Kanawha County Station 2 Pinch and Station 3 Malden were alerted for a house fire.
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Crews respond to an MVAin the area of Campbells Creek Drive and Springfork Drive.
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Multiple units responded to a two-story structure fire.
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Slater Farm Road House Fire
Station 26 Sissonville and Station 23 Tyler Mountain were alerted for a house fire.
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Station 3 crews were alerted for an MVAwith two vehicles involved.
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Training was held at the Fire Academy near Weston, West Virginia.
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The year 2022 brought reality to many firefighters with the Line of Duty Deaths of many of our colleagues. Cancer took many of our heroes from their families and co-workers in 2022. To all responders, there are measures that we can take to keep ourselves and our families safe from cancer. You have heard me talk about the things we can do to protect ourselves from this insidious disease. In 2023, please take the advice from the people who are working hard to convince all responders that wearing clean protective gear and SCBAis a good start to keeping yourself safe. The IAFF states that firefighter occupational cancer is the leading cause of line-of-duty deaths in the fire service. At the 2022 IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial, almost 75 percent of the names added to the wall (348 out of 469) were members who had died from occupational cancer. Visit IAFF.org to learn about cancer among firefighters. January is Firefighter Cancer Awareness month. Take some time in 2023 to learn what you can do to be “safer” from this disease. Thank you to the IAFF for making firefighters aware of cancer and what you can do to stay safe and lessen your chances of getting cancer.
For over 30 years, I was an Industrial Arts/Technology teacher. I taught middle school
kids to use tools and machinery which, today, is considered dangerous. Sadly, many of the projects we did are no longer performed in schools. Industry and the fire service is now feeling the effects of not training kids to safely use machinery. The fire service is also noticing that many probationary firefighters are uncomfortable with using cutting tools. Thank you to our chiefs, officers and training committees for teaching our members how to use machinery and tools safely.
I also would like to thank our chiefs, company officers and senior members for setting up an intense program that teaches all members, new and old, to work safely as they battle the flames that greet them at a working fire. It is evident that all departments are doing a great job teaching our firefighters to operate safely. Many of my neighboring departments battled fatal fires in 2022. It was a tough year for many of you. Thank you to the chiefs that set up counseling sessions with the firefighters who experienced death on the fire ground. Thank you to the responders that took the opportunity to be part of these classes. Your professionalism came through by your presence at these sessions.
In 2023, give thought to what you can do to be a better firefighter. Your community needs
you, 24/7! Stay active, train and share your knowledge and experiences with your new members.
As a firefighter dealing with cancer, I appreciated the comradeship that I received in 2022. I am hoping that in 2023 I will be able to get back to what I love to do; that is to assist in training firefighters. In the meantime, have a safe and wonderful News Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Stay strong in 2023! - Dennis
Malden VolunteerFire Department, along with Rand and Belle departments, battled a blaze on Gapview Drive in Area 3 Malden. The call was dispatched around 0430 and crews cleared the scene around 0700 there were no injuries reported.
- Photo and story by Bill White, Chief, Rand VFD; submitted by AC Bradley ‘Sparky’Scott, Malden VFD
Deputy State Fire Marshals are investigating the cause of a fire that critically injured a 38-year-old man and his dog on October 18, 2022. At around 2020, a passerby observed a large fire on the property of B&TServices on Pulaski Highway. Harford County Sheriff’s Office was the first to arrive and discovered the man with severe burns and heavy fire throughout a 30-foot campertrailer between two buildings. He told deputies he was inside when the fire broke out, and he, along with his dog, was able to escape.
Firefighters from Joppa-Magnolia VolunteerFire Company and surrounding departments were able to contain the blaze before it spread to the adjacent buildings. Paramedics treated the man and transported him to Johns Hopkins Bayview Burn Center, where he was in critical condition with just over60-percent burns to his body. The Harford County Sheriff’s Office Animal Control transported the dog to Bel AirAnimal Emergency Hospital.
