 |
|
|
2007 Past Incidents
December 30th - Drive by shooting behind firehouse & 2 extrications for Sunday - After clearing a small fire on Prince Pl in Largo, Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 were alerted to the 6200 Blk of Central Ave, in Addison Plaza behind the firehouse, for one shot. Several callers advised that a red car did a drive by shooting on another vehicle getting off about 8 shots and then taking off on East Capitol St toward DC. After the scene was secured, units from 8 arrived to find a male shot once in the abdomen. Units from 8 treated and packaged the patient who was then taken by Medic 46 to a local trauma center. Units from 8 cleared about 0300 hours. Then 15 minutes later around 0315, Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 were alerted to the 8600 Blk of Central Ave, in Company 37's area, for a report of a vehicle overturned, one ejected and trapped under the vehicle. Units arrived to find just that and Squad 8 quickly lifted the vehicle up and off the person using the high lift jacks. The patient was treated, packaged and transported to a local trauma center by Ambulance 88 and Medic 40. Squad 8 returned to service in about 30 minutes while Ambulance 88 returned to service about 0440 hours. Then around 2115 hours after a normal Sunday filled with medic locals, a stolen van set on fire, and a Redskins victory over Dallas, Squad 8 was alerted to Capitol Heights Bl & Marlboro Pk, in Company 17's area, for an accident with 1 on fire and 1 trapped. Squad 8 arrived first and confirmed entrapment with no fire. The Squad stabilized the vehicle and removed a door real quick allowing patients to be removed. EMS units transported 3 patients to a local hospital. Squad 8 picked up and returned to service in just under 30 minutes. December 29th - Ambulance 88 on shooting, Engine & Ambulance on house fire - Around 1320 hours, Ambulance 88 was alerted to the 8800 Blk of Walker Mill Rd, in Company 37's area, for a report of one shot. Units arrived to find a male in a car with a self inflicted gunshot wound to the lower body. Ambulance 88 treated and packaged the patient and then transported them to a local trauma center returning to service in just under 90 minutes. Then later in the night around 2300 hours, Engine 83 responded to the 1500 Blk of Roosevelt Ave, in Company 38's area, for smoke coming from a house. Units arrived with smoke showing from a vacant house bringing Ambulance 88 on the WFD. Units found a set fire in the basement which was quickly extinguished and investigations was summoned. Units from 8 picked up and returned in about 40 minutes. December 27th - Engine 83 and Chief 8 on Largo townhouse fire - Just before 1600 hours, Engine 83 and Chief 8 (McGill) responded to the 10600 Blk of Joyceton Dr, in Company 46's area, for smoke in a townhouse. Units arrived with nothing evident but quickly discovered a room off on the second floor. Chief 8 arrived and established command while Engine 83 took a position in the rear with their own hydrant. Units advanced lines and opened up in the fire unit while Engine 83 was directed to the exposure. Crews worked to open up and check for extension which wa slimited to the original unit. Engine 83 returned to service in about 40 minutes while Chief 8 went in service in about 90 minutes. December 23rd - Chief 8 and Ambulance 88 on first due house fire - At 1335 hours while Squad 8 was in the Springdale section of Kentland on a reported chimney fire, units were dispatched to the 400 Blk of 71st Ave, in the Pleasant Valley section of Seat Pleasant, for a house fire as police were on the scene. Ambulance 88 arrived and confirmed a working fire followed by Chief 8 (McGill) who established command. Engine 51 arrived and ran a line inside and found a kitchen off with some extension. The fire was knocked and units checked for extention as well as removing a dog from the basement. Command scaled the assignment back to 2 and 2 and returned the rest. Units from 8 remained on the scene for about 90 minutes.
December 22nd - 32 run Saturday made up of traumas and fires - Just before 0030 hours, units from 5 were alerted to Central Ave & Bayou Ave for an accident. Additional calls began to be received by PSC claiming the accident was anywhere from Central & Addison to the first address reported at Bayou and was now reporting a car off the road, on fire, and a large fight involving a bloody male in the street. These additional comments brought Squad 8 to the scene which was confirmed in the 5900 Blk of Central Ave. Units arrived to find several patients and additional EMS units were called. Squad 8 remained on the scene to assist units as one patient was taken to a local trauma center and the other was taken for a checkup up for being on CDS. Squad 8 cleared in about 30 minutes. Then at 0748, Engine 83 responded to the 1500 Blk of Addison Rd S, in Company 26's area, for a townhouse on fire. E261 arrived with smoke and fire showing from the second floor. Engine 83 arrived and briefly established command and ran a back up line inside. Crews extinguished the fire that consumed a few rooms upstairs. Engine 83 remained on the scene for about 90 minutes. Then a few hours later around 1130, E332 called for the box as they ran a fire alarm and arrived with smoke showing in the 7600 Blk of Normandy Rd. Engine 83 arrived and advanced a line into the exposure where they checked for extension. The fire was extinguished and Engine 83 returned home in just over 30 minutes after picking up. Later around 1600 hours, Squad 8 made a return trip to Palmer Park this time to the 7700 Blk of Burnside Rd where units arrived with a bedroom off. The fire was quickly extinguished and Squad 8 returned to service in about 10 minutes. Then around 2000 hours, Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 were sent to Suitland Pkwy & Naylor Rd, in Company 29's area, for an accident. Units arrived with police to find a few vehicles with at least 5 injured bringing additional transport units. Squad 8 returned to service in about 30 minutes while Ambulance 88 returned in about 2 hours after transporting.
Photos courtesy Wayne Barrall www.FITHP.net December 21st - Squad 8 extricates a few after pursuit ends in crash - Just before 1900 hours, Squad 8 was alerted to the area of Sheriff Rd & Eastern Ave, in Company 38's area, for an accident. Police had been in pursuit of a carjacked vehicle when they wrecked trapping multiple patients. Squad 8 arrived and stabilized the vehicle removing a door. Three patients were removed and taken to a local hospital, two of which were taken as traumas. Squad 8 cleared the scene in about 45 minutes. December 20th - Squad 8 on afternoon Ft Washington house fire - At 1430 hours, Squad 8 was alerted to the 13000 Blk of Monroe Ave, in Company 47's area, for a house on fire. E471 arrived to find heavy fire showing with wires down in front. Units went to work advancing a line as PEPCO was called to the scene. Crews worked to extinguish the fire as there was much extension throughout the house. The fire was knocked down and under control in about 15 minutes. Squad 8 remained on the scene for 90 minutes as did most units for overhaul and mop up. December 18th - Tuesday brings failed arson, small fire in 5's area, and CO leak - Just after midnight, Engine 83 responded to an unknown fire in the 6800 Blk of Seat Pleasant Dr. Engine 83 arrived to find about 4 or 5 cars that had been set on fire, or tried to be set on fire, as well as 2 gas cans. Someone had poured gasoline over the vehicles and along the street, broke out a few windows, and then lit them and 1 of the gas cans on fire. The fire never took and basically burned itself out or burned on the street. Engine 83 called for investigations and stood by returning in just over an hour. Then after a day of boxes in 33 and 26's area along with the usual medic locals, Engine 83, Squad 8 and Chief 8 (McGill) responded to the 800 Blk of Clovis Ave, in Company 5's area, for fire in the walls of a house. Units from 8 arrived just behind Engine 51 who reported nothing evident. Soon after though, Engine 51 called for their line to be charged and for Engine 83 to bring a back up line. Squad 8 was given the RIC and the officer did a circle check of the house while Truck 17 threw a few ladders. Engine 51 had a fire on the second floor involving the walls and door jam of a bathroom. The officer from Engine 83 checked above in the cockloft for any extension. The fire was extinguished and the assignment was held with Engines 5 & 8 and Truck 17. Units from 8 returned in about 30 minutes as the fire is under investigation. Then just minutes after returning home, Squad 8, Engine 83, and Chief 8 responded to the 7600 Blk of Covent Gardens Ct, in the Hill Oaks section of Seat Pleasant, for a CO leak with sick people. Engine 83 and Squad 8 arrived to find a car that had been left running in a garage of a townhome with the door down. In addition, the car was leaking gas and had made a large puddle of gas inside. While crews handled this, the occupants of the neighboring townhouse were evaluated by crew members from 8 as well as A389. Units from 8 were held to vent and mitigate the gasoline leak. Chief 8 had the command.
December 17th - Busy day includes multiple fires and mass casualty incident - Around 0430 hours, Engine 83 and Chief 8B (K.Dennis) responded to the 800 Blk of Warley Dr, in Company 37's area, for a report of someone setting fire to a townhouse. The engine from 37 arrived with smoke showing and advanced a line. Several small fires were found inside and police had a suspect in custody. The fires were quickly extinguished and units were returned. Later in the morning, Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 were dispatched for an accident at Addison Rd & Martin Luther King Hwy, in Seat Pleasant, involving a Metro bus. Units arrived to find the same with many patients complaining of injuries. Additional EMS units were called to handle the injured patients. Units from 8 operated for awhile before returning. Then around 1400 hours, Engine 83 and Chiefs 8 (McGill) and 8B (K. Dennis) responded to the 6400 Blk of Hilmar Dr, in Company 26's area, for smoke in the building. Units arrived to find a working fire in the pipe chase caused by plumbers sweating pipes. Engine 83 arrived and ran a line to the building opening up and checking for extension. Chief 8 had Division 3 and Chief 8B had Side Charlie. Units operated for awhile extinguishing the fire and checking for extension. Units from 8 returned in about an hour. Then around 1730 hours, Squad 8 and again Chiefs 8 & 8B responded to the 2100 Blk of Brooks Dr, in Company 26's area again, for fire in the building. E261 arrived to find smoke showing from the 4th floor of a high rise. Units found a working fire in a 4th floor apartment. Squad 8 was given the RIC and set up on the third floor while Chief 8 operated on the floor above (given Division 5) and Chief 8B operated on the 3rd floor (given Division 3). Crews extinguished the fire which was kept to the original apartment and worked on overhaul. Units from Seat Pleasant returned home in just under an hour. December 15th - Units from Seat Pleasant extricate 3 near firehouse - Around 1812 hours, Squad 8, Ambulance 88, and Chief 8 (McGill) responded to Central Ave & Addison Rd, in front of the firehouse, for an accident with a vehicle overturned and 1 trapped. Units from 8 arrived just moments later and confirmed that. The vehicle had been hit broadside and then flipped on its side by a vehicle that didnt think that that was cause enough to stop and kept going. Squad 8 stabilized the vehicle and then flapped down the roof extricating three victims (2 adults and a very large, but friendly Rotweiler). Patients were evaluated and 1 was taken to a local trauma center by PA805 as the other patient refused AMA. The dog was also determined to be fine. Units from 8 returned to service in about 30 minutes.
