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6305 Addison Road ** Seat Pleasant, Maryland
20743 **** (301) 336-2331
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2004
Incidents
December
31st, 2004 - Another year over - Well it
looks as if another year has come to a close here in Seat Pleasant, and although
it was incredibly slow most of the year, it was still a relatively good one.
Many hard times were handled and overcome with the passing of long time Chief
Pat Souders and the recent injury to our Captain, Joe Johnson, however the volunteers
have adapted reasonably well in dealing with these difficult times. The year
end stats are as follows:
Fires
: 124 Shootings : 32
Extrications : 39
Engine
: 1194 Squad : 1858
Ambulance : 3588
Total
runs : 6640
Busiest
month : December with 588 runs
Busiest
month for fires : February with 16 fires
Busiest
month for Shootings : May with 6 shootings
Busiest
month for Extrications : April with 6 extrications
We hope the upcoming
year is exceptionally better, and the volunteers look forward to making it one
of the best ever. We look forward to seeing everyone back as well as the new
members who have joined and anyone else wishing to be a part of what we do.
Enjoy 2005 everyone !!!!
December 31st -
Ambulance 88 on police involved shooting - Just after 0600 hours,
Ambulance 88 responded to Walker Mill Rd and Ritchie Rd in Company 37's area for
a shooting. The series of events started about 20 minutes prior to being dispatched
as a cab driver was carjacked at gunpoint across from the firehouse. The car was
taken by two juveniles, ages 16 and 17, and driven toward the Ritchie area. Luckily,
the cab had GPS and police were quickly able to find the vehicle. Upon finding
it at Walker Mill and Ritchie Rd, the police stopped and surrounded the vehicle.
As they were moving in to remove the suspects, the driver threw the cab in reverse
and sped toward the officers, trying to run them over. The cab struck a police
cruiser as an officer, in fear of his safety and the safety of his fellow officers,
fired 1 shot at the driver striking him in the upper body. Ambulance 88 and Medic
46 treated the victim who was then transported to a local hospital. A loaded semi
automatic handgun was found in the vehicle and the driver has been charged as
an adult on many charges. Ambulance 88 returned to service in just over an hour.
December 29th -
Engine 83 on stabbing - Just before 0300 hours, Engine 83 responded
to the 6900 Blk of Seat Pleasant Dr for one stabbed from a domestic. Engine 83
arrived to find a subject stabbed and started EMS care. The patient was stabilized
and taken to an area hospital via EMS units. Engine 83 returned to service in
about 30 minutes after cleaning up.
December
25th
MERRY
CHRISTMAS
Merry Christmas and happy holidays to everyone everywhere from the officers
and members of the Seat Pleasant Volunteer Fire Company.
December 24th -
Captain Johnson's children and others receive gifts - During the
past week, many people from area fire departments and from the community have
assisted in providing toys and other necessary items for Joe's children by dropping
them off at Station 38. Today, the toys were being distributed and due to the
incredible support by the community and area fire departments, Joe's children
along with a few other families in the area were able to enjoy Christmas. Bags
and bags of toys and two bikes were collected for Joe but even with that done,
there were still so many toys left and a few extra bikes, that they were distributed
to other families in need including the family where Captain Johnson was injured,
as they lost everything, as well as a local women's shelter where over 40 children
will spend Christmas. Seat Pleasant Volunteers were on hand at Station 38 along
with members of the media as the distributions took place. After it was over,
Deputy Chief Jeff Mehaffey, past Chief Mike Harrison , and Vol FF Jerell Thomas
took all the toys on Engine 83 and delivered them to Joe's children. Special thanks
to Chief 38 (Bolden) , Chief 38A (Gansert), all the area fire departments, and
the citizens for allowing Joe's family to enjoy Christmas even though he will
not be able to be with them as he remains in critical condition. Support continues
to pour in, and for that, we thank everyone.
December 23rd -
Engine 83 on early morning fatal fire - At 0445 hours, Engine 83
responded with units from the 3rd Battalion for a bedroom on fire in an apartment
in the 2700 Blk of Lewis Ave. Units arrived to find a working fire in a first
floor apartment with people trapped. Several lines were advanced to keep the fire
in check while units made rescues as the fire spread to the second floor. Several
people were taken to area hospitals and one resident in the original fire apartment
was pronounced dead on the scene. Engine 83 returned to service in just over an
hour.

December 21st -
Engine 83 on District Heights townhouse fire - Just before 0100 hours,
Engine 83 responded second due on the box in the 1700 Blk of Addison Rd S in Company
26's area for a townhouse fire. E261 arrived with nothing evident , however ,
Engine 83 arrived in the rear with a working fire. Engine 261 ran a line to the
second floor finding a room off while Engine 83 ran a line to the rear and up
a ladder to the third floor to check the floor above. While there, they checked
for extension, searched and vented. The fire was extinguished a short time later
with minimal extension. Engine 83 remained on the scene for over an hour.
December 20th -
Ambulance 88 on trauma on Beltway - During the evening rush hour,
Ambulance 88 responded to the Outer Loop of the Capitol Beltway south of Central
Ave for an accident with one off the roadway. Units arrived to find 6 patients
including two children. The children were removed quickly and work began on the
adults. All were traumas and had to be extricated. Ambulance 88 treated a patient
with a fractured femur along with many other injuries. She was eventually flown
by Trooper 2 to a local Trauma center . In all, 3 helicopters were called to the
scene for transport which wreaked havoc on evening rush hour due to both sides
of the Beltway having to be shut down. Ambualnce 88 cleaned up and cleared in
about an hour.
December 18th -
Engine 81 and Chief 8A on another fire then trauma - After trying
to get some rest and several medic locals, Engine 81 and Chief 8A ( Mehaffey )
responded to the 600 Blk of Elfin Ave in Capitol Heights for a house on fire.
E51 arrived to find a vacant house with fire on the first floor. Engine 81 arrived
just after E51 and took the hydrant in front of the house, supplied E51, and then
ran a back up line. The crew vented and searched as the fire was contained to
to a few rooms and a hallway. The assignment was scaled back shortly after holding
the units for about an hour. Chief 8A had safety and Chief 5A had command. As
Engine 81 was clearing, they were sent to Addison Rd and Central Ave, in front
o fthe metro, for a pedestrian struck. Chief 8A and E554, who was on a transfer,
were already on the scene as citizens had stopped by the station to advise of
the accident. Engine 81 and E554 stabilized and treated the patient who was still
face down in the middle of Central Ave. The victim was transported to a local
trauma center by Paramedic Ambulance 5 suffering from numerous injuries. Units
from 8 returned to service in about 20 minutes.


December 18th -
Engine 81 and Chief 8A on vacant building fire - Around 0500 hours
Engine 81 and Chief 8A ( Mehaffey ) responded to Company 17's area for fire coming
from the roof of a building in the area of Opus Ave and Boundary Ave. E174 arrived
in the 1500 Blk of Boundary Ave to find heavy fire from the 2nd and 3rd floors
of one of the many vacant buildings. Engine 81 arrived and layed a line from E292
and pulled to side A. While Engine 174 was knocking the stairwell and the two
apartments on the second floor, Engine 81 and Chief 8A advanced a line to the
floor above extinguishing the stairwell there and then moving on to the two apartments
that were on fire. Chief 8A was given Division 3 and worked with Engine 81 and
Truck 5 to open up. Due to the heavy fire conditions and prolonged burning, the
floor had burned through in many spots making the job of extinguishing a bit tougher.
After knocking down the front apartment Engine 81 moved their line to the rear
apartment knocking that. Holes in the floor initially prevented Engine 81's crew
from getting to the fire in the rear bedroom but after holding it in check while
the wall from the kitchen was breached by Engine 81's officer, the crew made it
and that fire was also extinguished. Engine 81 and Truck 9 , dispatched on the
1st task force, operated for the duration on the 3rd floor opening up and hitting
hot spots while other crews operated on the 2nd floor. The cause of the fire is
under investigation. Units returned to Seat Pleasant around 8am and Battalion
Chief 3 had the command.




December
12th - 1st due house fire critically injures volunteer
Captain - Around 2230 hours, Engine 81 responded right around the
corner to the 200 Blk of 69th St for a house on fire. Engine 81 arrived with
light smoke showing and ran a line to the house finding a light haze. Volunteer
Captain Joe Johnson ran the line and searched for the fire along with Truck
5 as conditions started to deteriorate. The fire was located in the basement
and the line was taken downstairs. The Captain made his way through the debris
downstairs as the fire started to become more intense. The fire was darkened
down by Engine 81 but in the process, Captain Johnson was now out of air and
in the basement where the only way out was back up the stairs. Chief 8 ( McGill
) had the command and upon learning of Captain Johnson's condition a Mayday
signal was transmitted. Communications sounded the tone and Truck 9, who was
the RIC, was deployed. Command called for a RIC Task Force as well as a fire
task force as it was initially unclear how many firefighters were in the basement
as Truck 5's crew was not accounted for. Soon after, both Captain Johnson with
the assistance from members of 5, 38, and 33 and the crew of Truck 5 emerged
from the basement and units were called out to regroup as fire was now involving
the basement and part of the first floor. Units were redployed to extinguish
the fire and hot spots while keeping away from the front door as the floor was
unstable. Captain Johnson was transported by Medic 46 and EMS1 to the burn unit
at Medstar where he was admitted into ICU in critical condition with burns and
smoke inhalation. The prognosis is good as doctors think he will be fine after
a few days, and well, we are sure of it. The units from 8 cleared about 4 am,
almost 6 hours later. The cause is still under investigation. Get better soon
" Slo Joe ", there's plenty more fires to run.


December 11th -
Trauma Night for Seat Pleasant - Saturday proved to be even busier
then Friday with 28 runs, including 4 traumas in 6 hours. Squad 8 and Ambulance
88 responded to the first just before 2100 hrs for a pedestrian struck in the
6200 blk of Central Ave. Company 8 assisted with packaging a child who was taken
by Paramedic Ambulance 5 to Childrens Hospital in DC. Both units cleared in 20
minutes. The second trauma came about a half hour after clearing in the 5600 blk
of Coolidge St where units arrived to find a 2 car accident. Ambulance 88 packaged
one patient and transported to PG Trauma with Medic 29 on board. Trauma number
three came just before midnight at Central Ave and East Capitol St for a reported
Hit and Run. After searching the area for about 5 minutes and talking to witnesses,
the Squad found the patient who had fled the scene about 75 yards from where she
was allegedly struck by a car. Ambulance 88 packaged the patient and transported
to Medstar Trauma in Washington DC. The fourth and final trauma came about 3 am
Sunday morning as Squad 8, Ambulance 88 and Chief 8 ( McGill ) responded to the
6800 blk of Walker Mill Rd for an accident with one trapped. No one was trapped
however the untits from 8 packaged 3 patients, 2 of which were traumas. Ambulance
88 transported one of them with Medic 29 on board to PG trauma again. The Squad
cleared in about 30 minutes and Ambulance 88 finally made it home about 90 minutes
later.
December 10th -
Busy Day Includes Fire and Extrication - Friday proved to be another
busy day for the week as Company 8 responded on 26 runs. Just before 1030 Squad
8 responded to the 2100 blk of Alice Ave for a reported apartment fire. First
in units found a working fire in a first floor apartment. Squad 8 arrived and
handled the RIC assignment while units put a quick knock on the fire. Squad 8
assisted units on the scene for about 30 minutes. Later at 1430 hours, Squad 8
was added to the accident at Central Ave and Harry S Truman Dr where Engine 461
and Ambulance 88 were on the scene with one trapped. Squad 8 arrived, stabilized
the car, and popped the passenger side door providing access for the EMS units
to remove the patient who was then taken to an area trauma center. Squad 8 cleared
in about 30 minutes while Ambulance 88 returned to service a short time later.

December 8th - Engine
81 on District Heights house fire - Just after 0800 hours, Engine 81
responded to the 6200 Blk of Alpine St in Company 26's area for a house fire.
E261 arrived to find a house with smoke showing. Upon further investigation, it
was discovered that the kitchen was involved in fire with significant extension
to the 2nd floor. Engine 81 arriving next, layed from a nearby hydrant to the
house and ran a line to the second floor to extinguish the fire there. While part
of the crew was extinguishing the fire, the other crew members did a search and
opened up finding several holes in the floor where fire had burned through. Due
to the amount of debris upstairs and the fire involvement, units were held for
awhile for overhaul. Four dogs died in the blaze. Engine 81 returned to service
around 0930 hours.
December 6th - Company
8 on trauma - Just before 2130 hours, Ambulance 88 was sent to the
unit block of Cindy La in Seat Pleasant for a man down between 2 buildings. Upon
arrival, they found a semi conscious male bleeding from the face and ear after
being attacked. Squad 8 and Medic 46 were called to the scene to assist. Squad
8 and Ambulance 88 treated the patient who was then transported to a local trauma
center with a closed head injury in 88 with Medic 46 on board. Squad 8 cleared
in about 30 minutes while Ambulance 88 returned to service in about 90 minutes
after cleanup.
December 5th - Three
dead after early morning fire - About 15 minutes after returning from
the extrication on the Beltway, Engine 81, Ambulance 88 and Chief 8 ( McGill )
responded to Addison Rd and L St in Company 38's area for a house on fire with
people trapped. Units from 8 arrived along with E384 and Chief 38A to find a house
with heavy fire on both floors and confirmed people trapped. Engine 81 and E384
both quickly ran lines to the front to make entry and start extinguishing and
searching. E384's line burst as it went through the front door leaving Engine
81 to handle the heavy fire conditions until another line could get in place.
The crew from 8 made headway as they found one of the victims in a bedroom severely
burned. Shortly after, crews from 5 and 33 found the other two victims, an adult
male and a child, both unresposnive suffering from burns and smoke inhalation.
Both were removed to the crew of Ambulance 88 and Paramedic Ambulance 5 where
CPR was started immediately. The crews split off and both patients were quickly
taken to area hospitals. All of the victims died as a result of their injuries.
A fire task force and an EMS task force were called to assist. The fire was under
control in about 20 minutes as units used caution to extinguish hotspots as the
structure was weakened. Units from 8 remained on the scene until the very end
around 0500 hours to clean up and assist investigators. Chief 8 had interior during
the incident. Later on in the afternoon, the crew from 8 went back out to the
neighborhood to assist in handing out smoke detectors and batteries. The cause
was determined to be unattended smoking materials.


December 4th - Company
8 extricates 1 from tractor trailer - At 2245 hours, an assignment
was dispatched to the Inner Loop of the Beltway at Central Ave for an accident
with one overturned. Due to the initial reported location, Squad 22 was sent instead
of Squad 8 however, Chief 8 ( McGill ) was in the area finding a tractor trailer
on its side on the ramp from Central Ave to the Outer Loop of the Beltway with
the driver pinned in the cab and requested Squad 8 to respond. Squad 8 responded
along with Ambulance 88 ( after clearing a pediatric code in 37's area who was
brought back ) and went to work stabilizing the truck and beginning extrication.
Squad 8 and Squad 22 worked under the direction of Chief 8 for almost an hour
to remove the driver by removing the roof of the tractor. The driver was transported
to a local trauma center by EMS units. Units from 8 cleared in just over an hour.


December 3rd - Squad
8 extricates 1 after police chase - Just before 2000 hours, Squad 8
responded to the 6400 Blk of Marlboro Pike in District Heights for an accident
with one trapped. Units arrived to find an suv on its side with one trapped and
several injured. Police had been chasing a vehicle wanted in connection with a
carjacking and attempted robbery when it crashed into several cars. Squad 8 arrived
and stabilized the vehicle, removing the roof allowing the patient to be removed.
Four BLS patients and 1 Trauma were transported to area hospitals. It is unclear
if all suspects were arrested, however some were taken into custody. Squad 8 cleared
the scene in about an hour.

December 1st - First
call of the month, working fire for Squad 8 - Around 0340 hours, Squad
8 was alerted to the 2900 Blk of Parkland Dr for a vacant house on fire in Company
26's area. E261 arrived to find a house with heavy fire throughout. An initial
interior attack was tried but was changed to an exterior attack due to fire load
and holes in the floor of the vacant dwelling. Squad 8 took the RIC assignment
as units tried to extinguish the fire with several lines. Squad 8 remained on
the scene assisting units for about 90 minutes before returning home.

November
28th - Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 on townhouse fire
- Just before 2000 hours, Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 responded to the 14200 Blk
of Governor Lee Pl in Company 20's area for a townhouse on fire. Squad 20 arrived
first with fire showing from the garage. The first arriving units went to work
doing a search and knocking the fire as some had extended to the second floor.
Squad 8 was given RIC assignments as we rode, and rode, and rode some more to
the call. A task force was called bringing 2 more engines and a rescue squad.
Units from 8 arrived at last and assumed the RIC. The fire was extinguished
and units were held for about 45 minutes checking for extension.


