Kentland Truck 33 was dispatched as the search company on Box 48-01 for a house fire.
See story on page 4
Fire at Baltimore County Restaurant
Fire companies fwere alerted for a building fire at the Full Moon Pub and Grill located in Reisterstown.
See story on page 6
Extensive Damage at Nitro Home Fire
Anoontime blaze did extensive damage to a home in Nitro.
See story on page 13
1 Rescued at Frederick County Fire
The Frederick County Emergency Communications Center received calls for reports of a house fire.
See story on page 20
DCFD Takes Part in Faith in Blue Event
DCFD was proud to partner with ANC6E and the Washington Metropolitan Police Department for a Faith in Blue event.
See story on page 24
Maryland State Fire Marshal Celebrates
130th Anniversary as the Nation’s Oldest State Fire Marshal’s Office
See story on page 27
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Busy Job on Greenfield Court
Kentland Truck 33 was dispatched as the search company on Box 48-01 fora house fire in the 6500 block of Greenfield Court. Engine Company 48 arrived to a split-level home with fire showing from Sides Aand D. Truck 33 arrived shortly afterand entered the residence where crews encountered fire in the attic above the first floorextending to the attic above the second floor. Truck 33 had just completed primary searches when command backed crews out due to watersupply issues. Once watersupply was re-established, crews re-entered the structure, with Truck 33 operating with Engine Company 30 on the first floor. The crew assisted in opening up and knocking down hot spots on the first and second floors. Truck 33 operated on scene forapproximately two hours before returning to the “World’s Greatest Firehouse.”
- Photo courtesy of Kentland VFD
Area 2 Single-Wide Fire
On September2, 2024, at 0152, Kanawha Counties Station 2 (Pinch), and Station 3 (Malden) were alerted fora trailerfire in Area 2 on Rutledge Road. Malden Engine 32, Utility 3 arrived to a single-wide trailerwith heavy fire showing from the B and D sides, and exposures on both sides. Crews made an aggressive attack and contained the fire to the rearof the trailer. Crews were on scene for about two hours. Units that responded were Pinch Engine 21, Utility 28, Malden Engine 32, Utility 3, WVANGEngine 274, KCEAA151.
- Fire News photo by AC Bradley ‘Sparky’Scott, Malden VFD
Fire at Baltimore County Restaurant
Around 90930 on October6, 2024, fire companies from Baltimore and Carroll counties were alerted fora reported building fire at the Full Moon Pub and Grill, located on WestminsterPike in Reisterstown (Fire Box 41-8). Reisterstown VolunteerFire Company Engine 413 arrived and reported a fire on the roof of the two-story commercial building and initiated an attack. As units
arrived, additional hoselines were laid, firefighters laddered the building, and a working fire dispatch and tankerstrike team were requested. Pikesville VolunteerFire Company Tower323 was directed to set up towerops on side Alpha, and firefighters used the tower's platform to access the roof, knock down the fire and ventilate the structure. - Fire News photos by Mike Schwartzberg
Nitro House Burns
In the early morning of June 29, 2024, multiple fire crews fought a fire in a two-story house in Nitro. Upon arrival, units found flames exiting the roof and windows. Fire officials on the scene say the blaze was discovered by the homeownerpreparing to go to work.
No injuries were reported, but the residence received extensive damage. Fire companies from Hurricane, Nitro, Teays Valley, Milton and Culloden responded.
- Photos courtesy of Nitro FD
Baltimore City Blaze
Baltimore City firefighters battled a raging blaze in a vacant row frame on North StrickerStreet in the early morning hours of September6, 2024. - Fire News photos by FirstOnScenePhotos
Being Prepared forEVFires
By Matthew Pruitt EVGoat01@gmail.com
Firefighters are no strangers to new technologies. In fact, most of us pride ourselves on being able to improve our tactics and strategies using the most up-to-date, state-ofthe-art equipment. It’s really no different in any other industry. Since the late 90s, car manufacturers around the world have been working tirelessly to bring consumers an engine that is safe, energy efficient, and great for our environment. The internal combustion engine evolution from the Model T, to the Prius and now to fully electric vehicles has created a need in the fire service to be prepared for some of the most dangerous, albeit somewhat low frequency, fires we’ve ever encountered. The infrequency and increased risk of electric vehicle fires makes it impossible to ignore and necessary to train for.