December 14th - Squad 8 on first due shooting followed by basement fire - Around 2246 hours, PSC received a 911 hang up call from the 300 Blk of Elmleaf Ave in the Carmody Hills section of Seat Pleasant. After subsequent call backs it was stated that someone had been shot. Squad 8 responded along with PA805 and PE805. Units arrived and staged until police said the scene was secure. Squad 8 arrived and began patient care until EMS units arrived. PA805 transported 1 patient to a local trauma center with a wound to the arm. Squad 8 returned to service in about 20 minutes. Then at 2336 hours, Squad 8 was sent to the 2900 Blk of Chester Grove Rd, in Company 23's area, for several callers reporting a house on fire. Units arrived and found heavy smoke showing and fire consuming the basement and first floor of a duplex. A task force was also called to the scene to assist. Crews worked to extinguish the fire which was done in about 15 - 20 minutes. Crews then worked to check for extension and extensive overhaul. Squad 8 returned in about 2 hours. December 14th - Seat Pleasant receives two bits of good news today - Today Seat Pleasant received two bits of good news: 1) The ride along program has been reinstated but with much stricter limitations. Basically each person can only ride 4 times a year up to 72 hours at a time. In addition, information (release form and copy of ID) must be forwarded to EOC and the on duty Battalion chief. Ride alongs are back on, so let us know as we are always happy to accomodate riders. Better yet, let us know if you would like to join. We take members too. 2) Now the second bit of good news. We received word that we were awarded a grant through The Department of Homeland Security in the amount of $202,500 to acquire a new vehicle. Now to put all the rumors to rest, we will be looking at purchasing a new engine to replace Engine 81 (17 years of hard work on that vehicle). Although that chunk of money will help, it is only a fraction of what will be needed to purchase and afford a new wagon so keep us in mind when making your year end donations, or any donations no matter what time of year (see the link at the top of the page to donate). In addition, Engine 81 will be coming up for sale to assist us in purchasing the new Engine 81 so stay tuned as it will posted here when that is done. The builder of the new Engine 81 has not been determined yet. December 13th - Engine 83 on suspicious apartment fire in District Heights - Just before 2000 hours, Engine 83 was alerted to the 3300 Blk of Walters La, in Company 26's area, for smoke in the the building. Units arrived to find an odor as well as a haze in two adjoining buildings. After further investigation, a set fire was found in two vacant apartments. First in crews worked to extinguish the small rubbish fires. Engine 83 advanced a line to the floor above and checked for extension. Engine 83 operated for just over an hour before returning to service. The fire is currently under investigation. December 11th - Morning starts with gunfire followed by major gas leak - Around 0800 hours, Ambulance 88 was sent to the 1400 Blk of Nalley Terr, in Company 33's area, for a possible shooting. PSC had received several hysterical callers describing possibly up to 8 gunshots at a school bus stop followed by a white vehicle speeding away and people scattering. County Police came in and investgiated the scene and searched the area while FD units staged. After a short while, Police determined there was no victim to be found onscene and Ambulance 88 returned. Later in the day, E823 was sent to the 6400 Blk of Pennsylvania Ave, in Company 26's area, for an outside gas leak. They arrived to find a large diameter gas line cut and leaking into the air as well as surrounding buildings. Additional units were requested bringing Engine 83 and Chief 8 (McGill). Units arrived and went to work establishing a water supply (hard to do since only 6 hydrants work in the large complex) and evacuating residents. Chief 8 was given the evacuation group as command requested several buses to accomodate displaced residents. After awhile, Washington Gas arrived and stopped the leak. Units continued to check buildings for any levels of natural gas. Buildings were ventilated and the units from 8 returned in just over 2 hours. December 8th - Engine 83 on Oxon Hill apartment fire - Around 2000 hours, Engine 83 was alerted to the 1000 Blk of Marcy Ave, in Company 42's area, for an apartment on fire. PE842 arrived to find fire showing from a terrace level apartment. Engine 83 arrived 4th due and picked up E829's line. Crews worked to extinguish the fire and open up as the fire did extend to the floor above. The fire was knocked down in about 15 minutes and crews began the overhaul process. Engine 83 picked up and returned to service in just under an hour. This same building was the site of another fire the next day when units arrived also with fire showing. Company 8 was not due on that assignment. December 7th - Friday brings 2 fires and trauma for Seat Pleasant - Although Friday was not as busy call volume wise (only 17 runs after averaging 31 a day for the week so far), Company 8 was kept busy with some work today. Just before 0100 hours, Engine 83 was dispatched to the 8700 Blk of Ritchboro Dr, in Company 37's area, for a townhouse on fire. E837 arrived to find a working fire in the garage which then brought Ambulance 88 on the working fire dispatch. Engine 83 arrived just behind 37 and ran a back up line to the floor above and began checking for extension. The fire was contained to the garage by E837 and there was no extension to the floor above. Engine 83 picked up and cleared in about 40 minutes. Later in the day just before 1700 hours during Friday rush hour, Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 responded to Central Ave & Addison Rd by the firehouse for a pedestrian struck and a car into a tree. Units arrived to find a vehicle up on the sidewalk into a tree with a patient laying on the ground. Units began treating both as the pedestrian was loaded into PA805 and taken to a local trauma center and Ambulance 88 took the driver of the vehicle to a local hospital for a checkup. Squad 8 cleared in about 15 minutes and Ambulance 88 returned home in about 90 minutes. Then at 2045 hours, Engine 83 and Chief 8A (Mehaffey) responded to the 100 Blk of Maryland Park Dr, in Seat Pleasant, for smoke in a house. Units from 8 arrived to find a 3 story duplex with nothing evident. However after forcing the front door, heavy smoke started issuing letting crews know it was a working fire. Company 8 and 5 searched through the smoke for the fire on the first floor with no luck while RE33 began opening up. A room or two was discovered off in the basement as crews vented. E837 advanced their line through a basement door and began knocking the fire and was joined by Engine 83 after making the steps. The fire was quickly extinguished and the assignment was scaled back to Engines 8 and 5, Truck 17 and RE33. Chief 8A had the command and units from 8 cleared in about 2 hours. December 5th - Another busy day brings CO poisoning, lies, and the first snow - Since units were on a house fire in Clinton, Engine 83 and Ambulance 88 were directed to fill in at 25 (Clinton). While there, around 0030 hours units were dispatched for a gas leak in the 1100 Blk of Southview Dr in Company 42's area. Units from 73 (NDW) arrived to find several sick people and after checking for CO found a level of 300 ppm in the apartment. A total of 9 patients were found to be sickened bringing Ambulance 88 and 838. Both Ambulances transported a total of 8 patients to Baltimore Shock Trauma by land as they have a hyperbarric chamber. Ambulance 88 finally arrived home from Baltimore at 0500 hours. The cause was found to be a malfunctioning stove. The day continued to be busy. Just after 0700 hours, Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 responded to a call for an accident with a car on fire at 63rd St & Field St in Seat Pleasant. Units from 8 arrived to find no accident at all but a car with all 4 tires stolen. The victim thought that if she "embellished" a little the police would show up faster as waiting was not an option. Units from 8 quickly cleared and police handled the situation. This day also brought the areas first snowfall as several inches fell across the area during the daytime hours creating many calls for accidents and injuries from falls. The day ended with 34 runs for Company 8. December 4th - Squad 8 makes bi-annual trip to Smiths for junk fire - Just after 1800 hours, QT822 was dispatched to the 2000 Blk of Kenilworth Ave, in Company 38's area, for an outside fire. The assignment was quickly upgraded to a box alarm as everyone in these parts knows of Smiths Junkyard fires and how they go. Units arrived with a very large pile of junk on fire and a second alarm was requested along with a special call for several tower ladders. Other than that the story played out the same, lots of water, tower ladders, handlines, etc. Squad 8 returned to service in about 90 minutes as several pumpers stayed to supply the towers to make sure it was out. December 3rd - Busy day continues, ends with rollover accident with trauma - After the first due fire, the day didn't slow down. Crews were kept busy the rest of the day with Ambulance 88 running from call to call as far away as Oxon Hill Rd and then the Engine and Squad running calls as well including box alarms back to back in 46, 38, and then 26's area. Calls also included an auto fire with someone reported still inside at East Capitol St & Burgundy St. Chief 8A (Mehaffey) arrived first, due to Squad 8 returning from a 29 box, to find an auto well off on the wrong side of East Capitol St after taking out a sign. Chief 8A quickly investigated the auto as best as possible to determine if someone was inside which turned up negative. E838 arrived and extinguished the fire with the help of Squad 8 and the female driver was found and evaluated by PA805. The patient was determined to have no injuries and was suffering from one too many courvoisiers to which the police handled. Units returned in about 30 minutes. Then later at 2341 hours, after hearing a bunch of police sirens, Squad 8, Ambulance 88, and Chief 8 (McGill) responded to the 6400 Blk of Central Ave, by the firehouse, for an accident with a vehicle overturned and 1 trapped. Units from 8 arrived to find a vehicle overturned but the occupant already out. Crews treated and packaged the patient who was then transported to a local trauma center by Ambulance 88 and PA805. Squad 8 and the Chief returned in about 15 minutes while Ambulance 88 returned in just under an hour. The 24 hour period ended with 37 runs for Company 8.
December 3rd - Winds + wires down = first due house fire for Company 8 - Around 0920 hours, Engine 83 was alerted for wires down in the 500 Blk of Rollins Ave in Seat Pleasant. Engine 83 arrived to find the same and started assessing the scene. While there, a citizen from a few house up the street came up to the crew and stated that his house was on fire. The crew called for the house assignment which then brought Ambulance 88 and Chief 8 (McGill). Units from 8 found smoke coming from the house and ran a line. While investigating, it was discovered the fire had started in a pipe chase and then extended up to the attic probably due to the wires down. In addition, parts of the house were energized as the gutters and furnace in the house were arcing and the circuit breakers had melted. Chief 8 established command and made a request for PEPCO to expadite as crews could not extinguish the fire until the power was secured and removed from the house. PEPCO arrived shortly after and cut the power and Engine 83 extinguished the fire. Engine 83 along with Engine 805, Truck 817, and Tower 833 were held to continue opening up and hitting hot spots. Units from 8 returned to service in just over 90 minutes. December 1st - Ambulance 88 on fatal afternoon accident in Ritchie - Just before 1330 hours, Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 responded to the 7700 Blk of Mane La, in Company 37's area, for an accident with a car into a tree and on fire. E837 arrived and found a car on fire, one not breathing and no one trapped and the Squad was returned. Ambulance 88 arrived and teamed up with Ambulance 827 to perform CPR and transport to the hospital with EMS814 on board. Crews worked the patient all the way to the hospital where she was pronounced dead. Ambulance 88 returned to service in about an hour. November 30th - Ambulance 88 and Chief 8 on fatal Oxon Hill fire - Just before 0800 hours, units in Oxon Hill were dispatched to the 100 Blk of S Huron Dr for a house on fire. Units arrived to find heavy smoke and fire coming from the single family house which brought Ambulance 88 and Chief 8 (McGill) on the working fire dispatch. Units arrived and attempted to extinguish the fire but due to heavy fire conditions that weakened the floor and burned through 2 hoselines, crews were withdrawn. Shortly after going to a defensive attack, units were advised of a person still inside. After knocking some more of the fire, crews from 37 and 27 found the victim and removed him. Crews immeditaley began CPR and Medic 825 and Ambulance 88 transported the patient to Greater Southeast Hopsital where he died. Chief 8 remained on the scene and assisted with searches and overhaul. Chief 8 returned in just over an hour or so and Ambulance 88 did not return to service until after 1230.