November 24th -
Busy day yields shooting and extrication - Wednesday was rather
busy bringing 29 runs for Company 8 including a shooting and extrication, both
in the first due. The shooting occurred just before 1600 hours when Ambulance
88 responded to the 500 Blk of Pacer Ct. Ambulance 88 arrived to find nothing
at that address. Upon clearing, Ambulance 88 was sent to the 8000 Blk of East
Nalley Rd just a few blocks from the original call for the shooting. This time
they found the patient, a teenage male, who had been shot once in his left thigh.
Ambulance 88 treated and transported with Medic 46 to a local trauma center and
cleared in about an hour. Later on as the day was coming to a close, Squad 8 and
Ambulance 88 responded to Hill Rd and Hastings Dr for an accident with one trapped.
Units arrived to find a vehicle on all 4 wheels, but it had rolled several times,
hitting a pole with the roof, then coming back down to set on its wheels. The
impact had crushed and creased the entire roof pushing it down into the passenger
compartment. Squad 8 removed the roof allowing the patient to be extricated. Miraculously
he was not severely injured and wa stransported to a local trauma center by land
as a precaution by Ambulance 88 and Medic 46. Squad 8 returned to service in about
45 minutes and Ambulance 88 did not return home until almost 0130 hours the next
day.
November 21st -
Burn patient requires fly out in Seat Pleasant - Around 1620 hours,
Ambulance 88 was dispatched for one burned in the 1000 Blk of Fairford Way in
Seat Pleasant. Upon arrival, they found a patient who had been burned by hot grease
across her torso and lower extremities. Due to the extent of the burns, a helicopter
was called bringing Engine 81 to set up the LZ at Goodwin Park down the street
from the station. Ambulance 88 treated the patient and transported to Trooper
2 who was waiting. The patient was flown to a local burn center and Ambulance
88 and Engine 81 returned to service in about 45 minutes.
November 16th -
Ambulance 88 on trauma - Around 1144 hours, Ambulance 88 was alerted
to Garrett A Morgan Blvd near the new metro station for a person who had gotten
his leg run over by a large piece of paving machinery and was reportedly still
trapped in it. Units arrived to find the person no longer trapped, however, he
was suffering from severe trauma to his foot and leg as it had been basically
twisted and ground up. Ambulance 88 worked with the Engine from 33 and Medic 46
to stabilize the patients leg as a Trooper was called to the scene. The patient
was transported just up the street to Fed Ex Field ( Home of the Redskins ) where
Trooper 2 transported the patient to Baltimore where they specialize in hand and
foot traumas. Ambulance 88 cleaned up and returned to service in about an hour.
November 12th -
Busy 24 hours with several minor fires - The last 24 hours has been
a steady one with 27 runs including many accidents and several minor fires. It
started Thursday evening when the Ambulance ran the working fire dispatch in the
11000 Blk of Old York Rd in Company 46's area where units were on the scene with
a garage fire. Shortly after returning, Engine 83 ran a set fire in front of a
church in the 7600 Blk of Walker Mill Dr in Seat Pleasant. That fire was quickly
extinguished. Then the following morning around 4am, Ambulance 88 was transferred
to Company 21 and soon after Engine 83 was alerted to the Task Force for the 2600
Blk of Brinkley Rd in Oxon Hill as units were on the scene with a working fire.
The task force was returned quickly and Engine 83 remained at home while 88 continued
to 21. Then about 1130 hours, Squad 8 was sent to the 14600 Blk of Brock Hall
Rd in Company 20's area for a house fire. Units arrived on the scene to find a
malfunctioning wood stove that had extended to the joists between the 1st floor
and basement. Squad 8 remained on the scene for 2 hours assisting units in locating
and confining the fire as well as venting the structure. Then after some accidents
and a false call for a building fire at the local homeless shelter, Squad 8 went
to the 6300 Blk of Hilmar Dr in Company 26's area for an apartment fire. Units
arrived to find fire in a vacant apartment ( which has been happening alot lately
) and Squad 8 assumed RIC duties returning to service within an hour.
November 10th -
Engine 83 and Chief 8A on 2 alarm apartment fire - Just after 1300
hours, Engine 83 and Chief 8A ( Mehaffey ) responded to the 5600 Blk of Regency
Park Ct in Company 27's area for an apartment on fire with people trapped. Chief
26A arrived and reported heavy smoke showing. Units arriving in the rear discovered
a terrace level apartment well involved. Engine 83 arrived and took a hydrant
in front supplying E174 who took a line through side A to the terrace level. Engine
83 was given the assignment to pull a larger line to back up 17's line as they
were experiencing heavy fire conditions in the hallway and apartment. Chief 8A
relieved the chief officer on the terrace level and assumed that sector while
Engine 83 helped 17 extinguish the fire. The other engines deployed lines to the
units above and adjacent to extinguish the fire there. A second alarm was called
due to the vertical extension and the need to finish the searches of all 4 floors,
primary and secondary. Some victims were removed and treated by awaiting EMS units.
Engine 83 and Chief 8A cleared in about 2 hours.


November 8th -
Engine 83 on first due house fire - Around 1530 hours, Engine 83 responded
to the 6900 Blk of Avon St about a block from the firehouse for a reported house
fire. Engine 83 arrived to find heavy fire and smoke coming from the basement
and first floor. Several lines were taken in and the fire was extinguished soon
after. Units were held for some time for extensive overhaul and to assist the
investigators as the house has been the site of smaller suspicious fires over
the past few weeks. Engine 83 returned home about 4 hours later.


November 6th - Engine
83 on early morning fire in District Heights - Just before 1am, Engine
83 was dispatched 2nd due to the 6800 Blk of Walker Mill Rd in District Heights
for smoke in the building. Upon arrival, E261 and E83 found smoke in the hallway
and upon further investigation found a room off in a vacant apartment. Engine
83 forced entry and assisted E261 with the line extinguishing the fire. While
enroute to this call , Quint 22 came across an accident at Addison Rd S and Ronald
Rd in our first due with a vehicle overturned and 2 trapped. Several EMS units
were called to the scene as the patients were extricated and taken to local hospitals.
Engine 83 returned to service in just over an hour. Later on that afternoon Ambulance
88 was sent on the working fire dispatch in the 2700 Blk of Lorring Dr in Company
26's area where units found a fire in a third floor apartment. The fire was quickly
extinguished and Ambulance 88 returned to service in about an hour.

2700 Blk of Lorring Dr
November 5th - Squad
8 extricates 3 from accident in Ritchie - Around 1430 hours, Squad
8 was sent to the 500 Blk of Hampton Park Bl in Company 37's area for an accident.
Units arrived to find two vehicles with 3 patients trapped. Squad 8 arrived and
stabilized both vehicles removing the door on one and then the door and steering
column on the other. All 3 patients were transported to local trauma centers by
waiting EMS units. Squad 8 returned to service in about 40 minutes.
October 30th - Company
8 on daytime shooting - Just before 1700 hours Squad 8, Ambulance 88,
and Chief 8A ( Mehaffey ) responded to the 6600 Blk of G St in Seat Pleasant for
a report of one shot. Units arrived to find a male in his driveway shot once in
the lower leg and suffering from a tib-fib fracture with no exit wound. Company
8 units treated the injury and Ambulance 88 transported to a local trauma center.
Squad 8 and Chief 8A cleared in about 20 minutes while Ambulance 88 returned home
in about an hour.
October 28th - Squad
8 on Capitol Heights house fire - Around 1800 hours, Squad 8 responded
to the 400 Blk of Ventura Ave in Company 5's area. Units arrived to find a single
family house with smoke showing. Squad 8 opened up and performed a primary search
while the engine company extinguished the fire. The fire was confined to a room
in the house and Squad 8 remained on the scene for over an hour checking for extension
and assisting investigators.
October 27th - Ambulance
88 on stabbing - Around 1530 hours, Ambulance 88 was sent to the 3300
Blk of Walters La in Company 26's area for a stabbing. Units arrived to find a
male that had been involved in a domestic and stabbed near the elbow with a steak
knife. Usually this wouldnt create too much of a problem, however, the blade caught
an artery on the inside of the arm and the patient began to bleed profusely. After
many pressure dressings were applied, the patient was transported with Medic 46
to a local trauma center. Ambulance 88 cleared the call in just over an hour.
October 26th - Engine
81 on early morning house fire - Just after 0200 hours, Engine 81 responded
to the 5700 Blk of J St in Company 38's area for fire coming from the basement
of a vacant house. Upon arrival, units found heavy fire from the basement windows
as well as heavy smoke from the first floor and a task force was called. E384
ran a line inside while Engine 81 ran an additional one trying to find an entrance
to the basement. No entrance was found and the line was brought inside. By this
time, E384's crew was still on the first floor trying to knock the fire enough
to make the steps. Engine 81's crew made it to the basement and E384's crew followed.
Lines were used to knock the fire on the first floor that met them at the steps
as well as the entire downstairs. The fire was extinguished a short time later
with units being held for awhile for overhaul and to assist investigators. Engine
81 returned home around 0430.
October 23rd - Company
8 removes 1 from accident, later lands bird - Around noon Squad 8 and
Ambulance 88 were sent to MLK Hwy and Addison Rd down the street from Company
8 for an accident. Units arrived and no service was required. While returning
from that accident, they were sent to the other end of Addison Rd at Central Ave
by Company 8 for an accident with one overturned. Units arrived to find a vehicle
on Central Ave overturned with a patient inside. Squad 8 arrived, stabilized the
vehicle and removed the door extricating the patient. Ambulance 88 transported
to a local trauma center. Squad 8 cleared in about 30 minutes and The Bus cleared
in about an hour. Later on that evening, Engine 81 set up a landing site for a
Trooper at District Heights Elementary School as a patient from a motorcycle accident
needed to be flown to a trauma center.

October 21st - Squad
8 responds to basement fire on the border - At 1819 hours, Squad 8
was sent to the 4400 Blk of Southern Ave in Company 17's area on the Maryland
side of the Southeast DC border for a house on fire. Units arrived to find heavy
fire in the basement with extension to the 1st floor. Engine 174 arrived and ran
a line to the basement through the rear as there was no access to the basement
from the inside. Additional lines were put in place on the first floor to knock
the fire there and to keep it from spreading. Squad 8 arrived and because of the
possibility of things to go wrong quickly due to limited access and vertical fire
spread, set up as the RIC. The fire was extinguished and units opened up checking
for any further extension. Squad 8 also performed a secondary search of the first
floor. Squad 8 returned to service in just under an hour.

October 20th - Squad
8 removes trauma in Largo - Just before 1430 hours, Squad 8 responded
to Central Ave and Harry S Truman Dr in Company 46's area for an accident. Units
arrived to find two vehicles quite a distance apart with people trapped in both
vehicles. Squad 8 arrived and went to work extricating the more serious trauma
from the vehicle by removing the door and roof. While Squad 8 was working on this
one, Rescue Engine 33 removed a less serious trauma from the other vehicle. The
patients were both taken to local trauma centers by awaiting EMS units. Squad
8 cleared in about 45 minutes.
October 15th - Engine
83 on apartment fire - Around 0045 hours, Engine 83 responded to the
2700 Blk of Lewis Ave in Boulevard Heights for an apartment on fire. The Engine
from 17 arrived with a second floor apartment off. Engine 83 arrived 3rd and took
a line to the exposure opening up the walls and checking the cockloft for extension.
The fire was extinguished shortly after and searches were negative. Engine 83
returned home in just under an hour.
October 11th - Two
extrications and a fire for Columbus Day - The Columbus Day holiday
was slow with only 17 runs however it yielded 2 extrications and a fire later
in teh day. The first extrication was at 0917 hours at Central Ave and Hampton
Pk Dr in Company 46's area. Units arrived to find a Ford Excursion on its side
with one person still inside. Squad 8 arrived, stabilized the vehicle and removed
the windshield allowing the patient to be extricated. That patient was taken to
a local hospital. The second extrication came at around 1500 Hours when Squad
8 was sent to the 6800 Blk of Walker Mill Rd in Company 26's area for a car off
the road. Squad 8 arrived to find a single vehicle wedged between some trees.
Squad 8 stabilized the vehicle, removed the roof and a door while E371 stood by
with a line and assisted. The patient was removed a short time later and transported
to a local trauma center. Squad 8 picked up and returned to service in about 30
minutes. Later around 2030 hours, Squad 8 was sent to the 4200 Blk of Torque St
in Boulevard Heights for a house fire. Units arrived to find fire in the kitchen
with extension to the attic. Squad 8 was given the RIC assignment and helped open
up checking for extension and performed extensive overhaul. Power saws and hooks
were the tools of choice for a while as units worked to find and extinguish all
the fire. Squad 8 cleared in about 2 hours.
October 10th - Ambulance
88 on trauma - Around 0115 hours while returning from PG Hospital,
an accident was dispatched for the BW Pkwy and Landover Rd. Ambulance 88 being
right there, arrived on the scene to find a single vehicle rollover accident with
one patient. The patient was suffering from a large gash on his head along with
other minor injuries and a loss of consciousness. The patient was treated and
loaded into Ambulance 88 where the crew trasnported to PG Trauma. Ambulance 88
cleared in about 45 minutes.
October 8th - 100th
fire of the year is house fire in Capitol Heights - Just prior to 0900
hours, Squad 8 was sent to the 700 Blk of Mentor Ave in Company 5's area for the
3rd working fire in 24 hours. Units arrived to find heavy fire on the second floor
of a house. Squad 8 arrived and went to work searching and opening up. The fire
was knocked a short time later and brought under control shortly after that. Squad
8 remained on the scene for 2 1/2 hours doing overhaul and assisting investigators.
This was the 100th fire for the year, which last year did not occur until November
1st.

October 7th - Company
8 on two fires in four hours - Just before 1330 hours, Squad 8 was
dispatched to the 3300 Blk of Dodge Park Rd in Company 33's area for an apartment
on fire with people trapped. Units arrived to find a working fire on the second
floor with several people in need of rescuing. A maintenance crew in the area
assisted with the removal of two children and an adult from the fire apartment
who were then transported to a local hospital for burns and smoke inhalation.
Squad 8 had the RIC duties as the engine companies knocked the fire and units
made a thorough search of the building for additional victims. Squad 8 cleared
in about an hour after assisting the units on the scene. Then just before 1800
hours, Engine 81 cleared a first due fire alarm and was sent to the 1700 Blk of
Allendale Terr in Palmer Park where units arrived to find a good amount of fire
coming from the second floor. The fire was contained to the room of origin and
Engine 81 remained on the scene for about 30 minutes before returning to service.

3300 Blk Dodge Park Rd
October
2nd - Company 8 on trauma - Around 2330
hours, Squad 8, Ambulance 88, and Chief 8A ( Mehaffey ) responded with Ambulance
389 to MLK Hwy and Hill Rd for an accident. Units arrived to find two vehicles,
both with significant damage, and 3 patients total including two traumas. Ambulance
389 took one while Ambulance 88 took two patients to a local trauma center.
Squad 8 and Chief 8A assisted units with packaging the patients and controlling
the fluid leak from both vehicles. Squad 8 and Chief 8A cleared in about 30
minutes while Ambulance 88 returned to service in about 90.
September 28th - Person
assaulted, car taken, trip to trauma center - Just after 1500 hours,
Ambulance 88 was dispatched to the Auto Body Shop in the 4800 Blk of Marlboro
Pike in Company 17's area for an injured person. The mechanic at the shop had
been working on a vehicle when someone decided that they wanted the car, beat
the mechanic, and took the car fleeing toward DC. Ambulance 88 transported the
victim to a local trauma center and returned to service in about 90 minutes.
September 26th -
Child falls out 3rd floor window - Around 1735 hours, Ambulance
88 was sent to the 7100 Blk of Chaparral Dr in Company 26's area for a child that
had fallen out of a 3rd story window and landed on a car. The child was found
face down suffering from multiple injuries. The child was stabilized and treated
while Ambulance 88 and Medic 29 transported the child to the landing zone where
she was transported to a local trauma center in MD State Trooper. Ambulance 88
returned to service in about an hour.
September 26th -
Ambulance 88 and Chief 8A on trauma - Just after midnight, Ambulance
88 along with Chief 8A ( Mehaffey ) responded to the 6000 Blk of Central Ave next
to Company 5 for a person on a 4 wheeler hit by a car. Upon Engine 52's arrival,
the striking vehicle fled the scene heading toward Seat Pleasant. Ambulance 88
and Engine 52 treated the victim who was thrown a good distance from the 4 wheeler
after being struck and was suffering from a fracture to the lower leg. The fracture
and the patient were immobilized and then loaded into Medic 29 who took the patient
to a local trauma center. The striking vehicle was followed by a citizen until
police could catch up and then finally stopping the vehicle at Marlboro Pike and
Donnell Dr in Forestville. Ambulance 88 and Chief 8A cleared in about 30 minutes.