Extinguishing the typical, traditional car fire is pretty straightforward. We pull a bumper line, and go to work. Electric vehicle fires are vastly different, as you will read in this article. Extrication of a patient trapped inside an electric vehicle is delicate, for sure. You have to be extremely careful when cutting on an electric vehicle. The orange cables may be charged if the car’s safety mechanism has failed. Also the top of the battery tray, which is basically the entire floorpan of the car, could be charged. And, in my experience, thermal runaway can begin as soon as an external source - the accident or your extrication equipment - damages the battery, so you have to consider how long it has been since the accident happened. In addition, when fighting EV fires, it seems that the more water we put on them, the longer they burn. That’s true actually because the water only cools the battery cells, and will simply slow down the fire, causing it to last for hours and hours because, when burning, lithium-ion batteries create their own oxygen. Just like a fish is able to “breathe” underwater, so is a lithium-ion battery. You can’t drown either one of them.
lably hot and propagates to the next cell, eventually spreading to all the cells in the module. Even at the point of ignition, there may be no way to know where, exactly, the problem starts.
Also, unlike traditional car fires, when an EVis in thermal runaway, the motor (s) lock down. As you may know, an electric car’s battery weighs at least 1,000 pounds by itself. When added to the regular weight of a car, you’re looking at a paper weight that weighs up to 9,000 pounds. This excessive weight of a car with locked wheels presents a plethora of difficulties, to say the least.
So, what do we do? How do we fight an EVfire? What are the safest and most effective tactics?
After having the opportunity to train on live EVfires in controlled environments, and having responded to multiple EVrelated incidents, we have been able to test some strategies. Some have worked better than others. I’d like to share with you some of the most impactful takeaways from my experiences.
(this is only the latest measurement of an EV fire temp, it could be hotter).
First and foremost, you will need to always make sure to wear your gear when approach-
“The heat of a Li-Ion battery fire is a threat, but an equally dangerous threat is the toxic emissions from the fire”
The heat of a Li-Ion battery fire is a threat, but an equally dangerous threat is the toxic emissions from the fire. You need to be aware that Li-Ion batteries in thermal runaway can give off hydrogen fluoride gas. When we apply water to the gas, it becomes hydrofluoric acid. Hydrofluoric acid is a colorless, odorless liquid that is acutely dangerous. It can damage your eyes, your lungs and your skin. The danger is that hydrofluoric acid is slow burning. You may not have symptoms of exposure for several hours.
Another difference is that getting water to the origin of the fire is nearly impossible. The composition of an electric vehicle battery tray looks something like this: thousands of battery cells are put together in water-tight sets called modules, the modules are placed into a battery tray which is encapsulated in a watertight shell. There are vents in the tray to allow smoke and gases to escape, but the vents will not allow water or foam inside the tray. Think of a battery failure inside the tray like a winddriven fire. One damaged cell gets uncontrol-
ing a wrecked electric vehicle, even if you don’t see fire or smoke. I have witnessed an electric vehicle go from not burning, to fully involved, within minutes. On the other hand, I have also seen this progression take several hours. Time starts the instant that the battery is damaged, not when you learn about the incident. When you respond to an EVemergency, you have to be dispatched, get out of the station and make it to the scene. You may not know the exact timeline, so it’s always best practice to be safe and wear your gear. It is also important to consider how hot an EV fire actually is. An electric vehicle that is in thermal runaway can burn as hot as 2700°F
Now, you’re on scene, have your gear on, and you’re ready to put some water on the fire. What’s best? In my experience, I have found the use of an EVblanket to be vitally important. The EVblanket is designed to limit the oxygen available to the fire, but the burning batteries create their own oxygen so the blanket itself will not extinguish the fire. Before deploying the blanket, you must knock down the fire on the inside of the vehicle just like you would on a traditional car fire. This step immediately begins cooling the car so that it will be less likely to burn through the blanket. Once the car is extinguished, throw the blanket over the vehicle. Make sure to throw the blanket high so that it is not damaged by sharp edges or parts of the vehicle that may be protruding. EV blankets, depending on the brand (Continued on next page)
Being Prepared for EVFires...continued
and type, come in a variety of sizes. Depending on the brand of blanket that your department uses, your team may need to open up the blanket before use to mark the front, rear and center. Some brands of EVblankets have already marked the front and rear of the blanket for you, which would save you a step. Sometimes EV blankets are rectangular, rather than square, which can cause difficulty on scene if you have not previously marked them. Once the blanket is deployed and covering the car, tuck it under the vehicle to keep it from blowing up so that it will continue to limit the oxygen that the fire can use. It is very important to keep the blanket cool. The best way to do that is with the line you used to knock down the fire initially.
