick. How ‘bout getting organized?

It can be as simple as designating time(s) to walk or jog as a group. Walking or jogging as a group is a fun and easy way to exercise together. It doesn’t require any equipment and you can change the route often.

Through a park - the beach?

Change it up!

You can go totally recreational with games of ‘ultimate frisbee’ (touch football style) or even revert to your old school

days with ‘field day” like activities. Think - relay races, obstacle courses, tug ‘o’ war, etc.)

Setting up a volleyball court or organizing softball or basketball games work great. You can play games within your department or make arrangements with nearby departments to participate along with you. There are leagues out there. Either way, why not give it a shot?

You can even create your own version of the combat challenge.

Make an obstacle course consisting of four to six “duty” related activities and train or compete for times and accuracy on a regular basis. This is one of my favorites because of its functionality.

Getting fit and improving your work skills at the same time is a great combo. Go for it!

Start, by getting a few members excited about your idea.

Conduct a survey with a few proposed activities and also ask members for their suggestions.

Check with”the powers that be” to make sure officers/administrators are “on board” and for guidelines.

Post sign-up sheets on bulletin boards - make announcements at meetings/drills and get something going.

Be sure all participants receive physician’s approval, and let the games begin!

- LORI HODGKINSON

- JIM MELLON

US Fire Administration releases 2012 firefighter fatality statistics

JAMES MELLON

Warehouse fire presents challenge Henrico, VA. A small fire in a warehouse presented Henrico Fire crews with a big challenge. At 7:07 a.m., Henrico County Division of fire responded to a report of a fire alarm at 4259 Carolina Avenue.

Fire crews found smoke billowing from a 30,000 square foot warehouse structure. Additional units were requested and firefighters went to work to find the location of the fire.

An employee from the SP

JUMP TO FILE #012513108

Recycling Corporation was in the office when he observed smoke in the warehouse. When he went to investigate, he discovered a piece of machinery on fire in the warehouse. He quickly activated the fire alarm system and attempted to extinguish the fire using a fire extinguisher.

Fire crews were directed to

the fire by the employee, who had confirmed the building was evacuated. It took fire crews less that 30 minutes to bring the fire under control.

Once the fire was out, Henrico fire crews were presented with a major problem. The 30,000 foot warehouse was full of cold smoke. Cold smoke is difficult to move in large open spaces. A ventilation plan was established.

- JAMES MELLON

EMMITSBURG, Md. – The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) announced today a provisional total of 83 on-duty firefighter fatalities in the United States as a result of incidents that occurred in 2012, the same number of firefighter losses as in 2011.

The 83 fatalities were spread across 34 states. Pennsylvania and North Carolina experienced the highest number of fatalities with nine firefighter deaths each. New York had six firefighter deaths, including the most recent tragic shooting deaths of two firefighters in Webster. California and Texas, each with five firefighter deaths, were the only other states with five or more firefighter fatalities in 2012.

Heart attacks or stroke were responsible for the deaths of 41 firefighters (49%) in 2012. This single year total is a near average proportion of firefighter deaths

JUMP TO FILE #011813111

from heart attack or stroke over recent years. This nature of fatal injury has remained relatively constant, while others, on average, have been reduced during the past decade.

Eleven on-duty firefighters died in association with wildland fires, the same as 2011 and 2010.

The single cause of injury seeing more than a four-fold increase in firefighter deaths during 2012 was vehicle collisions (including aircraft), with 18 deaths.

These 2012 firefighter fatality statistics are provisional and will likely change somewhat as the USFA contacts state fire marshals to verify the names of firefighters reported to have died on duty during 2012. The final number of firefighter fatalities will be reported in USFA's annual firefighter fatality report, expected to be available by July.

- US Fire Administration

1st Responder Newspaper - MA

March/April, 2013

Page 9

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March/April, 2013

1st Responder Newspaper - MA

VIRGINIA/MARYLAND

Fire through the roof of a residential structure Henrico, VA. Henrico County Division of Fire arrived on scene to fire through the roof of a single family residential structure.

Henrico Fire responded to a JUMP TO FILE # report of a house 012813113 on fire at 1903 Fon Du Lac Road around 9:28 p.m on February 27th.

The information given to 911 was fire visible from the rear of the house and everyone is evacuating. When fire crews arrived, they found heavy fire condition from the roof and rear of the home.

After confirming no one was inside, fire crews entered to extinguish the fire. When firefighters made it to the seat of the

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fire, they observed what appeared to be an arching electrical service near the utility room. Due to the electrical danger, a knock down was achieved with CO2 fire extinguisher.

Simultaneously, crews worked to vent the super heated gasses by cutting holes in the roof to allow firefighters the ability to extinguish the fire in the attic.

After a knock down of the fire in the attic, a flare up occurred near the electrical service. Firefighters kept this fire in check until Dominion Virginia Power arrived and cut service to the house.

The bulk of the fire was knocked down in about 30 minutes and the fire was marked under control in less than an hour.

The occupant stated she heard a popping noise than the smoke detector started to activate. When she got up to see what was going on she saw the smoke and fire near the utility room. She immediately exited and called 911.

No injuries were reported and one occupant will be displaced.

The occupant will be staying with family. Fire investigators are looking into the cause of the fire.

JIM MELLON

- JIM MELLON

The MA Edition Name:______________________

FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute partners with Ocean City

Telephone:___________________ Address:____________________ City: ______________________ State:_____ Zip: _____________ __ $15 for one year subscription __ $25 for two year subscription

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The Emergency Management Institute partnered with 72 employees from the Ocean City area for an Integrated Emergency Management Course (IEMC) in February 2013.

