FIRE
BOAT BACK IN SERVICE
January
28- After a week of being out of service, Fire Boat 8 was placed back in
service. On January 20th, the boat started
taking on water while assisting Potomac Marine during the salvage operation
of the air boat due to a problem with the bilge pumps. Sump
pumps were placed in service on Boat 8 by the Potomac Marine tow boat and
the salvage operation of the air boat was stopped. Potomac Marine then towed
Boat 8 back to the Sweden Point Marina. We want to thank Captain Terry Hill
and his crew from Potomac Marine for their assistance.
PENGUIN PLACE HOUSE FIRE
January 31
at 0130 - The Tanker and Chief 8A (as the West Side Chief) responded to a
working house fire on Penguin Place in Fenwick (Company 11's area). Chief 8A
was assigned as the Water Supply Officer by
Command (Chief 11). Tanker 8 supplied water to Tanker 11 (Bryans Road) and
was released by command. The Chief and Tanker worked on the scene for about
an hour.
GARAGE FIRE IN LA PLATA
January
13 at 1812 - The working fire assignment was dispatched for a garage on fire
on Glen Albin Road in La Plata. The Rescue and Tanker both responded with a
total of five members. Upon arrival of Rescue 8, the company was assigned as
the Rapid Intervention Group. The crew placed some lights around the
structure and assured that means of egress were open for the crews operating
on the inside. The Tanker dumped one load of water into the drafting basin
and was released by Command. The Rescue returned to quarters after a short
time on the fireground.
LARGE
BRUSH FIRE
January 11 at 1217 -
Just as the water rescue was concluding, a brush fire was dispatched on
Highground Farm Place. Units
arrived to find a fast moving field fire with exposure problems. First
arriving Engine 21-1 (Stump Neck Navy Base) knocked down the fire around an
occupied trailer. They established command and requested several more brush
units and an additional tanker be dispatched. The
fire consumed over 15 acres. Five brush units and two tankers were used to
extinguish the fire.
Ambulance
8-7 established an aid station. Forestry also responded. The cause of the
blaze is still under investigation.
Units
on scene:
Brush
8-4, Brush 8, Tanker 8, Ambulance 8-7 and Chief 8.
Engine
21-1 (Navy Base), Brush 7-4 and Tanker 7 (Potomac Heights), Brush 4-4 (Nanjemoy)
and Brush 9-4 (Indian Head)
ANOTHER
WATER RESCUE ON THE POTOMAC
January
11 at 1135 - Communications dispatched the boat in distress assignment once
again, this time for a canoeist that was in distress on the Potomac River
off of the Leeslyvania Park in Woodbridge, Va. The Marine Support Unit with
the Fireboat, the Boat Support Unit with the Airboat, Ambulance 8-7 and
Chief 8 responded. Communications had received a 911 call from a person in a
canoe on the river that had became disoriented and was stuck in the ice. The
decision was made to use the Airboat again due to the amount of ice at
Sweden Point Marina. Command was established by Chief 8. Command
requested that Prince William County dispatch an assignment due to the
location being close to the Virginia side. He also requested that a
helicopter be dispatched. Both MSP Trooper 2 and 7 responded. The Prince
William units arrived at the Leeslyvania Park and could see the canoe
approximately 200 yards off shore. They launched a small inflatable boat to
assist the person in distress back to the park. While leaving the Mattawoman
Creek, Airboat 8 became disabled and started to take on water. The decision
was made to abandon the boat and the crew was hoisted off of the deck by
Trooper 7 using the rescue basket. The two members were then transported to
the landing pad at Stump Neck to be evaluated by the crew of Ambulance 8-7.
The crew did not require any medical attention. The Airboat was left
anchored near the mouth of the Mattawoman Creek. Due to the ice conditions,
there has been no attempt made to recover the boat. When conditions permit,
the boat will be brought back to Sweden Point. We would like to thank the
crews of both Trooper 2 and 7 for assisting our members safely back to
shore.
MEMBERS
COMPLETE ICE RESCUE TRAINING
January
10, 2010 - The company would like to congratulate members Richard Hash, Carl
Brown, II and Michelle Rollins for completing the Ice Rescue Technician
course. This was a one day class that was taught by Rich Takacs of Water and
Ice Rescue Instruction Services. The members were instructed on how to
remove victims from a break in the ice and how to treat them after they have
been rescued. The class was also attended by members of the Charles County
Dive Rescue Team and the Benedict and Cobb Island VFD's. The Benedict VFD,
the Charles County Dive Rescue Team and our department are a part of a
county wide response system that responds as a team to incidents such as Ice
and Swift Water rescues throughout Charles County and Southern Maryland. By
the three members taking this class, it now brings our department up to a
total of twenty one members who have completed this training.