I also recommend, and have had great success with, an EVnozzle placed under the car with a second line. Again, you are not trying to put out the fire, you can’t. The fire has to burn itself out. The purpose of the EVnozzle is to cool the battery tray. Cooling the tray will not extinguish the fire, but it will make the scene safer and more manageable. You do not really want to cool the battery too much because it will only prolong the incident. I recommend using an EVnozzle with low gallonage because it cools the battery while still allowing it to burn safely.
from previous page
Using these tactics have been successful for us in the past. I am often asked about the time frame between extinguishing the fire and moving the car from the scene. Although there is no good way to determine with absolute certainty that it is completely safe to move the damaged vehicle, I do have a few tips and tricks that might help. The first, and most obvious, is that there is no visible sign of fire, including no evidence of smoke or off-gassing. Make sure, too, that you no longer hear the sounds of cells popping (sounds like popcorn in the microwave). In addition, it may be helpful to monitor the temperature reduction of the battery using a Thermal Imaging Camera. Although nothing is for certain, in my experience, my crew and I have been able to safely transport a damaged vehicle after a couple of hours. This may seem like a long, drawn-out event, but this method is much quicker than submerging the vehicle into a large, watertight container - a separate method of EVfirefighting that can take several days to weeks before the vehicle is safe and is not necessarily feasi-
ble in a crowded city or on the side of the interstate.
“The fire has to burn itself out. The purpose of the EVnozzle is to cool the battery tray. Cooling the tray will not extinguish the fire, but it will make the scene safer and more manageable.”
Still, if you move too quickly then the threat of reignition is very great due to the stranded energy in the batteries. Stranded energy is when the batteries have not expelled all of their energy. Since the cells are already damaged, stranded energy in them creates a greater threat of reignition. This threat is why it is important that you escort the tow. If the car reignites while being towed, disconnect it from the tow truck so you don’t have two car fires. Knock down the fire and then continue the tow, Make sure to tell the tow yard management that the car you’re leaving with them is an electric vehicle.
Ultimately, the decisions you make on a fire scene belong to you and your department. These suggestions have worked for my department. We have had great successes when dealing with EVincidents using these strategies and tactics. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to reach out to me at EVGoat01@gmail.com.
Condo Fire in Kanawha Co.
In July 2024, Kanawha County crews were dispatched to Area 26 on Boreman Drive fora structure fire in a two-story condo. Crews made an aggressive interiorattack and contained the fire to the kitchen. Amale, home at the time, was transported to CAMC General Division with smoke inhalation.
- Fire News photo by AC Bradley ‘Sparky’Scott, Malden VFD
Auto, Storage Area Fire, But No Extension
Kentland Company 33 was alerted to respond on Box 38-03 fora reported house fire. Engine 332 and Truck 33 responded as first due. Company 33 arrived to find a two-story, split foyerwith fire in the rearinvolving an auto and storage/patio area that was extending to the house. Crews quickly knocked down the fire and found no extension inside the house. The eight volunteers operated foralmost two hours. - Photo courtesy of Kentland VFD
Harford County Explosion Investigation Continues
The Office of the State Fire Marshal and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) continued theirinvestigation into a house explosion in Bel Airthat claimed the lives of a 35-year-old BGE contractorand the homeowner. At around 0640 Abingdon Fire Company initially responded to ArthurWoods Drive fora reported outside gas leak. As firefighters responded, Harford County 911 began receiving multiple calls that the house had exploded. Firefighters arrived and confirmed that the house had exploded, damaging several others, and causing injury to a next-doorneighbor. They also received reports that a fatality had occurred. As investigators arrived, it was reported the involved home was forsale and that one person may have still been inside at the time of the explosion. Firefighters and emergency personnel from the Harford County Special Operations worked throughout the day, searching. With the assistance of heavy machinery, investigators located a victim within the debris. While the Office of the Chief Medical Examinerwill officially identify the victim, investigators believe the victim is the 73-year-old owner. As a standard operating procedure, the Harford County Sheriff’s Office and OSFM conduct a joint investigation whenevera fatal fire occurs. Investigators will continue to work with BGE to determine the origin and cause. However, there is no evidence of criminal activity, and they will continue to focus on all accidental causes.