Ocean City Mayor Richard Meehan led the delegation of the city’s Emergency Services Team and Allied Agencies to Emmitsburg, Maryland on Super bowl Sunday to take part in a Community Specific IEMC. Attending the training were members Ocean City’s City Council, department directors, management and essential personnel, as well as employees from partnering agencies such as the Maryland State Police, the Coast Guard and the Maryland Emergency Management Agency.

The Integrated Emergency Management Courses (IEMCs) are a 4 and ½-day exercise-based training activity that places Emergency Operations Center (EOC) personnel under realistic crisis situations within a structured learning environment.

IEMCs build awareness and skills needed to develop and implement policies, plans, and procedures in an emergency operations center (EOC) to protect life and property through applications of sound emergency management principles in all phases of emergency management.

On Monday, February 4, 2013, Maryland State EMA Director, Ken Mallette visited the

JUMP TO FILE #021413105

Ocean City group to meet with and observe the top notch training hosted at EMI. During his visit, Mr. Mallette received a tour of the newly renovated facility by EMI’s Deputy Superintendent Vilma Milmoe.

The Ocean City team was the first community to utilize the newly renovated EMI Simulation Lab, using a new configuration, furniture and technology.

Mr. Mallette also had the opportunity to address the entire Ocean City team to highlight the importance of participation in EMI based courses both in resident and on-line.

At the beginning of the course, Mayor Meehan said “this is a unique opportunity for a large portion of the City’s Emergency Services community to practice and operate under a simulated emergency and learn in a no fault environment.”

The Mayor added that ”the entire city mobilized last October to respond to the effects of Super Storm Sandy and this was a wonderful opportunity for our Emergency Services Team to reflect and build on our lessons learned from our most recent storm event while facing a simulated hurricane scenario.”

“Protecting the population is the primary responsibility of gov-

JIM MELLON

ernment,” Theobald said.

“We have a responsibility to prepare for, respond to, recover from and mitigate disaster. This training opportunity will allow us to continue our high standard of readiness and ability to function effectively for the Ocean City community in a time of crisis.”

“This training opportunity is not only going to benefit Town of Ocean City employees, but it will benefit the community as a whole,” said Joseph Theobald, Director of Emergency Services for the Town of Ocean City.

“The training is specific to our community and will help us test our community emergency plans, identify where we need to improve and clarify our roles and responsibilities in the event of a disaster” he also added.

For more information on the Integrated Emergency Management Course please visit the EMI Home page at http://www.training.fema.gov/E MIWeb/IEMC/ - DOUGLAS KAHN

1st Responder Newspaper - MA

March/April, 2013

Page 11

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March/April, 2013

1ST Responder Newspaper - MA

MARYLAND

MICHAEL SCHWARTZBERG

MICHAEL SCHWARTZBERG

Rosedale shopping center burns in three alarm fire Shortly before 1 p.m. on January 26th, Baltimore County Fire Department eastside units were dispatched for a reported fire at the Jacky Chen chinese restaurant at the Rosedale Village Shopping Center in the 8400 block of Philadelphia Blvd in Rosedale.

First arriving units reported fire through the roof of a single story commercial building and requested a working fire followed

JUMP TO FILE #012713112

shortly by a request for a second alarm and then a third alarm.

Multiple lines were laid, several aerial devices were put into operation including the ladder pipe from Baltimore City Fire Department Truck 30 and firefighters made an aggressive attack.

The fire and smoke unfortunately extended to several other stores in the complex.

More than 40 pieces of fire apparatus and over 150 personnel, from Baltimore County and Baltimore City, were on the scene to control this fire.

The cause of which is under investigation.

- MICHAEL SCHWARTZBERG

Crash and arrest at gunpoint in Towson Four people suffered injuries on February 14th in a three vehicle accident caused by a driver fleeing from Maryland State Police in Towson. According to reports, a MSP trooper attempted to pull over a vehicle at Goucher Boulevard and Fairmount Avenue, but the driver refused to stop and ran a red light. At the intersection of Goucher Boulevard and Prince Road about one mile away, the suspect’s vehicle struck two other cars and a pole and caught fire. The pursuing trooper used a fire extinguisher to put out the fire, called for immediate backup from MSP and Baltimore County Police and ordered the driver and passenger out at gunpoint. Multiple backup units arrived and the suspects were eventually removed by police at gunpoint.

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1st Responder Newspaper - MA

March/April, 2013

PAGe 13

MARYLAND

Three vehicle accident sends two On February 26th, Fire & EMS crews from Williamsport Fire & EMS were alerted at 2:43 p.m. with Halfway EMS and Washington County Special Operations 20 for a personal injury collision on Lappans JUMP TO FILE # Road in the area of 030413101 Lock Tender Lane.

Dispatchers at the Washington County E.C.C. took reports of a three vehicle accident involving a Washington County School Bus. One caller reported one occupant was still in the vehicle with a large fluid spill.

Crews responding were faced with some icy road conditions as sleet was falling that afternoon.

Williamsport arrived on the scene to find a black Toyota Truck into the back of a Washington County School bus with a Gray Subaru into the back of the pick-up lodged up under the vehicle. Williamsport crews were able to quickly evaluate the situation to find a large fluid spill along with only two injured subjects. One occupant was confined to the pick-up truck, but was quickly able to be freed from the vehicle by Williamsport firefighters.

Williamsport and Halfway Fire & EMS providers worked to package both patients for transport as other firefighters contained the fluid spill awaiting the arrival of Special Operations 20.