WATER
RESCUE ON THE POTOMAC
January
8 at 1118 - Communications dispatched Company 8 and EMS 58 (Ironsides) for a
small boat that was adrift in the Potomac River just off of Mathias Point,
Va. A citizen from Mathias Point had spotted a vessel drifting south on the
river that appeared to be un-occupied. The
Marine Support Unit along with the Fireboat responded. Due to the amount of
ice on the river, Chief 8A (Hudson) decided to have the Airboat respond and
also requested a Helicopter. Upon
arrival, there was significant ice at the Goose Bay Marina. It was decided
to utilize the Airboat and not launch the Fireboat. The Airboat was launched
with a crew of two and proceeded on the ice to Mathias Point. The area was
checked and nothing was found. Communications then advised that the Bridge
Police (located at the 301 Bridge) could see the vessel drifting south of
the bridge. They also advised that the vessel was under tow by another boat.
The Airboat continued south on the river until it could be confirmed that
the boat was not in distress and everyone was accounted for. The Boat
Support Unit was then re-located to the Aqualand Marina in Newburg to load
the Airboat.
SMALL
FIRE RISON HOUSE
December
26 at 0315 - The
working fire
assignment was dispatched for a house on fire on Highground Farm Place off
of Chicamuxen Road for Company 8 and the surrounding companies. Engine 8-3
responded within minutes followed by Tanker 8 and Ambulance 8-7. First
arriving Engine 8-3, laid a four inch supply line from Chicamuxen Road (1800
feet). Due
to the roadway being icy, the Engine became stuck on a steep hill just prior
to the address. The members gathered some hand tools and a pressurized water
can and proceeded on foot to the house. Brush 8-4 arrived on location and
made the trip up the hill. The members from Engine 8-3 found a small fire in
a bathroom that had been extinguished by the homeowner. The crew checked for
extension, ventilated and performed some minor overhaul. No extension was
found and Command (Battalion 11) held the
units from 8 and Company 7 (Potomac Heights) for a short time. Captain
8 (Burroughs) had Division 1.
CHRISTMAS
DAY FIRE
25 December
2009 - Just before 4pm, units
were alerted to Hawthorne Road at the building formerly occupied as
Heisman’s Bar for a building fire.
Engine 8-3, Tanker 8, Chief 8-A, Safety 8 and Paramedic Ambulance
16-7 responded. First
arriving units from Potomac Heights reported heavy smoke from the structure.
Engine 8-3 arrived and advanced a back-up line into the structure.
Tanker 8 placed the folding tank for water supply operations on the
scene, and then fell into the Tanker Shuttle.
After a partial roof collapse, all personnel were evacuated from the
building to darken the fire in a defensive position.
Units then returned for interior operations in limited safe
locations. Units operated on the
scene for approximately 3 hours. Chief
8-A was assigned as the Water Supply Officer, and Safety 8 was assigned as
the Incident Safety Officer. Tanker
8 dumped 3 loads of water during this incident.
BUILDING
FIRE IN BRYANS ROAD
December
19, 2009 at 0108 - Rescue 8 responded to 6000 block of Indian Head Highway
for a working building fire. First arriving units from Company 11 (Bryans
Road) found a one story Barber Shop heavily involved. The Rescue was
assigned as the Rapid Intervention Team and performed the duties associated
with that assignment.
MAJOR
WINTER STORM HITS AREA
December
18, 2009 - During the major winter storm that blanketed the area with as
much as twenty inches of snow, two crews were maintained in the station
responding to over twenty calls for assistance ranging from trees down in
the roadway to providing four wheel drive transport for victims with various
medical problems.
ANNUAL
SANTA CLAUS RUN
December
18 and 22 - Santa Claus made his rounds aboard Engine 8-3 again this year!
Special thanks to Sergeant Joe Tilley for co-coordinating the run this
year.
ANOTHER
SERIOUS ACCIDENT ON PORT TOBACCO ROAD
December
10, 2009 at 0125 - The Rescue was dispatched to assist Company 1 (La Plata)
with a serious motor vehicle accident with a person trapped in the 7900
block of Port Tobacco Road. Upon arrival, the Rescue was assigned to work
with Rescue Engine 13 already on the scene performing the extrication.
Rescue 8 operated on the scene for about 30 minutes.
ACCIDENT WITH EXTRICATION
IN McCHONCIE
December
5 at 1524 - The Rescue, Paramedic Ambulance and Chief 8B
(Gordon) responded to Port Tobacco Road at Blossom Point Road for a serious
Motor Vehicle Accident. Units arrived to find a two vehicle collision with
several patients. Rescue 8 along with Rescue Engine 13 (La Plata) worked to
release two patients that were trapped. Paramedic Ambulance 16-7 (running as
PA 8) transported one patient to an area trauma center. Chief 8B established
Command, Chief 1 (Moore) had the Extrication Group and Captain 8 (Burroughs)
was the EMS Group Leader. The Rescue and Chief operated for about 45
minutes.