- Photo courtesy Maryland State Fire Marshal & Hartford County Fire & EMS PIO
Frostburg Porch Fire
- Submitted by Roger Bennett
August 4, 2024, at 0442, Allegany County 911 Joint Communications Centerdispatched units to a porch fire with extension on Ormand Street in Frostburg. First units quickly knocked down the fire. Responding units included Frostburg Truck 16, Engine 16-1, ShaftRescue-Engine 17, Eastern Garrett - Engine 81, Mt Savage RescueEngine 15, LaVale Truck 2, Good Will RescueEngine 20, and Allegany County EMS. Assistant Chief 16 had command.
Extensive Damage at Nitro Home Fire
Anoontime blaze did extensive damage to a home in Nitro on August 5, 2024. On arrival, firefighters found smoke coming from all foursides of the house and, upon entry, located the hotspots and had the fire quickly undercontrol. Afterprimary and secondary searches, it was determined that the house was unoccupied at the
time. The home did sustain extensive interiordamage. Fire units from Nitro, St. Albans, Institute and Teays Valley were on the scene fighting the fire. No injuries were reported and the cause was undetermined.
- Photos courtesy of Nitro FD
Check YourHeating System Now
Station 80, Nitro Fire Department, along with mutual aid departments from St. Albans, Institute and Teays Valley, responded to a reported structure fire on West 11th St. The smoke in the house was caused by a faulty furnace. The problem occured when the owner
started the heaterforthe first time this year. Nitro Fire Chief Casey Mathes advises all home owners to take advantage of the current weatherto check out theirheating systems to avoid start-up problems. - Photos courtesy of Nitro FD
West Milford Residential Blaze
At 0203 on August 13, 2024, Company 15 (West Milford VFD), Engines 31 (Lost Creek VFD), 51 (Mt. Clare VFD) and 71, along with Anmoore EMS, were alerted fora structure fire on Vesta Drive in West Milford. Engine 71, staffed with three, responded in minutes. Engines 151 and 153 arrived to find a detached garage fully involved with heavy extension into a two-story residence. All occupants were confirmed to be out. Crews placed the deck gun in service to knock down the bulk of the fire and prevent any further
extension into the residence and protect a nearby exposure. They laid approx. 600 feet of four-inch LDH in from a hydrant on Main Street. Engine 71 provided manpowerforan interiorattack along with crews from 15, 3, and 5 finding fire on both floors and throughout the attic space. Afterextensive overhaul and clean up, crews returned home at 0504 hours. Ambulance 17 provided EMS stand by with no injuries reported.
- Photos courtesy of Nutter Fort FD
Truck Fire on I-68
In July 2024, Shaft Rescue Engine 17 responded with Frostburg Engine 16-1, Eastern Garrett Tanker 86, Midland Tanker18, LaVale Engine Tanker 2, and Cresaptown Engine-Tanker9 fora carcarrierfire on Interstate 68 eastbound at milemarker37. Deputy Chief 17 had command.
- Submitted by Roger Bennett
Long Lay at Tourant Drive Fire
On August 29, 2024, at 1804, Kanawha County’s Station 3 (Malden), Station 4 (Rand) and Station 5 (Belle) were alerted fora reported structure fire in Area 3 at Tourant Lane off of Clover Drive. Chief 3 and Utility 3 arrived to a barn, camperand several vehicles well involved with majorexposure issues to the residence. Engine 32 dropped 700 feet of four-inch inch supply line up the driveway and hand-laid 600 feet of 1-3/4 inch line up the hill to protect the exposure. Station 14 (Chesapeake) was added to the call for a tankerand Station 15 (Marmet) transferred an engine into Station 3. Crews worked forabout fourhours to control the blaze. Units that responded were Malden Engine 32, Utility 3, Rand Engines 42 and 43, Utility 4, Belle Engine 52, Utility 57, Chesapeake Tanker145, Marmet Engine 151, KCEAA591 and KCOEM 990.