Williamsport and Halfway quickly packaged both patients classified as Priority 2 and Priority 3 Category C traumas and transported both to Meritus Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries. Out of 17 students and one bus driver on the bus, none were reported to be injured.

Fire Department units remained on the scene to assist with traffic control due to the wet and icy weather conditions that afternoon.

Once all hazards were removed and all students on the bus were transferred over to another bus for transport, the remaining Company 2 units cleared the scene just after 3:30 p.m.

Once all units were clear, Maryland State Police re-opened the roadway at 3:54 p.m.

It is reported that the bus had come to a stop to drop off students from Springfield Middle when the Subaru struck the Toyota forcing it into the back of the school bus. The driver of the Subaru may have had a medical emergency causing the accident.

At this point, the driver has been charged with failure to control speed to avoid a collision.

- WILLIAM KING

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PaGe 14

March/April, 2013

1st Responder Newspaper - MA

MARYLAND

Man in critical condition following serious accident in Funkstown On February 24th, Washington County E.C.C. took reports of a single vehicle accident on Westside Avenue in Funkstown. Emergency crews from Funkstown Volunteer Fire Company 10 along with Community Rescue Service Company 75 were alerted for the call at 12:59 a.m. Reports came in on 911 that a car struck the side of a bridge.

Firefighters from Funkstown arrived within minutes after dispatch to find a Subaru Legacy with heavy damage to the front end and driver’s side of the vehicle nearly 500 feet from where it struck the Antietam Creek Bridge going from Hagerstown into Funkstown.

The collision knocked out a 40 foot section of the wall of the historic stone bridge. Crews had one patient still entrapped in the vehicle where it came to rest near the intersection of Chestnut Street and Westside. Chief Dave Fraley of Funkstown Fire arrived minutes after Engine 10-1 and assumed Westside Avenue command.

Firefighters on Rescue Squad 10 arrived and worked to rapidly

JUMP TO FILE #022513100

extricate the patient, who was categorized as a Priority 1 Category A Trauma. Meritus Medical Center was pre-alerted by the E.C.C. while crews worked the extrication. Command reported extrication complete at 1:12 a.m.

The driver was then transported to Meritus Priority 1 by Paramedic 75-3 with life threatening injuries.

Once transported, Funkstown Fire remained on the scene with Sheriff Department while re-construction teams began their investigation into the cause of the accident.

Washington County Fire Police along with Hagerstown Auxiliary Police were requested by command to assist with keeping the road closed. The driver was last known to be at Meritus Medical Center in critical condition.

The accident is still under investigation by the Washington County Sheriff Department.

- WilliaM KiNG

Volunteer firefighters need your help Volunteer firefighters whose homes and property were devastated by Super Storm Sandy are still struggling to get back on their feet. You can help these first responders in need by making a contribution to the National Volunteer Fire Council’s (NVFC) Volunteer Firefighter Support Fund. Donations are urgently needed as the fund is depleted and requests for assistance continue to come in.

The Volunteer Firefighter Support Fund provides stipends of $250 to help volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel meet expenses in the wake of a stateor federally-declared disaster.

Volunteers must have suffered an uninsurable loss in excess of $5,000 and be from an NVFC member state as an individual or department member of the state association.

In the aftermath of Super Storm Sandy, hundreds of requests for help poured into the NVFC, and the Volunteer Firefighter Support Fund has been able to provide close to $100,000 in assistance. The support meant a lot to the volunteers as they started to rebuild their lives. “A big thank you to NVFC for the check to help me in my

TERRY SIGLER

Funkstown stands-by following extrication of a Priority 1 Category a trauma

JUMP TO FILE #021413109

recovery from Sandy,” said one recipient. “I truly appreciate the support as the entire first floor of my home was damaged.”

The ability to fill the huge number of requests was thanks in large part to donations from individuals as well as supporters including the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York, Scott Safety, and California Casualty. However, the amount of requests following Sandy has depleted the fund. Make a donation to the Volunteer Firefighter Support Fund to ensure that future requests for assistance, either from Sandy or other largescale disasters, are able to be filled so volunteers can get the help they desperately need.

All contributions made to the Volunteer Firefighters Support Fund go to providing assistance to volunteer firefighters and emergency medical responders impacted by disasters. The NVFC donates all administrative costs associated with the fund.

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1st Responder Newspaper - MA

March/April, 2013

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PAGE 16

March/April, 2013

1st Responder Newspaper - MA

WEST VIRGINIA

GOT DROP? Before you hang-up your hat, Talk to the DROP expert...

NICK MARKOWITZ JR.

Rear end accident injures several along US 40 Medics and rescue personnel from Stone Church Fire Department responded to a rear end accident along US 40 across from the Clark Gas station after two sport utility vehicles were involved in a rear end accident at approximately 5:45 p.m. The accident left several people injured.

PATCHES 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 Heather@1stResponderNews.com.

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1st Responder Newspaper - MA

March/April, 2013

Page 17

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PAGE 18

March/April, 2013

1st Responder Newspaper - MA

MARYLAND

Funkstown responds to rollover

C.SNOKE

On March 2nd, Funkstown Fire Company responded out for a vehicle accident on Old National Pike south of Funkstown. Firefighters were alerted early Saturday morning at 2:12 a.m. along with Boonsboro Rescue and Community Rescue Service out of Hagerstown.

Washington County E.C.C. dispatchers took reports of a vehicle rollover with power lines down.

Engine 10-1 from Funkstown arrived in the area of the 9300 block of Old National Pike to find a single vehicle into a tree with a damaged electrical pole with wires down. Crews found no need for the Rescue Squad out of Company 69, but had Community Rescue’s Paramedic 75-3 continue in for one patient, who was out of the vehicle.