November 28th - Ambulance 88 responds to accident, finds victim fatally shot - Just after midnight, Ambulance 88 was alerted for an accident in the 1300 Blk of Iron Forge Rd in Company 37's area. While enroute, PSC advised they were receiving additional calls reporting several gunshots in the area and possibly 1 shot. Units arrived with police to find a male suffering from gunshot wounds to the neck and head and was pronounced dead on the scene. PGPD took over the scene and Ambulance 88 returned to service in about 15 minutes.
Photo Courtesy Fox 5 November 27th - Redskins Nation loses #21 Sean Taylor - Word spread quickly this morning that Redskins All Pro Safety Sean Taylor died early this morfning one day after being shot at his home in Florida during an apparent break in. The death comes as a shock as last night it appeared he had been improving but as we and the rest of the DC area woke up to learn he had died overnight. Sean was by far the leader of the Redskins defense and even after being out 2 weeks with an injury leads the NFC in interceptions. Even those who were not Redskin fans could appreciate his defensive coverage as well as his notorious bone crushing hits. Sean Taylor, at only 24 years of age, will be missed and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends, Redskin teammates, and all the fans of the Washington Redskins. For more on the story, memorials, or to share your thoughts visit any of the local news stations online. November 26th - Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 on vehicle overturned and on fire - Just before 2130 hours, Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 were sent to MLK Hwy & Carrington Ave, in Company 38's area, for an accident with a vehicle overturned and on fire with people possibly trapped. Units arrived to find a vehicle well off the road in the woods, overturned , and on fire. The vehicle was apprently involved in a hit and run / shooting incident here in Seat Pleasant and then while speeding off down MLK Hwy lost control. The one patient was pulled from the vehicle by citizens as FD was arriving. Units from 8 assisted with patient care and looked for any additional victims that may have been ejected. The fire was extinguished by Engine 833 and the patient was flown out by MSP Trooper. Units from Seat Pleasant cleared in just over an hour. November 25th - Ambulance 88 and Squad 8 on fatal stabbing in Seat Pleasant - Just before 1530 hours, Ambulance 88 was sent to the 7300 Blk of Calder Dr, in Seat Pleasant, for an injured person from a dispute. Ambulance 88 responded and staged for PD to arrive. As PGPD arrived, they came inside and advised that a male had been cut in his throat and had no pulse bringing Squad 8 and additional EMS units. Crews worked on the patient but he unfortunately he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead and police took over the scene. Units from 8 returned to service in just under 30 minutes. Within the next few days PGPD made an arrest in the case charging an acquaintance with the murder. November 24th - Engine 83 on early morning fire then meets up with Trooper 2 - Just after 0400 hours, Engine 83 and Chief 8 (McGill) responded to the 1900 Blk of County Rd, in Company 26's area, for fire coming from an apartment building. While enroute, PSC advised units that police were on the scene with a working fire. E826 arrived to find fire showing from a second floor window. Engine 83 arrived and briefly assumed command. The crew then pulled a back up line to the second floor with E826 while E837 checked the floor above. Chief 8 arrived and was given Division 2 by command. Units found a room off with some extension in a second floor unit. The fire was extinguished and crews remained for some overhaul before picking up. Units from 8 cleared in just under an hour. A short while after returning home, Engine 83 was on the road to the Pepper Mill Rec Center in the 600 Blk of Hill Rd to set up a landing zone for MSP Trooper 2. A838 and M846 were on the scene of an injured person from a fall with a spinal cord injury in the 800 Blk of Central Hills La. Engine 83 insured Trooper 2 landed safely as EMS units brought and transferred the patient to them. Trooper 2 took off and went to Baltimore Shock Trauma and Engine 83 returned to service just after 0600.
November 21st - Company 8 saves two people on Wednesday evening - After a day of not much as far as runs go, Company 8 picked up as usual as soon as the sun was setting. While personnel were sitting out front enjoying the almost 80 degree weather and the Ambulance about to leave on a run, a small, quite damaged SUV came flying up the wrong way on Addison Rd from Central Ave, honking its horn, jumped the curb and stopped on the front ramp. The driver stated that the female in the back of his vehicle was unconscious after smoking and drinking. Ambulance 88 redirected to this call obviously and advised PSC. Apparently this citizen had picked up the unconscious female at Southern Ave & D St SE and drove her to our station. After a quick evaluation it was determined she was not breathing on her own and was quickly loaded into 88 and then taken to a local hospital as the medic unit was coming from 29. When the crew left, the patient was unconscious with about 2 respirations a minute and an O2 sat of 26. By the time they arrived at the hospital, O2 sat was up to 99 and respirations were up. After a shot of Narcan at the hospital, the patient was now awake and Ambulance 88 returned to service in about an hour. Then after the Engine, Squad, and the Chief ran a first due box on Cindy La (it was a plant on fire), Squad 8, Ambulance 88, and Chief 8A (Mehaffey) ran the Beltway near Ritchie Marlboro, in Company 37's area, for an accident with a motorcyclist down. E371 arrived and found a rider laying in the fast lane of the Beltway and began bagging him as he was not breathing well and the Squad and A Chief were returned. Ambulance 88 arrived and quickly loaded the patient in the back as he was now a trauma code. Medic 29 arrived and jumped on board. The crew from 88 and Medic 29 performed CPR on the patient all the way to the hospital. Upon arrival, the patient had a good pulse but still not breathing on his own. Ambulance 88 returned to service in about 2 hours. Due to hard work and quick thinking on both calls with all personnel involved, both of these patients who were seemingly on the edge of death were alive when arriving at the hospital. November 21st - Seat Pleasant attends press conference, keeps community safe - Around 1000 hours Engine 83, Squad 8, Ambulance 88 and Chiefs 8 (McGill) and 8A (Mehaffey) made their way to Chapel Oaks to attend the press conference being held there to serve as a reminder of the tragic fire that occurred in Seat Pleasant 20 years ago on Thanksgiving morning where 6 children died and 8 adults were injured. The press conference included personnel who were on the fire that day including our own Alan Noznesky as well as other career and volunteer personnel from surrounding stations. They spoke of their experiences and how it affects them today. The county also spoke of the importance of smoke detectors in homes, juvenile fire setters program, how to safely deep fry a turkey, as well as accepted a donation from PEPCO of 800 smoke alarms as well as 30 for the hearing impaired (which by the way retail for over $100). Afterward career and volunteer mingled as the press had their chance for one on one interviews. Then crews from 8 (minus the ambulance, they were too busy running calls) and 5 walked the surrounding neighborhood near the 200 block of 69th St talking to residents about fire safety and checking smoke detectors. Several detectors were installed as well as batteries replaced. Although the event 20 years ago was tragic, several good things came from it as far as fire safety and awareness and just like all incidents, we learn from it and discover ways to improve and make things safer for the residents. We would like to wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving tomorrow and while you are sitting with your family enjoying the day, remember, we will be responding to emergencies protecting Seat Pleasant as well as surrounding communities if needed. View Firehouse.com article as well as Dave Statter Video from 1987
SPVFC volunteer Alan Noznesky during press conference & interview
SPVFC volunteers Jerell Thomas & Derisha Hill talk to resident Photo of volunteers and resident courtesy of PIO Mark Brady November 20th - Morning trauma then child burned in afternoon house fire - Around 0530 hours, units from Company 5 were alerted to Central Ave & Suffolk Ave for an accident. After arriving, several patients were discovered bringing Ambulance 88 to the call. Ambulance 88 arrived and treated and transported a patient to a local trauma center along with PA5 who had their own patient as well. AMbulance 88 returned to service in about an hour. Then around 1500 hours, Engine 83 responded to the 4700 Blk of Pard Rd, in Company 17's area, for a house fire. The caller advised that a child had come running out of the house screaming the house is on fire and was also burned. Units arrived to find a small fire in the kitchen that was pretty much out. Engine 83 arrived second (4th due on the run) and reported to the house across the street where the child was reported to be. The crew from Engine 83 treated the child for injuries he received after the fire which included 2nd & 3rd degree burns over 10% of his body until EMS units arrived. The child was transported to a local burn center and Engine 83 returned to service in about 30 minutes. November 19th - Ambulance takes beating victim to a local trauma center - Just after 1500 hours, Ambulance 88 responded to the 600 Blk of 71st Ave, in Seat Pleasant, for an injured person from an assault. The male had been found laying on the ground by a resident and said he had been jumped. Ambulance 88 staged for police and then went in and treated the patient. Due to mechanism of injuries, the patient was transported to a local trauma center. Ambulance 88 returned to service in about 90 minutes. November 13th - Squad 8 and Chief 8 on early morning fire in District Heights - Around 0345 hours, Squad 8 and Chief 8 (McGill) were alerted to the 3500 Blk of Community Dr, in Company 26's area, for a townhouse on fire. E826 arrived and reported a working fire on the top floor. Squad 8 arrived soon after as active fire was on the the second floor as well as the first floor and attic and extending to the exposure buildings. Upon arrival, the Squad was given the RIC duties as is customary in the 3rd Battalion. Chief 8 arrived and was given interior. The chief worked and directed crews in opening up as a task force was called to assist units inside. The fire started on an outside deck, rolled up the outside of the townhouse and into the adjoining floors from the basement to the attic. Squad 8 and Chief 8 remained on the scene for 2 hours before returning to service.