- Photo courtesy Joppa-Magnolia VFC
On November5, 2022, at 0122, Kanawha County Station 2 Pinch and Station 3 Malden were alerted fora house fire on McCuben Drive in Area 2. Malden Engine 32 and Utility 3 arrived and laid a four-inch supply line from a hydrant on Coonskin Drive to the single-story house which well involved with fire through the roof and the siding melting off of an exposure on side B 2. Handlines were pulled and crews went to work. This house had a fire in March 2022 and there were no utilities hooked to the structure. The fire was considered to be suspicious in nature. Pinch requested City of Charleston and WVANG130th to assist. There were no injuries reported. Otherunits that responded were KCEAAMedics 154 and 157.
- Fire News photo by AC Bradley ‘Sparky’Scott, Malden VFD
On November4, 2022, at 1001, Kanawha County Station 3 Malden VolunteerFire Department was alerted foran MVAin the area of Campbells Creek Drive and Springfork Drive. Utility 3 and Rescue Engine 33 arrived to find a two-vehicle crash. It was determined that there would be eight patients requiring transport. Chief 3 W.L.
‘Squeak’Peterson requested two additional medic units. All patients were Priority 3 and were transported to CAMC General Division. Units that also responded were KCEAAMedics 118,155 and157, Supervisor592, KCSD 97 and Hutch's WreckerService.
- Fire News photos by AC Bradley ‘Sparky’Scott, Malden VFD
On November29, 2022, at 2302, Kanawha Counties Station 3, Malden, Station 4 Rand and Station 5 Belle were alerted fora house fire on Cline Hollow Road in Area 3. Chief 3 and Utility 3 arrived to a two-story wood frame structure with fire showing from the Aside. Rescue Engine 33 arrived shortly thereafterand pulled an attack line and quickly knocked down the fire. There were no injuries but the fire was considered suspicious, and the West Virginia State Fire Marshal was contacted to investigate. Units cleared the scene around 0015.
- Fire News photo by Bradley ‘Sparky’Scott,
On November18, 2022, at 1240, Kanawha County Station 3 Malden VFD was alerted fora vehicle fire in the parking lot of CarverCareerTechnical School. Utility 3, Chief 3 W. L. ‘Squeak’ Peterson arrived and advised of vehicle fire from the trunk area. Rescue Engine 33 arrived and pulled 100 feet of 1-3/4 line to extinguish the fire, which was contained to the trunk area.
- Fire News photo by AC Bradley ‘Sparky’Scott, Malden VFD
The Office of the State Fire Marshal, along with the Maryland State Police, are investigating the cause of a fire that claimed the life of a man in Carroll County. A62 -year-old male and his 56year-old wife were home when a fire broke out in the 2700 block of Littlestown Pike. Both escaped before Pleasant Valley Fire Department and surrounding departments arrived; however, the male went back inside the home, hoping to locate family pets. Firefighters laterlocated and rescued him. He was treated by EM S and transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced deceased. Deputy State Fire Marshals have determined the fire originated within the primary bathroom, and the cause remains underinvestigation. Smoke alarms were present; however, it has not been determined if they activated. Atotal of five dogs and an unknown numberof cats were rescued orperished due to the fire. “This tragic incident is a heartbreaking but real example of why going back inside doesn’t guarantee that you and yourfamily will make it back alive. Get out, stay out. Have working smoke alarms and an escape plan in place,” said State Fire Marshal Brian S. Geraci. - Photo courtesy Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal
On June 13, 2022,
Firefighters battled a structure fire on September17, 2022, on the 8000 block of Clay Road, in Roane County. Sources say a fire started in the basement of a 6000-square-foot log home where crews struggled to gain access too because the basement was setup as a doomsday bunker. Once firefighters lost control of the fire from a lack of access, lack of waterand windy conditions, crews went defensive. The house went fully involved in the matterof a couple minutes. Station 200 and Station 800 of Roane County both lost equipment in the fire. Responding stations were Newton and Cloverfire departments, and tankers were requested from stations 400, 500, 600 andf 300 in Roane County, surrounding counties included Clendenin and Big Otterfire departments fortanker support. - Submitted by Asst. Chief Adam Smith, Clover Roane VFD
Delmarva Poweris partnering with the Office of the State Fire Marshal and donating 2,000 smoke alarms to local communities. For23 years, Delmarva Powerhas donated these life-saving devices as part of its efforts to join local emergency services personnel to help keep its customers and communities safe. Since 2000, Delmarva Powerhas worked with local emergency service providers to donate more than 37,000 smoke alarms to communities across Delaware and Maryland. Delmarva Powermaintains a close partnership with local fire departments and otherfirst responders, who work alongside Delmarva Poweremployees during storms and otheremergencies. In addition to the annual smoke alarm donation, the company’s Emergency Services Partnership Program helps coordinate training, share best practices, and sponsorothercharitable giving and volunteeractivities with area emergency response teams throughout the year.