Upon evaluation, EMS classi-

JUMP TO FILE 030413118

fied the patient as a Priority 2 Category C Trauma.

As crews worked to package the patient, dispatchers pre-alerted Meritus Medical for the trauma. Once packaged, Community Rescue transported the patient to Meritus at 2:41 a.m.

Funkstown Engine 10-1 remained for a short period after transport. The scene was then turned over to Maryland State Police and Washington County Sheriff Department at 3:10 a.m. when remaining units from Funkstown cleared the scene.

The accident is under investigation.

- WILLIAM KING

Engine 10-1 on the scene with a single vehicle into a tree.

JASON COLEMAN-COBB

JASON COLEMAN-COBB

Five firefighters injures following collapse at Baltimore fourth alarm Baltimore City, MD. On Monday, February 4, 2013, shortly before 6:00 p.m., Box 23-6 sent companies to 601 Pennsylvania Avenue in the Seton Hill neighborhood for a building fire.

Engine 23 was on location with a three story, brick structure with heavy smoke and fire showing and requested the second alarm.

After a brief attempt at an interior attack, all members were evacuated from the structure.

Pennsylvania Avenue

JUMP TO FILE #020613113

Command requested the third alarm for heavy fire throughout with multiple exposure issues.

While companies were operating all hands, a major collapse occurred to the fire building, trapping firefighters and causing mayday alerts to be sounded.

Command ordered the fourth alarm to the scene and city and Baltimore County companies relocating to empty city stations.

Two firefighters were quickly removed from the rubble and one extricated after a few minutes of feverish work by RIT companies.

In total, five firefighters were taken to hospitals with non-life threatening injuries.

The fire extended to a similar type attached building on the D"exposure.

Numerous handlines, master streams and ladder pipes worked for over an hour to bring the fire under control.

- JASON COLEMAN-COBB

1st Responder Newspaper - MA

March/April, 2013

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March/April, 2013

1st Responder Newspaper - MA

MARYLAND

Seven counties respond to Williamsport five alarm PATCHES FROM DELAWARE On February 4th, Washington County received a call reporting heavy black smoke to the rear of 110 North Conococheague Street in Williamsport. The caller advised them that her house was also filling with the smoke.

Crews were quickly dispatched at 7:20 a.m.

Williamsport Rescue Engine 2 saw heavy smoke showing as they approached. Lieutenant Nokes of Company 2 immediately requested the working fire assignment. Crews found heavy fire on side C as they began their initial attack. Chief William Ball from Company 2 assumed command. The fire found its way through a cock loft area and rapidly spread to different parts of the structure. At 7:48 a.m.

Chief Ball requested a second alarm struck.

Firefighter’s main game plan at this point was to keep the fire contained to the main fire building. At 8:15, Chief Ball requested a third alarm and Level 2 staging was established at Company 2’s quarters. All hands continued to work to bring the blaze under control when Assistant Chief Kopp declared a Mmayday after seeing a firefighter go down and become separated from his crew at 8:27 a.m.

RIT was immediately sent in to assist, but luckily the firefighter was able to self-extricate himself from the debris and rejoin his group quickly with no injuries.

Firefighters continued on their quest to gain control as the building was deteriorating around them. After observing this, command called for all buildings to be evacuated at 9:54. It was declared at 10:19 a.m. by command that the main fire building was off limits to all personnel due to structural integrity.

Around 11:00, crews were seeing less smoke coming from the building, showing signs that their efforts were working. It took four hours reaching a total of five alarms before bringing the fire under control, which was reported at 11:20 a.m.

Firefighters remained on the scene for several hours conducting salvage and overhaul operations, working to extinguish the remainder of the fire. Meanwhile the State Fire Marshal’s Office was on site working an investigation into what caused the blaze that destroyed this historical building.

State FM26 Ed Ernst later announced that the cause was traced back to a furnace located in an outbuilding on side C. The oil furnace malfunctioned, sparking a fire in the attached outbuilding, which quickly spread to the main structure.

Some Williamsport residents were devastated by the loss of the building. The building itself dated back to the 1800’s pre-civil war era. Housing multiple businesses and hotels over the years, the building is best known as

If you have photos you would like to see in our Patches feature, please upload them on our website, www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Heather@1stResponderNews.com.

MIKE PANNILL

Lieutenant Snoke of Funkstown and Firefighter Hopkins of Special Operation work as fire engulfs the Liquor Store

JUMP TO FILE #020913104

“Wolfe’s On The Square” currently housing a Liquor Store at 1 West Potomac Street and apartments on the North Conococheague Street side of the structure. The initial caller was the only occupant in the building at the time of the fire, and she was safely able to evacuate the structure prior to fire departments arrival.

The American Red Cross was called out to the scene and was able to assist her. The building is believed to be a total loss with damages estimated to be around $500,000.

Incident Commander, Chief William Ball said that they are already in the process of studying this incident to try and learn from it.

Mondays blaze brought over one hundred and thirty emergency providers from thirty six fire and EMS departments from seven different counties. Williamsport Fire Co. 2 responded on Box 2-1 with assistance from Halfway Fire & EMS Co. 26, Funkstown Fire Co. 10, Clear Spring Fire Co. 4.

