Editorial

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? 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

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

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

Page 6, Fire News, November/December2022 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

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. - Photo courtesy of Nitro FD 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

Page 8, Fire News, November/December2022

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 reported 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

Page 10, Fire News, November/December2022 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 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

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

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

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

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

I-68 Truck Fire

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

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 and 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 contained 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. - 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

FireNews.com Fire News, November/December2022, Page 19 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 water 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