Fire News West Virginia, May/June 2024

Brush Fire on Younger Drive

Kanawah crews knock out a 3-acre brush fire before it takes out two structures.

See story on page 4

Extensive Damage in St. Albans

AStover Street home receives extensive interior and exterior damage.

See story on page 6

CO Poisoning Fatality in Cecilton

One male dies, one woman is critical as a result of COexposure.

See story on page 8

Fatal Vehicle Fire in Quantico

After extinguishing a truck fire at the rear of a house, a body is found in the pickup.

See story on page 13

Fatality on Campbells Creek Dr.

Crews arrive to a fully involved home and after extinguishment find one body.

See story on page 16

1st Annual Key City Fire Conference

Some 200 personnel from 15 states attend the seminar and hands-on event in Frederick. Serving Fire & EMS

See story on page 22

3-Acre Brush Fire Stopped

At 1518 on February 21, 2024, Kanawha County Station 3 was alerted fora brush fire on YoungerDrive. Units arrived to find a three-acre brush fire endangering a couple of buildings. Quick work contained the brush fire and the fire was determined to be accidental due to property ownerburning cardboard. Units on scene were Engine 32, Squad 3, Utility 3, WVDNR.

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

Kentland House Fire

Kentland Engine Company 33 responded to the 9300 block of Biemans Terrace fora house fire. Battalion Chief 1 arrived to smoke showing and Engine 331 hooked to a hydrant in the cul de sac and the crew stretched a 250-feet of 1-1/2 inch line to the second floorto extinguish a bedroom fire. Mop up and overhaul was completed in short orderand all companies returned to service in just overan hour. - Photo courtesy of Kentland VFD

Clarksburg Garage Fire

At 0618 hours on March 10, 2024, Companies 11 (SpelterVFD), Engines 41 (Lumberport VFD), 71, 81 (Reynoldsville VFD) and 101 (Shinnston VFD), as well as HCES, were alerted fora structure fire on UpperLamberts Run Road outside of Clarksburg. Engine 71 staffed with three personnel responded in three minutes with Tanker7 staffed with an additional two personnel following shortly after. Engine 41 arrived to find a 40- x 60-foot garage fully involved. Engine 71 sent its manpowerto assist in placing two 1-3/4 inch crosslays in service forfire suppression and supplying 41 with water. Multiple ATVs, lawnmowers, motorcycles, and various otheritems were stored in the garage. Otherapparatus supplied manpowerand waterand Tankers 7 and 11 shuttled waterto units on scene. The fire was placed undercontrol within 45 minutes with a lengthy overhaul and clean up following. Worthington VFD Engine 141 transferred to Co. 11 while units operated on scene. No injuries were reported and units returned home at 0820.

- Photos courtesy of Nutter Fort FD

Extensive Damage at St. Albans Blaze

Firefighters operated at a residential structure fire on StoverStreet, in St. Albans, recently. The house sustained extensive interiorand exteriordamage in the fire, however, no civilian orfirefighterinjuries were reported. Acause forthe fire was not determined. The American Red Cross was called to assist.

-

Randolph & the Nitro FD

Photos courtesy of Roger

Man Dead, Woman Critical AfterSuspected CO Poisoning in Cecilton

Area 3

On February 25, 2024, a 59-year-old man died and a woman was taken to a hospital in critical condition afterbeing found in theirEarleville home with symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. Cecilton VolunteerFire Department and Cecil County Department of Emergency Services paramedics responded to Florida Avenue in Crystal Beach at around 1245 afterfamily members went to check on the couple. They found the male unresponsive in the living room and his girlfriend in a bedroom, shivering and disoriented. Cecil County Sheriff’s Office, the Office of the Chief Medical Examinerand the Office of the State Fire Marshal responded. The home had no electricity, a strong odorof kerosene inside, and sootcovered walls. Akerosene heaterwas the only source of heat, and its chimney was not seated properly, and the fuel inside had run dry.