Additional alarms brought in crews from HFD South End Fire Eng. 5, HFD Western Enterprise Truck 4, Sharpsburg Fire Co. 1, Hancock Fire Co. 5, Boonsboro Fire Co. 6, Smithsburg Fire Co. 7, Leitersburg Fire Co. 9, Potomac Valley Fire Co. 11, Maugansville Fire Co. 13, Long Meadow Fire Co. 27, Clear Spring EMS Co. 49, Community Rescue Co. 75, Special Operations 20, the Division of Emergency Services, Air Unit 25 and Rehab Unit 255 all from Washington County.

Companies from Berkley County , West Virginia were Baker Heights Fire Co. 60, Beddington Fire Co. 40, Hedgesville Fire Co. 30, South Berkley Fire Co. 20 and Martinsburg VA Center Fire Co. 80.

Companies from Morgan

County, West Virginia were Berkley Spring Fire Co. 1 and Great Cacapon Fire Co. 2.

Companies from Frederick County, Maryland were Independent Fire Co. 1, United Fire Co. 3, New Market Fire Co. 15, Liberty Town Fire Co. 17 and Frederick County Battalion Chief 902.

Other departments on the call consist of Jefferson County, WV Bakerton Fire Co. 7, Franklin County, PA Mercersburg Fire Co. 9 and Montgomery County, Maryland’s Hyattstown Engine 709.

The Washington County High School Fire & Rescue Academy students also came out to assist.

Under the instruction of Jamie Drawbaugh, the remaining students in his current program that were not already on the call with their departments reported to the Level 2 staging area at Company 2 around 1:00 p.m. to be utilized wherever they were needed.

Other groups and organizations assisting on the scene included Hagerstown Police Departments Command Bus, Washington County Fire Police, Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office the American Red Cross and The Town Of Williamsport.

Additional emergency crews were transferred in from Smithsburg EMS Co. 79, Sharpsburg EMS Co. 19, Franklin County, PA’s Waynesboro Fire Co. 2, Franklin Station 4 and St. Tomas Fire Co. 18, Frederick County, MD’s Middletown Fire Co. 7 and Brunswick Fire Co. 5, Fulton County, PA’s Needmore Fire Co. 55, Bedford County, PA’s Breezewood Fire Co. 40, Jefferson County, WV’s Harpersferry Fire Co. 1, Adams County, PA’s Fairfield Community Fire Co. 2 and Cumberland County, PA’s Union Fire Co. 41 from Carlisle to cover Williamsport and the surrounding departments during Monday's incident.

- WILLIAM KING

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Page 21

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March/April, 2013

1st Responder Newspaper - MA

MARYLAND

MATT MILES

Montgomery County, MD station and engine awarded unit citations TIM WOLFE

Second alarm in Glen Burnie At 5:25p.m. on February 18th, units from Anne Arundel County's 1st and 2nd Battalions were alerted for a reported building fire with multiple calls near the intersection of Crain Hwy and Georgia Ave. Engine 331 arrived at 403 Crain Hwy to find heavy fire showing from a second floor window. Units attempted to make an interior attack on the vacant boarded up building; however, once making entry they found several holes in the floors. Battalion Chief 1 assumed command and pulled all units out due to the holes in the floors of the vacant building. A second alarm was requested at 5:35 p.m., bringing additional units from the 1st and 2nd Battalions.

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On February 14, 2013, Fire Chief Richie Bowers of the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services presented Engine, Truck and Medic 715 and Engine 724 with unit citations for their initial aggressive rescue and suppression efforts that resulted in the successful rescue of multiple occupants at 14005 Castle Boulevard in Silver Spring.

At 7:24 a.m. on July 13, 2012 Paramedic Engine 715, Truck 715 and Medic 715 arrived to find a well advanced fire in a three story garden style apartment with multiple occupants on their balconies in need of immediate rescue.

Engine and Medic 715 took the C side and split their crews making multiple rescues along with darkening down the top two floors and putting a handline on the apartment of origin. Truck 715 positioned on the A side and also split crews with two making interior searches and the driver rescuing multiple occupants from their balconies with a portable ground ladder. Paramedic

JUMP TO FILE #030113108

Engine 724 backed up Engine 715’s lineman and continued suppression efforts while additional rescues were made.

Through the combined efforts by the brothers and sisters of the MCFRS, the rescue of 17 occupants were made. This daunting task was also completed with no serious firefighter or civilian injuries reported.

Engine 715’s crew: FF Kevin Henderson, Capt Matthew Carrigan, FF Matthew Miles and MFF Rafael Gibson.

Truck 715 crew: MFF Steve Wiseman, MFF Christopher Riley and MFF Michael Ryman Medic 715’s crew: FF Jeffrey Weber and LT Robert Tobin.

Engine 724’s crew: MFF Garth Coe, Capt David Barcenas, FF Matthew Mundy and FF Beau Nelson.

- MATT MILES

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March/April, 2013

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March/April, 2013

1st Responder Newspaper - MA

Heroes Mortgage Program

Hero firefighter inspired by Hurricane Katrina helped by mortgage program Like so many other Americans, Stephanie Fowle watched on television in disbelief and horror, as Hurricane Katrina ripped through New Orleans in 2005.

Fowle wanted to do something to help down in New Orleans, but she couldn’t.

However, she could make a difference back home. Inspired by the devastation Hurricane Katrina left in her wake, Fowle joined the Green Creek Volunteer (NJ) Fire Department.

She is still a proud Green Creek firefighter, a true hero, one the Sun National Bank Heroes Mortgage Program is proud to have worked with.

1st Responder and Sun Home Loans teamed up to create the Heroes Mortgage Program. This exclusive mortgage opportunity provides discounted fees and low interest rates for firefighters and other members of the emergency services community. The program offers unmatched rates, minimal lender fees and promises to get clients in their new home by the contract date.