- Fire News photo by AC Bradley ‘Sparky’Scott, Malden VFD
Garage & House Destroyed on Allens Fork Road
On August 27, 2024, at 1335, Kanawha County Station 26 (Sissonville) was alerted fora brush fire in the 1300 block of Allens Fork Road. While en route, Metro Communication Centeradvised that they were receiving calls of a brush fire endangering structures in the 6800 block of Allens Fork Road. Sissonville Engine 263 requested mutual aid. Engine 263 arrived to a garage well off, and a house with fire through the roof. Due to low manpower, several otherPutnam County and Jackson County departments were added to the call. Crews worked forabout three hours to control the blaze in all three outbuildings; a garage and house were destroyed in the blaze.
- Fire News photo by AC Bradley ‘Sparky’Scott, Malden VFD
WaterRescue by Lt. Mark Frye of the Anne Arundel County FD
“On the morning of Sunday, Jun 30, 2024 at approximately 0922 hours, units were dispatched to the area of 893 Patuxent Road for a report of a subject trapped in swift water. Upon arrival and exiting my vehicle, the sounds of someone taking in water, as well as the yells forhelp, were unmistakably audible from the riverto the roadway where I had parked. I quickly made my way to the river bank, where I observed an adult female barely clinging onto a rope swing up to herneck in rapidly moving waterand approximately 20 feet from the river’s edge where would-be rescuers were staged. Several fire and police personnel were making attempts to reach the victim using rope throw bags but were unsuccessful in their attempts. The female victim continued to cling to the rope, calling forhelp and eventually losing herhold on the rope and briefly slipped beneath the wateras she started to be washed down stream. Seeing this caused a male to jump into the river.”
Without hesitation Lt. Mark Frye of the AACoFD jumped into the waterswam across the rushing waterand grabbed the female victim. Lt. Frye than grabbed onto one of the throw bag ropes. As Lt. Frye was being hauled back to shore, he also managed to grab a male and hold onto both victims until he reached the shore line. Lt. Mark Frye showed unusual bravery jumping into swift water without the use of a tetherordownstream rescuers in orderto rescue a citizen who otherwise would have been swept downstream to an unknown fate. Lt. Mark Frye displayed bravery, courage and selflessness exemplifying the very best of ourDepartment in the face of dangerand risking his own safety to save a life.
- Submitted by Jennifer Macallair
Shed Fire in Pikesville
Just before 1630 on October7, 2024, Baltimore County westside fire units were alerted fora reported shed on fire behind a house in the 7000 block of Concord Road (Fire Box 2-20). ABaltimore County Police helicopter, in the area forresponse to a nearby shooting, advised Fire Dispatch that fire and smoke were showing, which Baltimore County Fire Department Engine 2 and Baltimore City
Fire Department Truck 27, both clearing the shooting scene, confirmed upon arrival. Units were able to quickly extinguish a fullyinvolved shed fire which had spread to an adjacent camperand truck, and prevented the fire from spreading to the house.
- Fire News photos by Mike Schwartzberg
Tractor-TrailerRolloveron WVTpk.
On August 7, 2024, Kanawha County’s Station 40 CFD and Station 3 Malden were alerted fora tractortrailerrolloveron the West Virginia Turnpike milemarker96. The driverself-extricated and
was not injured; the tractortrailerwas carrying rolled paper. Units stood by until Hutch’s Wreckerarrived.
- Fire News photo by AC Bradley ‘Sparky’Scott, Malden VFD
1 Rescued in Frederick County Fire
In July 2024 at 1844, the Frederick County Emergency Communications Centerreceived calls forreports of a house fire in the 5700 block of Bartonsville Road in Frederick. Frederick County Division of Fire and Rescue Services units arrived on the scene and confirmed fire and smoke showing from a two-story single-family home with one occupant trapped. Rescue crews immediately went to work making entry into the home and located one adult male, unconscious. The occupant of the home was removed quickly, and advanced medical care was initiated by Advance Life Support clinicians. Additional firefighters made entry into the home and located
the fire on the second floorand in the attic. With an aggressive interiorattack, they were able to put the bulk of the fire out in under20 minutes. During the primary search of the residence crews were able to locate and remove two dogs from the residence. The single occupant of the house was taken by Maryland State Police helicopterto Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Centerin Baltimore with life-threatening injuries. One dog was taken to an emergency veterinary hospital fortreatment, and one was placed with family members.