- Photo courtesy Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal
This is a 1953 Howe International Pumper500-gpm and 300-gallon watertank, that spend its life protecting the citizens of Clinton District in Monongalia County. It was purchased into private ownership by WVAssistant State Fire Marshal and Assistant Chief of the Malden VFD Bradley ‘ Sparky’Scott in April 2022.
- Fire News photo by AC Bradley ‘Sparky’Scott, Malden VFD
On November7, 2022 at 1224, Kanawha Counties Station 26 Sissonville and Station 23 TylerMountain were alerted fora house fire on SlaterFarm Road in Area 26. Engine 263 arrived at to a large two-story house with heavy smoke showing from the second floorand roof. TylerMountain Engine 236 arrived and laid 500 feet of five-inch from the hydrant along Martins Branch Road. Command requested Kanawha County Station 3 Malden be added to the call foran engine and manpower. Crews worked about 90 minutes to bring the fire undercontrol. The home was built in 1920
and had been remodeled completely leaving several void spaces in the attic. The fire was contained to the second floorand attic area. There were no injuries and three occupants escaped the home prior to the fire department arriving. Units that responded were Sissonville Engine 263, Engine 264 and Utility 269;TylerMountain Engine 236 and Utility 237; Malden Engine 32 Utility 3; KCEAA 113;and KCOEM 990.
- Photos courtesy of KCEAA113; submitted by AC Bradley 'Sparky' Scott, Malden VFD
On
On November25, 2922, at 1151, Kanawha County Station 3 was alerted foran MVAwith two vehicles involved, both in a creek. Chief 3 W.L. ‘Squeak’Peterson in Utility 3 arrived and advised that all occupants of both vehicles were out and ambulatory. Rescue Engine 33 arrived and assisted law enforcement with traffic till Hutch’s WreckerService could remove both vehicles. Bot h occupants of the vehicles were RMA.
On September2, 2022, the Pineville Fire Department was dispatched to a single-carMVAon Route 97 in Saulsville. Units 401 and 404 responded to the call. As dispatch continued to receive calls about the accident, the next transmission stated that it was an 18-wheelertractor-trailerthat had turned over. The next transmission stated that it was a gasoline tanker. As the units got closerto the scene, they were told by dispatch that the cab of the tankerwas on fire. Pineville Fire Department was on scene from 1600 hours on September2 until 0037 hours on September3. As it turned out the tankertruck had 6800 gallons of gasoline and 1200 gallons of diesel fuel, and was fully involved when Pineville arrived. The road was blocked fora little overeight hours while the tankerwas off-loaded to anothertruck and road was cleared by Glen’s Towing of Beckley. The Mullens Fire Department and WVDOTassisted.
- Submitted by Mike Goode
On November4, 2022, at 2139, the Shaft VolunteerFire Department was dispatched to a working house fire on Pinecrest Drive in Braddock Estates. Shaft Rescue-Engine 171 arrived, laid LDH to side ALPHAwhere they deployed two handlines to extinguish a basement fire. Chief 16 had command.
- Submitted by Roger Bennett
On November23, 2022, firefighters responded to a structure fire on Harmony Farm Place, in La Plata, Charles County. The fire was the result of burning brush, which went out of control and destroyed a single-family residence, as well as a vehicle. There were no injuries as a result of the fire, and the displaced occupant is being assisted by friends and family.