Fowle and her husband, Merrill, a firefighter for 32 years, used the Heroes Mortgage Program to refinance – saving a few hundred dollars every month on their mortgage.

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was so helpful and you can’t beat the rates,” Stephanie Fowle said.

“It’s awesome and really helped us out a lot. To save that kind of money, is a big deal. I would definitely recommend the Heroes Mortgage Program.”

Sun Home Loans, a division of Sun National Bank, and 1st Responder are both proud to serve the heroes in our community, who dedicate their lives serving the rest of us.

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1st Responder Newspaper - MA

March/April, 2013

Page 25

PAGE 26

March/April, 2013

1st Responder Newspaper - MA

MARYLAND

Vehicle News

WILLIAM KING

On February 25th, the Leitersburg Fire Company on Washington County Maryland place a new 2013 Pierce Saber into service.

ANDY STOTLER

Business destroyed by two alarm blaze in Hancock On February 25th, firefighters were alerted for a structure fire on Box 5-1 at 2:56 a.m. in Hancock.

Washington County E.C.C. took reports of a commercial building fire in the area of 26 Canal Street.

Deputy Chief Hoopengardner of Hancock Company 5 requested dispatch to start the second alarm.

Firefighters approaching the scene had heavy fire through the roof. They arrived to find the Reel Bait & Tackle Shop at 6 South Pennsylvania Ave fully engulfed.

Chief Danny Shirley of Company 5 assumed command.

Firefighters from over a dozen departments battled the blaze for almost two hours before bringing it under control. Crews were faced with controlling the blaze as well as protecting exposures around the

JUMP TO FILE #022813111

building with multiple hoselines and instituting ladderpipe operations. Command was able to report the fire knocked down at 4:42 a.m., but advised he was holding all units for extensive overhaul.

Firefighters remained on the scene for several hours extinguishing hot spots and assisting the State Fire Marshal’s office. Ladder pipe operations were finally shut down at 5:32 a.m., but command advised they still had multiple handlines in use. Firefighters remained committed until the mid-morning.

The cause of the blaze is not yet known. No injuries were reported, but the American Red

Cross was called in to assist one of the residents in one of the surrounding homes that received heat damage from the blaze. One other building across from the structure also sustained heat damage. The fire is reported to have cause about $300,000 worth of damage.

Companies answering the call were Hancock MD Fire and EMS Co. 59, Berkeley Springs WV, Needmore PA Fire & EMS, Flintstone MD, Orleans MD, McConnelsburg PA, Williamsport MD, Clear Spring MD, Hedgesville WV, Maugansville MD, Washington County Special Operations 20, Division Of Emergency Services Paramedic 1810, Washington County Emergency Air Unit 25, Division Of Emergency Services Director Kevin Lewis 1801 and the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s office. Crews from Washington County’s in Maugansville along with Bedington WV responded on engine transfers to help cover areas in Hancock and Clear Spring.

- WILLIAM KING

TIM WOLFE

Howard County has placed this 2012 e-One Typhoon/92 E-One Hush Body 1250/1000 engine in service as Engine 131 at the Glenwood Station in Western Howard County.

LEE HALE

Salem Rescue Squad, Salem, VA command vehicle is a 2012 Chevrolet Silverado 4X4 heavy duty just placed in service.

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1st Responder Newspaper - MA

March/April, 2013

Page 27

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PAGE 28

March/April, 2013

1st Responder Newspaper - MA

MARYLAND

Richard R. Bowers Jr. appointed chief

TIFFANY LONG

Crews respond to fatal accident on Interstate 70 On February 19th, Washington County received reports of a serious accident on Interstate 70.

Crews from Clear Spring and Hancock along with Williamsport and Berkley Springs, WV were alerted for a vehicle accident at 8:54 a.m. The E.C.C. had reports of the vehicle on fire with the occupant still in the vehicle.

Calls continued to flood the 911 center. The E.C.C. had a follow up call from an off duty aviation paramedic from MSP. The trooper arrived to find the patient partially ejected from the vehicle.

The trooper was assisted by bystanders and they were able to pull the patient from the vehicle prior to fire and EMS arrival on the

JUMP TO FILE #022613126

scene. He advised that the patient is out of the vehicle, but was a Priority 4 patient.

Crews went to work dowsing the blaze as Chief Danny Shirley of Company 5 assumed Command.

Firefighters from Clear Spring and Hancock worked together to quickly extinguish the blaze.

Command reported the fire knocked down at 9:09 a.m.

Clear Spring Fire remained on the scene to assist Maryland State Police till about 11:00 a.m.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors appointed Richard R. Bowers Jr. as the county's next fire chief. Bowers succeeds Chief Ronald L. Mastin, who plans to retire May JUMP TO FILE # 7. Bowers' appoint- 021413107 ment is effective April 29, allowing overlap time for the transition of leadership.

A 35 year veteran of the Montgomery County, Md. Fire and Rescue Service, Bowers has served as MCFRS fire chief since 2008, managing the combined (career and volunteer) service of over 2,100 firefighters/rescuers.

While serving as chief, he managed an operating budget of $204 million and a six year capital improvement program budget of $44 million.

Bowers began in Montgomery County as a firefighter/EMT, rising through the ranks in numerous positions. He served in every rank in the department up to and including fire chief. A Pentagon and Hurricane Katrina New Orleans Citation Award recipient, he was Montgomery County's Firefighter of the Year in 1985 and received the Marvin Gibbons Award for Excellence in Firefighter I, Recruit Class 35.