November 11th - Squad on accident with fire, Engine on auto fire at end of day - Around 0730 hours, while enroute back from another run, Squad 8 was alerted to Rollins Ave & Denise Dr, in Seat Pleasant, for an accident with a car into the woods and on fire. Engine 51 arrived first and confirmed the same. Squad 8 arrived and assisted Engine 51 with making a path through the woods to access the car. Apparently, police had tried to stop the vehicle but it sped off up Rollins Ave. Most of us familiar with the area know of the 90 degree hairpin turn up by Denise Dr. This person was obviously not from around here. The car went straight into the woods, hit some trees, and burst into flames. As units gained access and began extinguishing the fire, no patients were found. Knowing that there was someone in the car just minutes ago, units began searching. One patient was found and Squad 8 continued to look in the area for more using the thermal imager. The one patient was taken to a local hospital by PA5. Squad 8 returned to service a short time later. Later around 2030 hours, Engine 83 responded for an outside fire at Walker Mill Dr & Shady Glen Dr in Seat Pleasant. Engine 83 arrived and found an auto on fire...way out in the middle of a field. Unable to gain access with the engine, BX20 responded to assist Engine 83 with extinguishment. Engine 83 returned in about an hour. Then after that around 2300 hours, Squad 8, Ambulance 88, and Chief 8 (McGill) responded for an accident on the Beltway near Ritchie Marlboro Rd. Units arrived to find a vehicle over a guardrail, on its roof, and in the woods. All patients however were out and the Squad and Chief returned to service. Ambulance 88 transported two patients to a local hospital. Twenty six (26) runs were handled today by Seat Pleasant. November 10th - Ambulance 88 transports two patients from tool job - Just before 1800 hours, while Engine 83 was on a run in 29's area, units were dispatched to East Capitol St & Coolidge St, in Company 5's area, for an accident with people trapped. Units from 5 arrived to find a two vehicle accident with entrapment. Ambulance 88 was clearing another call and also responded on the run. Squad 22 arrived and extricated the patient for EMS units. Ambulance 88 transported two patients to a local hospital for check ups. Ambulance 88 returned to service in just over an hour. November 9th - Engine 83 on afternoon overhaul session in Boulevard Heights - Just before 1430 hours units were dispatched for a house fire in the 4200 Blk of Rail St in Company 17's area. Units arrived to find nothing evident but soon discovered there had been a fire in the basement. Thats right, had been a fire. The fire had ravaged the basement but burned itself out but left some smoke and heat to be dealt with. Command held the engines from 26, 29, and 8 as well as two trucks for overhaul as the basement had to be emptied. Engine 83 returned home in about 45 minutes. November 7th - Trauma at station 8 and crews tries to stay warm at house fire - Just after 1000 hours, a female came to the firehouse suffering from massive head injuries after being assaulted by a subject known to her. Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 started rendering aid as PA5 was called to assist. The crew treated and packaged the patient who was then transported to a local trauma center by Ambulance 88 with PA5 on board. Squad 8 became available in about 15 minutes and Ambulance 88 returned home around 1130. Then later in the night around 2349 hours as the temperatures began to drop off, Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 responded to the 2200 Blk of Iverson St, in Company 29's area, for a house on fire with people still inside. The engine from 29 arrived to find a house with heavy fire showing and a very large police presence. As crews arrived and attempted to go to work it was brought to their attention that the police had an armed man inside the house that had kidnapped a woman and then during this standoff, doused the house in gasoline and lit it on fire. Units were told to stage as the house continued to burn with the subject still held up in the basement. So crews stood by in the cold, using their apparatus as cover from potential gunfire until the police gave the HI sign. After the roof had burned through and off along with most of the first floor, the fire dropped down into the basement. By this time the woman had managed to escape unharmed but the now burning basement started to force the subject out. Heavily armed police officers then moved in, tazed the subject and dragged him from the house where he was taken into custody and treated for smoke inhalation. By this time, most of the house had burned and command held a few engines and Tower 21 to wet it all down. Units from 8 returned to service in about 2 hours. Story of Iverson St by WUSA TV 9 November 4th - Sunday Morning includes trauma and another shooting - Just before 0300 hours, Ambulance 88 responded to Mason St & Kirtland Ave, in Company 26's area, for an accident with a car into a fence. Units arrived to find a car actually into a pole with an injured person. Apparently the vehicle had been hit by another vehicle which pushed it into a pole. The striking vehicle of course took off as they decided not to stay. Ambulance 88 and Medic 29 evaluated one person who had a decreased LOC due to the accident. This patient was transported to a local trauma center by Ambulance 88 with Medic 29 on board. Ambulance 88 returned to service about 0430. Then around 0500, Squad 8 was alerted for the shooting in the 5100 Blk of N Englewood Ave in Company 38's area. Units arrived to find a "patient" that was shot twice in the back. Squad 8 assisted EMS units with patient care. The patient was transported to a local trauma center and Squad 8 returned to service in about 25 minutes. November 3rd - Company 8 on double shooting in Fairmount Heights - Just before 0030 hours, Squad 8 was alerted to the 5300 Blk of Sherriff Rd, in Company 38's area, for a shooting involving police. Squad 8 was returned shortly after but Chief 8 (McGill) continued in. Police were called to the Ebony Inn for a fight at the club. As police arrived at the fight and were trying to disperse the crowd, gunfire rang out. One officer witnessed 1 male shoot another one multiple times and run. Officers gave chase and as they drew near the suspect turned and pointed the gun at officers. One of the officers fired his weapon striking the suspect and putting him down. Chief 8 arrived and established command. The patient who was shot by police was transported to a local trauma center and is being charged with murder as the man he shot was transported as a trauma code after being shot multiple times and died at the hospital. Units remained on the scene for a short time assisting police. Chief 8 returned to service a shortly after. This was the 3rd police involved shooting in 3 days. November 2nd - Company 8 on trauma followed by afternoon shooting - After an extremely slow week, Friday got things back to normal with 31 runs. Just after 1230 hours, Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 responded to the O/L of the Beltway north of Central Ave for an accident involving a motorcycle with the rider down in the roadway. Squad 8 was returned while arriving on the scene and the Ambulance continued in. Units treated and packaged a patient that was suffering from traumatic injuries mostly due to mechanism. The patient was loaded into Ambulance 88 who then took him to a local trauma center. Ambulance 88 returned to service in about an hour. Then around 1450 hours, while Ambulance 88 was out on another run, Squad 8 responded to the 6500 Blk of Central Ave, a few blocks from the firehouse, for a report of one shot in the chest. Units arrived with Police to find a male shot once in the chest. The male had been shot by two males who then ran across Central Ave. Units treated the patient who was taken to a local trauma center by Medic 846. Squad 8 returned to service in just under 30 minutes. October 30th - E808, the Chief and B Chief on afternoon apartment fire in Largo - Just after 1630 hours, E808, Chief 808 (McGill) and Chief 808B (K. Dennis) were alerted to the 100 Blk of Harry S Truman Dr, in Company 46's area, for a report of a bedroom on fire. E846 arrived with an audible alarm and requested the working fire dispatch. Chief 805 arrived and reported smoke showing from the top floor. E808 arrived and layed a line to the rear and ran a line via the stairwell. Chief 808 was given the interior in the fire apartment while Chief 808B was given safety. The fire was contained to the bedroom of the fire apartment. Units from 8 operated for just over an hour before returning to service. October 29th - Engine 808 takes on apartment fire on the Pike - Just before 2200 hours, Engine 808 was alerted to the 5200 Blk of Marlboro Pk, in Company 26's area, for smoke coming from an apartment. B803 arrived with nothing evident however upon investigation, E826 found a working fire on the 4th floor. E808 arrived and picked up 26's line and then ran an additional line off of 26's leader line to back them up. Command requested a task force alarm as well as the working fire dispatch to assist. Units from 26 and 8 quickly knocked the fire which involved the front rooms of the apartment and the task force was placed in service. E808 operated for about 90 minutes checking for extension before returning to service. October 28th - Ambulance 808 on early morning trauma in Largo - Just after 0330 hours, units were sent to the intersection of Campus Way & Central Ave, in Company 46's area, for an accident with a vehicle off the roadway. Units arrived to find a two vehicle accident with 1 trapped and multiple patients. This brought Ambulance 808 as the second ambulance to the call. RE833 extricated 1 allowing EMS personnel to access him. Medic 846 transported one priority 1 trauma, Ambulance 808 transported another trauma, and PA805 transported 2 patients. Ambulance 808 returned to service just before 0530 hours. October 27th - Units from Seat Pleasant attend working house fire in Forestville - Around 2218 hours, Squad 808, Ambulance 808, and Chief 808 (McGill) responded to the area of Pennsylvania Ave & Suitland Pkwy, in Company 23's area, for a house on fire. Car 1514 arrived first along with E231 and found a house with heavy fire through the roof. Crews began to make an interior attack when the officer from E231 fell through the floor requiring a mayday to be sounded. Squad 8 was directed to get a ladder to assist with the rescue. Crews from 37 and 27 assisted the firefighter who was stabilized and then lowered into the basement to awaiting firefighters and walked out. The firefighter was not hurt and crews were ordered to defensive operations as water supply issues hampered tactics. The crew from 8 operated a handline to the rear of the house for a few hours. Eventually the fire in the large house was extinguished and the units from Seat Pleasant returned to service in about 3 hours.
October 27th -Small early morning fire followed by extrication of body - Around 0700, Squad 808 was alerted to 9100 Blk of Central Ave, in Company 37's area, for an electrical fire in the building. E371 and Squad 808 arrived and went to work investigating. After the Squad popped a few doors, units found a fire in the rear of the store involving the electrical panel. The power was secured and the fire extinguished. Squad 808 returned in about an hour. Then just after 0900 hours, employees at the CVS in the 5900 Blk of Martin Luther King Hwy, in Seat Pleasant, noticed a foul odor in the building. After investigating it, they were led to the basement where they found a mans body partially hanging out of a vent shaft. This prompted a 911 call which brought Squad 808 and EMS units. Squad 808 arrived and investigated and determined that the subject was dead as the body had already started breaking down and apparently had been there for at least a few days. Squad 808 remained on the scene while police investigated. Apparently they believe it may have been a botched robbery attempt as the person may have tried to slip down into the building via the HVAC system and git stuck. Then around 1100 hours, the Squad began the extrication efforts and called for Squad 822 (part of the TRT) to assist with concrete saws and a demolition hammer. Crews worked for about 4 hours extricating the body from the shaft and building. Units remained out of service for another 30 or 45 minutes to decon and cleanup. Company 8 went back in service at 1545 hours. October 25th - Engine 808 and Chief 808 on commercial fire on Southern Ave - Around 2330 hours, E808 and Chief 808 (McGill) responded to the 4100 Blk of Southern Ave, along the DC line in Company 17's area, for smoke coming from a building. E808 was dispatched 4th due but arrived second and layed a line. E829, E808, and Truck 805 investigated as there was smoke showing and smoke conditions inside. E808 ran the 200 to the building as crews forced entry through the steel roll down doors and along with E829 found a grease fire on the stove. The crew from E808 extinguished it quickly using an extinguisher and units checked for extension. The assignment was scaled back to 29, 8, and 5 and the units from Seat Pleasant returned to service just after midnight. October 24th - Engines start day on all nighter, Ambulance ends it on trauma - Just after 0200 hours, E837 was sent to the 2000 Blk of Ritchie Marlboro Rd, in Ritchie, for an outside fire. E837 arrived to find a very large pile of mulch (several football fields long and high) with a large deep seated fire actively burning. Several additional engines as well as tankers from other counties including Anne Arundel and Calvert. Engine 808 (83) was alerted around 0230 hours to assist units on the scene. Engine 808 was assigned to the fill site for all the tankers and spent about 4 hours pumping until the alternator went out. At this point, the new shift coming on brought Engine 808B (81) up to the fill site and switched the units out. Engine 808 was taken for repairs and Engine 808B remained pumping for an additional 2 hours. The fire was eventually controlled and for the most part extinguished. Company 8 returned to service around 0830 after 6 hours of pumping. Later in the night around 2051 hours, Ambulance 808 was alerted to the Outer Loop of the Beltway @ Arena Dr, in Company 33's area, for an accident with a Fed Ex truck overturned. Units arrived to find the accident and had 1 person ejected. Units began treatment as Ambulance 808 arrived. The patient was packaged and loaded into Ambulance 808 who then took him to a local trauma center. Ambulance 808 cleared in about 90 minutes. October 22nd - Squad and Ambulanced on first due trauma - Just before 1900 hours, Squad 808 was alerted to East Capitol St & Yacht Pl, in Seat Pleasant, for a motorcycle that ran into a truck with a man laying in the road. While enroute PSC relayed that they were receiving information that there was 1 possibly not breathing. The Squad arrived and found multiple patients that were breathing however suffering from traumatic injuries. Squad 808 called for a second ambulance which brought Ambulance 808 who was clearing another call. The patient was treated, packaged and transported as a priority 1 trauma by Medic 846 and Ambulance 838. Ambulance 808 also transported 1 to a local hospital for a checkup. Squad 808 cleared in about 25 minutes and the Ambulance returned home in about an hour. October 19th - Company 8 has busy morning: Car into house, trauma, and fire - Friday started off busy as crews were off to the normal load of medic