- Photo courtesy Office Maryland State Fire Marshal

Cardboard Fire

On February 26, 2024, at 2322, Kanawha Counties Stations 3 MaldenVFD, Station 4 Rand VFD, and Station 5 Belle VFD were dispatched to Area 3 on Campbells Creek Drive fora structure fire. Malden Engine 32 arrived and advised the structure was not on fire and that carts full of cardboard behind a store were burning. Station 5 cancelled Station 4 and crews quickly extinguished the fire and cleared the scene about an hourlater. The fire was turned overto the WVState Fire Marshal Office forinvestigation.

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

Vehicle Fire in Salisbury

Salisbury firefighters operated at a recent vehicle fire.

- Fire News photos by Wayne Barrall

Baltimore House Fire

Baltimore City firefighters battled a raging fire in a stand-alone private dwelling on Dulany Street on March 8, 2024.

- Fire News photos by FirstOnScenePhotos

Cover Story

Logan Assists Main Island Creek

On March 31, 2024, the Logan Fire Department (LFD) was dispatched to Switzer, just outside of Logan, to assist the Main Island Creek Fire Department with a working structure fire at a hoarder house. LFD responded with a rescue company and a squad compa-

ny. Fire was contained to the original house. Adog was rescued from the home, resuscitated on scene and returned to the family.

- Submitted by Caleb McDonald

Heavily Involved on Arrival in Hepzibah

At 0325 on April 4, 2024, Company 11 (SpelterVFD), Engines 41 (Lumberport VFD), 71, 101 (Shinnston VFD), and 81 (Reynoldsville VFD) along with HCES were alerted fora structure fire on Lyon Avenue in Hepzibah. Engine 71 staffed with three responded in three minutes. Engine 112 arrived to find a single-story dwelling heavily involved and all occupants accounted for. Crews placed the deck gun in service in attempt to knock down the bulk of the fire and protect a nearby exposure before placing two 1-3/4 inch crosslays in service. Engine 71 arrived aand sent its manpowerto assist with suppression, and supplied Engines 101 and 112 with water. Tanker7 responded due to a faulty hydrant resulting in no adequate watersupply. Crews assisted in defensive and interiorattack finding heavy fire throughout. Tankers 11 and 7 shuttled waterfrom a hydrant on Route 19. Otherunits on scene provided manpowerand water. Afteroverhaul, units were released and units returned home just before 0530.

- Photos courtesy of Nutter Fort FD

Deputy State Fire Marshals Investigate Fatal Vehicle Fire

Deputy State Fire Marshals worked a fatal fire in Quantico that occurred on March 20, 2024. Units were alerted fora vehicle fire on Nanticoke Road in Quantico aftera neighborreported the fire. Approximately 15 firefighters responded and discovered a pickup truck on fire at the rearof the house. It took firefighters 20 minutes to bring the fire undercontrol at which time human remains were discovered in the vehicle. Deputy State Fire Marshals were requested to the scene to conduct an investigation. The Maryland State Police also responded to conduct the death investigation. Deputy State Fire Marshals spent several hours at the scene examining the vehicle and conducting interviews with witnesses, howeverthe origin and cause of the fire remained under investigation. The human remains were transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examinerin Baltimore to determine the exact cause of death and positive identification.

- Photo courtesy Office Maryland State Fire Marshal

Laundromat, CarWash Damaged in Fire

On February 10, 2024, the Salisbury Fire Department, along with area mutual aid, operated at a commercial structure fire on Nanticoke Road. Crews arrived to find a laundromat with visible fire showing, with an attached carwash. Firefighters were able to bring the fire undercontrol within 30 minutes. The fire was ruled accidental as a result of an unspecified failure within the commercial gas dryerexhaust system. The fire caused damage to the laundromat as well as the attached carwash.