September 25th -
Another small fire in the first due - Just around 1000 hours, Engine
81 and Ambulance 88 responded to the 7000 Blk of Hastings Dr in Seat Pleasant
for a house fire. Engine 81 arrived to find smoke showing from a single family
house. A line was stretched and a small fire was found in the laundry room. The
fire was quickly extinguished however heavy smoke conditions remained in the house.
Engine 81 and Truck 5 were held for about 45 minutes for smoke removal and overhaul.
September 24th -
Small fire in transmission shop - Around 0630 hours, Engine 81 responded
to the 6500 Blk of Central Ave, about a block from the firehouse, along with the
rest of the box alarm for fire in a transmission shop. Engine 81 arrived quickly
to find heavy smoke showing. Engine 81 and Truck 5 made quick entry as the engine
crew stretched a line finding a small fire in the rear of the store. The fire
was knocked quickly and units were held to ventilate as heavy smoke conditions
persisted. Engine 81 returned to service in about an hour.
September 23rd -
Second fire in 12 hours for Company 8 - It seems after the lull
in fires recently, we may be back in business. Just after 1000 hours, Engine 81
responded for fire in the basement of a house in the 6000 Blk of Addison Rd in
Seat Pleasant. Engine 81 arrived and confirmed a small dryer fire and held themselves
to pick up. About 15 minutes later as they were leaving, they noticed a house
down the street, still in the 6000 Blk of Addison Rd, with heavy smoke coming
from the rear. Engine 81 pulled up and ran a line calling for the assignment.
The line was run through the rear as the front of the house was not accessible.
The rear addition was on fire and was quickly knocked down while other units assisted
with ventilation and a search. Engine 81 remained on the scene for over an hour
to mop up. Some of you may recognize this house as the same one that was hit by
the metro transit officer, collapsing the front porch, just over a month ago.

September 22nd -
Squad 8 on fire in vacant building - After almost two weeks without
a fire, the drought was broken about 2200 hours as Squad 8 and units from the
3rd Battalion responded to the 4700 Blk of Hudson Ave in Company 17's area for
a vacant building on fire. Units arrived with heavy fire in the rear of the building.
Squad 8 was given the RIC assignment as two additional engines and a squad were
called to the scene along with Paramedic Ambulance 5. Lines were advanced and
searches were done looking for any vagrants that had set up residency in these
vacant buildings. The searches were negative and the fire was extinguished with
little extension. Squad 8 cleared the scene in just over an hour after assisting
units on the scene and picking up their equipment used.


September 20th -
Engine 81 on overturned vehicle with trauma - Monday was a rather
busy one starting off with 6 calls before 0700, including the shooting, and the
rest of the day was spent responding to 27 runs including an accident in the 1100
Blk of Addison Rd South in Seat Pleasant. Units arrived to find an overturned
vehicle with one patient suffering from numerous injuries including a compound
fracture to one of her arms. The patient was treated and carefully removed by
the crew from Engine 81 and then was transported to a local trauma center. Engine
81 returned to service in about 20 minutes.

September 20th -
String of violence continues in Seat Pleasant - As the sun began
to rise, Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 were sent just before 0700 to the 6900 Blk of
Central Ave for a shooting. Units arrived to find a teenager shot multiple times
in the chest and was pronounced dead. Apparently him and a few other teenagers
were hanging out the night before when at least two men opened fired on them,
making the group scatter. The teens were chased until one of them got caught on
a fence and then was shot multiple times at close range. This continues a recent
outburst of senseless violence in the area including 11 armed carjackings by a
group of males since Friday, all of them being in the Seat Pleasant area.
September 18th -
Another shooting in Seat Pleasant - After a somewhat busy Friday
of 24 runs when most of the DC area was dodging tornadoes from what was leftover
of Ivan, Squad 8 and Chief 8A ( Mehaffey ) started Saturday off right around 0100
hours with a shooting in the 100 Blk of Maryland Park Dr in Seat Pleasant just
outside of SE DC. Units from 8 along with the rest of the medical box alarm including
Paramedic Engine 52, Paramedic A58, Ambulance 229 and Medic 46 arrived with county
police to find a patient shot in the lower body after an attempted carjacking
by several unknown subjects who then fled. The patient was treated and transported
by PA58 and A229 to a local trauma center. Squad 8 and Chief 8A cleared in about
20 minutes. This comes just days after someone opened fired on a group of teens
in the 400 Blk of 69th Pl. No one was struck however one person suffered a knee
injury after diving for cover from the gunfire.

September 15th -
Pedestrian killed in front of firehouse - Just after 1300 hours,
crews were sitting in the firehouse when they heard a loud thud and then screeching
brakes, which in that order is never a good thing. As they got up to investigate,
they were met with lots of people banging on the bay doors confirming what they
had heard. Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 investigated and called for a medic unit.
Paramedic Ambulance 5 and Medic 29 were started but due to the distance of Medic
29 and the severity of the patient, they were placed in service and the 1 medic
from PA 5 transported with Ambulance 88 to a local trauma center where he he succumbed
to his injuries. Squad 8 returned to service in about 20 minutes while Ambulance
88 and the medic from 5 returned to service in about 2 hours. Addison Rd at Central
Ave was also closed for over 2 hours while the police reconstructed the accident
wreaking havoc on early evening rush hour.

September 14th -
Squad 8 & Ambulance 88 on trauma - Right around 1830 hours,
Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 were sent to 401 Jadeleaf Ave at the Carmody Hills Elementary
School for a child that had flipped on an ATV and then had the 4 wheeler land
on him. Units arrived and had to go to the rear of the school to find County Police
officers along with a child and two ATV's. The child was not suffering from any
major injuries but did have an altered level of consciousness. The child was treated
and packaged by Ambulance 88 then transported to a local trauma center with Medic
30 on board. Squad 8 cleared in about 20 minutes while Ambulance 88 remained on
the call for close to an hour.
September 11th -
Seat Pleasant on back to back shootings - At 2108 hours, Squad 8
and Ambulance 88 were sent down the street to the 5900 Blk of Seat Pleasant Dr
for one shot. Units arrived with PD to find a victim shot once in the head after
a drive by and attempted carjacking. Units from 8 treated the patient and Ambulance
88 transported the victim with Medic 30 to a local trauma center. Upon clearing
the hospital, Ambulance 88 was sent to the 2400 Blk of Brightseat Rd in Kentland
for a shooting. Units from 33 arrived just prior to Ambulance 88 to find two victims
shot, one of them in the head and several times in the body and the other not
as seriously in the body. Immediately the crews started bagging the one patient
which soon turned into CPR. Ambulance 88 transported the patient to a local trauma
center again where he fell victim to his injuries and died. The other patient
was also transported to a local trauma center. Ambulance 88 took almost two hours
to return to service due to the extensive cleanup. This represented the 100th
homicide in PG County this year, with a majority of them being in the Seat Pleasant
and Landover areas.
September 10th -
Squad 8 on stabbing & accident at the same time - Just after
2230 hours, Squad 8 was sent to the 7000 Blk of Central Ave for a stabbing. Squad
8 arrived to find many subjects in handcuffs and one patient that had been stabbed
in the neck and chest as a result of a domestic situation. While the crew from
Squad 8 was assisting Paramedic Ambulance 5 in treating and packaging the stabbing
victim, a 3 car accident occurred in front near Squad 8. The crew went to check
on victims of that accident while PA 5 quickly left the scene. After investigating,
it was discovered that 5 people needed to be taken to the hospital, so 3 basic
units including Ambulance 88 were called to assist. Squad 8 provided patient care
until all patients could be removed and transported. The original stabbing victim
was flown out by Eagle 1 to a distant trauma center as all of the local ones were
closed. Squad 8 returned to service from both calls in about an hour.

September 9th - Ambulance
88 on trauma - Around 2200 hours, Ambulance 88 was sent for an accident
involving a motorcycle and a car at Branch and Allentown. Ambulance 88 arrived
and found teh driver of the motorcycle in the road with numerous injuries. The
patient was treated and carefully packaged by the crew from Ambulance 88 and was
soon transported to a local trauma center along with medic 47. Ambulance 88 cleared
in just over an hour.
September 9th -
Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 on pedestrian struck - Around 1900 hours
Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 along with Medic 30 responded to the 5000 Blk Addison
Rd in Company 38's area for a pedestrian struck. Units arrived to find a teenager
in the street that had been struck by a car at about 40 miles per hour. The patient
was suffering from a broken arm and broken leg and was transported to a local
trauma center by Medic 30. The units from 8 returned to service in about 30 minutes.
September 9th -
Company 8 on two morning house fires
- Just before 0300 hours, Squad 8 was dispatched to the 1200 Blk of Java Pl in
Company 38's area for a house fire. Units arrived to find fire showing from the
house. Squad 8 arrived soon after and went to work searching as heavy smoke filled
the house which was divided up pretty extensively. The engines advanced lines
and knocked the fire as the Squad continued to search which proved negative. The
fire was controlled in a short time and Squad 8 remained on the scene for over
an hour. Then right around 1000 hours, DC Communications received a cell call
reporting a house on fire at an address that was not in DC. After consulting with
PG, it was decided it was possibly the 300 Blk of Zelma Ave in Seat Pleasant.
Units arrived in that hundred block to confirm a kitchen fire at a residence.
The fire was quickly knocked down and Engine 81 remained on the scene for about
45 minutes to overhaul and pick up.
September 4th -
Squad 8 removes one on the Pike - Just after 2000 hours, Squad 8
was called to assist units at Marlboro Pike and Opus Ave with one trapped after
an accident. Squad 8 arrived and stabilized the car and then removed the door.
EMS units packaged and removed the patient and transported to a local hospital.
Squad 8 picked up and returned to service in about 30 minutes.
September 3rd -
Engine 81 & Ambulance 88 first arriving on 5 house - Just before
2300 hours, Engine 81 was dispatched second due to the rear of the 900 Blk of
Larchmont Ave in Capitol Heights for a house on fire. Engine 51 went on the scene
in the area with nothing evident and told the units to stage as they checked.
Engine 81 while responding stopped in the 500 Blk of Larchmont Ave at a house
with heavy fire involving the rear. The crew quickly ran a line and reported the
correct location to the incoming units. Upon entering, the crew discovered the
house to be vacant except for the mattresses and trash in the rear bedrooms. The
crew extinguished the two rooms and hallway quickly as the rest of the units checked
for extension. Units from Seat Pleasant cleared in about two hours.
August 31st - Squad
8 makes trip to Forrestville for townhouse fire - Around 0615 hours,
Squad 8 was dispatched to the rear of the 2900 Blk of Chester Grove Rd for a townhouse
on fire. E371 arrived with smoke showing and a working fire. Upon further investigation
it was discovered that a large shed type structure was on fire. E371 ran a line
while Truck 17 did a search as the shed was large enough to warrant one. Squad
8 took the RIC duties as the fire was quickly darkened down. Squad 8 returned
to service in about 30 minutes.
August 29th - Squad
8 removes trauma for 88 in Seat Pleasant - At 0338 hours, Squad 8 and
Ambulance 88 responded to East Capitol St and Coolidge St in Seat Pleasant for
an accident. Units arrived to find a 2 vehicle T-bone collision with the driver
of one vehicle trapped and unconscious. Squad 8 stabilized and removed the roof
and door to allow the patient to be taken out. He was suffering from fractures
to both femurs, the pelvis, and skull along with a flailed chest and had to be
bagged while still in the vehicle. Ambulance 88 transported with Medic 46 to a
local trauma center. The driver of the other vehicle was caught a short time later
by county police as he tried to run from the scene. Squad 8 returned to service
in just over an hour after assisting the police and Ambulance 88 returned to service
a short time after that.
August 25th - Man
attacked with machete' in Seat Pleasant - Around 1615 hours, Squad
8 and EMS units responded to the 7800 Blk of Central Ave in Seat Pleasant for
a cutting. Units arrived to find a male with several deep gashes after being attacked
with a machete'. Apparently the supervisor of a local business had angered an
employee, so the employee went and got a machete' and cut him. The patient was
suffering from a deep gash on his forehead which laid it wide open along with
part of the skull, a smaller gash on the back of his head, two almost amputated
thumbs, and a severe gash on his wrist. The patient was treated and transported
to a local trauma center via medic unit. Squad 8 cleared in about 25 minutes.
August 21st - Squad
8 and Ambulance 88 on extrication - After clearing the shooting, Squad
8 and Ambulance 88 were sent to Central Ave in front of Addison Plaza in Seat
Pleasant for an accident with one unconscious. Units from Seat Pleasant arrived
to find a T-Bone accident. The passenger in the one car was trapped while the
driver decided to run from the scene, leaving his friend in the car. Squad 8 stabilized
the vehicle and removed the door to allow Ambulance 88 to transport the patient
to the hospital. Units from 8 cleared a short time later.
August 21st - Squad
8 on double shooting - At 2025 hours, Squad 8 was sent to the 5900
Blk of Seat Pleasant Dr at the #1 Best Food Mart in Seat Pleasant for two people
shot. Squad 8 arrived to find two teenagers shot inside. Apparently they were
just standing outside when an SUV pulled up and opened fire on a group and left.
The one patient was shot in the ankle which completely blew apart the bone while
the other was shot in the hip and in the leg, shattering his femur. Both were
treated on the scene and transported to a local trauma center. Squad 8 cleared
in about 30 minutes.
August 21st - Squad
8 stabilizes car on Suitland Pkwy - Just after 1900 hours, Squad 8
responded to the ramp to Suitland Pkwy to Silver Hill Rd for an accident with
one overturned. Units arrived to find a vehicle that was precariously sitting
on the ramp in a position that any sudden movement could have sent it rolling
off of the ramp. Squad 8 arrived and hooked up the winch to stabilize the vehicle
to prevent it from rolling. The vehicle was stabilized and the driver was carefully
removed. Squad 8 returned to service a short time later.
August 18th - Squad
8 on fire in Palmer Park - At 2300 hours, Squad 8 responded to the
1700 Blk of Dutch Village Dr in Company 33's area for a fire in a townhouse. Units
arrived to find a fire in a second floor bedroom. Squad 8 arrived and was given
the RIC duties as a line was stretched to extinguish the fire. The fire was knocked
and out a few minutes later and units were returned quickly. Squad 8 assisted
and picked up returning home in about 30 minutes.
August 17th - Ambulance
88 on afternoon shooting - Right around 1345 hours, Ambulance 88 was
sent to the 7600 Blk of Allendale Dr in Palmer Park for a shooting. Units arrived
to find a male shot twice in the hip region. Ambulance 88 assisted with patient
care and transported with Medic 46 to a local trauma center. The bus returned
to service in about 90 minutes.
August 15th - Metro
Transit Officer escapes serious injury - Just before 2100 hours, Squad
8 and Ambulance 88 responded to the 6000 Blk of Addison Rd in Seat Pleasant for
a police car into a house. Units from 8 arrived to find a single vehicle accident
involving a cruiser that had ended up in the front yard after hitting a house.
The officer was responding to a call in the area and apparently the car had flipped
several times end over end, striking the house causing the front porch to collapse.
Luckily the officer suffered only minor injuries and was transported to a local
hospital in Ambulance 88. Squad 8 cleared in about 40 minutes after inspecting
the damage to the house and Ambulance 88 returned to service in about an hour.
The Seat Pleasant Volunteer Fire Company extends our best wishes to the officer
for a speedy recovery.
August 14th - Company
8 on two stabbings - Just after 0100 hours, Ambulance 88 was sent to
the 700 Blk of Glacier Ave in Company 5's area for a stabbing. Units arrived to
find a male stabbed multiple times after being robbed. The patient was suffering
from a stab wound to the wrist, and right shoulder as well as a large gash to
the left side of the back. He was transported in Ambulance 88 with the Medics
on board to a local trauma center. Ambulance 88 cleared in just over an hour.
Then at the end of the day around 2230 hours, a couple showed up at the firehouse
after the female was assaulted. She was suffering from a large stab wound to her
face and ear after being attacked by an unknown male near the firehouse. Ambulance
88 and Squad 8 treated the patient as Ambulance 88 transported the victim a local
trauma center returning to service just before midnight.
August 12th - House
explodes in Carmody Hills - Just after 0500 hours, Engine 83 responded
to the 6600 Blk of Clinglog St in the Carmody Hills section of Seat Pleasant for
an auto fire. Engine 83 arrived with an auto on fire but simultaneously PSC was
receiving additional calls for a block over in the 6600 Blk of Valley Park Rd
for a house on fire with a report of the house collapsing. It was thought to be
the same call however an assignment was sent anyway just in case. Engine 83 finished
extinguishing the fire and quickly disconnected the trash line and went to the
call on Valley Park Rd. Engine 83 arrived first with nothing evident and checked
the area while other units staged. A citizen advised that the house in question
was on Drylog St so Engine 83 went there and found a pile of burning rubble which
used to be a house. Engine 83 corrected the address and had units come to the
6600 Blk of Drylog St. Units began looking for any signs of survivors as the house
continued to burn. It was deemed that the house was vacant and units began a defensive
attack with handlines due to the instability of the structure. Chief 8 ( McGill
) had the command as Battalion Chief 1 and units operated for about 20 minutes
to get most of the fire out before other units started to return to service. Engine
83 remained on the scene for 5 hours as a backhoe had to be brought in to sift
through the rubble to extinguish hot spots. The cause was a gas explosion when
gas was left leaking from a stove that was stolen out of the house. Speaking of
things stolen, if anyone sees 100 ft of 1 1/2 hose with a fog nozzle, formerly
known as our trash line, let us know. It "disappeared" from Clinglog
St when we broke it down and left it after extinguishing the auto to go to the
house fire. Pawn
shops beware !!!!!