locals. Then just after 0100 hours, the artist formally known as Squad 8 responded to the 5600 Blk of Marlboro Pk, in Company 26's area, for a car into a house. According to the caller, he was being rammed while driving down the Pike by another vehicle which eventually forced him off the road into a house. Units arrived to find the vehicle into the front porch however even that driver fled after impact. Squad 808 arrived and controlled the gas to the house as the vehicle had hit the meter which eventually went inside as well. Squad 808 cleared in about 30 minutes. The around 0730 hours, Squad 808 and Ambulance 808 responded to the Safeway in the 6300 Blk of Central Ave, behind the firehouse, for a report of a person trapped in a baking machine. Units from 8 arrived and found a patient who had their hand caught in a dough roller but had been removed. The roller had completely crushed the hand and degloved one of the fingers. Squad 808 established command and units assisted Medic 846. Due to the extent of injury, Medic 846 transported by land (no helicopters available) to a hand specialty center. Units from 8 cleared a short time later. Then less than an hour later, Squad 808 was on the road again this time to the 3300 Blk of Dodge Park Rd, in Company 33's area, for fire coming from the bedroom windows on the first floor. E833 (331) arrived to find fire showing and involving multiple rooms. Although last due on the run, Squad 808 arrived 4th and was assigned the RIC. The Squad crew went to work removing the security bars on the fire involved apartment. The fire was knocked down and units remained on the scene for overhaul and to check for extension. Squad 808 returned about an hour later. All of this and about 5 other runs by 0900. October 18th - Ambulance 808 runs dead body found along Addison Rd - Just before 1000 hours, Ambulance 808 responded with police for a man down in the 5600 Blk of Addison Rd in Seat Pleasant. Ambulance 808 arrived with Police to find a male bleeding laying face down along the road. Police advised the patient was deceased and Ambulance 808 quickly confirmed this by doing a quick evaluation finding no pulse and cold to the touch. The scene was turned over to police and is currently under investigation. Ambulance 808 returned to service in about 20 minutes. October 15th - Seat Pleasant given new identity for dispatching purposes - Today at 0700, The PG County Fire Department officially adopted the county and its units in the Council of Governments (COG) numbering system. PG County is the 800 series and all stations and units, for dispatching purposes, have been changed to 8##. For example, we are station 808 and now are dispatched as the following: Engine 808 (first engine out) Engine 808B (second engine out) Squad 808 (Squad 8) Ambulance 808 (Ambulance 88) Chiefs 808, 808A, and 808B (Chief 8, 8A, and 8B) Make sense ?? Thats what we thought. Although not agreed with by all and the center of controversy, it is what it is but dont be fooled with all of the 8's floating around out there, we are still the one and only real Company 8. October 13th - Second fire of the day sends Squad 8 to Morningside - Around 1500 hours, Squad 8 was alerted to the 6700 Blk of Woodland Rd, in Company 27's area, for a house on fire. E271 arrived to find fire showing from the rear of the house. Squad 8 arrived on the scene with 9 personnel and split up with a crew going to the second floor and searching as well as opening up and the other crew from Squad 8 throwing ladders and going to the roof. Engine companies extinguished the fire in the rear of the house as well as fire on the exterior. Squad 8 remained on the scene for overhaul and cleared in about an hour. October 13th - Fatal accident causes early morning house fire for Company 8 - Just before 0100 hours, units were alerted to the 7300 Blk of Leona St, in Company 23's area, for a car into a pole. Units arrived to find people trapped and additional units were called. While extricating the one victim it was determined that the other was priority 4. During the extrication, a citizen came out and said their house was on fire. Crews looked over and discovered smoke showing and the assignment was called in for the house fire at the same location. This request brought Engine 83 and Chief 8 (McGill). Engine 83 arrived 3rd and picked up 37's line and stood by as command reported the fire was under control. While standing by, heavy smoke was noticed still coming from the eaves. Chief 8 went to investigate and found the walls bubbling and increasing smoke conditions inside. As crews assured him that they had the fire out, Engine 83 was requested inside to go to work. The crew from 8 came in and went to work opening up the rest of the first floor as crews inside left. Engine 83 and Chief 8 continued opening up and extinguishing the fire on the first floor as well as the fire that had now consumed the second floor and attic. The crew from 8 worked for awhile inside making sure the fire was out. Battalion 803 had the command and scaled back the incident once the fire was actually out. Engine 83 and Chief cleared in around 0300 hours. October 12th - Car chase ends with car into house with partial collapse - Just minutes after midnight, Engine 83 was alerted to the area of Pepper St & Pepper Ct, in the Peppermill area of Seat Pleasant, for a report of a car into a house and on fire. While enroute, PSC advised units to use caution as this situation was the result of a police chase. Apparently, Police noticed something thrown from a vehicle. When the officer tried to stop them, they made the decision to not stop and a pursuit ensued. It came to an end as the perpetrators lost control and went straight into a house. Three subjects then bailed out and ran leaving behind a cache of weapons in the vehicle. Engine 83 and Truck 5 came into the scene as police continued to search for the possibly armed suspects. There was no significant fire found and units were returned however 22 and the TRT team were called to the scene as there was a partial collapse of the house due to the damage. Engine 83 remained on the scene for about an hour before returning to service. October 10th - Engine 83 on fire in bus maintenance shop, Squad on trauma - Around 2000 hours, Engine 83 was alerted to the 8000 Blk of Cryden Way, in Company 23's area, for a report of smoke throughout the building. E231 and E371 arrived to find a warehouse with heavy smoke conditions throughout. Engine 83 layed a line and went to the rear. The crew worked with Truck 26 with half the crew going to the interior to start venting and the other half of Engine 83's crew throwing a ladder and going to the roof to vent there. Debris was found burning inside but was kept in check by the sprinkler system. The engines from 23 and 37 worked to extinguish the rest of the fire. Engine 83 operated for about 40 minutes before returning to service. Then after returning, Squad 8 and Chief 8 responded to Central Ave & Garret A Morgan Bl, in Company 37's area, for an accident. Units arrived to find two vehicles that had collided very violently. Medic 830 was called to the scene for one trauma patient. Squad 8 assisted with patient care and assisted EMS units. Chief 8 had the command and Medic 830 transported 1 to a local trauma center. Units from Seat Pleasant cleared a short time later.
October 9th - Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 on early morning trauma - Early in the morning after the home invasion, Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 responded to Central Ave & Shady Glen Dr, in Seat Pleasant, for an accident. Units arrived to find a 2 vehicle accident and found 1 patient suffering from some traumatic injuries and PA5 was requested. Units onscene treated and packaged the patient who was then taken to a local trauma center by PA5. Units from 8 cleared a short time later. October 8th - Violent night includes shooting and home invasion for Company 8 - Around 2100 hours after leaving a local fire alarm call, Engine 83 and Chief 8 (McGill) responded to the 300 Blk of Pepper Mill Dr, in Seat Pleasant, for a report of one shot out front. Units arrived with police to find a male shot in the face as well as the shoulder. Units began treating the subject for his wounds and he was loaded into PA5 and taken to a local trauma center. Units from 8 cleared a short time later. Later in the night (actually early Tuesday around 0230) Ambulance 88 responded to the 600 Blk of Ivyleaf Ave, in the Carmody Hills section of Seat Pleasant, for an injured person. Ambulance 88 arrived with police to find a patient that was the victim of a home invasion. The patient was tied up, threatened with guns as they were robbed and then beaten. Ambulance 88 transported the victim to a local hospital for a check up for their injuries. Ambulance 88 returned in about an hour and police are still investigating. October 6th - Ambulance 88 makes trip east & takes on the wrath of Two Face - Late in the evening as many visitors to Six Flags Amusement Park in Largo were enjoying their day, 28 of them became stuck at the top of the Two Face ride 137 feet above ground. Park maintenance worked for over an hour to try and free the ride when all of a sudden a hydraulic hose broke free, sprayed riders in their faces, and plunged down the hill coming to a sudden stop. As you can imagine, many people were complaining of neck and back pain as well as burning from the fluid. Ambulance 88 responded on the EMS Task Force along with many, many additional FD and EMS units. Ambulance 88 ended up transporting 2 patients from the call to a local hospital for check ups. This is the second time in two months that FD units had to attend to people injured on this ride. See Ambulance 88 arriving in this WUSA TV 9 report October 5th - 2 doa's, vacant apt fire, 2 traumas, fatal accident make up Friday - Friday proved to a be a steady one with 29 runs for the company. Just after 0930 hours, Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 were alerted to the 7100 Blk of Fresno St, in Seat Pleasant, for a report of 2 people not breathing in the house. Units arrived to find a male and female in the house not breathing and with no pulse and were pronounced dead. Squad 8 and E51 checked the house for signs of CO as there was no signs of foul play. Those readings came back negative. Units from 8 returned to service in about 30 minutes and police are continuing to investigate. Then just after 1130 hours, Engine 83 was alerted to the 4600 Blk of Chelsea Way, in Company 29's area, for smoke coming from the building. E291 arrived to find a vacant building in the 4700 Blk of Homer Ave with smoke and fire showing from the top floor. Engine 83 arrived and took a 2 inch to the top floor of the adjoining building as the fire had extended to the attic and was running the cockloft a bit. Engine 83 and E231 worked in the neighboring building opening up while the rest of the units concentrated on the main fire building which had fire throughout the top floor. Crews were hampered by the all of the HUD window coverings on the building. The fire was held to the initial alarm and Engine 83 returned in about 90 minutes. Then just after 1400 hours, Medic 846 came across an accident at White House Rd & Harry S Truman Dr, in Company 37's area, where a sedan and a trash truck hit head on. Ambulance 88 was alerted to assist units on the scene and arrived and transported two patients to a local trauma center. Hazmat 30 was called to cleanup the fuel from the saddle tanks that spilled. Ambulance 88 cleared in about 90 minutes and remained out for awhile longer to decon the ambo. Then around 2300 hours, Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 were alerted to the 1100 Blk of Hill Rd, in Company 38's area, for a car into a house. E381 and Ambulance 389 arrived first and found a car in the yard that had hit two houses. The crews from 38 found the occupant of the vehicle in the backyard after being ejected and pronounced him dead. Units from 8 arrived and inspected the damage to the houses for structural integrity. TR22 was called to the scene to assist due to the extensive damage. The car had been traveling north on Hill Rd when it lost control, went airborne, hit the one house about 10 feet in the air taking out the whole front of the house, bounced off and hit the ROOF (thats right) of the house next door before coming to rest. Units from 8 remained on the scene assisting TR22 for just under an hour. All in a days work for Seat Pleasant. Fox 5 story for two deaths on Fresno St
Afterwards on Homer Ave
Pics of Hill Rd October 4th - Engine 83 first arriving on small kitchen fire - Just before 1330 hours, Engine 83 was alerted to the 2200 Blk of Oak Glen Way, in Company 37's area, for a kitchen fire that was possibly out with smoke conditions. Engine 83 arrived first and ran a line inside to find moderate smoke conditions and a small fire still burning in the kitchen. The fire was extinguished and Engine 83 was joined by E231 and Truck 26 and all crews worked in opening up the walls. After opening up and using 26's thermal imager, the assignment was scaled back and units began to pick up. Engine 83 returned to service in about 30 minutes. Later in the night around 2130, Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 were briefly alerted up the street to the 6800 Blk of Central Ave for one shot. Units were placed in service after it was determined no one was shot. Apparently a couple of calls were received stating that someone was shooting from the wooded area on Cindy La toward the apartment buildings. What a wild place. October 1st - First day of October ends with two shot on MLK Hwy - Around 2330 hours, Squad 8 was alerted to the McDonalds in the 6100 Blk of Martin Luther King Hwy, just into Company 38's area from ours, for a report of two people shot. Squad 8 arrived first and found a vehicle with many, many bullet holes and two people shot. Apparently, a gun battle had occurred on Benning Rd SE when people in a car opened fired on another car. One of the vehicles that was shot up was then pursued by police until the vehicle pulled into the McDonalds parking lot where people bailed and tried to run. Two people were found shot, 1 in the head and the other one slightly grazed. Squad 8 and EMS units treated the victims. Medic 846 transported 1 to a local trauma center. One person was apprehended and in the car police found a handgun and an assault rifle (AK47). Squad 8 cleared the scene in about 20 minutes. October 1st - Units from Seat Pleasant on tool job involving Metro Bus - Around 1400 hours, Squad 8, Ambulance 88, and Chief 8 (McGill) responded to Hill Rd & Willow Hills Dr, in Seat Pleasant, for an accident involving a Metro Bus. While enroute, information was added that a vehicle was overturned and on fire with the bus driver trapped. Chief 8 arrived first and found all of the above to be true and established the Hill Rd Command. As Squad 8 was setting up to remove the trapped bus driver, the overturned van was beginning to burn more. The driver of Squad 8 grabbed a can and put a knock on the vehicle fire until it did not pose a threat anymore. The crew from Squad 8 pushed the money box away from the driver and removed the steering wheel freeing her. The patient was extricated and removed in just over 10 minutes and taken to a local trauma center by Medic 846 (46). The victims in the van were treated on the scene and refused transport. E384 put out the rest of the van fire, supplied by E51, and RE33 assisted with patient care. Units from 8 cleared in about 30 minutes. Crews returned later for a wash down. Last picture courtesy PGFD PIO Mark Brady.