- Photo courtesy Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal, & Eastern Shore Undercover

Garage Fire Stopped in East View

At 1434 on March 24, 2024, Company 1 (Anmoore VFD), Engines 71 and 121 (Stonewood VFD), 511 (Bridgeport FD), and 31 (Lost Creek VFD) were alerted fora structure fire with entrapment on Blane Street in East View. Engine 72 staffed with three, responded in three minutes with Tanker7 staffed with an additional two following. Engine 12 arrived to find a working fire in a detached metal garage with negative entrapment. Crews placed a 1-3/4 inch crosslay in service with Engine 12 securing theirown watersource from

Fatality at Campbells Creek Dr. Blaze Fatality at Campbells Creek Dr. Blaze

a hydrant in front of the fire. Engine 72 arrived as second due and sent its manpowerto assist with extinguishment. Asecond crosslay was placed in service as Engines 122, 511 and 31 arrived and made entry into the rearof the garage, finding heavy fire throughout. The garage contained three vehicles, an ATV, and multiple otheritems. Afteroverhaul and clean up, units returned home at 1629. Medic 18 transported 1 ALS patient to UHC.

- Photos courtesy of Nutter Fort FD

On March 4, 2024, at 0639, Kanawha Counties Station 3 Malden VFD, Station 4 Rand VFD and Station 5 Belle VFD were dispatched to Area 3 on Campbells Creek Drive fora reported house fire with possible entrapment. Crews arrived to a single-story house with heavy fire from the front and confirmed there was an entrapment. Aquick knock down and a search located a male subject deceased in the back of the house. It was determined that the subject could not exit through the back doorbecause it was blocked off. There were no smoke detectors found. The WVState Fire Marshal Office was investigating the fire. Units that responded were Malden Engine 32, Rescue Engine 33, Squad 3, Utility 3, Rand Engine 42,43, Belle Engine 52, Rescue 54, KCEAA157, 511, KCOEM 990, 991 WVSFMO 3, 9, 11 and 17.

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

Anne Arundel Public Works Bldg. Fire

The Anne Arundel County Fire Department (AACo) received a 911 call at 0013 from a Maryland Transport Authority representative who was in the area and could see fire coming from the roof of a building. It was quickly determined the structure was the AACo Traffic Maintenance building owned by the Anne Arundel Department of Public Works. Upon arrival, AACo crews reported the 10,500-square-foot commercial building, heavily involved, with large amounts of fire extending through the roof. The building was unoccupied and closed at the time of the incident. Approximately 60 firefighters were dispatched, including mutual aid from Annapolis and Naval Support Activity (NSA) Annapolis. Firefighters were able to control the fire in approximately 1-1/2 hours afterarriving. Anne Arundel County Fire/Arson and Explosives Investigators from the Fire Marshals Office responded to the scene to investigate.

Shrewsbury Structure Fire

On March 23, 2024, the CedarGrove Fire Department along with Glasgow and Belle departments responded to a two-story structure fire in Shrewsbury. No injuries were reported.

- Submitted by Mark Harrison

- Photo courtesy of AACOFD

Institute

CarFire

Institute Fire Rescue members extinguished a vehicle fire, on Interstate 64 in Institute, recently.

- Photo courtesy of Institute FR

Dump Truck Fire in Tysons Corner

On March 16, 2024, Shaft crews, among others, responded to a working dump truck fire in a commercial garage operated by Braddock Construction in Tysons Corner. Shaft’s Rescue-Engine 17 crew made a quick knock on the fire containing it to the dump truck. Otherunits on the scene included Shaft Truck 17, Midland Engine 18 and Rescue 18, Frostburg Truck 16 and Engine 16-1, Eastern Garrett Engine 81, Allegany County Ambulance 513, and LaVale Engine-Tanker19 back filled Station 17. The fire is underinvestigation by the State Fire Marshal’s Office. Assistant Chief 17Ahad command.

- Submitted by Roger Bennett

Helping at Wellsburg Flood

Busy Day forKanawha County FFs

On April 6, 2024, at 1943, Kanawha Counties Station 5 Belle VFD, Station 6 CedarGrove VFD and Station 3 Malden VFD were alerted fora garage fire on Diamond Avenue in Area 5. Crews worked forabout 40 minutes on a vehicle on fire inside a garage. Aftercrews cleared and returned to theirstations they were alerted fora structure fire on East 11th Street in downtown Belle fora garage fire. Chief 5 added Station 7 Glasgow for an engine. Crews worked forabout two hours to contain the blaze. Units that responded were Belle Engines 51,52,53, Utility 57, Cedar Grove Engine 62, Malden Engine 32, Utility 3, Glasgow Engine 78, Tanker71, KCEAA151 and KCOEM 991.