- Submitted by Sarah Campbell
Rich Fork Rd. Fire
On August 31, 2024, 2024, at 1249, Kanawha County’s Station 26 (Sissonville) and Station Malden were alerted fora garage fire on Rich Fork Road in Area 26. Sissonville Engine 264 advised that a large garage was well involved with exposure issues, and requested Charleston Fire Department be added to the call. An aggressive attack contained the fire to the end of the building. Crews worked forabout two hours before clearing the scene. Units that responded were Sissonville Engines 263 and 264, Utility 268, Malden Engine 32, Utility 3, Charleston Engine 457 and 458, Unit 420, KCEAA182,511.
- Fire News photo by AC Bradley ‘Sparky’Scott, Malden VFD
CarOn Fire Off Route 60
On October12, 2024, at 0214, Kanawha County Station 3 (Malden) was alerted foran unknown fire behind the fire station. Portable 32 arrived at the scene and advised a carhad come off Route 60 at Kanawha Boulevard and landed behind the station overthe hill on fire with a female screaming forhelp. Crews quickly knocked down the blaze and a female was located in the creek. Hutch’s Wreckerremoved the vehicle. Units that responded were Malden Rescue Engine 33, Engine 31, Utility 3, KCEAA157, 182, Unit 511, 592, and KCS.
- Fire News photo by AC Bradley ‘Sparky’Scott, Malden VFD
Gypsy Structure Fire
At 0651 on September29, 2024, Company 4 (Lumberport VFD), Engines 101 (Shinnston VFD), 111 (SpelterVFD), and 71 along with HCES were alerted fora structure fire on 2nd Street in Lumberport. Due to a CAD validation error, the incident was actually in Gypsy and a Company 10 box assignment was then dispatched, adding Engines 522 (Bridgeport FD), Marion 141 (Worthington VFD), and 101 (Monongah VFD). Engine 71 staffed with five arrived in less than three minutes. Engine 101 arrived to
find a single-story dwelling well involved. Crews began an interior attack with otherapparatus laying into a nearby hydrant. Engine 71 assisted with fire suppression and overhaul and returned home at 0901 hours. Marion 141 transferred to Company 10 and Marion 101 was returned en route. One ALS patient was transported to UHC by HCES 671 with no otherinjuries reported. The WVState Fire Marshal's Office was also on scene.
- Photos courtesy of Nutter Fort FD
Charleston MCI Exercise
Multiple units from the Charleston Fire Department took part in a Mass Casualty Incident exercise at Haddad Riverfront Park. By conducting these simulated incidents, leadership and personnel are able to review current practices and make required improvements.
- Photos courtesy of Charleston FD
Truck Fire on I-68
In July 2024, Shaft Rescue Engine 17 responded with Frostburg Engine 16-1, Eastern Garrett Tanker86, Midland Tanker18, LaVale Engine-Tanker2, Tanker2 and Cresaptown EngineTanker9 to a carcarrierfire on Interstate 68 eastbound at milemarker37. Deputy Chief 17 had command.
- Submitted by Roger Bennett
Camp Spark To Inspire Young Women Toward Careerwith DC Fire And EMS
DC Fire and EMS’s Women’s Advisory Council hosted 40 young women between the ages of 12 and 17 at the DC Fire and EMS Training Academy forCamp Spark where they experienced all aspects of the work conducted daily by DC’s Bravest. Camp Spark provides a safe, judgment-free environment, foryoung women to express themselves, develop resilience, and receive mentorship from otherfemale firefighter/EMTs, firefighter/paramedics, technicians, officers, and chiefs. The goal is to inspire careers as firefighter EMTs orfirefighterparamedics with DC Fire and EMS. Acomprehensive firefighting and EMTcurriculum included interactive training exercises using, ladders, hoselines, extinguishers, power
tools, as well as essential first aid and hands only CPR training, the fundamentals of being an EMTand Paramedic, physical fitness, and team-building exercises. Deputy MayorforPublic Safety and Justice Lindsey Appiah provided remarks at the closing ceremony. This is the 3rd annual Camp Spark to be held in the Department and is jointly sponsored by the DC Fire and EMS Department, DC Firefighters Local 36, AFGE Local 3721, DC Fire and EMS Foundation, the Office of Innovation at OCTO, and spearheaded by DCFD’s Women’s Advisory Council of the Department.