- Photo courtesy Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal
West Virginia University Extension Fire Service experts teamed up with CHEMTEC, first responders and others to provide emergency response training forammonia leaks at the Fire Academy nearWeston, West Virginia. Participants spent time in class learning about emergency response, as well as a hands-on live release drill. This is only the third time this training has been offered in the United States.
Toy donations forthe 2022 Spark of Love Toy Drive were starting to come in. Institute Fire and Rescue would like to say thank you to everyone who has supported the drive, the goal of which is to make sure that every child has a smile come Christmas morning. Institute would also like to thank the DunbarPolice Department, fortheircontribution to our2022 “Spark of Love Toy Drive.”
- Photos courtesy of Institute FR
After nearly eight-and-half years of dedicated service to the Office of the State Fire Marshal and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, State Fire Marshal Brian S. Geraci announced the retirement of Accelerant Detection Canine “Billie.” Billie and her handler, Senior Deputy Jeff Thomas, ar e assigned to the Lower Eastern Regional Office and have lived, eaten, breathed, and wo rked together ever since. Billie has worked over 400 fire scenes throughout the State of Maryland. Those fire scenes that Billie and Thomas, responded to and worked led to numerous felony arrests. Billie’s last investigations were an intentionally set car fire and a dwelling fire that was concluded to be arson, which led to an arrest. K-9 Billie also took part in many community outreach demos through the years. Billie, a black Labrador retriever, was born November 24, 2012, and joined the OSFM/ATF team in April 2014 after graduating from the ATF National Canine Division in Front Royal, Virginia.
The Office of the State Fire Marshal is so impressed with the c anine’s value to a fire scene that Thomas is returning to Virginia and will begin the s ix-week training ADC program tomorrow morning. He will learn his new partners name by the end of the week. Billie’s career has been an enormous asset to the law enforceme nt community and worked cases in 17 of Maryland’s counties, including Baltimore City.
Thanks to Maryland Senate Bill 156, Veterinary Care of Law Enforcement K-9s Act, Senior Deputy Thomas and his family will not have to worry about veterinarian care. Introduced by State Senator Bill Kramer of Montgomery County and signed into law by Governor Larry Hogan last year, it mandates that state and loca l police forces cover the “reasonable and necessary” vet costs up to $2,500 a year and $10,000 “over the life of the dog.” The bill also created a state K-9 Compassionate Care Fund, which can include donations to cover such expenses and allows local governments to create their own funds.
An Elkton fire claimed the life of a 55-year-old man and critically injured a female on November17, 2022, just before 0700, on Walnut Grove Road. The Cecil County Sheriff’s Office arrived and discovered the fire involved a campertrailerwith heavy fire throughout. Deputies confirmed a deceased male was located in a window. Firefighters with Singerly Fire Company arrived and discovered anothercritically injured 55-year-old woman outside the home. Firefighters from multiple departments were able to contain the blaze to the camper, but not before it extensively damaged an adjacent home. The woman was flown to Johns Hopkins Bayview Burn Center, where she was listed in critical condition.
- Photo courtesy Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal
- Photo courtesy Office of the Maryland State
The Office of the State Fire Marshal added a new employee to th e ranks and, while every newly minted Deputy State Fire Marshal is required to raise their right hand and be sworn in, K9 Deacon just wanted belly rubs and love.
Senior Deputy State Fire Marshal Jeff Thomas’s new partner, Deacon, is a 13-month-old female, purebred yellow Labrador retriever. She was raised by Paws for a Cause and later transitioned to Von Der King Kennels and Training before being acquired by the ATF for the accelerant detection canine program. They will join nearly 60 o ther teams across the country.
Senior Deputy Thomas and Deacon graduated from the ATF National Canine Training Center in Front Royal, Virginia, along with six other handlers from across the country. This certification program is an intensive 12-week school focused on accelerant detection canine meth odolo-
gy, fire chemistry, safety and first aid, health, and wellness, as well as several investigative disciplines. The practical skills and tea m exercises were conducted in and around vehicles, structures, humans, equipment, and fire scenes to hone Deacon’s scent discrimination skills.