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

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Franklin Community VolunteerFire Department assisted Wellsburg VolunteerFire Department with flood emergencies and cleanup efforts in Wellsburg on April 4 and 5, 2024.

Submitted by Gerald M McClain

Head-on MVAin Havre de Grace

At least two civilians were injured in a two-vehicle, near-head-on MVAon Canvasback Drive in Havre de Grace early on March 19, 2024. Susquehanna Hose Company 5 and County EMS were on the scene.

1

- Fire News photo by FirstOnScenePhotos

Heavy Winds, Tornado Knock TrailerOff Foundation

On April 2, 2024, heavy straight-line winds and a tornado touched down in several parts of Kanawha County causing majorpoweroutages and damaging several structures. This single-wide trailerwas blown off its foundation on Warsaw Lane in the Campbells Creek area of Malden. Amotherand infant child were in the structure when the storm came through. Crews from Malden VFD assisted the two out of the structure and KCEAAmedics checked both forinjuries.

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

Injured in NutterFork MVA

At 2117 on March 5, 2024, Company 7 Fire and EMS were alerted foran MVAwith injuries on the 100 block of Maryland Avenue in NutterFort. Medic 718 and Assistant Chief 7 arrived to find an SUVon its side with one person entrapped afterstriking a parked car. Squad 7 and Engine 71 also responded with all units on scene within five minutes of dispatch. Crews quickly stabilized the vehicle and removed the windshield to extract the occupant who had an underlying medical condition. Medic 718 transported 1 ALS patient to UHC. Afterclearing the roadway of debris and assisting the tow company in recovering the vehicle, units returned home at 2223. Company 7 had 12 personnel on scene. NFPD and SWPD also assisted.

- Photos courtesy of Nutter Fort FD

Baltimore RolloverMVA

Baltimore City firefighters and EMS personnel were dispatched to an MVAwith rolloverat North Monroe Street and Presbury Street on March 1, 2024. The vehicles were stabilized and extrication was required. The injured were placed in the care of EMS.

- Fire News photo by FirstOnScenePhotos

REMINDER!

We are now in Spring Fire Season until May 31, 2024.

Burning is prohibited from 0700 to 1700.

If burning has occurred during permitted hours, the fire must be completely extinguished by 0700.

- Courtesy West Virginia Division of Forestry

Training The First Annual Key City Fire Conference in Frederick

The Frederick Fire Department (FFD) held the first annual Key City Fire Conference in Frederick on March, 13 to 16, 2024. The conference was held by FFD, Capitol Fire Training and Next Rung (a mental health and faith based outreach forthe fire service). The

conference saw fire department personnel from 15 different states attend. It held a lecture and hands-on training and saw some 200 students attend.

- Fire News photos by Lloyd Mitchell

Training

Monongah, Others at FFII Testing

The Monongah Fire Department was invited to participate in a local FirefighterII training and practical testing exercise. FFII is a 40-hourclass that extends the firefighters’ knowledge in fire suppression and vehicle extrication. Squad 10 and Engine 11 from Barrackville provided different rescue tools to help with vehicle extrications involving different scenarios. The different scenarios were led by the class instructor. Students from several Marion County departments and TaylorCounty participated in this class.

- Photos courtesy of Monongah FD

EMS Excellence Awards

Wakersfield EMS Excellence Awards were held March 19, 2024, at Walkersville Volunteer Fire Department. Awards were presented to personnel, volunteers and civilian life guards for a cardiac save at Walkersville High School pool.