August
11th - Squad 8 removes 1 from accident -
Just before 1730 hours, Squad 8 was sent to the 8000 Blk of Cryden Way for an
accident with one trapped. Squad 8 arrived and stabilized the vehicle and quickly
removed one patient by popping a door. The patient wa streated and taken to
a local hospital with numerous injuries. Squad 8 picked up and returned to service
in about 40 minutes.
August
10th - Second fire of the day for Seat Pleasant
- Just before 2030 hours, Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 responded to the 1400 Blk of
Nova Ave in Company 17's area for an apartment fire. Units arrived to find a working
fire in the bedroom of an apartment. Squad 8 was given the RIC duties while Ambulance
88 treated 4 patients who were removed from the apartment above. The fire was
extinguished a short time later and the units from 8 remained on the scene for
about an hour.
August 10th - Squad
8 on two alarm storefront fire - Just before 0530 hours, Squad 8 was
sent to the 4100 Blk of Branch Ave for smoke coming from the Dollar Store. E292
arrived to find heavy fire involving the front of the store. Squad 8 arrived soon
after and with the officer from E292 being by himself, Squad 8 assisted him with
the initial line while the truck companies opened up and additional engines started
running lines. Command requested a task force which was soon upgraded to a full
second alarm. The fire was controlled about 20 minutes later and Squad 8 remained
on the scene for about 2 1/2 hours assisting investigators and overhaul.
August 7th -
Ambulance 88 on stabbing - Just before 1700 hours, Ambulance 88 was
sent to the 900 Blk of Sitka La for a stabbing. Ambulance 88 arrived to find a
victim with multiple stab wounds. The patient was treated and transported to a
local trauma center. Ambulance 88 cleared in just over an hour.
SEAT PLEASANT SAYS GOODBYE
TO AN IRREPLACEABLE LEGEND




August
6th, 2004
Today
the Seat Pleasant Volunteer Fire Company laid to rest Past Chief, President,
and Life Member Pat Souders. You will never be forgotten Pat and can not be
replaced. Goodbye and thanks for the memories and experience you have given
us all. Your legacy will live forever here in Seat Pleasant.
Gerald
Pat Souders
February
18, 1934 - July 29th, 2004

August 6th - Stabbing,
fire, and an extrication...all in a days work - Just after 0200 hours,
Ambulance 88 and Medic 46 were sent to the unit block of Cindy La, in Seat Pleasant,
where a man had been approached and attacked, having his throat slit by an unknown
assailant. EMS units treated the patient and Medic 46 transported the patient
to a local trauma center where luckily the the knife did not get any major arteries.
Ambulance 88 returned to service in about 30 minutes. Then just before 0900 hours,
Squad 8 was sent to the 4700 Blk of Omaha St in Company 17's area for a bedroom
on fire in a house. Squad 8 arrived as the first special service and went to work
while Engine 51 took a line to the second floor. Squad 8 searched and vented as
the room was knocked down. Squad 8 remained on the scene for awhile for overhaul.
Then just after 1600 hours, Squad 8 was specialed to Pennsylvania Ave and Walters
La in District Heights to assist units on the scene with a van on its side and
a person trapped. Squad 8 arrived and assisted Squad 27 with cutiing some of the
posts to remove the patient who was then transported to a local trauma center.
Squad 8 returned to service in about 30 minutes.
August 5th -
Busy night for Company 8 - Just before midnight on the 4th, Engine
83 and Battalion Chief 1 ( Chief McGill ) responded to the 8100 Blk of Richard
Dr in Company 37's area after E371 arrived on a local and found a breaker box
on fire in the house in which the power could not be cut off hampering the extinguishing
process. The fire was held in check for awhile until pepco could arrive to cut
the power. While units were here, the box was sent to the 7200 Blk of Landover
Rd just after midnight for a vacant apartment building on fire. Units from 33
arrived to find heavy fire involving the structure. Battalion Chief 1 cleared
Richard Dr and responded on the call. Units fought the fire defensively as the
side of the building had collapsed. Units remained on the scene for a few hours
to get hot spots and check for extension. Then just after 0300 hours, Engine 83
and Battalion Chief 1 were on the road again to the 600 Blk of Ivyleaf Ave in
the Carmody Hills section of Seat Pleasant for a house fire. Engine 83 arrived
to find a fire in the basement of a house. Engine 83 and E331 ran lines while
the tower opened up and searched. Units from 8 and 33 were held for about an hour
for cleanup.

August 2nd - Squad
8 and Ambulance 88 on trauma - Just after 0930 hours, Ambulance 88
was sent to Sherriff Rd and Cypress Tree Dr along with E384 for an accident. Engine
384 arrived to find one pinned and requested Squad 8 and a Medic Unit. Ambulance
88 arrived and started patient care while Squad 8 arrived to stabilize the vehicle
that had run under the back of a stake body truck at a high rate of speed putting
the rear of the truck on top of the car. Squad 8 removed the roof, doors and then
cut the steering wheel to remove the patient whose condition was worsening. The
patient was taken to a local trauma center in Ambulance 88 with the medics on
board. Squad 8 returned to service in about an hour and Ambulance 88 in about
90 minutes.
July 31st - Company
8 on small fire then shooting - Just before 0200 Squad 8 and Chief
8A ( Mehaffey ) responded to the 1700 Blk of Dutch Village Dr in Company 33's
area for smoke coming from a townhouse. Units from 8 arrived second after E331
to find smoke coming from a middle of the row townhouse and a small fire on the
first floor. Squad 8 did a search and checked for extension while E331 knocked
the fire. The units from 33 were held and Squad 8 and Chief 8A returned to service
in about 30 minutes. Then just before 0400 hours, Ambulance 88 was sent to the
5500 Blk of Addison Rd in Company 38's area for a shooting. Ambulance 88 arrived
to find a male who had been shot at 3 times from a car while walking, striking
him once in the lower body as he dove for cover. Ambulance 88 took the patient
to a local hospital and returned to service in about an hour.

July 30th - Squad
8 and Chief 8A on house fire - Just around 1100 hours, Squad 8 and
Chief 8A ( Mehaffey ) responded to the 1200 Blk of Sue La in Capitol Heights for
a house fire. E51 arrived with heavy fire from the first and second floor. Squad
8 arrived second and pulled a backup line to assist E51 in getting to the fire.
Chief 8A assisted units on the second floor with a search and checking for extension.
After knocking the fire Squad 8 finished the search on the first floor which was
negative. Division Chief 12 ( Chief 33 ) had the command.

July 29th - Seat Pleasant
loses a legend - It is with the deepest regret and
sorrow that the Seat Pleasant Volunteer Fire Company announces the sudden passing
of our President and past Chief Gerald Souders known to everyone as Pat. He
was a much loved man and was very dedicated for well over 50 years to Seat Pleasant.
He also put forth as much love and dedication to his family and friends. Pat,
you will be missed a great deal and will be in our hearts and thoughts forever.
Pat just recently at our 4th of july crab feast
We miss you pat, you will never
be forgotten !!!!!
June 27th
- Company 8 on early morning trauma - Around
0430 hours, Squad 8, Chief 8A ( Mehaffey ) and Ambulance 58 responded to Central
Ave and Addison Rd for an accident. Units arrived to find a vehicle that had
run into the back of an abandoned SUV at a high rate of speed. Upon hitting
the truck, it pushed it up on the sidewalk hitting a pedestrian. Squad 8 and
Ambulance 58 removed the driver of the car and was transported to a Trauma Center
with serious head injuries while Ambulance 88, returning from another run, stopped
by and transported the pedestrian that had been hit to a local hospital with
minor injuries. Units cleared in about 30 minutes.


June
26th - Squad 8 on garage fire - Around 1400
hours, Squad 8 was dispatched to the 1100 Blk of Kayak Ave in Company 17's area
for a garage on fire. E171 arrived to find smoke showing and ran a line to the
garage that was discovered to be detached form the house and found an auto on
fire. Squad 8 arrived and assisted with overhaul and ventilation as E171 extinguished
the fire. The rest of the units were returned soon after as E171 and Squad 8
remained on the scene for just over 30 minutes.
June 25th
- Busy day full of trauma for Company 8
- Friday proved busy for Seat Pleasant as Company 8 responded to 30 runs including
3 calls with traumas. The first came just before 0200 hours as Squad 8, Ambulance
88 and Chief 8 ( Mcgill ) responded to MLK Hwy and Carrington Ave in Company
38's area for an auto accident. Units arrived to find a vehicle that had been
rear ended by another one at a high rate of speed. No one was trapped however
there were multiple traumas. PG Trauma was closed so Trooper 8 was called to
transport one to another local trauma center along with a small child. Chief
8 had the command and units cleared in about an hour after cleaning up. Later
on that morning units from 8 responded for an accident with one on fire at Denise
Dr and Rollins Ave in Seat Pleasant. Units arrived to find a Ford Bronco into
a tree and fully involved. Engine 81 made their way down there and extinguished
the fire. No patients were found. Later on around 1800 hours, Squad 8 responded
to the 7600 Blk of Green Willow Pl in Seat Pleasant for an accident. Squad 8
arrived and started patient care until Medic 30 and Ambulance 58 arrived to
transport. Upon clearing that call Squad 8 was sent to the local homeless shelter
in the 600 Blk of Addison Rd South for a stabbing. Apparently two residents
had gotten into an argument and one pulled a knife and stabbed the other one.
That patient was taken to a local trauma center with Medic 29.

Denise Dr and Rollins Ave
June
20th - Squad 8 on townhouse fire - Just
after 0630 hours, Squad 8 responded to the 1800 Blk of Village Green Dr in Company
33's area for a townhouse fire. Units arrived to find a fire on the second floor
of a two story townhouse. Squad 8 arrived and was given the RIC duties as the
units from 33 knocked the fire. Squad remained on the scene for over 30 minutes
assisting units before picking up. While Squad 8 was on the scene Ambulance
88 transferred to Company 33 to cover the area.

June
17th - Squad 8 and Chief 8A on water rescue
- While units were on the fire on Lorring Dr, a call was received for a vehicle
stuck in high water with a person inside on Forrestville Rd just passed Suitland
Pkwy. This assignment brought Squad 8, Engine 231, Rescue Engine 33 and the
water rescue folks from Company 22. Units arrived to find a van that had been
stranded on a bridge due to the high water from the torrential downpours. The
personnel from Squad 8 and 33 hooked up a rigging system using a tree and the
front of Squad 8 and sent 2 people attached with a safety line out to the van
who then brought the driver, who refused transport, back to dry land. Squad
8 and Chief 8A ( Mehaffey ) returned to service in about an hour.


June
17th - Severe thunderstorms keep Seat Pleasant and
PG busy - About an hour after clearing the accident, severe storms
swepped through the area. First the storms crippled the 4th Battalion with numerous
fires and lightning strikes, then a second batch came hit the rest of the county.
Just after 1730 hours, Squad 8 and Chief 8A responded to the 15400 Blk of Jennings
La in Mitchelville ( 43 ) for fire coming from the roof of a house after a lightning
strike. Squad 8 was placed in service initially but then specialed on the Task
Force Alarm. Engine 431 arrived with heavy fire on the 2nd floor and attic area.
Chief 8A ( Mehaffey ) had staging for the task force units. The fire was controlled
a short time later and the units from 8 were placed in service. Upon Clearing
that run, units were on the road again, this time to Forrestville for a fire
in the building in the 7900 Blk of Penn Randall Pl. Also at the same time a
box alarm was struck for the 2700 Blk of Lorring Dr and a collapse investigation
for part of the mall collapsing in the 3700 Blk of Branch Ave. Squad 8 was placed
in service from Penn Randall and Chief 8A ( Mehaffey ) responded to the call
on Lorring Dr as units had fire in the attic from a possible lightning strike.
The county was so overwhelmed with calls that this assignment included a ladder
truck from DC, a tower from Prince Frederick, and an Engine from Huntingtown.
The county continued to be busy for most of the night with many storm related
calls and help from different counties including Charles and Calvert. Also to
complicate the call load even more, all of the channels except channel 2 went
down due to lightning so every fire, EMS and working incident were held on 1
channel. Even though the system was down and the call load was high, Fire Communications
did a good job handling the overwelming amount of emergencies.
June
17th - Squad 8, Ambulance 88 and Chief 8A on accident
- Around 1545 hours, units from Seat Pleasant responded to Ronald Rd and Addison
Rd South, in Seat Pleasant, for an accident. Company 8 arrived to find a SUV
about 200 feet off the road in the woods resting on its side after rolling over
many times. Squad 8 requested a Medic unit, bringing Medic 29 to the scene as
the crews from Seat Pleasant made their way through the woods to remove the
patients. Two were taken by land as priority 2 traumas, 1 in 88 and 1 in 58
with Medic 29 splitting their crew. Squad 8 and Chief 8A ( Mehaffey ) returned
to service in about 25 minutes.

June
14th - Person shot rolls up on front ramp of firehouse
- Just after 2200 hours while Ambulance 88 was out on a run, a person started
beating on the doors to the firehouse. Upon investigating, it was discovered
that the person who was beating on the door had driven his friend to Station
8 because he had been shot multiple times. An ambulance and Medic were requested
as the person layed in the back seat shot and care was started. EMS units arrived
soon after and the patient was transported to a local trauma center. Another
person was found shot in the head later just a short distance away in the 6900
Blk of Walkermill Rd in Company 26's area, it is unknown if the two shootings
are related.
June
11th - Engine 83 on first due house fire
- Just before 1700, Engine 83 and units from surrounding companies were dispatched
to the 6300 Blk of Field St in Seat Pleasant for a house on fire. While enroute
communications notified them that they had been receiving several calls and
that people were still going in the house. As Engine 83 made the left onto MLK
Hwy, heavy fire could be seen involving the top floor of the house. Engine 83's
crew forced the door and ran a line upstairs where they encountered heavy fire
conditions involving the entire second floor, attic, and through the roof in
some parts. The crew made an aggressive attack and knocked the entire second
floor and the attic. Squad 33 opened up and assisted the crew from 83 while
E174 pulled a backup line. The fire was extinguished a short time later and
units were held for just over 2 hours for overhaul and assisting investigators
in determining the cause in the vacant house.


The Seat Pleasant Volunteer Fire
Company would like to congratulate volunteer Phil Gervais on his graduation
from the DC Fire Academy. He graduated June 10th and has been assigned to 32
Engine in the Southeast section of the city. Congratulations !
June 9th
- Company 8 on double cutting - Just around
0230 hours, Engine 83 and Ambulance 88 responded to the 6600 Blk of Clinglog
St in the Carmody Hills section of Seat Pleasant for a cutting. Units arrived
to find two patients, one with multiple deep lascerations to the arms and the
other with multiple minor lascerations. Both patients were treated and transported
in Ambulance 88 to a local hospital. Squad 8 returned to service in about 30
minutes and Ambulance 88 about 0400 hours.
June
5th - Squad 8 removes one from vehicle -
Just after 1300 hours Squad 8 responded to Marlboro Pike and Ruston Ave in Company
17's area for an accident with one trapped. Units arrived to find a two vehicle
accident with the driver trapped in one vehicle. Squad 8 arrived, stabilized
the vehicle and removed the drivers door. Awaiting EMS personnel transported
the patient to a local hospital suffering numerous injuries. Squad 8 returned
to service in about 30 minutes.
June
4th - Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 on accident in Largo
- Just before 2300 hours, Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 responded with E462 to Central
Ave under the Capitol Beltway for an accident. Units arrived to find a 2 vehicle
accident with 1 trapped. Squad 8 stabilized the vehicle and removed the drivers
side front and rear doors and then the B post while Ambulance 88 treated the
patient. Ambulance 58 was called to assist with additional patients in other
vehicles. The driver was removed and transported to a local hospital in Ambulance
88. Squad 8 cleared in about 35 minutes and Ambulance 88 became available in
just over an hour.
May
30th - Company 8 on shooting - Just before
midnight, Engine 81, Ambulance 88, and Chief 8 responded along with Medic 30
to the 7000 Blk of Fresno St, in Seat Pleasant, for one shot. Units arrived
to find a patient shot once in the lower body. Units from 8 treated the patient
who was then transported to a local trauma center in Ambulance 88 with Medic
30 on board. Engine 81 cleared in about 20 minutes and Ambulance 88 became available
just after 0130 hours.
May
29th - Engine 81 on apartment fire - Just
after 1400, Engine 81 was dispatched to the 2700 Blk of Lewis Ave in Company
17's area for an apartment fire. Units arrived to find a working fire on the
second floor. The first in units ran a line and ventilated as crews knocked
the fire. Engine 81 arrived and reported to the building with hooks and assisted
with opening up and checking for extension. Engine 81 picked up and returned
to service in about 45 minutes. Company 8 ran a total of 28 runs during the
day including many box and house assignments.
May
29th - Squad 8 extricates one on the beltway
- After Squad 8 being out of service all week, we finally obtained the reserve
rescue squad on Friday and it didnt take long for the runs to pick up again.
Just after 0230 hours, Squad 8 was alerted to the Inner Loop of the Beltway
at D'arcy Rd for an accident. Units arrived to find a vehicle overturned with
1 ejected and two trapped. Squad 8 stabilized the vehicle and removed the doors
allowing EMS units to slide the trapped victims out. Trooper 2 transported two
to local trauma centers while many more were transported to area hospitals by
land. Squad 8 cleared the scene in just over an hour.
May
19th - Company 8 on back to back shootings
- Around 2345 hours, Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 were dispatched to the 1900 Blk
of Rochelle Ave in District Heights for a shooting. A269 cleared their last
call and responded also. Units arrived to find a person shot. Units from 8 assisted
EMS units on the scene. Upon clearing about 10 minutes later, Ambulance 88 was
sent to the 1000 Blk of Elderberry Dr for another shooting. Ambulance 88 arrived
to find a male shot in the head. The bullet had entered in the right eye and
exited through the left eye. The patient was flown to an eye specialist/trauma
center in Baltimore. Ambulance 88 cleared the scene in about 40 minutes.
May
19th - Engine 81 & 83 on first due house fire
- Just before 0200 hours, Engine 81 and Engine 83 were dispatched as the 1st
and 2nd due engines on a house fire in the 400 Blk of 70th Pl in Seat Pleasant.
Engine 81 arrived to find heavy fire involving the first floor of a house. Engine
83 picked up 81's line and advanced a back up line. Upon entering it was discovered
that in addition to the several rooms that were off on the first floor that
there was heavy fire consuming the basement as the floor began to burn through
in spots. The steps were located, however due to the amount of the steps that
had burned and the condition of the first floor as fire continued to burn through
it, the one line on the first floor held the steps as E384 enetred through the
rear basement door. The second line continued knocking the fire on the first
floor within minutes. A precautionary task force was called as the initial units
took a beating and to check for extension in the second floor. One dog did succumb
to the fire and a Seat Pleasant Volunteer was taken to Medstar for burns and
smoke inhalation and then was released later that day. Engines 81 & 83 became
available in just over 3 hours.