- Photos courtesy of DC Fire & EMS
Sissonville CarShow AHit
On July 27, 2024, the Sissonville Fire Department held theirthird annual carshow. Nearly 100 vehicles from all overthe region showed up forthis incredible show. - Submitted by Zach Bess
Safe Haven Baby Box forSt. Albans
Asafe and legal option forthe anonymous surrenderof newborns is now being provided in the City of St. Albans. The Safe Haven Baby Box was recently dedicated at the St. Albans Fire Department Central Station. The project aims to prevent infant abandonment and ensure the immediate care of infants whose mothers may not be able to provide the means to do so. Amotherorparent can deposit the baby in the Safe Haven Baby Box and the parent at is free to leave. Within 60 seconds, the box will triggeran alarm to fire department personnel who will go and retrieve the baby.
- Photo courtesy of St. Albans FD
DCFD Takes Part in Faith in Blue Event
DCFD was proud to partnerwith ANC6E and the Washington Metropolitan Police Department fora Faith in Blue event recently. Fire prevention/safety information were distributed and DC crews from Engine 6 were present to help all become DCFireSafe.
- Photo courtesy of DC Fire & EMS
EVBuses Go into Service forKanawha Co. Schools
With school opening on August 16, 2024, in Kanawha County, first responders who serve Nitro, St. Albans and Cross Lanes heard from a Kanawha County school official Jason Redman about the new EV (Electric Vehicles) buses that went into service. Members of the Nitro, St. Albans fire departments, Nitro and St. Albans police
departments, Kanawha County Ambulance Authority and Kanawha County Emergency Management heard about the layout and safety issues that go with the new equipment.
- Photos courtesy of Nitro FD
Maryland State Fire Marshal Celebrates 130th Anniversary as the Nation’s Oldest State Fire Marshal’s Office
The Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal is proud to announce its 130th anniversary this month, marking a significant milestone as the oldest State Fire Marshal’s Office in the United States. Established in 1894, the office is also recognized as the second oldest state public safety agency in Maryland, following only the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Police, originally known as the State Oyster Police, created in 1868..
To help commemorate its anniversary, the agency established a workgroup to gather information, stories, artifacts, and photos for a month-long exhibition at the Maryland State Police Museum in Pikesville.
Visitors are welcome to view the exhibition at: Maryland State Police Museum, 1201 Reisterstown Road, Pikeville, MD. Hours: Saturday, October 5 - 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.; Sunday, October 20 - 11 a.m.3 p.m.; Tuesday, October 29 - 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. (Maryland State Police Trunk-or-Treat Event). - Courtesy Maryland State Fire Marshal
NOVEMBER 9, 2024 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Proceeds benefit the Odenton Volunteer Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary
Impressive Rookie of the Year Double Header FAMAAwards 2024 Scholarship to Jessica Gallo
On September 6, 2024, Firefighter I Meera Patel received the Anne Arundel County Volunteer Firefighter Association’s Greg Croft Rookie of the Year Award for 2024. Meera also received the Rookie of the Year Award from the Maryland State Firemen’s Association on June 18, 2024.
Meera joined the Odenton Volunteer Fire Company (OVFC) in January 2023. She is in the Air Force on active duty and stationed nearby at Fort George G. Meade. She easily blended into the fire company due to her military background. Her enthusiasm and desire to serve were evident from her very first day. Even before she started training or could ride, she came to the fire station to get to know the members, help with station chores, and get familiar with operations. She took the Firefighter I class as soon as possible, completing that course in May 2023. However, Hazardous Materials Operations is also required to be a Probationary Firefighter.
The OVFC is very fortunate to have enthusiastic and capable young members like Meera Patel to maintain the vitality of the organization. She has clearly gone beyond normal expectations to contribute to the fire company and serve the community.
- Submitted by Patti Kidwell
The Fire Apparatus Manufacturers’ Association (FAMA) awarded its second 2024 $1500 scholarship to University of Maryland student Jessica Gallo. As only a rising junior, Jessica Gallo has acquired abundant research experience. The summer before graduating high school, Gallo served as a research intern studying fires in South African settlements. The results of her research were published by the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE).
It was during this time that Gallo discovered her interest in Fire Protection Engineering. “Jessica Gallo was selected to receive this scholarship in recognition of her steadfast commitment to her education and outstanding accomplishments in fire protection research,” said FAMAPresident, Gary Pacilio.
“FAMAis proud to support Jessica Gallo as she continues her academic progression and professional development and looks forward to her building a successful career in the fire service industry.”