Engine 111: Assistant Fire Chief Alan Staley, Captain Matthew Staley, Lieutenant Dalen Hahn, Lieutenant Samuel Dmuchowski and Firefighter Lukas Hoffman. Ambulance 249: Firefighter Brian Long and Firefighter Kyle Amann. Medic 2: Firefighter/Medic Nicole McNamar. EMS 902: Lieutenant/Medic Adam Miller. Car11: Chief Chad Barrick. POV: Matt Hamner. 911 Dispatcher: Emergency Communication Specialist Tiffany Caron and Emergency Communication Specialist Cheryl Gray. Citizen/Lifeguards: Luke Daniluck, Christina Huffer, Abigail Roelke and Natalee Williams.

On January 28, 2024, at 1319, Frederick County 911 Emergency Communications Specialist Tiffany Caron and Cheryl Gray received a 911 call for an unconscious and apneic female at Walkersville High School pool. The caller advised that the lifeguards were doing CPR. The information was immediately transferred to dispatch as the call taker remained on the line and provided pre-arrival instructions.

Ambulance 249, Engine 111, Medic 2, and EMS 902 were dispatched

for a cardiac arrest. The crews from Walkersville arrived on the scene to find bystanders providing CPR with an AED attached and one defibrillation delivered. The patient upon EMS arrival, had a pulse and was beginning to breath on her own. The patient was placed in the recovery position and the airway was suctioned. The paramedic’s arrived on scene and connected to patient to the Lifepak 15 and began managing the airway. The patient was then transported to Frederick Health Hospital.

The patient arrived at Frederick Health Hospital with a pulse and respirations being assisted after suffering a sudden cardiac arrest. The patient was transferred to Johns Hopkins Hospital for further treatment and discharged home on February 10 with no neurological deficits.

The fast activation of 911, the Emergency Communication Specialist providing CPR instructions, the continuation of high-performance CPR, along with early defibrillation by the bystanders and EMS clinicians, enabled the patient to regain a pulse. The quick notification to Frederick Health Hospital allowed them to be prepared to receive the patient.

The Frederick County Division of Fire and Rescue would like to recognize the following personnel for their dedication, professionalism, and outstanding teamwork. - Submitted by Sarah J. Campbell

WOMEN’S WEEKEND ATTHE NATIONALFIRE ACADEMY

June 15-16, 2024

The U.S. Fire Administration’s (USFA) National Fire Academy (NFA), in partnership with Women in Fire, is pleased to announce the dates for our 2024 session in Emmitsburg, Maryland. Please place June 15-16, 2024, on your calendars and join us!

The below classes are FREE of charge, and ALLare welcome to attend. You do not need to be a certified or uniformed member of a fire or EMS agency; you need to be with a fire, EMS, or allied organization, and meet the class participant requirements for the class you wish to attend.

- Building Organizational Support for Community Risk Reduction (W0636)

- Building Resilience in Leadership: Strategies for Growth and Confidence (W0952)

- Command and Control for Company-Level Operations (W0296)

- Command and Control of Wildland Urban Interface Fire Operations for the Structural Chief Officer (W0612)

- Fire Investigation: Fire as a Weapon (W0756)

- Fire Investigation: First Responders (W0770)

- Incident Safety Officer (W0729)

- Initial Response to Terrorism: Basic Concepts (W0443)

- Leadership in Supervision: Creating Environments for Professional Growth (W0646)

- Leadership in Supervision: Perspectives in Thinking (W0647)

- Supervising Emergency Medical Services (W0146)

- Youth Firesetting Intervention Specialist (W0633)

We are accepting online applications NOW https://www.usfa.fema.gov/nfa/programs/national-weekend.html

Please take a look at the above webpage for more details!

Obituary

Former State Fire Marshal Rocco J. Gabriele

Former State Fire Marshal Rocco J. Gabriele died Wednesday, March 13, 2024 at his home surrounded by his family. He was 90.

Gabriele was first appointed to the position on November 1, 1982, by Secretary Thomas Schmit of the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services. At the time of his retirement in 2001, only one other State Fire Marshal in the United States had a longer tenure than Gabriele.

With a long legacy, the passing of State Fire Marshal Rocco Gabriele is a loss to the Maryland public safety community. Gabriele had the honor of being the longest-serving Maryland State Fire Marshal with nearly two decades of service to the citizens of the state.

