Fire News West Virginia, November 2022

Happy Holidays from the

at Fire

issue...

Homeowner Stops Fire

Kanawha County Stations Malden, Rand and Belle were alerted for a house fire.

See story on

Tractor-Trailer Fire on I 77

Kanawha County Station 26 Sissonville was alerted for a tractor trailer fire on Interstate 77.

See story on

Quick Stop in Summit Park

Multiple units were alerted for a structure fire.

See story

Possible Arson in Institute Institute Fire Rescue members responded for an

on fire.

See story on page 10

Early Alarm Means Quick Stop

The Charleston Fire Department was alerted to a commercial structure fire.

See story on page

Pikesville MVA

Pikesville crews responded to an MVAwith entrapment.

See story on page

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From the Editor’s Desk

Dennis Whittam, Editor

Reflections on 9/11 and a Busy Fall Season

As I write this editorial, the date is September 1, 2022. This editorial is my October editorial. Sitting at my desk, my mind is reflecting ahead to September 11, 2022. Taking a few moments remembering the day our nation was attacked, it is our duty to never forget September 11, 2001. I remember driving to work on a clear crisp day. The major story on the radio was about a “small” airplane that crashed into the World Trade Center. When I arrived at work, I immediately turned on the news and realized the airplane was not a small plane and my city was probably under attack. Yes, we were under attack. I reflected and shared my recollection with my readers for the past 21 years.

Last year, I attended as many memorial services as possible. One year later I find myself thanking many of my photographers who joined me and spread throughout as many communities as possible, capturing photographs of the memorial services. Fire News utilized our photographs in our 9/11 20th Anniversary-Fire News Remembrance and Tribute edition. This magazine was a work of art that remembered all those lost on September 11, 2001, and continued paying tribute to those that passed away over the past 20 years due to illnesses spurred by toxic chemicals generated by the attack. When I pass

Memorial Sloan Kettering Medical Center, it is still common to find an FDNYFirefighter Transport Unit waiting outside of the hospital to bring one of our loved ones back home.

As we move into 2023, try to think about something special your department can do to bring peace in our world. Plan on reflecting with your neighboring departments to never forget September 11, 2001. Remember to never forget those that continue to be lost to 9/11 diseases.

Never Forget!

As the summer months are passing us by and we enter the fall, are you prepared to do your job under different conditions? Already I am finding that the windows on my car are fogging up on the inside, making response a little slower. Before you know it, the inside fog will move to the outside of your car windows, and you will be reminded that winter is not far away. Please take the time to clear off your frosted windows before you respond to a call. Think about the children who are waiting at school bus stops. Use caution while responding through school zones and bus stops. I have seen two students who were badly hurt when they tried to run across a busy street to catch a bus that they were late for.

Is your fire prevention program updated with new ideas to bring to the kids in your district?

HomeownerStops Fire

On September1, 2022, at 1454, Kanawha County Station 3 Malden, Rand and Belle were alerted fora house fire on Piedmont Road in area 3. Chief 32 B.R. ‘Sparky’Scott arrived at the scene and advised of light smoke showing; afterfurtherinvestigation it was determined that the homeownerhad used a garden hose to extinguish the fire.

- Fire News photo by AC Bradley ‘Sparky’Scott, Malden VFD

Yes, September and October are busy times in the fire service. Polish off your ideas and incorporate new activities into your Safety Programs. If you need help, meet with your Fire Prevention Committees to discuss what you can do to embellish your Fire Prevention Program.

Remember; if it wasn’t for the beep, you would still be asleep! Change your smoke and CO detector batteries or if you have 10-year detectors, check their dates to ensure that they are still good.

Stay safe!

- Dennis

Elkton Mobile Home Fire

On September20, 2022, the North East VolunteerFire Company, along with area mutual-aid responded fora reported structure fire on Circle Avenue in Elkton in Cecil County. Crews arrived to find a vacant mobile home with active fire showing. Crews on scene were able to get the incident undercontrol within 45 minutes; no injuries were reported. The cause was underinvestigation.