May
18th - Ambulance 88 on shooting - Just after
2130 hours, Ambulance 88 responded to the 1100 Blk of Nalley Rd in Company 33's
area for a shooting. Units arrived to find a patient shot once in the leg. Ambulance
88 assisted Medic 30 in treating and loading the victim. Medic 30 transported
the patient to a local trauma center and Ambulance 88 returned to service a
short time later.
May
17th - Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 on stabbing
- Just after 1730 hours, units from 8 were sent to the 6100 Blk of Drylog St,
in Seat Pleasant, for a stabbing. Units arrived to find a patient stabbed multiple
times in the upper body and hands. The task of treating his injuries was not
simple as he was now chasing after the person who stabbed him and was trying
to fight. The police and the firefighters from Company 8 quickly calmed the
situation and the patient was transported to a local hospital..Squad 8 cleared
in about 25 minutes and the Ambulance returned to service in about an hour.
May
16th - Engine 81 on school fire in Oxon Hill
- Just after 2130 hours, Engine Company 42 was dispatched to Potomac High School
for a fire alarm. Upon arrival, heavy smoke was found throughout the school
and the box was filled. Engine 81 responded and took a position on side 3 along
with Engine Company 32. Truck 5 and Engine Company 25 joined them a short time
later. After searching through the blinding smoke, a fire was found in a first
floor classroom. The fire was extinguished and part of the crew from Engine
81 checked the classroom above for extension and ventilated while the other
part of the crew ran lights to the fire room and assisted with first floor ventilation.
Investigators were called in as well as County Police to investigate the suspicious
fire. Engine 81 cleared the scene in just over an hour.
May
15th - Squad 8 and Chief 8 on suspicious townhouse
fire - Just before 1600 hours, Squad 8 and the Chief responded to
the 10000 Blk of Laforge Dr in Company 46's area for a townhouse fire. Units
arrived to find two set fires in different locations of the house. Chief 8 arrived
and established command while units worked to extinguish the set fires. Squad
8 completed a search of all 3 levels of the townhouse and ventilated. The fires
were quickly extinguished and Squad 8 remained on the scene for just over 40
minutes cleaning up and assisting with overhaul and investigations.

May
14th - Squad 8 and Engine 81 on Kentland apartment
fire - Just after 0300 hours, Squad 8 responded to Landover Rd and
Pinebrook Ave in Company 33's area for an apartment building on fire. Units
from 33 arrived in the 7300 Blk of Landover Rd to find fire on multiple floors
of a building. Squad 8 initially set up for RIC duties then assisted with ladders
and checked the exposures for extension. Engine 81 arrived and ran a line to
the fire building and extinguished hot spots and also checked for extension.
Squad 8 remained on the scene for over 2 hours and Engine 81 was made available
in just over 90 minutes. After clearing, Ambulance 88 transferred to Company
20 and Engine 83 transferred to Company 25 as units were on the scene of a house
fire in Croom. Seat Pleasant maintained an additional crew at the station.


May 11th
- Engine 81 and Ambulance 88 on house fire
- Just before 1100 hours, Engine 81 and Ambulance 88 responded to the 1300 Blk
of Waterford Dr in Company 37's area for a house fire. E371 arrived to find
a working fire in the kitchen. Engine 81 ran a line to the attic to check for
extension. Engine 371 knocked the kitchen as Engine 81 gained access to the
attic and knocked the fire there. Ambulance 88 arrived and set up the aid station.
The fire was knocked down a short time later and the units from 8 became available
in about an hour.
May
10th - Car into house injures little girl
- Right around noon shortly after Ambulance 88 was returning from a fire in
Oxon Hill, Squad 8, Ambulance 88 and Chief 8 responded to the 4800 Blk of Heath
St in Company 17's area for a car into a house with a child trapped. Chief 17B
arrived to find a car into the house but the child had been removed prior to
the arrival of the fire department. Squad 8 arrived and surveyed the stability
of the house and checked for any hazards as EMS units treated the child. The
child had been in bed when the car came crashing through her bedroom and came
to rest against the other wall. Luckily the only thing that ended up not under
the vehicle was the mattress she was laying on. The child was transported via
Trooper 2 to a local trauma center. Units from 8 cleared in about 20 minutes.


May
9th - Engine 81 and Ambulance 88 on shooting
- Just after 0230 hours, Engine 81 and Ambulance 88 along with Medic 46 responded
to Central Ave and Jonquil St near the Mad Chef Cafe, in Seat Pleasant, for
one shot. Units were advised to stage at Central Ave and Hill Rd until the scene
was secure as police were looking for the suspect. As police were notifying
Communications for units to come in, a loud gunshot was heard from the area
where the units from 8 were staging as someone took a shot at either them or
the police in the area. No one was injured from that shot and Engine 81 and
Ambulance 88 arrived and treated a male with a gunshot wound to the hand and
leg. The patient was transported to a local trauma center in Ambulance 88 with
Medic 46 on board. Engine 81 returned to service in about 20 minutes and Ambulance
88 cleaned up and was available in about an hour.
May
7th - Squad 8 and Chief 8A extricate one
- Just after 2300 hours, Squad 8, already on the air for a service call in District
Heights, was dispatched to the 400 Blk of Hill Rd, in Seat Pleasant, for an
accident along with Ambulance 58. While enroute, Medic 30 and E384 were started
as PSC was receiving additional information that there was possibly one trapped
and unconscious. Chief 8A ( Mehaffey ) also responded on the call and Squad
8 arrived to confirm one trapped and one already out of the vehicle requesting
a second ambulance. Chief 8A established the Seat Pleasant Command and requested
an additional Medic unit as the other patient was being considered a trauma.
Command was advised that the two closest trauma centers were on reroute and
helicopters were down due to the earlier severe storms. Squad 8 worked for a
short time removing the doors and the roof of the vehicle then lifting the dash
to remove the deteriorating patient. A quick call was made to EMS 1 through
Battalion 66 on the scene to enable Medic 30 and Ambulance 58 to load and go
to one trauma center even though they were closed due to the severity of injuries.
A228 transported the other patient as a priority 2 trauma to another local hospital
after being evaluated by Medic 46. Squad 8 and Chief 8A returned to service
in about 40 minutes.


May
7th - Ambulance 88 on Level 1 Hamat - Just
after 1530 hours, Ambulance 88 was dispatched as the BLS unit to the 6100 Blk
of Sheriff Rd in Company 38's area for a chemical that had over pressurized
and spilled over some people. Units arrived and found a patient with the product
on them and several others that had inhaled the substance which was in a concentrated
form and basically used as a stripper. Hazmat teams came in and contained and
cleaned the spill and checked the building for further contamination. Ambulance
88 remained on the scene for almost 3 hours treating patients that had been
exposed.
May
4th - Squad 8 on townhouse fire - Just after
0900, Squad 8 was alerted to the 2700 Blk of Iverson St in Company 29's area
for a fire in the kitchen of a townhouse. Units arrived to find smoke showing
and fire in the kitchen that was started by painters whose fumes caused the
fire. Squad 8 was assigned the RIC duties while crews tried to knock the fire.
The fire extended to the walls and cockloft and Squad 8 was reassigned to check
the exposure in the attic to determine the amount of extension. After checking
the exposure, they were then reassigned to the actual fire building to open
up and stop the fire there as command requested a task force alarm. The fire
was successfully stopped and Squad 8 returned to service in just over an hour.
May
2nd - Company 8 on 3 calls for shootings overnight
- After a really slow day, as the sun went down the calls picked up. Just before
2100 hours on Saturday night, Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 responded to the 6800
Blk of Central Ave, in Seat Pleasant, for one shot. Units arrived to find a
male suffering from a severe head wound. Upon further evaluation, it was determined
he had not been shot but beat with something instead and Medic 46 transported
to a local trauma center. Then just after 0230 hours, Ambulance 88 responded
to the 6800 Blk of Walker Mill Rd in District Heights for a report of one shot.
Units arrived to find a male shot once in the head laying between two cars in
front. Ambulance 88 provided care then transported to a local trauma center
with the medics on board. While Ambulance 88 was at the trauma center, Squad
8 was dispatched to the 7000 Blk of Hastings Dr in the Peppermill section of
Seat Pleasant for one shot out front. Units arrived to find a male bleeding
profusely from his arm. Upon further questioning, it was discovered that the
male had been stabbed and not shot. The wound was very deep and he was taken
to a local hospital also in A389.
May
1st - Seat Pleasant takes part in annual Seat Pleasant
Day - May 1st brought the annual Seat Pleasant Day celebration which
started just after 1000 hours with the parade which included area police departments,
marching bands, vintage cars, and of course the fire department. The parade
started at the firehouse and went down to MLK Hwy and back to Goodwin Park where
there was plenty of food, activities, and music provided by local bands. Engine
81 & 83, Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 spent the day at the park entertaining
visitors and spending time with the community answering questions the public
had. Smoke detectors were available for the public as well as a raffle and different
activities that both children and adults could enjoy. Seat Pleasant Volunteer
Fire Company would like to thank the community for the outpouring of support
we received as well as the volunteers that participated and put in weeks of
hard work and dedication getting this day lined up. We would also like to thank
Onya and Heather, two of the Redskins Cheerleaders that spent a majority of
the day with us hanging out and signing autographs. The day was a success !


S.P.V.F.C.
Apparatus getting ready / Seat Pleasant PD Officer Rush


Vol FF
J. Gigogne and the kids / S.P.V.F.C. with Onya and Heather
April
27th - Squad 8 on double fatal accident
- Just after 2130 hours, Squad 8 was dispatched to the Inner Loop of the Beltway
near Central Ave for an auto accident. Units arrived to find a few vehicles
and a tractor trailer involved with widespread damage over a large area of the
Beltway. There were already two fatals on scene and several others that were
seriously injured. Apparently a vehicle going northbound on the Beltway crossed
the median, went airborne and then was struck by a tractor trailer ejecting
two of the occupants killing them instantly. Squad 8 remained on the scene for
about an hour assisting other units including a State Police Helicopter using
its heat detection device to try and locate any other patients that may have
been ejected further into the woods. No other patients were found and the Beltway
remained closed for several more hours as State Police investigated and reconstructed
the accident.
April
26th - Squad 8 on morning house fire in Capitol Heights
- About 0645 hours, Squad 8 was dispatched to the 500 Blk of Drum Ave, in Company
5's area, for smoke coming from a house. Squad 8 arrived just behind Engine
51 to find heavy smoke showing and a room off in the basement. Squad 8 began
venting from the outside removing the windows from the basement then forced
the basement door and entered. Upon entering, split up and searched the basement
while Engine 51 got their line in place to knock the fire. The fire was knocked
down a short time later and worked for awhile checking for extension including
opening the floor with a saw. Engine 51 and Squad 8 were held almost 2 hours
for overhaul and assist investigators.
April
25th - Trench Rescue in Seat Pleasant -
Just after 1700 hours, Squad 8 was taken off a medic local and sent to the 5900
Blk of Seat Pleasant Dr for an overturned backhoe and one trapped in a trench.
Squad 8 and Chief 8, as Battalion Chief 1, arrived and found a backhoe partially
in a ditch with a male buried up to his chest in mud. The Squad crew secured
the scene and awaited the arrival of the collapse team. Several more units including
rescue squads, EMS units, command officers, Anne Arundel County's Collapse Team,
and of course the media descended on Seat Pleasant as units rotated in and out
of the collapse zone digging by hand and hauling mud out to try and free the
patient while simultaneously shoring up the trench. EMS units provided patient
care as the firefighters performed the tedious job of digging him out which
proved difficult due to water continuing to pour in and the mud just falling
back on him. By 2100 hours, they had him dug out to his thighs as it became
increasingly dark and storms approached. About 90 minutes later, the male was
removed and taken to a local rauma center for evaluation. Chief 8 as Battalion
Chief 1 had operations and Chief 5 as the Volunteer Operations Commander had
the Seat Pleasant Command. The crew from Squad 8 as well as everyone else on
the scene did an incredible job at effectively and safely removing the patient
and keeping him alive. Squad 8 and Chief 8 operated on the scene for 7 hours.

April
25th - The officers and members of the Seat Pleasant Volunteer Fire Company
extends its deepest condolences to the family and friends of past chief Sonny
Wells and the rest of the members of the Hillside VFD. Sonny Wells recently
passed away after serving many years with Hillside Company 6. We here at Seat
Pleasant are very saddened and wish everyone close to him the best in the future.
April
24th - Ambulance 88 on trauma then shooting
- Just after 0100 hours, Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 were dispatched to the Capitol
Beltway near Pennsylvania Ave for an accident involving a motorcycle. Squad
8 was placed in service due to no entrapment however Ambulance 88 treated a
patient who was the passenger on a motorcycle when it lost control. The patient
was found a great distance from the motorcycle and suffering from numerous facial
injuries and abrasions. She was taken to a local trauma center by the crews
from Ambulance 88 and Medic 20. Just after 0200 hours as Ambulance 88 was clearing
the trauma, they were dispatched to the 3000 Blk of Brightseat Rd in Company
33's area for a shooting. Units arrived to find a teenager shot once in the
head and unconscious. The patient was immobilized and loaded into Medic 46 with
the crew from 88 assisting them with care and ventilations. Ambulance 88 cleaned
up and returned to service about 4am.
April
18th - Engine 83 and Chief 8
on 3 alarm fire - Just after 1730 hours units were dispatched
to the 4800 Blk of 68th Pl in Landover Hills for an apartment building on fire.
Units went approaching the scene with heavy smoke showing just as Engine 83
was going on the air. Units arrived to find heavy fire involving all floors
of one building and extension to both exposure buildings. The column of smoke
could be seen from MLK Hwy and Addison Rd, in Seat Pleasant, and with additional
crews at the station, Engine 83 was transferred to Company 30. About a minute
into the transfer a 2nd alarm was sounded bringing Engine 83 as the first due
engine. As Engine 83 arrived in staging, the evacuation tones were sounded for
the initial fire building and Engine 83 was told to go to the scene. Upon arrival
the crew took a line into the exposure along with Truck 12 and a crew from 28
and began opening up and extinguishing the heavy fire that had extended. Chief
8 arrived and was given that exposure while Engine 83's driver layed 600 feet
of dual lines to another hydrant to supply Engine 282 who was supplying a majority
of the units on side 1. A third alarm was sounded to replace the 2nd that was
now working and the fire was controlled by interior lines and master streams.
Engine 83 and Chief 8 packed up and returned home in about 4 hours. Just a side
note, this 3 alarm fire was basically just across the street from the 3 alarm
fire Company 8 ran 10 days ago.