September 27th - Police pursuit ends in front of station followed by stabbing - Early in the evening, a male was carjacked at gunpoint on Riverdale Rd in West Lanham. A short time later, a police officer spotted the carjacked vehicle at Sheriff Rd & MLK Hwy and attempted to stop him. The criminal did not agree, so a chase ensued. The chase continued up MLK Hwy to Addison Rd and then came up Addison Rd until it came to a crashing halt (no pun intended) in front of our firehouse at Central Ave after colliding with another car. Squad 8, Ambulance 88, and Chief 8 (McGill) marked out and began to provide aid as the police attempted to gain custody of the gun toting criminal. An additional ambulance was called bringing PA5. Two patients were transported to a local hospital for check ups. Units from 8 cleared a short time later only to be sent across the street to the Addison Rd Metro for one stabbed. Units arrived to find a male bleeding from a stab wound. The victim was possibly the result of a domestic over in Fairmount Heights where his girlfriend stabbed him with a butcher knife in self defense. The patient was transported to a local hospital by A269 and Squad 8 returned shortly after. Before all this, Squad 8 also responded to the 5400 Blk of Newton St, in Bladensburg, for a building fire. This call ended up being food on the stove but was quite a surprise for crew members as we almost never run that far north. The day ended with a mere 21 runs answered by Company 8. September 24th - Engine 81 and Chief 8 on first due house fire - Just before noon, Engine 81 and Chief 8 (McGill) responded to the area of Joplin St & Seat Pleasant Dr, in the Carmody Hills section of Seat Pleasant, for smoke coming from a house. Chief 8 arrived first to find smoke showing from a house in the 600 Blk of Goldleaf Ave and established command. Engine 81 arrived just behind him and advanced a line through the front door. The crew from Engine 81 found fire conditions in the rear of the house involving the kitchen and surrounding area and quickly extinguished the same. Units checked for extension and the assignment was scaled back to Engine 81 and Truck 5 for further overhaul and wetdown.
September 22nd - Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 on early morning accident - Just after 0730, Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 were alerted to Central Ave & Ritchie Rd, in Company 37's area, for an accident with a car under a tractor trailer. Units arrived to find the same but remarkably no one trapped. Squad 8 worked to remove the patient who was given to Ambulance 88 and transported to a local hospital. Squad 8 remained on the scene for about an hour or so with E371 and HM30 for product/hazard control as the tractor trailer was leaking fluids. Ambulance 88 returned to service as well in about an hour.
September 21st - Ambulance 88 on two traumas at DC line - Around 2345 hours, Ambulance 88 along PE51 and PA5 were alerted for a pedestrian struck in the 5600 Blk of Martin Luther KIng Hwy in Seat Pleasant right at the DC line. Ambulance 88 arrived to find an adult female and a small child that had been struck by an SUV as they were crossing the street. Units began treating and stabilizing the victims and readied them for transport. PA5 transported the child and Ambulance 88 took the adult female patient, both of which went to local trauma centers. Ambulance 88 returned to service about 0100 hours. The night continued as Company 8 responded to 9 runs between midnight and 0400. September 20th - Squad 8 on afternoon house fire in Largo - About an hour after returning from the previous fire, Squad 8 was on the road to the 2000 Blk of Hancock Pl, in Company 46's area, for smoke coming from a house. E462 arrived to find smoke showing from side B and ran a line inside. Squad 8 arrived as the first special service and went to work performing a search, venting, and opening up as crews found fire in an upstairs bedroom. Squad 8's officer was given division 2 and the fire was extinguished quickly. Units remained on the scene for awhile for overhaul and opening up. Squad 8 cleared the call in a few hours. This was the second fire within hours for Company 8 and during the Squads fire, Company 8 maintained an Engine and Ambulance crew in quarters. September 20th - Engine 81 & Ambulance 88 on townhouse fire in Kentland - Just a few minutes passed noon, Engine 81 was alerted 2nd due to the 7700 Blk of Michele Dr, in Company 33's first due, for a house on fire. Chief 33B arrived to find an end of the row townhouse with fire showing from the first floor. This brought Ambulance 88 on the call as part of the working fire dispatch. Engine 81 arrived just behind 331 and picked their line up out on Nalley Rd and then ran the 400 from the rear of 81 inside. The crew from Engine 81 removed the front door and then ran a line to the floor above and knocked extension there and performed a search. Part of 81's crew also went to the basement and searched there as well as the first floor. Crews operated for awhile checking for extension and wetting down hot spots. Command scaled back to E33, E8 and Truck 5. Engine 81 and Ambulance 88 returned to service in about an hour.
September 20th - Engine 81 and Chief 8 on first due fatal shooting - Around 0500 hours, County Police were dispatched to the 6800 Blk of Central Ave, in Seat Pleasant, for the sound of 4-5 gunshots. As most of you know, this complex and the one neighboring it on Cindy la are infamous for their ongoing crime. Police arrived and investigated and found a person down suffering from multiple gunshot wounds and requested the fire department. Engine 81 and Chief 8 (McGill) responded and arrived and found the patient deceased. County police took over the scene and are continuing their investigation. Units from 8 returned to service in about 15 minutes. September 19th - Squad 8 on pedestrian struck by firehouse - Just after 1830 hours, Squad 8 was alerted to Addison Rd & Central Ave, near the firehouse, for a pedestrian struck laying in the road and not moving. Units arrived to find the victim in the roadway on Central Ave across from the Addison Rd Metro with multiple injuries and going down hill fast. Crews from 8 and 5 quickly loaded the patient who was transported to a local trauma center by PA5 as a trauma code. Squad 8 returned to service in about 15 minutes and Central Ave remained closed for awhile as police continued their investigation. September 18th - Ambulance 88 on dead body found in Capitol Heights - Just after 1915 hours, Ambulance 88 responded to the 5700 Blk of Bugler St, in Company 5's area, for a body floating in the creek. Ambulance 88 arrived along with E51 and Chief 5 and found a male laying face down in the creek. The body was found by several children in the neighborhood who were playing in the area. Crews removed the body and determined the person was deceased. The police department took over the scene and continue to investigate the incident. Ambulance 88 returned to service in about 10 minutes. September 12th - Squad 8 and Chief 8 on small basement fire - Just before 2300 hours, Squad 8 and Chief 8 (McGill) responded to the 10500 Blk of Louisville La, in Company 37's area, for smoke coming from the basement. The engines from 37 arrived to find heavy smoke conditions in the house and began looking for the source. Squad 8 and Chief 8 both arrived and went to work as a small fire was found in the basement. The fire was quickly knocked down and Squad 8 was held to assist with ventilation. Units from 8 cleared in about 40 minutes. September 10th - The Seat Pleasant Volunteer Fire Company was sad to learn of the recent loss of Ritchie Volunteer and lifetime member Joe Humphreys. Joe was a longtime friend of Seat Pleasant on calls and as a salesman. Joe was our main contact at Maryland Fire Equipment and on numerous occasions would stop by our station and drop off products on his way home from work or take things to 37 so we could pick them up there. Joe was very dedicated to 37 and to the volunteer fire service in general and will be greatly missed. The members and officers of Seat Pleasant extend our prayers to the Humphreys family as well as the members of Ritchie. September 9th - Squad 8 on evening basement fire in Marlboro - Around 1851 hours, Squad 8 was alerted to the 5000 Blk of Brimfield Dr, in Company 20's area, for a report of a fire in the basement. Units arrived to find smoke showing from the 2 story house and went to work. First arriving crews found heavy fire conditions throught the basement and extension to the first floor. After the long trek, Squad 8 was initially assigned RIC duties by command but then was redirected to assist with a secondary search of the house as well as opening up. Once the fire was extinguished, it was time for overhaul. The Squad crew worked for a long time overhauling the basement and first floor as there was lots to remove. Squad 8 returned to service in just under 3 hours. September 8th - Engine 81, Ambulance 88, and Chief 8 on townhouse fire - Around 1718 hours, Engine 81 and Chief 8 (McGill) responded to the 7400 Blk of Village Green Terr, in Company 33's area, for a townhouse on fire. E331 arrived to find an outside fire that had extended into a row of townhouses. Engine 81 arrived and layed a line and ran an attack line to the B exposure where the crew went and began to open up finding some extension. The crew from Engine 81 hooked and extinguished fire in the exposure. Chief 8 was given the interior of the main fire unit and Ambulance 88 was dispatched on the Working Fire Dispatch before being transferred to 33. The fire was extinguished in all structures and units from 8 picked up and returned home in about 45 minutes. September 8th - Squad 8 and Chief 8 on extrication with trauma in Largo - At 0421 Squad 8 and Chief 8 (McGill) responded to Central Ave & Campus Way N, in Company 46's area, for an accident. While enroute, police arrived and advised they believed it to be a fatal accident. Units arrived to find a vehicle and a box truck with one trapped and still alive. Squad 8 arrived and stabilized the vehicle and went to work removing the drivers door of the vehicle and then lifting the dash with the spreaders. The patient was then removed and turned over to EMS personnel and transported to a local trauma center. Squad 8 and Chief 8 returned to service in about 30 minutes.