- Photo courtesy Office Maryland State Fire Marshal

Tractor-TrailerFire on I 77

On August 31, 2022, at 1310, Kanawha County Station 26 Sissonville VFD was alerted fora tractortrailerfire on Interstate 77 in the area of milepost 116 southbound nearthe Jackson County line. WVSFM Unit 13 arrived and advised Kanawha Metro that it was fully involved and was carrying 39,000 pounds of rubberstrips fordecks. Sissonville Engine 263 and Tanker262 went to work to extinguish the blaze. Southern Jackson County Engine Tanker71 and Sissonville Tankers 263 and 267 started shuttling waterto the scene and command requested Kanawha County Station 3 Malden

formanpower. Crews worked forseveral hours to extinguish the blaze. An excavatorwas called in to assist, as well. Units that responded were Sissonville Engine 263, Tankers 262 and 267, Malden VFD Squad 3 Institute VFD Engine 244, Utility 241, Southern Jackson County VFD Engine Tanker71, Cottageville VFD Engine 17, WVSFO unit 13, WVDEPunits 102, 103, 104, KCOEM units 990 and 994, and KCEAA170.

- Fire News photos by AC Bradley ‘Sparky’Scott, Malden VFD

Baltimore Vacant Dwelling Fire

At 2008, on July 4, 2022, tones alerted Baltimore companies to Box 46-40 fora dwelling fire at Garrison Avenue and Reisterstown Road. Initial companies on the box were Engines 30, 53, 4, 6 and 23, Trucks 18 and 16, and Battalion Chiefs 5 and 3. Squad 40 was on a medical run, became available, and took in the box. Battalion Chief 5 arrived to a two-story MOG, with smoke showing from side C.

Squad 40 and Truck 12 arrived and a line was taken off of Squad 40 to the rear. The fire building was a dilapidated, vacant dwelling with no roof. The bulk of the fire was on the exteriorwith some extension inside. All operations were defensive in nature.

- Fire News photos by Jason Coleman-Cobb

Nitro 2-Alarmer

2 Aberdeen FFs Injured in FloorCollapse

- Photo courtesy of Nitro FD

Nitro firefighters, along with units from otherlocal mutual aid fire departments, battled a two-alarm house fire on 40th Street in Nitro. Also providing assistance were units from Nitro Police Department and Putnam County Ambulance. The house received extensive fire damage. Aspecial thanks goes out to Nitro Speedway and McDonald’s forproviding waterand food to the first responders.

The Aberdeen Fire Department was first to arrive at a two-story commercial building fire on West Bel AirAvenue on September28, 2022. Shortly afteroperations commenced, a Mayday was transmitted fortwo members who had fallen through a floor. The members were quickly located and removed and were not seriously injured. Mutual aid companies assisted at the scene.

- Fire News photo by FirstOnScenePhotos

Quick Stop in Summit Park

At 0533 hours on September1, 2022, Company 13 (Summit Park), Engines 71, 121 (Stonewood), and 81 (Reynoldsville) along with HCES were alerted fora structure fire on Salvage Street in Summit Park. Engine 71 staffed with fourresponded in just underthree minutes. Engine 112 (Spelter) was added to the assignment. Engine 71 arrived to find heavy fire coming from the B side porch area of

a two-story dwelling with all occupants out. Crews placed a 1-3/4 inch cross lay in service forfire suppression while 71's driver and the crew from HCES 612 hand jacked approx. 200 feet of four-inch line to a nearby hydrant forwatersupply. Crews made quick work of the fire and upon making entry foran interiorattack found very little extension.

- Photos courtesy of Nutter Fort FD

Fire at Greenspring Valley Hunt Club

Shortly before 1000 on September24, 2022, Baltimore County westside firefighters were alerted fora fire with hazmat report ed in the maintenance building at the Greenspring Valley Hunt Club on Greenspring Valley Road in Owings Mills (Fire Box 19-6).

Baltimore County Engine 19 arrived to smoke showing from a single-story structure and Engine 2 laid a supply hoseline; firefighters located a golf cart and gasoline on fire in the building and pulled it outside to extinguish the fire. Engine 14 and Hazmat 114 were also on scene as firefighters had to mitigate a fuel spill.