April
18th - Squad 8 extricates another - Just
after 0230 hours while Ambulance 88 was on a medic local and Engine 81 was responding
3rd due on a 26 box, Squad 8 was dispatched to the 1900 Blk of Ritchie Rd in
Company 37's area to assist units on the scene of an accident with one trapped.
Squad 8 arrived and stabilized the vehicle removing two doors and the "B"
post so that EMS units could extricate the patient. After further evaluation,
a helicopter was called to fly the patient out to a local trauma center. Squad
8 cleared in about 30 minutes and then was transferred to Company 40 as units
in Baden were on the scene of a house fire on Aquasco Rd. Squad 8 remained on
the transfer for several hours while Company 8 maintained an Engine and Ambulance
crew as well as Squad 2 who was transferred to Seat Pleasant to protect that
part of the 1st Battalion.
April
17th - Seat Pleasant removes two from overturned vehicle
- After a relatively slow but steady day of only 23 runs by 2100 hours and not
much to talk about other than a first due kitchen fire and an "almost"
building fire in Company 17's area, Engine 81, Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 responded
to the 7800 Blk of Central Ave, in Seat Pleasant, for an accident with one overturned.
Units from 8 arrived to find one vehicle that had struck a small tree and was
on its roof with two trapped inside. Squad 8 arrived and stabilized the vehicle
while Engine 81 pulled the front jumpline and stood by. After the car was stabilized,
1 of the crew members from Ambulance 88 went through the rear window to start
patient care as one person was laying on top of the other. Squad 8 removed the
two rear doors and part of the "B" post to remove 1 patient at a time.
Both were transported to PG Trauma with Medic 29 splitting their crew and Engine
81 providing a driver for Medic 29. Squad 8 and Engine 81 racked up and became
available in about 30 minutes while Ambulance 88 returned to service in just
over an hour.


April
15th - Engine 81 on first due house fire
- Just around noon, Engine 81 was dispatched to Martin Luther King Hwy and Foote
St, in Seat Pleasant, for a vacant house on fire. Engine 81 arrived in the 600
Blk of 68th St to find a room off on the second floor. Engine 81 ran a line
quickly to the second floor using caution as it is well known from previous
visits that the floors have holes in them. Along with the holes, its is known
to be occupied by many vagrants so a thorough search was done to ensure no one
was inside. The suspicious fire was knocked down and the searches were negative.
Engine 81 was available in a little over an hour.
April
11th - Ambulance 88 on assault then shooting
- The busy weekend continued with more than a handful of calls between Midnight
and 4 am, 2 of which sent 88 to PG Trauma. The first came around 0130 in the
500 Blk of 70th St, in Seat Pleasant, when Ambulance 88 responded with PD for
an injured person from an assault. A male had come home obviously beaten as
his entire face was swollen. The patient was possibly under the influence of
something which made it more difficult to determine a head injury or not. After
some assistance from local police and the arrival of many more police officers,
Ambulance 88 was able to get out of the neighborhood and on the way to PG Trauma
as a precaution. Ambulance 88 cleared that call just to be sent to the 9400
Blk of Largo Drive West with units from 46 for 1 shot out front. Units arrived
to find a blood stained vehicle that ran over a tree, went slightly airborne,
and landed on a parked car. Ambulance 88 assisted Medic 46 with packaging the
patient and transporting again to PG Trauma. The male had been in the car when
some unknown assailant(s) tried to rob and/or carjack him striking him twice,
once in the base of the skull and once in the face. Ambulance 88 cleared the
hospital in about an hour.
April
10th - Saturday keeps steady pace for Company 8
- As Saturday began, it only continued where Friday left off. Just after returning
from Nova Ave, Ambulance 88 was dispatched to a working fire in Company 46's
area in the 11800 Blk of Chesterton Dr. E461 had originally run an auto fire
but then was upgraded to a local as the fire had extended into the building
and then eventually a box alarm. Company 8, usually due on the box, was looked
over as units had been specialed a few at a time. After being placed in service,
Ambulance 88 and Engine 81 transferred to Company 46 for awhile before being
placed on a house fire in Company 5's area where Engine 51 arrived with smoke
showing. After leaving 46, Engine 81 was put on an apartment fire in the 5500
Blk of Marlboro Pike in Company 26's area where units found a small fire in
a bedroom. Engine 81 remained there for about 20 minutes and then upon returning,
both the Ambulance and the Squad responded to East Capitol St and Yacht Pl for
an accident. Units arrived to find a car full of strippers returning to the
local establishment on East Capitol St involved in the accident and one laying
in the roadway. Four patients were taken to local hospitals. Upon Clearing this
call, Squad 8 was sent to Company 29 as units down there were on the scene of
a working fire in a commercial building. Soon after the transfer, Squad 8 was
special called to assist with roof operations. Squad 8 operated for more than
an hour, mainly on the roof, overhauling and checking for extension. Between
8pm Friday and 8 am Saturday, Company 8 responded to 17 calls, and in addition,
responded to a total of 32 runs on Saturday.
April
9th - Company 8 has busy evening - As Friday
evening came and the sun began to set, Seat Pleasant was just getting started.
Just after 2130 hours, Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 responded to Addison Rd and
Wilburn Dr, in Seat Pleasant, for an auto accident. Units arrived to find a
2 car T-Bone accident where one patient was suffering from a large gash on his
head and was semi conscious requiring a medic unit to respond. All in all, 3
patients were taken to area hospitals including the one patient to PG Trauma.
Squad 8 cleared in about 25 minutes and Ambulance 88 in about an hour. As soon
as Squad 8 cleared the call, they were sent to the 4900 Blk of Allentown Rd
in Company 27's area for a fire in a restaurant. Squad 8 arrived and assumed
RIC assignments as units worked to find and control fire in the flue. Squad
8 cleared that call in about 35 minutes and then were sent to the 1400 Blk of
Nova Ave in Company 17's area for an apartment fire. Units arrived to find smoke
showing from the roof . Squad 8 operated inside opening up looking for an extension
as E174 discovered a small kitchen fire on one of the lower floors. Squad 8
operated here for about 40 minutes.
April
8th - Squad 8 and Chief 8 on trauma - Just
before midnight, Squad 8 and Chief 8 were dispatched to Southern Ave and Fable
St in Capitol Heights for an accident. Units arrived to find a vehicle, that
was occupied by a group of drunk teenagers, had hit another one head on and
then flipped over hitting a concrete wall. Units from 8 arrived and assisted
with patient care as several were taken to local hospitals including one to
a local trauma center. Squad 8 and Chief 8 became available in about 35 minutes.

April
8th - Battalion Chief 1, Engine 81, and Squad 8 on
3rd alarm - Around 1730 hours, Chief 8 responded as Battalion Chief
1 to the 6900 Blk of Allison St in Company 30's area for an apartment fire.
Units arrived with a working fire that was now in the cockloft and into two
other buildings. Engine 81 was transferred to Company 30 while two more crews
remained at Seat Pleasant. Eventually Engine 81 and Squad 8 were dispatched
to the 3rd alarm. All units from Seat Pleasant remained on the scene for a short
while before being placed in service as most of the fire had been extinguished
with the exception of some hot spots. Battalion Chief 1 ( Chief 8 ) remained
on the scene a while longer before being released about 2 hours later.
April
7th - Engine 81 helps extinguish 2 alarm fire
- Just after 1930 hours, Engine 81 responded to 3300 Newkirk Ave in Forestville
for a school fire. Engine 81 arrived and split layed going to the corner of
side 1/4 and ran a 2 inch stack tip into the building. Units went through intense
smoke to try to find the bulk of fire. As the crew from Engine 81 made it down
the hallway they met up with 23's linemen who was almost out of air, and took
over their line extinguishing the fire in that room while the rest of Engine
81's crew went further through the smoke and found another room off. Along with
E371, forced the door and extinguished that room. In the meantime, Command had
requested a task force and then filled out a second alarm. Engine 81 remained
on the scene for almost 4 hours before returning to Seat Pleasant.
April
7th - Squad 8 and Chief extrictate two in car vs tractor
trailer - Just before 1100 hours, Squad 8 and Chief 8 responded to
Edgeworth Dr and Hampton Park Bl for a car into a tractor trailer. Units arrived
to find just that with two people trapped in the vehicle. Squad 8 stabilized
the vehicle and removed the doors and roof from the car making it easy for EMS
units to take the patients, 1 to Childrens and the other to PG Trauma. Units
from 8 picked up and returned to service in about 45 minutes.


April
4th - Squad 8 and Chief 8 on townhouse fire
- Just before midnight, Squad 8 and The Chief responded to the 3000 Blk of Chester
Grove Ct in Company 23's area for a house fire. Units arrived to find heavy
fire from the second floor and units went to work. Squad 8 arrived removed bars
from side 3 and a fence to get access to the rear. Then they threw ladders,
ran lights to the structure, and performed a secondary search of the fire floor.
Chief 8 was given interior and a task force was requested by command. The several
lines that were in operation began knocking the fire and it was extinguished
a short time later. Units from 8 remained on the scene for about two hours doing
overhaul and assisting investigators.


April
3rd - Squad 8 removes another - Around 0400
hours, Squad 8 was alerted for an accident with one pinned on the Inner Loop
of the Beltway just prior to Ritchie Marlboro Rd. A volunteer from Company 37
had stopped at the accident and reported it confirming entrapment. E371 originally
reported two pinned in the front and a second squad was started as a precaution.
The driver had apparently went off the road and slammed into the rear of a tractor
trailer, which upon being struck, took off. Squad 8 arrived and determined there
was only one trapped and stabilized the vehicle while E371 stood by with a hoseline
and assisted with glass removal. Squad 8 opened up the drivers side and worked
on removing the roof. Squad 27 arrived and assisted with the passenger side
door. After the roof was removed, the patient was taken straight out through
the rear of the car and taken to a local Trauma Center in Trooper 2. Squad 8
picked up and returned home in about 40 minutes.


April
2nd - Squad 8 and The Chiefs on extrication
- Just after 2300 hours, Squad 8, Chief 8 (McGill) and Chief 8A (Mehaffey) were
alerted to Southern Ave and Ellis St in Company 17's area along the MD/DC border
for an accident with one trapped and one ejected. Units arrived to find just
that as the units from 17 attended to the patients and Squad 8 went to work
on extricating the driver. The car had lost control, hit a pole, and went through
the fence of a house. In doing so, cracked the pole in half and put part of
the fence pole through the passenger compartment of the car. DCFD Engine 19
stood by with a hoseline while Squad 8 removed the driver and helped assist
with patient care. Medic 46 and DC Medic 19 took 2 patients to local trauma
centers while A179 and A58 took patients to PGH. Units from 8 cleared in about
35 minutes.



March
29th - Company 8 on shooting - Just after
2300 hours, Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 were alerted for a shooting at Central
Ave and Peppermill Dr in Seat Pleasant. Units arrived to find a male laying
in the middle of Central Ave in a pool of blood. Ambulance 88 examined the patient
finding 6 gunshot wounds to the abdomen and legs. Apparently some men in masks
had accosted him for an unknown reason and ended up shooting him. Ambulance
88 loaded the patient and transported to a local trauma center with the medics
on board. Squad 8 cleared in about 20 minutes and Ambulance 88 returned to service
in just under 2 hours after having to clean the back of their unit extensively.
March
28th - PCP + 2nd floor window = Trauma -
Just after 1000 hours, Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 were dispatched to the 1300
Blk of Upcot Ct, in Seat Pleasant, for one who jumped out a second floor window.
Units arrived to find a male high on PCP running around covered in blood after
jumping head first out the window. The members of Seat Pleasant had to grab
him and hold him down to treat his injuries as County PD stood by ready with
a tazer if necessary. As they subdued the patient, they noticed massive facial
trauma as he was suffering from a 1 inch indentation to his forehead with many
facial bones broken and abrasions as well as an injured leg. Ambulance 88 and
Medic 46 transported the patient to PG Trauma. Squad cleared in about 20 minutes
and Ambulance 88 in just over an hour.
March
24th - Afternoon shooting in Seat Pleasant
- Just after 1400 hours, Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 responded to the 7000 Blk
of 71st Ct, in Seat Pleasant, for one shot. Units arrived to find a female shot
once in the lower body. The female was treated and transported with medics on
board to PG Trauma. This was the second time the patient had been shot, previously
she was shot with a bullet still resting near her spine. Squad 8 cleared in
about 30 minutes and the Ambulance in 90.
March
24th - Fatal accident in Seat Pleasant -
Just before 0100 hours, Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 responded to Hill Rd and Hill
Oaks Rd, in Seat Pleasant, for an accident. Units arrived to find a vehicle
into a pole with one not breathing. Medics were called to assist as the crew
from Company 8 removed the patient and started CPR. Ambulance 88 met up with
the Medics and worked the patient all the way to PGH where he succumbed to his
injuries. It is believed that he suffered a fatal heart attack prior which caused
the accident. Squad 8 cleared in about 25 minutes and Ambulance 88 returned
home in about 90 minutes.
March
23rd - Seat Pleasant attempts to combat crime
- In an attempt to prevent further crime, mainly against us, the back lot was
finally finished today laying a fresh layer of asphalt inside the 12 foot high
fence topped with barbed wire. We hope that this will deter the local kids from
stealing and/or breaking into our vehicles anymore. After having 4 vehicles
stolen and about 20 break ins, we welcome the completion of this project prior
to the summer season where our vehicles would be more prone to these crimes.


March
22nd - Squad 8 on task force alarm in Upper Marlboro
- Around 0200 hours, units from the newly aligned 3rd battalion were alerted
to the 13800 Blk of Farnsworth La in Company 20's area for an apartment fire.
Units arrived with fire on the 3rd, 4th, and 5th floors and a task force alarm
was sounded sending Squad 8. Squad 8 arrived and was given RIC duties as units
tried to gain headway on the fire. Squad 8 was sent in a little later to assist
units and help with overhaul and clean up. Squad 8 returned to service in just
over 2 hours.

March
21st - Seat Pleasant on stabbing, then shooting -
Ahh yes, it seems as though the dry spell of runs, or the lack of, is coming
to an end and the runs that are a signature of Seat Pleasant return to Company
8. Just before midnight on Saturday, Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 responded to Seat
Pleasant Dr and Fernleaf Ave for a stabbing. Units arrived with the police to
find a male who was "minding his own business" when a male came up
to him and said he wanted "to kill someone" and proceeded to slash
him across the chest with a knife. As the wide open 8" gash on his chest
continued to bleed, Ambulance 88 bandaged him up and took him to PG Trauma.
Hours later around 0200 Sunday morning, the same units responded to the Mad
Chef Cafe in the 7900 Blk of Central Ave, in Seat Pleasant, for a shooting.
Units arrived among the crowd and police to find a male shot once in the lower
body. The Squad and Ambulance 88 treated and loaded the patient and met with
Medic 3 and then everyone went to PG Trauma. Ambulance 88 returned home in about
an hour and the Squad in about 20 minutes.
March
20th - Engine 83 and Chief 8A on apartment fire
- Just before 1500 hours, Engine 83 and Chief 8A were dispatched to the 6600
Blk of Greig St, in Seat Pleasant, for an apartment on fire with people trapped.
The units from 8 arrived with smoke showing from the second floor with several
reports by citizens outside of people trapped on the floor above. Engine 83
ran a line to the second floor with fire and smoke greeting them at the entrance
to the apartment. Tower 33 and Engine 51 rescued 1 victim each via bucket and
ladder respectively from the third floor and delivered them to awaiting EMS
units where they were treated on the scene for smoke inhalation. The fire was
quickly knocked down and the assignment scaled back after it was determined
all occupants were out and there was no extension. The fire was contained to
the second floor which gutted most of the fire apartment. Engine 83 and Tower
33 returned home in about 90 minutes. Chief 8A ( Mehaffey ) had the command.



March
19th - Engine 83 first arriving on duplex fire
- Just after 2000 hours, Engine 83 was dispatched to the 6300 Blk of Carrington
Ct in Company 38's area for a house fire. Engine 83 arrived first to find fire
showing from the top floor of a 2 story duplex. Engine 83 and E331, who picked
up their supply line, ran lines inside to extinguish the fire while Tower 33
took care of the special service duties. The fire was knocked down a short time
later and the units from 8 and 33 were held for a few hours to overhaul and
mop up.
March
15th - First due house fire in Seat Pleasant
- Just after midnight Company 8 was alerted for a house fire across from 6034
Addison Rd just down the street from the firehouse. Engine 83, Ambulance 88
returning from a medic local, and Chief 8A as Battalion Chief 1 arrived with
a working fire on the second floor. Engine 83 ran a line and extinguished the
fire involving a room and hallway on the front side of the house while the drivers
from Engine 83 and Engine 51 threw ladders. Chief 8 arrived shortly after and
went to work with Engine 83 and Squad 22 opening up and checking for extension
in the attic area. The house was vacant and several holes were found in the
floor. Units returned to service in just over an hour. Chief 8A (Mehaffey) as
Battalion Chief 1 had the command and Chief 8 (McGill) had interior.