September 5th - Squad 8 on vehicle overturned with trauma - Around 1630 hours, Squad 8 was alerted to Ridgefield Blvd & Garret A Morgan Blvd, in Company 37's area, for an accident with a vehicle overturned. E371 arrived and confirmed just that with no one trapped but an unconscious victim who had been pulled out of the vehicle. The patient was treated and packaged by units on the scene and loaded into PA5. PA5 and Squad 8 went to the hospital as the Squad crew provided personnel to assist with the trauma care. Squad 8 cleared the hospital and returned to service in about 35 minutes. September 3rd - Company 8 enjoys relatively quiet Labor Day - With only a bunch of medic locals and a few accidents during the day, this gave personnel a chance to concentrate on the annual Labor Day feast. Crews got together and prepared a nice spread including hamburges, ribs, potato and macaroni salad, some potatoes, and all the fixings plus some dessert. Volunteers and career alike sat down and enjoyed a great meal together. Of course the only boxes we ran were right after eating including a run to Hill Rd in 38's area followed by a high rise assignment on Brooks Dr in 26's area in which the meal made it a little uncomfortable for some. All in all it was a good holiday for everyone to end the summer. Now comes the cool weather and fire season.
September 2nd - Company 8 on multi injury accident in Capitol Heights - At 2100 hours, Squad 8, Ambulance 88, and Chief 8A (Mehaffey) responded to Central Ave & Abel Ave, in Company 5's area, for an accident with a car into a house, people trapped, and on fire. Units from 8 arrived and found the accident halfway up the hill in the unit block of Akin Ave. Upon arrival, Company 8 found a heavily damaged car in the front yard of a house after running through a fence and 3 people laying out on the ground in different places. Units from 8 began to triage the patients and found a small child with the most serious injuries including a fractured femur. Additional EMS units were called to assist as well as more police as there was a large crowd gathered that needed to be controlled. No one was trapped in the vehicle however a total of 5 patients were transported to local hospitals and trauma centers. Chief 8A had the command and units cleared in just under an hour.
September 2nd - Squad 8 searches on early morning fire in Marlboro - Just after 0030 hours, Squad 8 was alerted to the 4500 Blk of Lords Landing Rd, in Company 20's area, for smoke in the building. While enroute, additional calls were being received by PSC. E202 arrived with light smoke showing and found a working fire in the 2nd floor trash chute. Squad 8 arrived and was given the search group as many residents were asleep at the time and smoke had filled the building. The fire burned between the 2nd & 3rd floors and was extinguished with minor extension. Units remained for smoke removal and overhaul. Squad 8 returned to service in just over 30 minutes. August 30th - Squad 8 goes to evening first due fire - Just after 1830 hours while Squad 8 was on the air, units were alerted for smoke in a house in the 6200 Blk of Baltic St in Seat Pleasant. Chief 26A arrived first and advised smoke in the house. E51 and Squad 8 arrived and went to work searching for the source. Fire was found in the walls and lots of opening up was done chasing the fire. Crews operated for a while as the fire was extinguished and the cause was attributed to an electrical problem. Squad 8 remained on the scene for just over an hour for overhaul and checking extension. August 29th - Ambulance 88 on evening trauma in Kentland - Just after 2030 hours, Ambulance 88 was dispatched to Brightseat Rd & Amador Dr, in Company 33's area, for an accident involving a motorcycle. Initial reports indicated that the motorcycle ran into the back of a vehicle and the rider went through the back window of the car and was in the rear of the vehicle. Medic 46 was added to the call and units arrived to find just that. Crews began treating and stabilizing the patient who was moved to a transport unit and transported to a local trauma center by Ambulance 88 and Medic 46. Ambulance 88 returned to service in about 90 minutes. August 25th - Just when you thought it couldnt get busier, here come the storms - After a very long night and a steady afternoon, personnel at Company 8 were wearing down. As the evening approached, so did a line of severe storms. As the storms came through, Company 8 was kept busy with many wires and transformer calls as well as a few box alarms, gas leaks, and accidents. In all, the Company was dispatched to 34 runs for the day which ended the week with 177 runs, 4 fires, 4 extrications, and 3 people shot. August 25th - Engine 83 makes appearance at local birthday party - After a night of no sleep and a first due fire today, a few volunteers loaded up on Engine 83 and went to the 7100 Blk of Willow Hills Dr in Seat Pleasant for a special request to show a firetruck for a 3 year old's birthday party. The crew arrived and young Cassius had a ball as well as the rest of the party guests checking out the engine and taking pictures. Happy birthday Cassius and in 13 years, we look forward to having you on the rig with us.
August 25th - Ambulance 88 extinguishes first due house fire - " Ambulance 88 to communications, do you have a call for a house fire at 6312 Foote St ? " These are the words that went out over the air as Squad 8 was setting up a fan to vent a building in Company 26's area where someone lacked culinary skills and created a smoke condition for everyone who lived there. Chief 8A ( Mehaffey ) responded on the call from Walters La as soon as Ambulance 88 called out. The crew from Ambulance 88 quickly got dressed as reports were now coming in that people were possibly trapped as heavy smoke and fire continued to vent from the second floor. Upon entering the structure, Ambulance 88 found a female on the steps with a garden hose trying to knock the fire. The crew told her she needed to leave but she refused stating she was going to put out the fire and they would have to take the hose from her. The crew did just that and removed her from the house. With no engine on the scene yet, Ambulance 88's crew began to knock the fire which involved a room and part of the hallway. E384 arrived and ran a line inside and met up with 88's crew who then used 38's line to extinguish the rest of the fire. The newly formed position of Bureau Chief 12 arrived and assumed command giving Chief 8A interior on the fire floor. Two Seat Pleasant Volunteers riding with 8A threw two ladders and ran an additional line as well as Truck 5 who threw two additional ladders. Crews from 8, 38, 5, 9, and 37 worked for a short time to perform searches on all 3 floors and open up and hit hot spots. The assignment was scaled back to just 2 and 2 as significant overhaul was needed and the temperature outside hovered around 100 degrees. In addition to extinguishing the fire, the crew from 88 also treated a firefighter who was slightly overcome by heat and the homeowner who experienced some chest pains. Chief 8A and Ambulance 88 returned to service in just under 2 hours. This was the second fire in 7 hours for Company 8. Who says riding the Ambulance is no fun.
August 25th - Busy morning continues with another tool job and fire - So while Ambulance 88 remained with County Police on the murder scene on Jonquil, Squad 8 continued on their calls. Just minutes after returning from the double fatal accident around 4 in the morning, E174 called out with an accident involving themselves, a county police officer, and a drunk driver at Southern Ave & Suitland Rd. Squad 8 was back on the street as the PGPD officer was trapped in his vehicle after being T-boned on the driver side after a drunk driver ran a red light. The driver attempted to flee the scene but was quickly apprehended. Squad 8 arrived and stabilized the police car and removed both drivers side doors and the B post. The officer was removed and taken to a local trauma center with serious injuries. No one was hurt on E174 and the drunk driver was arrested. Then just after 0430 hours while beginning to pick up, a townhouse fire was dispatched in the 3800 Blk of 26th Ave in Company 29's area. Squad 8 quickly finished putting their tools back on and responded on the call. BC03 and E291 arrived to find a townhouse with smoke showing. Squad 8 was the next arriving unit and went to work. The 6 person Squad crew split up while one crew searched the bottom floor and the other searched the 2nd floor and handled ventilation. Squad 8's driver also went to work throwing ladders while E291 extinguished the fire which started in the kicthen area and spread outward. Two residents of the house were treated for smoke inhalation and 1 dog was removed from the house and reunited with their owner. The fire was extinguished and Squad 8 remained on the scene for about 90 minutes for overhaul. Crews finally made it home and after cleanup got to bed around 0700.
August 25th - Squad 8 on double fatal accident, Ambulance 88 on fatal stabbing - Saturday started off busy with the usual array of medic locals. Around 0315 hours, Squasd 8 was alerted to Pennsylvania Ave & Forestville Rd, in Company 23's area, for an accident with a vehicle overturned. E291, returning from a previous call, arrived and found a vehicle off the road in the woods and attempted to gain access as it was down a hill behind a fence. Squad 8 arrived and went to work with bolt cutters and a chainsaw and began cutting the fence and trees to make an access point. The vehicle had apparently veered off the road and then went airborne as just the top of the fence was damaged and tree branches about 10 feet in the air were sheered off. Once gaining access, one patient was found to be ejected suffering from massive head trauma and another patient was found partially ejected and pinned by the roof which had collapsed when it rolled. Both patients were pronounced dead on the scene. A 3rd patient was taken to a local trauma center by Medic 29. Squad 8 remained on the scene for about 40 minutes before returning to service. While Squad 8 was returning home, Ambulance 88 was placed on a call for an injured person from an assault in the 100 Blk of Jonquil Ave in Seat Pleasant. Ambulance 88 arrived with PGPD who found a male victim that had been brutally stabbed many times during a domestic dispute. The patient was pronounced dead on the scene and the suspect was arrested there as well. Ambulance 88 remained on the scene with county police for about an hour before returning to service. On a side note, Ambulance 88 had just previously cleared a cutting in the 800 Blk of Booker Dr in Company 38's area.. Originally dispatched as an injured person, units found a patient with a severe bleed to the wrist. It was thought it was cut on something in the house as an "accident" however people in the house were arguing and a knife was found in the front yard. Police were called to the scene and Ambulance 88 and Medic 30 transported the patient to a local trauma center.