- Submitted by Sonya Kelly
Reynoldsville CamperFire
On October6, 2024, at 2154, Engine 72 and Unit 74, staffed with six personnel, responded to a camperfire used as a fixed residence on Wilsonburg Road in Reynoldsville. Reynoldsville was assisted by Salem and Spelter. Crews assisted with fire extinguishment and operated on the scene forjust overan hour.
- Photo courtesy of Nutter Fort FD
Ride forthe Wall in Nitro
In late May, the city of Nitro hosted over300 motorcyclists forthe annual Ride forthe Wall ride from California to Washington, DC. It is a ride to honorthose who lost theirlives in the Vietnam War and the POWs that nevermade it back. To greet the riders, Nitro Ladder861 and St. Albans Ladder961 formed an archway with the American and POWflags waving in the breeze.
- Photo courtesy of Nitro FD
DCFD Hosts MajorHeavy RescueHeavy WreckerDrill
What does it take to rescue somebody trapped undera heavy vehicle? The District of Columbia Fire and EMS Department (DCFD) welcomed eight majorjurisdictions in the DC Region to participate in fourhands-on heavy vehicle stabilization and lifting scenarios. This critical training was an opportunity forfirefighters to exercise important skills used to save people in challenging technical rescues. DCFD is one of three fire departments nationwide to operate a heavy wreckerand will educate surrounding departments and demonstrate theirheavy wreckercapabilities as a resource available forthe National Capital Region. The department is excited to be a leaderin training with ourneighboring agencies and is looking forward to the opportunity to show the media what it takes to rescue civilians from majorroadway accidents and witness the incred-
ible capabilities of the heavy wrecker. Eight jurisdictions converged at the DC’s Training Academy fora day of lifting heavy vehicles in simulated roadway accidents. The scenarios included: Cement Mixeron top of a car; Coach bus rolled on to a car; Vehicle under a tractortrailer; and box truck rolled on to a car. Attending the seminarwere: Arlington County Fire Department; Fire Department, City of Alexandria, VA; Loudoun County Fire and Rescue; Prince William County Fire & Rescue System; Official Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department Page; Montgomery County Maryland - Fire & Rescue Service; Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department; and City of Fairfax Fire Department. - Photos courtesy of DC Fire & EMS
RapidSOS Aquires eDispatches
Move Aims to Provide the Critical Situational Awareness Needed in an Emergency.
RapidSOS, the intelligent safety company, announced the acquisition of eDispatches, an industry leader in providing communication services to emergency responders. This strategic move aims to provide the critical situational awareness needed in an emergency by leveraging RapidSOS’intelligent safety platform and eDispatches’ communications technology to field responders in an emergency.
Through this acquisition, RapidSOS further advances its emergency response ecosystem to provide public safety agencies throughout the US with contextual data that extends to field responders responding to an emergency. The acquisition of eDispatches joins RapidSOS’2022 purchase of IamResponding, expanding the reach of life-saving emergency data to field responders available through RapidSOS. It puts mission-critical information in the hands of the responders who need it the most to make more informed decisions when seconds matter.
The collaboration between RapidSOS and eDispatches marks a significant milestone in the evolution of first-response technology. eDispatches has been dedicated to providing value-driven, secondary notification services to the emergency responder community. By joining forces, RapidSOS and eDispatches are poised to deliver nextgeneration communication solutions that can improve emergency response times and outcomes on a broader scale, benefiting more communities and individuals in need.
For the past decade, thousands of public safety agencies have shaped RapidSOS’technology roadmap. Over a quarter billion dollars in research and development later, those initial insights from public safety now support over 21,000 911 and first responder agencies in six countries with 3.3 billion data payloads.
eDispatches addresses limitations in traditional two-tone paging systems often used by emergency responders, which can be hindered by range or topography.
“One of the critical benefits of this acquisition is the expansion of intelligent safety data to field responders. By providing additional context in an emergency, first responders will have the information they need to facilitate more efficient and effective responses,” said Michael Martin, CEO and co-founder of RapidSOS. “This expanded reach to additional field response agencies ensures that first responders are equipped with the context and information necessary to handle emergencies with greater precision and speed.”
“eDispatches is committed to enhancing emergency response capabilities by providing reliable and efficient secondary notification services. We are thrilled to join forces with RapidSOS and bring our value-driven, customer-focused solutions to a broader audience,” said Tom Stearn, President of eDispatches.