UNITS
RESPOND FOR BARN FIRE ON BUTTERFLY PLACE
Saturday
November 28, 2009: After returning from the technical rescue training,
station 8 was alerted to the 2600 block of
Butterfly Place
for a reported barn on fire. Engine 8-3, Tanker 8, and Chief 8-A
responded. Upon arrival, units found a barn with smoke showing.
After further investigation, a pile of lumber and hay was determined to be
on fire inside the barn. The crew from Engine 8-3 extinguished the
fire, and utilized Engine 211 (NDW-Stump Neck) and Squad 7 (
Potomac
Heights
) for assistance with overhaul. Tanker 8 supplied additional water on
the scene. The Maryland State Fire Marshal’s office responded to
investigate the fire. Units cleared after approximately 1 hour.
November
28 - Today, our members
joined forces with members of the Bryans Road VFD to conduct a ropes drill.
The scenario was a victim trapped on the roof, which required a
stokes basket evacuation using Truck 11 as high change of direction.
The patient (Rescue Andy!) was secured in the stokes basket and a
hauling/lowering system was set-up on the ground to both lift the basket and
lower to the ground. After this
was completed, members refreshed on rappelling operations off the roof of
the school. We would like to
thank the Bryans Road VFD for their participation and the use of their
Ladder Truck.
CONGRATULATIONS
November
18 - TDVFD congratulates Randy and Danielle Rempfer on the birth of their
son William. William joins big brother Ethan.
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HOUSE FIRE
IN MARBURY
November
15th at 1908, Company 8 was alerted to 5230 High Field Place for
the House Fire, Engine 83, Engine 82, Tanker 8, Ambulance 87 and Chief
8A all responded within minutes of dispatch. Chief 8A already in the
area arrived on scene of a Single Family Dwelling with nothing
showing. Further investigation found a light haze on division 1 and
attic area. Engine 83 arrived and laid 900ft of supply line. Engine 73
(The Heights) arrived and picked up the line. The crew off of Engine
83 utilized the TIC to locate the source coming from a malfunctioning
heat pump. Chief 8A established Command. Units from Company 8 cleared
at 2010.
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COMPANY HOLDS ANNUAL INSTALLATION OF
OFFICERS
November 14 - TDVFD gathered
together on Saturday evening for their annual installation banquet. Members
and their families, as well as honored guests, made up the approximately 80
that were on hand to celebrate and recognize those who served in the
2008-2009 year, and witness the installation of the new officers for
2009-2010 year. The Lorimer Beans Scott Member of the Year was
awarded to the company's vice president, Chuck Burroughs. Delaney Matthews
was recognized as top runner for fire responses and Michelle Rollins was
recognized as top runner for EMS responses. Steven Mott was recognized for
attending the most drills for the 2008-2009 year. Following the
ceremony members enjoyed some Karaoke and dancing.
JOB WELL DONE!
November 12 - We want to
congratulate Sergeant Joey Tilley and Firefighter Carl Brown on completing
the Hazardous Materials Technician course.
VOLUNTEERS
EXTRICATE ONE ON PORT TOBACCO ROAD
November
7th at 1642, Company 8 was alerted to Burch Road & Port Tobacco
for the MVA with one trapped. Rescue 8, Paramedic Ambulance 8-9 & Chief
8 as the West Side Battalion all responded within minutes of dispatch. First
arriving E.S.44 (J. Summers) confirmed one trapped. Rescue 8 arrived and
deployed the Spreaders to gain access to the patient & deployed 100ft of
1 ½ attack line for protection. Extrication took 5 minutes to complete and
the patient was turned over to P.A. 8-9. Rescue Engine 13 (La Plata) set up
the landing zone in a nearby field for Trooper 7. Chief 8A had Extrication
group and Chief 1B had Command. Company 8 units cleared at 1730.
MONDAY NIGHT DRILL
November 2 - The
weekly drill for this week consisted of vehicle extrication while the EMS
members reviewed pediatric emergencies.
DON'T FORGET TO CHECK YOUR
SMOKE DETECTORS!
As we set the
clocks back don't forget to change the battery in your smoke detectors.
Also, check to make sure your detector is free of any dust on the cover as
this may not allow the smoke to quickly enter the detector.
PASSING OF A FRIEND
October 22, 2009 - It is with regret that we
announce the passing of Potomac Heights Volunteer Fire Department member
Joseph "Buster" Grinder. Buster was an active member of Company 7
for 25 years and a good friend to all of us here at Company 8. Buster
served as the President of the PHVFD in 1955 and was the Rescue Captain in
1961 and 62. He was given the EMS Person of the Year Award in 1996 and again
in 2005. He obtained his Life Membership with Company 7 in 1997. Buster
was inducted into the Southern Maryland Volunteer Firemen's
Association Hall of Fame on May 3, 2008. Our thoughts and prayers are with
Busters family and the members of Company 7.