- Fire News photos by Mike Schwartzberg

Pikesville House Fire

Shortly after1330 on August 24, 2022, Pikesville VolunteerFire Company (PVFC) firefighters were alerted fora reported house fire in the 700 block of Cliveden Road in the Sudbrook Park community. PVFC's Tower323 and Baltimore County Engine 2 arrived and found smoke showing from several sides of a three-story single-family house. The towercrew forced entry to the structure to allow the engine company access it with a hoseline, placed ladders and searched the house foroccupants. Firefighters found fire in the

Possible Arson in Institute

On, September14, 2022, at 0653, Institute Fire Rescue members responded to the 800 block of StoverRoad, in Institute foran excavatoron fire. The Kanawha County Sheriff's Department, has asked if anyone has any information regarding this incident, please contact theiragency at 304-357-0169.

- Photo courtesy of Institute FR

basement, and with smoke conditions worsening, Battalion Chief Sindlerrequested a working fire dispatch assignment, bringing additional units to the scene. Engine crews extinguished the fire, and firefighters from the towerand additional truck companies set up fans, ventilated the house and checked to ensure the fire had not spread. The fire was declared undercontrol at 1506, and PVFC firefighters remained on the scene until after1600. No injuries were reported.

- Fire News photos by Mike Schwartzberg

Rand Assists Malden

Rand VolunteerFire Department personnel laid the LDH fourinch line, forthe Malden VFD fora fire on Campbells Creek on September8, 2022. Afterlaying the line some Rand firemen were assigned to the fire, and two were assigned to operate Malden's truck.

- Photo courtesy of Rand VFD

Early Alarm Means Quick Stop

At approximately 0245 on July 5, 2022, the Charleston Fire Department was alerted to a commercial structure fire on Washington Street West. ACharleston police officernoticed the smoke and fire before the alarm system had activated. This early notification by CPD, allowed the responding fire units to arrive quickly and contain the fire to the kitchen area helping to reduce the amount of potential damage. The cause of the fire was under investigation by the CFD Fire Marshals.

- Photos courtesy of Charleston FD

Cover Story

Poca Area TrailerFire

Nitro Fire Department Station 80, along with additional mutual aid departments, responded to an early morning blaze that destroyed a mobile home in the Poca area. There were no occupants at the time of the fire, which was called in shortly after0700. It is not known how the fire started. - Photos courtesy of Nitro FD

Looking Back

Monongah - 2021

Rand - Late 80s

The Rand VolunteerFire Department and surrounding departments burn to learn. In the 1980s Rand got a release of liability from the property ownerwho wanted to get rid of an uninhabitable house. This photo was taken at a training day sponsored by the Rand VolunteerFire Department.

- Photo courtesy of Rand VFD

On December8, 2021, the Monongah VolunteerFire Department, along with area mutual-aid, were alerted fora reported structure fire in the Ford Street area. Captain Slagle to find a working fire in the roof area of a two-story industrial building. Crews worked forapproximately 90 minutes before placing the fire undercontrol.

- Photos courtesy of Monongah VFD

I-68 Truck Fire

Long Stretch on Campbells Creek Drive

On September7, 2022, at 2346, Kanawha County Station 3 Malden, Station 4 Rand, and Station 5 Belle were alerted fora house fire with possible entrapment on Campbells Creek Drive. Utility 3 an d Engine 32 reported a fire from the second floorof a garage apartment with fire visible from the B Side. A1-3/4 handline was

stretched to the front doorand an aggressive interiorattack con tained the fire to the kitchen area. Asearch was conducted and it was determined the occupants were not home at the time of the fire. Rand Engine 43 laid 500 feet of four-inch supply line into Engine 32.

Shaft Rescue-Engine 171 and Brush 17 were joined by units from Frostburg, Eastern Garrett, Midland, LaVale, Allegany County EMS and HazMat Team and MSPat a tractor-trailerfire on Interstate 68 eastbound at milemarker3. Deputy Chief 17 had command.

- Submitted by Roger Bennett

- Fire News photos by AC Bradley ‘Sparky’Scott, Malden VFD

Pikesville MVA

Pikesville crews responded to an MVAwith entrapment on August 29, 2022.