He attended the University of Maryland, University College where he earned a master degree certification in human resource management, a bachelor of fire

PROVIDED

science degree and a public fireprotection management and administration education certificate. He also holds an associate degree from Montgomery College (Rockville).

In addition, he has successfully completed the Montgomery County Government Leadership and Management Course as well as numerous courses from the

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Training Academy, the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute Training and the National Emergency Training Center.

Bowers also is currently enrolled in the Executive Fire Officer Program at the National Fire Emergency Training Center.

- JAY IACONE

- WILLIAM KING

PATCHES If you have photos you would like to see in our Patches feature, please upload them on our website, www.1stResponderNews.com or email them to Heather@1stResponderNews.com.

MICHAEL SCHWARTZBERG /FIREPIX1075.ZENFOLIO.COM

Crash in Reisterstown leads to MSP medevac to shock trauma

EUGENE WEBER JR.

Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department, VA

Shortly after 10 a.m. on February 3, Baltimore County westside fire units were dispatched to a reported motor vehicle crash with entrapment at the end of Interstate 795 in Reisterstown. Units reported a two vehicle t-bone MVC with one person trapped. Firefighters from RVFC and Glyndon VFC extricated one patient and transferred care to Medic 56 and EMS 5. Command requested a Maryland State Police medevac helicopter, which landed at nearby Reisterstown Regional Park, to transport one female patient to Baltimore's Shock Trauma Center. A second patient was transported via BCoFD Medic 19 to Sinai Hospital Trauma Center. The accident is under investigation by the Baltimore County Police Department Crash Team.

March/April, 2013

1st Responder Newspaper - MA

PAGe 29

MARYLAND

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WILLIAM KING

Fire engulfs the fifth floor of the building.

Vacant apartment building fire goes to two alarms in Hagerstown Hagerstown, MD. On February 7th, Washington County E.C.C dispatch took a report of a building fire in the area of 109 South Potomac Street. Hagerstown units were dispatched out on Box 1-1-6 at 10:56 p.m.

Crews arrived to find a working fire JUMP TO FILE # at 21 West Antietam 020913107 Street just off South Potomac Street.

Battalion Chief Russ Grimm requested the working fire assignment as he arrived and assumed command.

Firefighters were faced with a heavy fire load on the fourth and fifth floors of a five story vacant apartment building. Crews executed an interior attack upon arrival.

Due to the heavy fire load with the threat to surrounding exposures, command called for the second alarm to be struck.

Interior operations lasted for approximately one hour before command called for the building to be evacuated around 11:50 p.m. due to the integrity of the structure rapidly deteriorating.

All hands remained working as crews worked in defensive mode operating three ladder pipes and multiple master streams as heavy fire consumed the fourth and fifth floors of the structure.

Command also called for initial units on the scene to be re-positioned due to the threat of collapse on side A. Master streams flowed for nearly two and a half hours before command reported the fire contained and under control at 2:17

a.m. Shortly after 3:00 a.m., command began releasing units as they were able to wrap up.

Crews still had active fire, but it was contained to the upper floors.

Command held city Engines 4, 5 and Truck 4 as well as the County Rehab Unit 255 on the scene until late into the morning.

Command was terminated and Battalion Chief Grimm advised dispatch that Fire Marshal Doug Dehaven would be remaining on the scene and in charge of the remaining HFD units around 7:00 a.m. Remaining units were released from the scene shortly after 11:00 a.m. The fire remains under investigation by the Hagerstown Fire Marshal’s office.

The building was unoccupied at the time of the blaze and no injuries were reported.

Hagerstown units responding on Box 1-1-6 consisted of First Hagerstown Hose Engine 1, South End Fire Engine 5, Western Enterprise Engine 4 and Truck 4, Pioneer Hook & Ladder Truck 1 and City Utility 3.

Additional crews responded in from Funkstown Fire Co. 10, Halfway Fire Co. 26, Maugansville Fire Co. 13, Long Meadow Fire Co. 27, Williamsport Fire Co. 2, Leitersburg Fire Co. 9, Washington County Special Operations 20, Community Rescue Co. 75, Emergency Air Unit 25, Rehab Unit 255 and the Hagerstown Fire Marshal’s Office. Hagerstown City Police and the Auxiliary Police also responded out to assist with crowd control during the incident.

- WILLIAM KING

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PAGE 30

March/April, 2013

1st Responder Newspaper - MA

MARYLAND

JASON COLEMAN-COBB

One occupant was rescued by Baltimore City firefighters on W. Pratt Street on February 2, 2013.

One rescued from Baltimore City row home Baltimore City, MD. On Saturday, February 2, 2013, at 12:35 p.m., Fire Box 14-12 toned out for a reported dwelling fire with possible entrapment at 1315 W. Pratt Street in Southwest Baltimore. Reserve Engine 69 (acting Engine 14) arrived on location with heavy smoke showing from a two story, middle of the group, dwelling.

Battalion Chief 3 assumed

JUMP TO FILE #020613112

command and requested the working fire dispatch.

A hand line was stretched into the fire building advancing on a fire on the second floor while other crews performed a primary search.

A second line was stretched into the exposure building.

The fire was knocked down in about ten minutes and an adult male was removed unconscious via ground ladder from a rear, second floor window.

He was transported by a Medic to a nearby hospital in unknown condition.

Companies remained on the scene for about two hours.

- JASON COLEMAN-COBB

ON THE LITER SIDE If you have a photo for On the Liter Side, please upload it to our website, www.1stResponderNews.com or email it to Heather@1stResponderNews.com.