DOGWOOD TRAIL
October 11 - Members headed out Sunday morning to
Gale Bailey Elementary School to assist school volunteers with the reopening
of the Dogwood nature trail. Brush and fallen trees had all but closed the
trail. Company 8 members cut trees and removed brush, clearing the way for
teachers and students to once again use the trail. Members had a great
time and a good work out.
COMPANY PROVIDES SUPPORT FOR TRIATHLON
September 19 and 20- The company once again
provided water rescue and EMS coverage for the yearly triathlon event that
is held at Sweden Point Marina in Smallwood State Park. The event this year
was held on two days with each day having approximately 200 participants.
The event consists of a swim across the Mattawoman Creek and back, a bicycle
ride and a run that all takes place in the park and the surrounding area.
Crews this year as they have in the past took care of a few swimmers that
needed assistance back to shore and also provided first aid for a couple of
minor injuries. Dunkirk VFD (Calvert County) once again assisted us with the
event as they have done for numerous years in the past. We would like to
thank Dunkirk for their support.
Units staffed for the event:
Ambulance 8-7, Fireboat 8,
Airboat 8 and Dunkirk Raft 5
2009 FUND DRIVE
Our yearly fund drive is almost finished for this
year. We would like to thank everyone who has donated. We want to especially
thank Finley Construction Company of Port Tobacco for their generous
contribution again this year. It is with the financial support of the
citizens of our first due response area that we are able to continue to
provide the level of service to the public that we have for the last 55
years. Again a huge thank you!
INJURY ON A BOAT
September 8 at
0832- As units from Company 8 were clearing a house fire in Chicamuxen,
Communications dispatched the Fireboat to the Port Tobacco River for an
injured person on a sail boat. Fireboat 8 responded with a crew of three and
found a person on board a sailboat with a hand injury. The crew provided
treatment to the victim and transported him back to the Port Tobacco Marina
to be transported to the hospital by Paramedic Ambulance 8-7.
WORKING
BARN FIRE
On
Sunday August 23, 2009 at 0843 hrs Co. 8 was alerted to 4610 Bicknell Rd.
for the reported barn fire. Engine 8-3, Tanker 8, Rescue 8, Engine 8-2, PA
8-7, and Chief 8B responded within minutes. Chief 8B already in the area was
first arriving to find a 20 x 30 barn well involved. Engine 8-3 arrived and
quickly went to work extinguishing the structure. Engine 7-3 arrived and
picked up 8-3’s line and supplied water to the fire ground and set up the
dump tanks for the tanker shuttle. Engine 8-2 established the draft at Grays
Pond on Marbury Run Rd. and placed the fill site in service within minutes.
Tankers 8,7,and 11 shuttled several loads of water to the fire ground from
the fill site. Command held all units for approx 2 hours for extensive
overhaul. Engine 4-4 was alerted for their foam system to help with
extinguishment. Chief 8B had the Bicknell Rd. command, Capt. Graff had
operations, and the WSBC (Co. 9) had the water supply group. Special thanks
to Randy Rempfer
and Jessica Campillo for providing refreshments to the fire
ground, and also Grays Store for the making the refreshments.
FIRE ON THE ROOF
August 21 - A
few minutes past midnight, as crews were still cleaning up from the Blossom
Point MVA, Communications dispatched the house fire assignment on Zenobia
Place in Pisgah. Engine 8-3 and Tanker 8 quickly responded with a crew of
six along with the A and B Chiefs followed by the Rescue. While
enroute, Communications advised that the County Police were on the scene
with smoke showing from the roof of a single family dwelling. First arriving
Engine 8-3 laid a 700' supply line down the long and narrow driveway. The
crew advanced the 300' line to find a fire on the roof that had been
extinguished prior to their arrival. The roof and attic area were checked
finding no extension. Chief 8A (Hudson) had the command and held the
units from Company 8 only. The Fire Investigator was requested and an
investigation is still ongoing by the Fire Marshal's Office.
MVA
WITH FLY-OUT
August 20 at 2210 - The Rescue along
with both the A and B Chiefs responded to a serious motor vehicle accident
on Blossom Point Road near Brentland Road in Welcome. Upon arrival of Chief
8B (Gordon), he found a single vehicle into a tree with two serious injuries
and requested a second Paramedic bringing EMS Duty 16A (Shadle) to the
scene. The helicopter was also requested. The crew of Rescue 8
assisted the EMS crews with patient care and provided lights. Both victims
were flown to a trauma center by MSP Trooper 2. Engine 8-2 set up the
landing zone near the scene. Chief 8A (Hudson) had the Blossom Point
Command.
Other units on
scene- Ambulance 58-8 (Ironsides), MCU 58 and PA 51-8 (La Plata EMS)