- Fire News photo by Mike Schwartzberg

Kanawha Overturn with Entrapment

On September8, 2022, at 0824, Kanawha County Station 3 Malden was alerted foran MVAwith rolloverand possible entrapment. Utility 3 Chief 3 W.L. ‘Squeak’Peterson arrived and advised that a single vehicle rolled multiple times and he confirmed the entrapment. Rescue Engine 33 went to work to extricate the driver. Extrication was completed in about 10 minutes and the driverwas packaged by KCEAAand transported to CAMC General Division.

- Fire News photo by AC Bradley ‘Sparky’Scott, Malden VFD

Clemson Avenue

MVA

Rand VolunteerFire Department responded to a two-car accident on August 14, 2022, at the intersection of Clemson Avenue and Raven Drive. One person was transported to the emergency room by Kanawha County Ambulance. Engine 41 with rescue gearand 42 responded with three crew to the accident. - Photo courtesy of Rand VFD

Baltimore City 2-Alarm Fire

In mid-afternoon on September10, 2022, the Baltimore City Fire Department westside units were alerted forBox Alarm 40-20, reporting a house fire on Egerton Road. Units arrived to heavy smoke and fire showing from a three-story single-family house.

Firefighters initially encountered problems establishing a wate r supply, and the Battalion Chief ordered exterioroperations before crews ventilated the roof and were able to secure waterforseveral hoselines.

- Fire News photos by Mike Schwartzberg

- Information courtesy of West Virginia Division Of Forestry

Chief’s Daughter Raises Money

Sydneigh White, daughterof newly-elected Pennsboro VolunteerFire Department Fire Chief TylerWhite, at hersecond annual lemonade stand at the DollarGeneral in Pennsboro. Last yearshe raised over$2600; this yearshe raised $2824. The funds raised have gone towards the purchase and installation of the emergency warning equipment, lettering and the new decked bed system forthe company’s new medical truck. We will be having a fireman’s parade forthe Pennsboro High School Almuni on October8, 2022. They also had a pancake and sausage breakfast that morning as well.

- Submitted by Tyler White

PATCHES

Institute Gets State Grant

Institute Fire Rescue would like to thank Senators Glenn Jeffries and Richard Lindsay, forassistance in obtaining a grant from the State of West Virginia. The grant will allow Institute to obtain additional waterrescue equipment for emergency responses in Kanawha County, surrounding counties and throughout the State of West Virginia in water-related emergencies.

- Photo courtesy of Institute FR

Ocean City Maryland VolunteerFire Company (MD)

Fort Meade Department of Fire & Emergency Services, Department of the US ARMY(MD)

Buckley Fire Department (WV)South Charleston Fire Department (WV)

REGISTRATION NOWOPEN FOR FDSOA2023 HEALTH AND SAFETYCONFERENCE

The Fire Department Safety Officers Association (FDSOA) is pleased to announce that registration is now open for the 2023 Health and Safety Conference. The Health and Safety Conference will be held in conjunction with the First Responder Center for Excellence (FRCE) Health and Wellness Symposium

January 17-20, 2023, at the Tradewinds Island Grand in St. Pete’s Beach, Florida. Pre-conference programs will be held January 15-16. Registration for the Apparatus Conference, held January 8-10, 2023, at the Gilbert Fire Academy in Gilbert, Arizona, will be available soon.

The FRCE has held successful cancer and behavioral health symposia over the last five years and aims to take a more holistic approach with this year’s event. Combining the two events provides for a more robust group of speakers and allows participants to attend both conferences for one great price.

There are other significant additions to the Health and Safety Conference in three co-sponsors. F.I.E.R.O., Firefighter Cancer Support Network (FCSN) and the Science Alliance, a new community of scientists and fire service professionals dedicated to improving the health and safety of first responders, have all signed on as sponsors of the event to participate in some way and expand the reach of the conference.

As firefighter health and safety has become a topic at the fore front of the fire service, including these organizations expands our pool of subject matter experts.

Pre-conference events include Health and Safety Officer (HSO) and Incident Safety Officer (ISO) two-day academies, Response to Battery Emergencies, Infectious Control, Accident Investigation , a F.I.E.R.O PPE Workshop and The 5 Reads.