March
12th - After dry spell, Seat Pleasant finally on another
fire - After almost 10 days without a fire and the crews going crazy
with just the usual daily medic locals and food on the stove runs, Squad 8 was
on the street just after 1100 to the 5700 Blk of S HilMar Cir in Company 26's
area for a house on fire. Units arrived on the scene to find heavy smoke from
an end of the row townhouse. The rear of the townhouse faced Regency Pkwy and
thats where Squad 8 took up shop. The driver from Squad 8 took out the wood
fence that was blocking access as the rest of the crew got their tools to take
the RIC assignments. The crew from the Squad first removed the steel bars on
the rear sliding doors so that the engine from 27 could take a line through
the basement as Engine 261 held the fire at the stairs. Fire was discovered
involving the stair well on two floors and a room in the basement. As heavy
smoke continued to push out of the townhouse, Squad 8 was sent inside to finish
opening up and searching. The crew of five split into two teams. Searches were
completed and utilities controlled as the other team used the saw to open up
the floor. Units used extreme caution as the first floor was weak and the stairs
to the 2nd floor had burned through and were basically missing. Also windows
upstairs in the rear were encased in steel making ventilation difficult. Squad
8 returned home in about 2 hours. Later that evening Ambulance 88 was on a fire
in Bowie and the day prior the Squad and Ambulance ended up on the task force
for a fire in Morningside. Maybe things are starting to pick up again, we can
only hope.


March
7th - Units from 8 on trauma - After an
unbearably slow weekend of only around 45 runs ( Fri, Sat, Sun ), most consisting
of medic locals and accidents, Company 8 finally ran something worth mentioning.
Just after 1500 hours, Squad 8, Engine 81 and Ambulance 88 responded to the
Outer Loop of the Capital Beltway North of Ritchie Marlboro Rd in Company 37's
area for an accident with one overturned. Engine 81 and Ambulance 88 arrived
first and found 1 vehicle on its roof in the median and another car with front
end damage about 1/4 of a mile north. The female in the vehicle was out already
but was suffering from numerous injuries to her wrists and abrasions all over
her. Ambulance 88 along with Engine 81 and 371 helped package her and carry
her across the guardrail to Ambulance 88. The crew took her to PG Trauma as
a precaution as there was no medic unit available to respond on the call. Engine
81 cleared in about 20 minutes and Ambulance 88 cleared PG Trauma in just over
an hour


March
3rd - Company 8 on shooting behind firehouse
- Just after 1930 hours, Squad 8 and Ambulance 58 were dispatched to Addison
Plaza in the 6200 Blk of Central Ave, behind the firehouse, for one shot. Ambulance
88 cleared their previous call and responded also. Units arrived with a male
shot several 4 times in the chest and twice in the abdomen. He was loaded quickly
into Ambulance 58 and the crew from Ambulance 88 drove 58 to PG Trauma so they
could have more people in the back working on the victim. Squad 8 was called
back to the scene shortly after clearing to assist county police with looking
for evidence, including the weapon, in the storm drains as the Squad went around
popping manhole covers. Units from Seat Pleasant returned to service within
the hour.
March
2nd - Engine 83 on duplex fire, then car into pole
- Just before 1700 hours, Engine 83 was sent to Company 29's area
in the 2700 Blk of Keith St for a duplex fire. Units arrived to find a working
fire in the basement. Engine 83 was the 4th due engine and given the RIC assignments.
The crew arrived and finished venting the duplex from the outside while Engine
174 put a knock on the fire. Fire was contained to a room downstairs and the
assignment was scaled back. Engine 83 cleared in about 40 minutes. As Engine
83 was backing in, Squad 8 was sent to the 5700 Blk of Walker Mill Rd for a
car into a pole and wires down. Units arrived to find a car that had lost control
and snapped a pole in half. Oddly enough, no one was hurt but the squad remained
on the scene for awhile to assist with the wires being down.


March
1st - Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 on trauma
- Around 1400 hours, Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 responded to Central Ave and Peppermill
Dr, in Seat Pleasant, for an accident. Units arrived to find a vehicle who had
clipped the rear end of " The Bus " and spun out of control. There
were two passengers in the car, but no driver. Apparently after the accident,
the driver bailed out and ran leaving her daughter and boyfriend in the vehicle
because she had an outstanding warrant for her arrest. Both passengers were
taken to PG Trauma by Ambulance 88 and the medic unit. Squad 8 cleared in about
30 minutes and Ambulance 88 returned home in about an hour.
February
29th - Squad 8 and DC Squad 3 work on extrication
- Just before 2030 hours, Squad 8 was dispatched to Southern Ave and Alton St
along the MD/DC border for an accident with one overturned. Squad 8 arrived
just after DC E19 and T17 to find a SUV on its side. DC Truck 17 stabilized
the vehicle and Squad 8 arrived and cut the A posts while Squad 3 cut the windshield.
Squad 8 folded the roof back to make extricating the victim simple. The patient
was transported by DC EMS units to a local hospital. Squad 8 cleared the scene
in about 30 minutes.


February
28th - Company 8 on trauma at metro station, then
accident About 1500 hours, units from Company 8 responded to the
Addison Rd Metro across from the firehouse for one possibly not breathing after
being assaulted. Units arrived to find a male laying in a pool of blood by a
bus stop. Apparently the male had spit in someones food and then got punched
falling to the ground and cutting his head open. The patient was semi conscious
and combative as it was unclear whether that was from the injury or the fact
he was intoxicated and possibly on PCP. The patient was transported to PG trauma
on Ambulance 88 with Medic 46 on board. Also about an hour after clearing that,
Engine 83, Squad 8, and Ambulance 88 repsonded to the 6800 Blk of Seat Pleasant
Dr for an accident. Units arrived to find a car that hit a parked car and sent
it airborne. The striking vehicle hit the other car so hard that its exhaust
system became imbedded in the bumper. Fortunately no one was hurt and the Squad
went on to another medic local while Engine 83 remained on the scene to control
the gas leak that started due to the gas tank being ruptured on impact.

February
28th - Chief 8 on shooting - Early in the
morning, units were dispatched to the 5500 Blk of Hilmar Dr in Suitland for
a report of one shot at an apartment. Chief 8 was in the area and arrived first
confirming the address was in the 6500 Blk of Himar not the 5500 Blk. As units
were reporting to the new location, Chief 8 was with the patient who had been
shot out in front of the building in the arm and in the jaw. After the person
was shot, he dove through a closed window and then landed on a glass table in
the apartment. The patient was flown by MSP Trooper to a local trauma center
suffering from numerous gunshot wounds, a broken jaw, and lascerations from
the glass. Chief 8 cleared in about 30 minutes.
February
26th - Business continues to be good for Seat Pleasant
- Business as usual continued today for Company 8 as Squad 8 and Chief 8 started
the day just prior to 0500 hours with a house fire in the 2400 Blk of Wintergreen
Ave in Company 26's area. Units arrived on the scene to find a house with smoke
showing. Units found fire between the ceiling in the basement and the first
floor. The fire got into one of the rooms and extended into the attic. Squad
8 opened up and searched as the engine companies got their lines in position.
The fire was knocked down in about 10 minutes and the house was discovered to
be vacant. Squad 8 remained on the scene for well over an hour to assist investigators.
Chief 8 as Battalion Chief 3 had the command.

February
25th - Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 on below grade rescue
- Just after 1000 hours, Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 were dispatched to Campus
Way S and Largo Rd behind the target store for a man trapped in a manhole. The
worker had been jackhammering about 8 feet below ground when the vibrations
sent a large overhang of asphalt and concrete above him crashing down and knocking
him unconscious. Units from 8 arrived and worked with TR22 to use a stokes basket
to remove him from the site. Tower 33 provided ladders so that units could make
access. He was removed about 20 minutes later and taken still unsonscious in
Ambulance 88 with Medic 43 on board to Trooper 2 who flew him to PG Trauma.
Units from 8 cleared in about 45 minutes.
February
24th - Tow truck drivers gets shot, ends up on front
ramp - About an hour after returning from the fire on Bennington
Dr, a tow truck driver repossessing a car in the 6800 Blk of Central Ave, in
Seat Pleasant, was confronted by an angry mob who did not want him to take the
car and began shooting. Witnesses say there were over 10 shots fired as the
driver took off through the grass with car attached dragging it behind him until
it eventually fell off. The driver drove to the firehouse and pulled his vehicle
on to the front ramp which now was riddled with bullets and minus a few windows.
Miraculously the driver only suffered minor wounds and apparently was only struck
by one bullet. Ambulance 88 treated the patient and PG Police are investigating
the incident. Again, welcome to Seat Pleasant Mike.
February
24th - Squad and Ambulance on house fire
- Just before 1400 hours, Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 responded to the 11300 Blk
of Bennington Dr in Largo for a fire in a house. Units arrived to find smoke
showing and discovered a working fire in the basement. Units from Seat Pleasant
arrived and worked for just over an hour as the engine companies extinguished
the fire in the basement. Today was the first shift of our new C shift Lieutenant
Mike Marshall. Welcome to Seat Pleasant Mike.
February
22nd - Busy day for Company 8 - Company
8 responded to over 30 runs today...22 of them between 1400 and 2100 hours as
Company 8 kept 3 pieces on the road continuously and responding to 1 shooting,
car into a building, 5 transfers, and 3 fires. It all started about 1400 when
Squad 8 responded for a car into a building in the 6500 Blk of Walker Mill Rd
in Company 26's area. While the Squad was on that call, Engine 83 was dipatched
to the 1000 Blk of Marcy Ave in Oxon Hill on the fire task force as units were
on the scene of a basement apartment fire. After clearing, both the Squad and
Engine 83 were sent to 29 on a transfer. While enroute to the transfer, Engine
83 was sent with E731 (NDW) for an outside fire near Livingston Rd and the Beltway
which ended up being a brush fire in a remote location. The mini pumper and
BX from 24 were called to assist. After clearing, Engine 83 was sent to Bowie
Station 39 as they were on the scene of a working fire. While Engine 83 was
at Company 39 another house assignment was dipatched in Oxon Hill and units
arrived with heavy fire from the basement of a duplex. The situation became
even worse when the entire duplex flashed over trapping several firefighters
on different floors. A RIC task force was sounded sending Squad 8 to assist
in rescuing our fellow brothers. Several firefighters on scene already rushed
in to rescue several prior to the arrival of Squad 8. Squad 8 was then sent
to set up the LZ for the trooper to land and transport one of the more seriously
burned firefighters. Upon hearing this, Engine 83 immediately left Bowie and
headed back to Seat Pleasant where we were needed. Squad 8 transferred to station
21 then to station 42 later for most of the night as Engine 83 and Ambulance
88 along with Squad 1 (Hyattsville) ran many a call in Company 8's area. Squad
8 while at 42 ran a small fire at 829 Southern Ave and Ambulance 88 went to
the 2400 Blk of Vermont Ave in company 33's area as they were on the scene with
a room off. What a day.
February
22nd - Squad and Ambulance on shooting
- As our party was coming to an end, the party at the Mad Chef Cafe' in the
7900 Blk of Central Ave in Seat Pleasant was also coming to an end but in a
very different way. Just after 0300 hours, units from Seat Pleasant responded
to a call for one shot at the above location. Units arrived to find a victim
of a drive by shooting shot in the head. Ambulance 88 began care and met with
the medic unit who then transported the patient to a local trauma center. Squad
8 cleared in about 20 minutes while Ambulance 88 returned to service just prior
to 5am.
February
21st - Engine 81 on house fire - Just minutes
after the awards ceremony moved on to Dave and Buster's, Engine 81 was dispatched
to the 700 Blk of Capitol Heights Blvd in Company 5's area for a dryer fire
in a basement. Engine 81 arrived soon after the Engine from 5 to find heavy
smoke and fire coming from the basement windows. The driver from Engine 81 picked
up 5's line at the hydrant as the crew assisted 5 getting the line in place.
Engine 81 vented and searched as the crew tried to find the door to the basement
in the heavy smoke and high heat. A short time later the fire broke through
the door to the basement and it was evident where they needed to go. The crew
from 8 and 5 held the fire at the steps while the crew from 17 went through
the outside and put a knock on the fire. Engine 81 remained on the scene for
about 3 hours wetting down and assisting with overhaul.
February
21st - Seat Pleasant holds awards ceremony for members
- At 1600 hours, the annual awards ceremony took place at the Seat Pleasant
Fire Department to give recognition to all the members, volunteer and career,
who gave their time and dedication to make this a better place. Awards were
given to the top 5 runners as well as a chief and presidents award. An award
was also given to Career Fire Technician Floyd Richardson for his dedication
and hard work keeping our apparatus in service which is not always an easy task.
Afterwards some of the members headed out for a night at Dave and Buster's in
Bethesda. Thanks again to all the members, new and old, who have kept up the
Seat Pleasant tradition and given their hard work and time. See you next year
!!!!!
Chiefs
Award FF Kevin Brenner
Presidents
award FF Patrick Russell
Appreciation
Award Career FT Floyd Richardson
Top
5 runners:
FF Kevin
Brenner
Captain
Joe Johnson
Deputy
Chief Jeff Mehaffey
FF Patrick
Russell
Chief
Dave McGill


FF Kevin
Brenner & Chief McGill / FF Pat Russell & Pres Pat Souders


Technician
Floyd Richardson & Chief Mcgill / The Boyz at D & B
February
20th - Ambulance 88 first arriving on trauma
- Around 0900 hours while returning from PG Hospital, Ambulance 88 responded
to MLK Hwy and Whitfield Chapel Rd near Springdale in Company 33's area for
an accident. Ambulance 88 arrived to find a car that had been T-Boned by a tractor
trailer. Ambulance 88 immediately began care on both patients as E333 worked
to extricate them. Ambulance 88 took the driver to PG Trauma while Medic 18
took the passenger to the same location. Ambulance 88 returned to service in
just over an hour.
February
17th - Busy Presidents day for Company 8
- Presidents day proved a tad busier than normal with 28 runs between 0700 and
0400 Tuesday morning including a metro incident and 2 fires. The morning started
off with Company 8 going to the Naylor Rd Metro station for a person who was
struck by a train. The male had escaped the night before from a psych unit and
jumped the fence and was hit by the train knocking him out of his shoes and
unconscious briefly and pretty much destroying his arm. He was flown by Trooper
2 to a local trauma center. Shortly after that a church fire was struck in the
1100 Blk of 60th Ave in Fairmount Heights. Units arrived with a fire in the
walls. Seat Pleasant Volunteers offered to allow the congregation of the church
to hold services at Company 8 every Sunday until their Church was repaired and
were able to return. Just hours later a house fire was dispatched in Company
37's area where units arrived to find fire involving the rear of the house.
Company 8 responded to many other calls including accidents and medic locals
throughout the day.
February
14th - Squad 8 and Chief 8A on small fire
- Just before 2100 hours, Squad 8 and Chief 8A responded to the 1100 Blk of
Jansen Ave in Company 17's area for a house fire. Shortly after being dispatched,
units were advised that there were injured people as a result of the fire and
EMS units were dispatched to the call. Squad 8 and Chief 8A arrived just after
E174 who found a small fire in the kitchen that was quickly put out but the
bigger problem remained that two teenagers had 2nd degree burns, one to the
right arm and the other to the right leg. The crew from Company 8 treated the
more serious patient while the crew from 17 treated the other one. Both patients
were taken by Medic 46 to the burn center at Medstar. Chief 17A had the command
and units from Seat Pleasant cleared in about 30 minutes.
February
10th - Squad 8 on back to back shootings
- Just prior to 1800 hours, Squad 8 was dispatched to the 6400 Blk of Central
Ave at the liquor store caddy corner to the firehouse for one shot after being
robbed. Squad 8 arrived after the police secured the scene to find a male shot
at least 3 times, once in each leg and then 1 in the groin area. Ambulance 58
transported with Medic 46 on board to PG Trauma and Squad 8 returned to service
in about 20 minutes. About an hour later Squad 8 responded to the unit block
of Hampton Park Blvd at the Days Inn for another shooting. This person was also
shot 3 times, once in the right arm, left shoulder, and one that grazed his
head. The motive here was also robbery and he was taken to a local trauma center.
Squad 8 cleared that call in about 25 minutes.
February
9th - Engine 81 and Chief 8 on first due townhouse
fire - Less than two hours after returning from the fire on Dent
St, Engine 81 and Chief 8 were back on the street to the 7400 Blk of Walker
Mill Dr in Seat Pleasant for a townhouse on fire. Chief 8, responding as Battalion
Chief 1, arrived with heavy fire showing from the garage of a middle of the
row townhouse. Engine 81 arrived and ran a line through the front door and into
the garage making a quick knock and a good stop on the fire. The garage was
piled up with lots of items including clothes, flammable liquids and metals
making the fire more intense. The fire was extinguished by Engine 81 and did
not extend any further than the garage. Engine 81 and Tower 33 were held for
about 3 hours for overhaul. Chief 8 as Battalion Chief 1 had the command.