For years a young boy has been following a dream, A desire, not unheard of, by a child it seems.

He would find himself chasing the sirens and lights, Pedaling that bicycle with all of his might.

He’d sometimes catch up and watch them in awe, And witness the men, in their gear, broke down a door.

They had axes and hoses to get the job done, He knew it was dangerous, but it sure looked like fun.

The fire is out and the smoke cleared away, He thinks “that’s going to be me one of these days”.

He’s seen all the movies and watched all the shows, His idols portrayed as true to life heroes.

After waiting forever, the time is now here, His patience is gone, wants to get it in gear.

He goes to a firehouse and knocks on the door, Unaware of what’s inside and not sure what’s in store.

He’s not sure what to say, arranging words in his mind, The door opens, a familiar face smiles; he’s going to be fine.

For the next few hours he gets informed of the basics, And gets told it takes special type of people to actually make it.

There are meetings and training’s and calls at all hours, And the frequency of calls is not within our powers.

You’ll put your trust in your brothers, your newly found kin, Because when others are running out, we all run in.

You’ll be part of a team, you won’t be alone, We protect life and property, and then we all go home.

We fight manmade disasters and weather in it’s extreme, They’ll be things you’ll encounter that you’ve never seen.

There will be days of gratification, and few with a frown, For unexpected occurrences when a brother goes down.

He’s accepted the challenge and is up to the deed, To be there for the call, when his neighbors are in need.

He has taken an oath that he swears to uphold, To be proud, and prepared, for when things unfold.

He’s on his first call and helps take down a door, At the curb stands a boy with his bike, watching in awe!

MICHAEL TURANO

WILLIAM KING

Tower 26 operates on Side A of a kitchen fire.

Smoke detector alerts neighbor to a house fire in Halfway On the evening of Monday March 5th, Fire & EMS crews in Washington County were dispatched out on Box 26-5 for a reported house fire at 931 Harwood Road in Halfway. A neighbor next door advised he heard a smoke alarm sounding and then began smelling smoke.

He immediately JUMP TO FILE # called 911. Fire and 030513104 EMS crews from H a l f w a y , Hagerstown, Funkstown and Community Rescue were dispatched at 6:06 p.m.

Fire & EMS crews responded in minutes. Units approaching the scene could see heavy smoke coming from the rear of the structure. Crews arrived to find fire showing on the C side of the structure. Chief Dattilio of Halfway assumed command and found they had a working kitchen fire that had spread to the outside of the building.

Crews from Halfway and Hagerstown were able to conduct an aggressive attack knocking the fire down within ten minutes of

arrival. The State Fire Marshal’s Office FM26, Ed Ernst, responded to investigate the cause.

Crews remained on the scene for approximately an hour and a half conducting overhaul operations and assisting FM26 when needed.

The State Fire Marshal’s office reports that the blaze was caused by a toaster in the kitchen area. The fire started and quickly spread up the siding on the outside of the back of the house causing $20,000 in damages to the structure and approximately $5,000 in damages to the contents.

No one was home at the time the fire started and no injuries were reported.

Departments responding on Box 26-5 consisted of the Volunteer Fire Company of Halfway Co. 26, Hagerstown South End Fire Engine 5 and Utility 3, Funkstown Fire Co. 10, Williamsport Fire Co. 2, Washington County Special Operations 20, Community Rescue Paramedic 75-4, Washington County Air Unit 25 and Emergency Rehab Unit 255.

- WILLIAM KING

1st Responder Newspaper - MA

Responding ter neighborhoods to the bowels of the city and at times to public areas such as malls and city streets, which have their share of traffic accidents.

Many patients are repeat customers if you know what I mean!

On The Book Shelf by John Malecky Home life is touched upon as he communicates with his Responding By Lt. wife and writes briefly about Michael Morse his two daughters. He thinks of Available from: them at times when he handles Amazon.com and some local patients around their ages. book stores Most of the incidents are Price $22.46 medical in nature, but there are This is a soft cover book others involving fires and other measuring six inches by nine fire department operations. inches and has 362 pages. It He writes about being an has 26 chapters and an epi- engineer (pump operator), who logue. drives an engine so there is The epilogue starts on page some coverage of his earlier 277 and goes to the end of the years at the Providence Fire book. The epilogue is filled Department. with memorable incidents that You can empathize with are individually described the calls as he is an excellent short titles. write and an honest one as The author is a lieutenant well! Be human, he is fallible in one of Providence, Rhode and admits to making mistakes Island’s six fire department res- at times, not that we are talking cue units. These rescue units about incompetence resulting are what many fire depart- in loss of life, but in the way of ments’s would call ambulances tactics. and they are staffed with two Of course, firehouse life is firefighter/EMT’s, who possess touched upon as the rescues an upgraded classification that share quarters with an engine permits them to do certain and sometimes in addition a advanced life support. truck company.

The author wrote, The horseplay and humor “Rescuing Providence”, which always bring back fond memoI reviewed in 2008 in this col- ries of my career! umn. Back then, Providence The book is printed with had five rescue units. spacing in between lines that The book is an interesting make reading it a breeze. Few one to read, especially if one of the chapters revert back to has thoughts of wanting to earlier so you can skip around work on an ambulance or even if you want. I am told that the to become a firefighter, since first book has sold well and I most fire departments I would believe you will be equally say do medical calls today. He pleased with the journey works a lot of overtime, some through “Responding.” of which takes him to other staFor those wishing to contions. tact the publisher, here is the Each chapter is another website www.emergencybookjourney into the quest to help store.com. others stemming from the bet-

March/April, 2013

PAGE 31

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