Schedules are now available at https://www.eventsquid.com/event.cfm?id=17130, an assemblage of notable and highly-skilled instructors. General session speakers include Dr. Richard Gasaway, founder of Situational Awareness Matters!; Dr. Lori MooreMerrell, US Fire Administrator; and Chief Dennis Compton, Mesa, Arizona (Ret.).

Registration is available for these great classes and events. A10-percent discount applies to all registrations until October31, 2022. We look forward to seeing you at one of these great conferences!

FAMAAWARDS 2022 PHILLIPL. TURNER SCHOLARSHIPTO ANDREWTIVADAR

The Fire Apparatus Manufacturers’Association (FAMA) awarded its 2022 Phillip L. Turner Fire Protection Scholarship to University of New Haven student Andrew Tivadar.

Lou Milanovich, FAMAEducation Committee Chair, stated, “Not only is Andrew an active volunteer firefighter, he is also a very driven and passionate student at the University of New Haven. H e plans to graduate next May with a Bachelor of Science degree in Fire Protection Engineering with a minor in Civil Engineering. As Andrew successfully balances being a full-time student, while s erving as a volunteer firefighter and working two jobs, he is well deserving of the Phillip L. Turner Scholarship.”

Dedicated to protecting the citizens of his hometown, Tivadar i s an active member of the Long Hill Fire Department in Trumbull, CT. Tivadar joined the department in December 2017 and now holds th e following certifications: Fire I, Fire II, Aerial Operator, and Hazmat Awareness and Operations. He is a Driver/Engineer for the engine and the rescue truck at his station. Recently, Tivadar received the Chief’s Award for Outstanding Dedication to the department and currently serves on their Board of Directors. To pay for his education, Tivadar currently works as both a small engine mechanic a nd as a fire protection consultant while maintaining his position on the Dean’s List. As a fire protection consultant, Tivadar analyzes drawings and performs building surveys to evaluate the condition and code compliance of buildings, fire alarms and fire protection s ystems and designs. He witnesses the testing of fire alarms and f ire protection systems and assists in the preparation of construction documents and specifications for fire alarm and fire protection designs.

The Phillip L. Turner Scholarship is awarded annually by FAMAand has been sponsored by the Akron Brass Company since 2009. Akron Brass is a worldwide marketer and manufacturer of high-performance life safety, firefighting, and emergency rescue equipment. Hale Products joined Akron Brass in 2021 to support the highly desirable scholarship. Hale builds high-quality firefighting equipment and is known for its exceptional quality and advanced technology. Akron Brass and Hale Products are IDEX Fire & Safety brands and are FAMAmembers.

“As leaders in innovative fire suppression products for more than 100 years, we value the importance of education and its role in leading the next generation in shaping the future of the fire and r escue service,” said Brian Houk, Vice President, IDEX Fire & Safety.

“Akron Brass and Hale Products are honored to continue our partnership with FAMAand the Phillip LTurner scholarship. We are thrilled to recognize Andrew Tivadar as this year’s recipient. ”

On behalf of FAMA, we wish Andrew Tivadar a successful career in fire protection engineering. About FAMA: The Fire Apparatus Manufacturers’Association (FAMA) is a non-profit trade association organized in 1946. Members of FAMAare committed to enhancing the quality of the fire apparatus industry and emerge ncy service community through the manufacture and sale of safe, eff icient fire apparatus and equipment.

Hundred Covers Race

Hundred VolunteerFire Department was out at the Town and Country Days providing fire coverage forthe motocross race with Brush 63. Pictured left to right are Firefighters TaylorYocum, TrevorKuhn and Cheyanne Tedrow. Not pictured is Assistant Chief Richard Yocum.

- Photo courtesy of Hundred VFC

9/11 Memorial in Rand

The Rand VolunteerFire Department attended services at the First Nazarene Church in Rand, commemorating September11, 2001. The fire department was honored by the congregation forits years of volunteerservice to the community since November1952. In a typical West Virginia gesture, food was served afterthe service.