February
9th - Squad 8 and Chief 8 on house fire
- Just after 1830 hours, Squad 8 and Chief 8 responded to the 4000 Blk of Dent
St for a house on fire. Units arrived with heavy smoke showing and a working
fire in the basement. Squad 8 arrived and went to work searching all floors
and opening up while Chief 8 and the Engine from 29 went through the basement,
which now had heavy fire showing from the rear and sides, while the Engine from
17 held it at the steps. The basement was well involved in fire but was knocked
down a short time later with some extension to the upper floors due to the balloon
frame construction. Units from Seat Pleasant remained on the scene for almost
2 hours assisting investigators and working to overhaul the structure.

February
6th - Another night, Another fire - Just
after 1900 hours, Squad 8 was dispatched to the 1900 Blk of Arcadia Ave in Company
17's area for a house on fire. The Engine from 17 arrived with a working fire
and Squad 8 and Chief 8 arrived second just behind them. Squad 8 went to work
searching and opening up. The house was under renovation and a fire had started
in the crawl space and worked its way into the first level burning through the
floor in numerous spots. The crew from Squad 8 opened up walls and ceilings
and used a chainsaw to open up the floors to expose the fire. Chief 8 had the
interior. The fire was knocked down and units from Seat Pleasant cleared after
extensive overhaul in about 90 minutes.


1900 Blk Arcadia Ave and part of a tired, but happy Squad
crew
February
5th - Squad 8 on house fire - Early this
morning, Squad 8 was put on the street for the 3600 Blk of Dunlap St in Company
29's area for a house fire. Units arrived with a working fire in the basement
and Squad 8 was assigned RIC duties. However after arrival and with heavy smoke
still showing, Squad 8 was reassigned to search the house. Squad 8 went to work
doing just that and venting as they went. The fire was knocked down and confined
to the basement and the search came up negative. Squad 8 remained on the scene
for about an hour doing overhaul and cleaning up. This is the 6th fire in 7
days for Company 8.
February
4th - Engine 81 and Chief 8 on apartment fire
- Just after 1700 hours Engine 81 responded to the 2100 Blk of County Rd in
Company 26's area for smoke in the apartment. Units arrived and investigated
finding a fire that started in the lighting fixture in the first floor bathroom
and extended upward into the floor and walls on the second floor. Engine 81
ran a line to the first floor and along with truck 5 and E371 who opened up
for them, Engine 81 was able to extinguish all the fire from downstairs while
crews checked for any extension upstairs that Engine 81 was not able to get,
which wasnt much. Chief 8 had Division 2. Unist from Seat Pleasant racked up
and returned home in just over 90 minutes.

February
3rd - Engine 81, Chiefs 8 & 8A on apartment fire
- Just after 2300 hours after returning from a gas leak in the 6800 Blk of Walkermill
Rd, Engine 81 returned to the same complex for an apartment on fire. Many of
the units from the previous call were still in the area and responded also.
The entire complex was an entire sheet of ice causing many units to slide around
corners and down hills and made running lines and ladder placement diffcult.
E263 arrived with a working fire on the 3rd floor and tried to get their line
in place. Engine 81 arrived and took a line to the 3rd floor via a ground ladder
on side 3 and initiated a search of the fire apartment and vented. The lines
in place knocked the fire and Truck 17 checked the roof to make sure the fire
was not in the cockloft. A task force was called to the scene to assist but
was not needed. One volunteer from Company 37 was injured and Chief 8 had the
command. Units from Seat Pleasant returned to service just before 0100 hours.



February
3rd - Ambulance 88 on trauma - The earlier
rain and below freezing temeratures wreaked havoc on county roads as almost
all of them became covered in ice causing many accidents. Just before 2000 hours,
Ambulance 88 responded to Ritchie Marlboro Rd and Whitehouse Rd in Company 37's
area for one of many accidents in that area. Ambulance 88 arrived with Company
37 to find a patient with a large lasceration to the head and loss of consciousness.
Ambulance 88 stabilized the patient and treated his wounds until Medic 46 arrived
which then transported the patient in Ambulance 88 to a local trauma center.
Ambulance 88 returned to service in just over 90 minutes.
February
2nd - Squad 8, Chief 8 on laundromat fire
- Just prior to 1900 hours, Squad 8 and Chief 8 responded to the 5000 Blk of
Marlboro Pike in Company 17's area for fire in a laundromat. Units arrived to
find fire in the walls behind several dryers with extension to the duct work
and roof area. Squad 8 went to work opening up from the inside as units opened
up the roof exposing the fire so the engine companies could knock it down. The
fire was extinguished and the Squad continued opening up to check for extension
and overhaul. Units from 8 returned to Seat Pleasant in about an hour.
February
2nd - Seat Pleasant on fatal house fire
- Just about 0130 hours, units were dispatched to the 2600 Blk of Kirtland Ave
for a house fire. Units arrived with heavy fire from the rear of the house with
a child trapped. Ambulance 88 was sent on the working fire dispatch and shortly
after Squad 8 was sent on the task force. Ambulance 88 stood by and waited for
the child to be found for possible resuscitation efforts as Squad 8 stood by
with the RIC assignments. The child was found but was pronounced dead on the
scene due to injuries as units worked to extinguish the fire and perform a secondary
search for more victims. Squad 8 remained on the scene until after 0900 hours
assisting investigators and overhauling the entire house. This was the 6th fire
fatality in Prince Georges County since January 1st.


January
30th - Seat Pleasant on early morning house fire
- Just after 0630 hours, Engine 81 and Rescue Squad 8 responded to the 7800
Blk of Beechnut Rd in Comnpany 37's area for a house on fire. E371 arrived with
nothing evident, however a short time later reported a working fire. The units
from Seat Pleasant arrived second and Engine 81's officer was passed the command
and gave Squad 8 the RIC assignment. E371 ran a line to extinguish the fire
while Engine 81 vented and searched . The other special services took care of
opening up and removing bars from the windows. The fire was extinguished and
the units from 8 returned to service in about an hour. Battalion Chief 1 (Chief
33) had the command.


January
28th - Company 8 on shooting - Just after
2330 hours, Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 responded to the 6800 Blk of Central Ave,
in Seat Pleasant, for a report of one shot. While enroute, PSC started an additional
ambulance due to reports of 3 people shot. Company 8 arrived with the County
police and found 2 victims shot in the legs. Apparently they had just been standing
outside and someone came up and started shooting. Both Ambulance 88 and 58 transported
victims to local hospitals. Squad 8 cleared in about 20 minutes and Ambyulance
88 returned in about an hour.
January
24th - Seat Pleasant rescues man from frozen ravine
- Just before 2200 hours, Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 responded to the 8900 Blk
of Central Ave for an injured person from a fall. While responding, Communications
upgraded the call to a water rescue due to them being landline with the person
as he was slowly sliding into the frozen water. The man had fallen, slid down
an embankment and couldnt move. Unsure where exactly he was, Communications
remained on the phone with him as units responded to try and locate the patient.
The ' Seat Pleasant Pheasant ' (PGPD Helicopter) also assisted with a search
light in locating him. He was found laying in below freezing water down a 20
foot embankment and unable to move. The crew from Ambulance 88 stabilized the
victim as the crew from Squad 8 removed him using a stokes basket to bring him
back to the surface. Ambulance 88 transported to PG Hopsital with Medic 30 aboard.
The patient was obviously very cold as the units tried to raise his body temperature
and treat his injury which ended up being a fractured L1 and L2 in his back.
Units from Seat Pleasant returned to servcie in about an hour. A coordinated
effort between Company 8, Public Service Communications, and PGPD made the outcome
of this incident a positive one.
January
20th - Seat Pleasant on 2nd alarm fire -
Just before 2300 hours, Squad 8 and Chief 8 as Battalion Chief 1 responded to
the 3000 Blk of Sunset La in Suitland for a townhouse fire. The Engine from
27 arrived and reported heavy fire from 3 floors of a condo/townhouse building
under construction and requested two towers bringing Towers 33 and 73. Squad
8 arrived shortly after the first arriving unit and due to the amount of fire
was put to work. Battalion Chief 1 arrived and assumed command requesting a
2nd alarm. Squad 8 began a search along with the first in engines and began
opening up. The squad crew then began opening up in the exposures as the fire
was in the cockloft. Squad 8 along with the other companies worked quick and
fast to open it up and extinguish what they could until command, Division Chief
8, asked for the evacuation tones to bring everyone out due to the amount of
fire, being vacant and under construction. The units regrouped and extinguished
the fire using many attack lines. Chief 8 had the interior and Squad 8 remained
on the scene for over 2 hours performing extensive overhaul and checking for
extension.


January
20th - Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 on 4 car collison
- Just after 1500, Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 responded to Central Ave and Ritchie
Rd in Company 37's area for an accident. Units arrived to find 4 cars involved
including a large truck with 2 people trapped. Squad 8 arrived and extricated
both patients from the vehicle which were then loaded into awaiting EMS units
including Ambulance 88. Surprisingly enough, all the patients were suffering
minor injuries, and no traumas resulted from this accident. Ambulance 88 transported
one to PGH and Squad 8 returned to service in just over 30 minutes.


January
18th - Squad 8 and Chief 8 on attic fire
- Just after 2200 hours, Squad 8 and Chief 8 responded to the 4700 Blk of Omaha
St in Boulevard Heights for a report of a chimney fire. The engine from 17 arrived
and reported a working fire in the attic. Squad 8's crew of 7 was split with
4 standing by as the RIC and the other 3 opening up on the inside around the
chimney while other units opened up the roof. E174 got a line to the attic and
put a knock on the fire. Squad 8 remained on the scene for almost an hour before
returning to Seat Pleasant. Chief 8 had Division 1.
January
17th - Units from Seat Pleasant on Duplex fire
- At 1143 hours, Engine 83, Squad 8 and Chief 8 responded to the 1100 Blk of
Carrington Ave in Company 38's area for a house on fire. Squad 8 arrived first
and reported fire showing from the 1st floor of a 2 story duplex. Engine 83
arrived and took their own hydrant a few houses up and ran the 400 foot line
to the second floor of the house. Squad 8 and Truck 33 made a rapid search of
the house as kids were reported trapped. Squad 8 opened up on both floors as
Engine 83 vented with their line to help crews with the search. The fire was
contained to a few rooms on the 1st floor with minimal extension to the upstairs.
The children reported trapped were already out and accounted for. Squad 8 assisted
with overhaul while Engine 83 continud venting and hitting hot spots. Units
from Seat Pleasant returned to service in just over 90 minutes.




January
16th - Squad 8 and Chief 8 on fatal accident
- Around 2230 hours, Squad 8 was dispatched to MLK Hwy and Glen Willow Drive
in Company 38's area for an auto accident. Units arrived to find a van that
had gone about 60 feet off the road and down a ravine. When Squad 8 arrived,
they discovered a woman who had jumped out of the vehicle prior to it going
down the embankment and a male still in the driver seat with no pulse and not
breathing. The female had minor injuries and the Squad began working on extricating
the driver. He was quickly removed and brought up the hill using a stokes basket
from Squad 8 and quickly transferred to EMS units who continued CPR. Apparently
the male had a medical emergency which contributed to the accident and later
died at the hospital. Units from 8 returned to service in about 35 minutes.

January
13th - Ambulance 88 on morning shooting, then evening
fire Just after 0400 hours, Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 responded to
the 6700 Blk of Blacklog St in the Carmody Hills section of Seat Pleasant for
a shooting. Apparently somebody or a group of people came and just began shooting
at the house putting holes in it and breaking glass. One patient inside was
bleeding from the leg however it was a minor lasceration and was unclear whether
she was actually struck by a stray bullet or by flying glass. Later on that
night just after 2100 hours, Ambulance 88 responded to a working house fire
as units from Boulevard Heights and surrounding companies operated in the 2000
Blk of Houston St. Ambulance 88 remained on the scene for some time as the incident
scaled down after their arrival. These calls along with the others such as the
woman being hit in the head with the lightbulb and a male who was smoking crack
and then could not see, were just some of the runs of the well rounded day for
Ambualnce 88 and the rest of Seat Pleasant.
January
11th - Cold weather and fires continue for Seat Pleasant
- As the temperature once again hovered around 0 degrees, Squad 8 was dispatched
just after 0100 hours to the 5000 Blk of Cumberland St in Capitol Heights after
E51 ran an investigation for something burning outside. The "something"
ended up being the neighboring house which had fire showing from the front upon
E51's arrival. Squad 8 arrived next and being the first arriving special service,
went to work venting and searching both floors and the basement. E51 made a
knock on the fire as Squad 8 continued to open up checking for extension. Squad
8 remained on the scene for just over 2 hours assisting investigators which
deemed the fire suspicious.
January
10th - Squad 8 and Chief 8 on trailer fire
- As the temperature fell below 10 degrees with windchils below zero, Squad
8 and Chief 8 responded just after 0800 hours to the 1800 Blk of Elmwood Park
St in Company 37's area for a house on fire. Units from 37 arrived with smoke
showing from a trailer home. Squad 8 arrived next and went to work venting and
searching. The fire started underneath and extended into a few of the rooms.
Company 37 began knocking the fire as Squad 8 opened up the floors and walls
using chainsaws to access a large amount of the hidden fire. Numerous units
were called to assist due to the harsh weather conditions. Squad 8 worked for
over an hour tearing up the floors and removing siding to ensure the fire was
exposed and extinguished. Units returned to service in about 90 minutes.

January
9th - Units from Seat Pleasant on fatal fire
- Just before 0300 hours as the snow began to fall, Engine 81, Ambulance 88,
and Chief 8 responded to the 4600 Blk of Addison Rd in Company 38's area for
a house on fire with people trapped. Engine 81 arrived shortly after E384 and
found heavy fire showing from the front of the house. Engine 81 picked up the
hydrant, which ended up being dead, and the crew went to the house to start
extinguishing the fire. Engine 81 broke down and relocated to another hydrant
that actually worked and supplied TS 9 who then supplied E384. The crew from
Engine 81 knocked down the fire in the front rooms while units searched for
the victim. The person was found but had already been fatally injured suffering
burns. The fire extended to the attic and units worked to open up the roof and
extinguish the fire upstairs. Seat Pleasant's Volunteer Captain, Joe Johnson,
was taken to Medstar with 1st and 2nd degree burns to his knees. The fire was
out in about 20 minutes and the units from Seat Pleasant cleared in just over
2 hours.


January
7th - Engine 81 on 2nd alarm - At around
1000 hours, Engine 81 was dispatched to the 6900 Blk of Oxon Hill Rd on the
second alarm where units were operating with heavy fire on the second floor
and roof area of an historic mansion. Engine 81 arrived and operated with an
1 1/2 on the second floor extinguish hot spots and performing extensive overhaul.
Engine 81 remained on the scene for 5 hours assisting the units and working
to extinguish the fire. The fire eventually went to 3 alarms. Earlier in the
day Ambulance 88 had responded on a working fire dispatch in the 1300 Blk of
Iverson St also in Oxon Hill. Ambulance 88 treated one patient for smoke inhalation
and then transferred to Company 29 with Engine 81 who was also there on a transfer.
January
2nd - Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 on kitchen fire
- Just before 1900 hours, Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 responded to the 6600 Blk
of Kipling Pkwy in District Heights for a house on fire. E261 and Chief 26A
arrived to find smoke showing. Squad 8 arrived as the first special service
and was put to work. The Engine from 26 found a fire in the kitchen and began
knocking it down while Squad 8 started opening up and venting. Ambulance 88
treated one civillian on the scene. Units from Seat Pleasant returned to service
in 35 minutes after being held by command to check for extension and minor overhaul.
January
2nd - Company 8 comes across trauma - Just
before 0800 hours while Squad 8 was enroute to a service call, they came upon
a head on collision right in front of them at Central Ave and Addison Rd near
the firehouse. Squad 8 immediately called for the entire assignment including
Medic and an Engine Company. Squad 8 began surveying the injuries right away
and called for a Trooper to transport one of the severely injured patients.
The engine from Company 5 handled the landing sight as Medic 46 treated one
patient with multiple traumatic injuries. Additional EMS units were called to
handle other Priority two patients. The trooper transported 1 to a local trauma
center and Squad 8 returned to service in 25 minutes.
January
1st - New year brought in Seat Pleasant style with
a shooting Well the new year has arrived in Seat Pleasant as the
citizens rang it in with 60 minutes of constant gunfire making the firefighters
feel at home reminding them of why they are here. After running the first box
alarm of the new year ( 33's area) at 0017 hours, Company 8 was back on the
road at 0026 hours with the first shooting of the new year in the 6400 Blk of
G St in Seat Pleasant. Squad 8, Ambulance 88 and Chief 8 arrived with a significant
showing of police to find a teenage male shot 3 times. Units began care as Medic
30 responded and a helicopter was started due to PG Trauma being closed. As
Trooper 2 approached, units were advised that PG Trauma was now open and Ambulance
88 took off with Medic 30 aboard to that destination and the Trooper was placed
in service. Squad 8 cleared in about 25 minutes while Ambulance 88 cleaned their
unit and returned to service in a little over an hour. It's going to be a great
year we think.