Deacon is now proficient in detecting specific classifications of ignitable liquids and has performed over 5,000 repetitions for odor recognition and detection during training.
K9 Deacon will join the agency’s other accelerant and explosive detection canine teams assigned to the Special Operations Secti on and respond across Maryland. With six teams, the Office of the State Fire Marshal is honored and privileged to have the largest partnership of ATF-trained canine teams in the country.
- Photos courtesy Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal
It is with deep sadness that we mourn the untimely death of Chief Charles ‘Trey’Kelso who passed away on September 24, 2022, from a sudden medical event. He was 45.
In 2009, Trey started the Maryland chapter of the Firefighter Cancer Support Network (FCSN), and served as the Maryland State Director. Trey was elected to the FCSN Board of Directors in 2012, where he served as the
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, up until the time of his death. Trey also served as the Deputy Fire Chief of the Beltsville VFD, and was a past Fire Chief of the Laurel VFD, both of the Prince George’s County Fire-EMS Department in Maryland.
Trey was a designated Chief Fire Officer (CFO) through the Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE) and a well-respected Fire
Maryland
He had more than 25 years of experience in the fire and emergency services. Initial reports are that he was teaching a firefighting class when he experienced the medical emergency.Trey is survived by his wife, Elena Kelso, daughter, Claire Kelso, mother, Peggy Kelso, sister, Kirsten Kelso and aunt, Kathleen Kelso. - Photos provided
After hearing the recent retirement announcement of Chief Ron Siarnicki as executive director of the National Fallen Firefigh ters Foundation (NFFF), one fire chief said, “Chief Ron Siarnicki has demonstrated the highest degree of dedication and professionalism and leaves a phenomenal legacy with the work he and his team ha ve done for the NFFF.” Many individuals who consider Chief Siarnicki to be the strongest advocate for firefighter safety and health expressed similar sentiments.
As announced in November, Chief Siarnicki will serve as executive director until a new executive director is appointed in early 2023, following a national search conducted by the NFFF Board of Directors. He will remain a full-time employee of the NFFF until December 2023 and then serve as a consultant to the new executive director as needed.
Chief Siarnicki was hired as the NFFF executive director in July 2001 after retiring as chief of the Prince George’s County Fire Department (MD). Throughout the past 21 years, Chief Siarnicki has dedicated himself to honoring American firefighters who have fallen in the line of duty, supporting their families, and working to reduce preventable firefighter death and injury.
The criteria for inclusion at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial have expanded during Chief Siarnicki’s tenure as executive director. However, one thing has remained constant. Chief Siarnicki personally reviews the details of every firefighter’s death before confir-
mation of inclusion. This equates to more than 2,600 firefighter fatality reports Chief Siarnicki has reviewed since July 2001. While others in the fire service also review firefighter fatalities, Chi ef Siarnicki is in the unique position of also getting to know those firefighters posthumously through conversations with their family members.
Shortly after becoming executive director, Chief Siarnicki discussed with other fire service leaders the importance of addressing firefighter safety proactively rather than reactively. This forethought led to the expansion of the NFFF’s mission in 2004 to include working to reduce preventable firefighter fatalities and injuries. It also was the catalyst for the historic 2004 Firefighter Life Safety Summit, commonly called the “Tampa Summit.” This summit resulted in two of Chief Siarnicki’s many lasting legacies: the Everyone Goes Home Program and the 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives.
Chief Siarnicki has witnessed firsthand the impact of line-of-duty deaths on family members, firefighters, and entire communities. His actions over the past two decades demonstrate his commitment to the families of fallen firefighters — and to preventing the addition of more names to the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial. Find out more about Chief Siarnicki by watching his videos on NFFF’s Legacies in Leadership profiles, including how he became NFFF’s executive director two months before September 11 here: www.legaciesinleadership.com/author/rsiarnicki.