- Photo courtesy of Rand VFD

Shaft Fire Department Apparatus Station 17 - Allegany County

Quint 17

Quint 17 was purchased in August 2021 and placed in service December2021. It was purchased from the Rainbow Hose Company of Schuylkill Haven, PAas Tower63. It was originally owned by the Longview Fire Department of Longview, Texas. It is a 2001 Pierce Dash 95-foot mid-mount Aerial Towerpowered by a Detroit 550-hp diesel. It has a 15 kWHarrison Hydraulic

Generator, LED warning and scene lights, an EMS cabinet in the cab, a 1500-gpm Pump and 300-gallon tank. It contains 45 feet of ground ladders, a full complement of truck company equipment, a Holmatro Extrication System, 1000 feet of five-inch LDH, 200 feet of three-inch with an Akron Mercury Quick Portable Monitor.

Utility 17

Utility 17 was recently operated by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Utility 17 will be utilized for EMS assist incidents and to tow technical rescue trailers. - Submitted by Roger Brown

DelMarAntique Fire Apparatus Association Looking forNew Members

Anew antique fire apparatus club has been organized in Kent County by past-Chief Phil Pennington and a few other individuals from Kent County. The new club is called the DelMar Antique Fire Apparatu s Association (DelMarAFAA). They were just accepted as an officia l chapter of the Society for the Preservation and Appreciation of Antique Motor Fire Apparatus in America (SPAAMFAA). This organization has chapters across the U.S. and Canada with some members from overseas. The purpose of this organization is to preserve the history of the fire service.

DelMarAFAAwas organized last November, and they are looking for folks that might be interested in joining their organizatio n. You don't have to own an apparatus, just be interested in learning more about the history of the fire service and seeing the departments that own the antiques as well as private owners. If your department or any individual has an apparatus that is 25 years or older, please consider joining our

chapter. You don't have to own an apparatus to join, we just need interested folks to come join us.

The current officers are President - Bill Anderson; Vice PresidentPhil Pennington; Secretary Shirley Pennington; Treasurer Bill D onlin; Membership Secretary Sharon Donlin. There are several other trustees that make up the organization leadership. Membership is open to all Delaware Fire Departments, and departments on the Maryland East ern shore.

Dues are $25 for regular member; Juniors - $10; Family - $30; Emergency service organizations - $25; Businesses $50. Meetings are held every month at various fire stations throughout the state of Delaware and Eastern Shore of Maryland. If you or your department are interested in joining our chapter or in hosting one of our meetings, contact Phil Pennington at 302-222-7540/ppenningtonsr49@aol.com.

- Submitted by Bob Romig

New Explosives Detection Canine Team Graduates

The Office of the State Fire Marshal added a new member to its roster today. K-9 Paulie and her partner, Senior Deputy State Fire Marshal Chris McIntyre, graduated from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives National Canine Division Training Cent er in Front Royal, Virginia. K-9 Paulie, a 17-month-old Labrador retriever, has been conditioned to detect explosives, explosives residue, and postblast evidence. She was hand selected by ATF trainers from Puppies Behind Bars. This program pairs inmates with puppies to teach t he dogs basic commands.

Paulie can detect firearms and ammunition that are hidden in co ntainers, vehicles, or on people. During a 10-week training academy, Paulie learned to detect a vast number of explosives and firear ms. While the ATF training program focuses on explosives detection, K9s that complete the program also are conditioned to detect smokeless p owder and other explosive fillers often used in firearms.

Paulie will support the mission of the Office of the State Fire

Marshal, the ATF, and other state and local law enforcement age ncies that need their services. Their duties will include searching c rime scenes, assisting with the service of search warrants, and assisting with protective sweeps for explosives at all community events. Senio r Deputy McIntyre and K-9 Paulie are assigned to the Lower Eastern Regional Office in Salisbury; however, they are available to re spond statewide.

“Paulie is a cutie, but she is also a highly-trained member of our agency who will keep the residents and visitors of Maryland safe,” State Fire Marshal Brian S. Geraci said. “We are excited to welcome P aulie to the Department of State Police.” This team joins one other e xplosive detection team and four accelerant detection canine teams alrea dy in service within the agency. The Office of the State Fire Marshal has primarily used ATF-trained canines for nearly 20 years. It has one of the most robust fire and explosive canine programs in the United States.

- Submitted by Office Maryland of the Maryland State Fire Marshal

Training in Hagerstown

Crews trained at an afternoon drill at the Hagerstown Fire Department Training Grounds recently.

- Fire News photo by Shane Shifflett