During his time as State Fire Marshal, Gabriele is credited with creating the first Administrative and Operations manual for all personnel, including a disciplinary matrix as well as records retention schedules, submitting more than 40 pieces of legislation to enhance fire and life safety, which included fire investigators under the protection of the Heart and Lung Bill, and establishing the requirements for fire sprinkler contractors in 1997. Gabriele was instrumental in working with Maryland State Police to secure new offices for OSFM regional and satellite offices in new or renovated barracks throughout the State.

Gabriele established the Fire and Burn Safety Coalition of Maryland (FABSCOM) in 1994 to support and enhance Maryland’s fire and life safety education initiatives. Later, FABSOM became one of the primary sponsors and steering committee members for planning the annual Mid-Atlantic Life Safety Conference. He also established the Maryland Fire Service Legislative Caucus in 1986 to discuss legislative matters to the Maryland General Assembly, and the caucus continues to meet to this day.

Gabriele served as president of the Fire Marshals Association of North America and as an officer and executive board member of the National Association of State Fire Marshals during his second and third terms as State Fire Marshal.

Before being appointed State Fire Marshal, Gabriele retired as a Captain from the Maryland State Police, with 24 years of dedicated service, overseeing the Maryland State Crime Lab. Gabriele held an associate’s degree in criminal justice from Essex Community College, a bachelor’s of arts in sociology from Loyola University, and a master’s in forensic laboratory management from George Washington University. He was lifelong and the oldest living member of the Rosedale Volunteer Fire Department, joining as a cadet 75 years ago. - Courtesy Office Maryland State Fire Marshal

Monongah Takes Delivery of New Pierce Pumper

Recently, members of the Monongah Fire Department traveled to the Atlantic Emergency Solutions Regional Service Centerin McConnelsville to pick up theirnew Pierce Enforcerpumper. Congratulations to the department on a job well done, the truck turned out fantastic!

- Photo courtesy of Atlantic Emergency Solutions & Monogah FD

Accelerant Detection K9 Sky Retires

For over seven years, Senior Deputy State Fire Marshal Melissa Decker and her partner, K9 Sky, have been assisting fire investigators across Maryland and beyond in finding trace amounts of flammable liquids to help build cases against arsonists or to rule out their use so investigators can focus on other potential reasons for a fire. However, Sky is hanging up her badge, and the beloved accelerant detection canine officially retired.

Trained by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), K9 Sky started in the “Puppy Behind Bars” program, where she lived with and was socialized by inmates who provided basic training to service dogs. The ATF procured Sky and assigned her to the Accelerant Detection Program. Together, Decker and Sky graduated from Class 117 in December 2016. Sky has worked alongside firefighters and investigators, responding to countless calls, assisting in investigations, and meeting what Decker estimates are thousands of people while working community and school events and public demonstrations across Maryland. S/DSFM Decker and Sky traveled regularly to the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glyco, Georgia, where they assisted in training ATF agents during their academy.

their work, accelerant detection canines such as Sky have been instrumental in identifying accelerants such as gasoline, lighter fluid, kerosene, and even odorless solvents used in arson cases. Sky is a foodreward canine and has been fed with Decker’s hand tens of thousands of times. Sky celebrated with a bowl of food, her first since joining the program.

“As Sky enters retirement, everyone at the Office of the State Fire Marshal expresses our gratitude for Sky and S/DSFM Decker’s commitment to keeping Maryland safe. We wish Sky a welldeserved restful retirement filled with treats, belly rubs, and endless playtime,” stated Chief Deputy and Acting State Fire Marshal Jason M. Mowbray

Although she is now retired, Sky will soon have company. Starting tomorrow, Decker will travel to the ATF Canine Training Center in Front Royal, Virginia, for six weeks to work with a new partner. When the pair graduate, they will return to Maryland and be one of only 71 teams in the United States.

The OSFM exclusively partners only with ATF, and it has the most ATF-trained canines in the country, with four accelerant detection teams and two explosive detection teams.

Known for their keen sense of smell and unwavering commitment to

- Photo courtesy Office Maryland State Fire Marshal