August 24th - Squad 8 on morning apartment fire with people trapped - Just minutes after 0700 hours, Squad 8 was alerted to the 5600 Blk of Regency Park Ct, in Company 27's area, for smoke coming from the building and people trapped. E271 arrived to find smoke showing and people trapped on their balconies in the rear. First arriving units went to work running lines to the fire apartment and throwing ladders to remove trapped occupants. The crew from Squad 8 went to work doing a primary search of the fire floor going apartment to apartment. The fire started in the kitchen and was held to the apartment of origin. Squad 8 returned to service in about 45 minutes. This was the second fire in less than 12 hours for Squad 8. August 23rd - Squad 8 and Chief 8 on apartment fire in Kentland - Just after 2000 hours, Squad 8 and Chief 8 (McGill) were dispatched to the 6700 Blk of West Forest Rd, in Company 33's area, for an apartment fire. Units from 33 arrived and found fire showing from the 3rd floor. Units from Seat Pleasant arrived and Chief 8 was given interior in the fire apartment and Squad 8 was assigned the RIC. Crews made quick work of the fire which started in the kitchen area and extended through the apartment. Squad 8 operated for about 30 minutes before returning to service and Chief 8 returned a short time later. August 23rd - Squad 8 and Chief 8 on fatal accident in Bowie - Around 1130 hours, units were dispatched to EB Rt 50 at Church Rd near Bowie Airport for an accident with a vehicle that had flipped. Units arrived on the scene and found a van with six occupants had gone off the road and rolled several times ejecting two patient who were now trapped under the vehicle. Units began to work to free the victims, one pinned under the rear axle and one pinned under the front axle, and called for an additional squad bringing Squad 8 and Chief 8 (McGill) as well as Ambulance 88 after they cleared the hospital from their previous fatality. Units from 8 arrived and worked with RE18 to stabilize and lift the vehicle. It took Squad 8 about 10 minutes to extricate both victims. The patient under the rear of the vehicle was flown to a local trauma center and the patient under the front of the vehicle was pronounced dead. The other occupants were all transported to local hospitals/trauma centers for checkups. Chief 8 had the extrication sector and the units returned to Seat Pleasant in about an hour.
Photos courtesy of firehouseguy August 23rd - Ambulance 88 arrives first on fatal pedestrian struck - Just after 1000 hours, Ambulance 88 was dispatched to the Inner Loop of the Beltway @ Landover Rd, in Company 33's area, for a pedestrian struck who was possibly not breathing. Ambulance 88 arrived first to find a male who had been struck by a dump truck and suffering from numerous traumatic injuries and was combative but still alive. The crew began to survey the patient and stabilize him as additional units arrived. The patient was loaded into Medic 46 and the crews from Medic 46 and Ambulance 88 transported to a local trauma center where the subject later died. Ambulance 88 returned to service in about 90 minutes. August 22nd - Squad 8 extricates one from accident on Pennsylvania Ave - Just after 1730 hours, Squad 8 was alerted for an accident at Pennsylvania Ave & Spaulding Ave in Company 17's area. Units arrived on the scene and discovered 1 trapped. Squad 8 arrived a short time later and went to work stabilizing the vehicle and quickly extricating 1 patient. Once free, the patient was removed and given to EMS personnel who transported the victim to a locat trauma center as a precaution. Squad 8 picked up and returned to service in about 20 minutes. August 19th - Triple shooting shatters slow sunday for Company 8 - Just before 2000 hours, Squad 8, Ambulance 88, and Chief 8 (McGill) responded to the Shell Gas Station at Addison Rd & Martin Luther King Hwy, in Seat Pleasant, for a report of a child shot. As crews arrived, they found much more. Crews were faced with 3 people shot including a 5 year old child. Apparently this family of 3 was driving on Southern Ave in the area of D St in Southeast (also Company 5's area) when an SUV pulled up next to them and opened fire with a high powered automatic weapon. After being shot, the car was driven to the Shell station here in Seat Pleasant and they called for help. Additional EMS units were called to the scene to assist with the patients including and MSP Trooper. Ambulance 88 took the child to a local childrens trauma center while the two adults were taken to local trauma centers as well. In all, the vehicle was hit by well over two dozen bullets, some going through the car completely. The Squad and the Chief cleared a short time later as Ambulance 88 returned much later. MPD continues to investigate since the shooting occurred on the DC/MD line on the DC side. Also just following the accident, Squad 8 and Chief 8 responded to the 6900 Blk of Central Ave, in Seat Pleasant, for an accident with a vehicle into a pole. Units arrived to find just that and a semi conscious victim. The crew from 8 started patient care as they waited for EMS units. The patient was removed and taken to a local trauma center by EMS units for head injuries. Units from 8 cleared in about 20 minutes. August 19th - Squad 8 comes out on top again in Firehouse Magazine - Just like the old days, Squad 8 continues to be the busiest heavy rescue squad in PG County. As was done years ago before 88 arrived, Squad 8 was the busiest special service in the county. Now that additional Ambulances have been added to stations, Squad 8 continues to rack up the calls. This is the second year in a row we have been back on top as it looks like it may be back to the way it should be. Sure we know a good amount of them are medic locals, but who doesnt run those. A run is a run and the calls continue to be almost equally dispersed to fire and accident calls as well. We look forward to another busy year. See ya on top again next year.
August 19th - Engine 83 & Chief 8 on truck fire with 1 burned - Just after noon, Engine 83 and Chief 8 (McGill) responded to 499 Shady Glen Dr, in Seat Pleasant, for an auto fire with 1 burned. Units arrived to find a large catering truck with residual smoke coming from it as well as a male that had 1st & 2nd degree burns to face, arms, and legs. Apparently, the company was getting ready to start preparing food in the back where there is a makeshift kitchen. Somehow the propane built up in the back of the truck and when the employee went to light the stove, the entire back of the truck became involved in fire with the person still in it. The fire blew itself out as a quick thinking employee went and turned off the rest of the gas at the cylinder. The patient was transported to a local burn center by Medic 46 and A389. Engine 83 and Chief 8 returned to service in about 30 minutes.
August 15th - Engine 83 on afternoon house fire, Squad & Ambulance on trauma - Around 1340 hours, Engine 83 responded with units to the area of Jansen Ave & Fable St, in Company 5's area, for a house on fire. Engine 52 arrived and found a house in the 1000 Blk of Jansen Ave with smoke showing. Engine 83 arrived and picked up 52's supply line and a ran a backup line to the house. While Engine 52 was continuing to search for the fire, the officer from Engine 83 went to side C to get a size up and found a working fire in the crawl space underneath the house. Engine 83 repositioned their line and opened up the crawl space and began knocking the fire. Crews inside also began opening up and checking for extension. The fire was extinguished with minimal extension and crews were held for awhile due to overhauling the crawl space and getting through the brick construction. Engine 83 cleared the scene in about in about 90 minutes. Then around 1730 hours, Squad 8 was alerted to Addison Rd & Central Ave, by the firehouse, for an accident. Ambulance 88 was also alerted to the call originally but was reassigned due to being further south while returning from a transfer. Squad 8 arrived and found a vehicle that had been T-boned by an SUV, pushing the passenger side door all the way in to the center console. Luckily, no one was sitting there. A second ambulance was called for, thus bringing Ambulance 88 this time. PA5 transported one driver to a local trauma center while Ambulance 88 transported the other driver to a local hospital. Squad 8 cleared in about 20 minutes while Ambulance 88 returned in just before 1900 hours.
August 14th - Busy day includes large, stubborn brush fire and trauma - The day was steady as units from Company 8 were kept busy running from call to call. Just before 1100 hours, Engine 83 was alerted to West Ave & Logan ST, in Company 26's area, where police had marked out with a fire in the woods. Engine 83 arrived and found the large fire and requested a BX unit bringing BX20 to the scene. Crews worked for well over an hour to to control and extinguish the fire. Engine 83 returned to service in just over 90 minutes. Then on the last call of the night, Ambulance 88 responded to the 400 Blk of Stevenson La, in Seat Pleasant, for an injured person from an assault. Ambulance 88 arrived to find a male that had been hit in the head with a rock or brick near his eye. The crew treated the patient and transported to a local trauma center due to the extent of injury to the eye. Ambulance 88 returned to service in about an hour. In all, Company 8 was dispatched to 32 runs today including 16 calls for Ambulance 88, 8 for Squad 8, and another 8 for Engine 83. August 13th - Engine 83 on early morning house fire in Chapel Oaks - Just after 0400 hours, Engine 384 was alerted to the area of 59th St & L St for a car fire. Soon after dispatch, the box was filled for a house on fire with people trapped. Engine 83 responded and arrived laying out from 59th & Addison Rd to find a auto well involved next to a house with live wires down in the driveway. Engine 83 and E384 quickly began extinguishing the fire while the house was entered real quick by RE33 and part of Engine 83's crew to perform a search for the trapped occupants and check for extension. The car was extinguished and minor extension was found through a window on side D. The area was opened up and extinguished as well. Engine 83 remained on the scene for about 45 minutes before returning.
August 10th - Engine 83 and Chief 8 on evening house fire - Around 1730 hours, Engine 83 and Chief 8 (McGill) responded to the 3900 Blk of Byers St, in Company 17's area, for a rooming house on fire. Units arrived to find smoke showing from the house and went to work. Engine 83 arrived and picked up E52's line and ran a back up line into the house. Crews found a fire on the first floor with smoke conditions. The crew from Engine 83 ran a line to the second floor and called for a thermal imager to assist in checking for extension. The fire was quickly knocked on the first floor and there was no extension to the floor above. Engine 83 and Chief 8 returned in just under an hour. August 4th - Early morning shootout and 2 fires on Saturday for Company 8 - Just before 0600 hours, Ambulance 88 responded to the 800 Blk of Finch Ct, in the East Nalley section of Seat Pleasant, for an injured person from an "assault". Ambulance 88 arrived to find many police cars and broken glass along with a hysterical female. Apparently, the man ( a MPD offcier in uniform ) and his wife were leaving for work when a car with 3 black males pulled in front of their driveway blocking them in. Two males dressed in camouflage and masks exited and held them both at gun point demanding money. The officer drew his weapon and shots rang out. Both parties exchanged gunfire as the 3 assailants fled. The man and his wife were not hit and it is unknown if the robbers were injured. Ambulance 88 checked out the victims who both refused transport and returned to service in about 15 minutes. Then about an hour later, Squad 8 responded to the 7200 Blk of Greeley Rd, in Company 33's area, for a house fire. E331 arrived to find smoke showing from the second floor and advanced a line. Squad 8 arrived as the first special service and went to work opening up and searching. Crews found several rooms off on the second floor. The fire was extinguished and Squad 8 remained on the scene with E331 for just over 90 minutes for overhaul and assisting investigations. Then later in the day around 1630 hours, Engine 83 responded to the 7600 Blk of Walker Mill Dr, in the Shady Glen neighborhood of Seat Pleasant, for a house fire. Engine 83 arrived to find a 2 story house with smoke showing from the second floor. The crew advanced a line and found a room off upstairs and extinguished the same. Additional units assisted with ventilation and checking for extension. Engine 83 remained on the scene again for about 90 minutes before returning home. August 3rd - Company 8 on fire and traumas during course of the day - Just after 0700 hours, Engine 83 was dispatched as 4th due to the 1600-blk of Bauman Rd, in Company 37's area, for fire in a house. E371 arrived to find smoke showing and advanced a line. Crews discovered an electric meter that had caught fire outside and extended to the interior. Crews knocked the fire and waited for the power to be cut. Engine 83 arrived and stood by with units until the power could be discontinued to the house. Once the power was down, the rest of the area was opened up and the extension was extinguished. Engine 83 returned to service in just over an hour. Then at 1917 hours, Squad 8 & Ambulance 88 were disptached MLK Hwy & 71st Ave, in Seat Pleasant, for a car into a pole with people trapped. Units from 8 arrived and found a single vehicle into a pole, with several patients but no one trapped. The impact of the car actually cracked the pole and shifted it 6 inches in the ground. Crews from 8 treated and helped package the patients. Ambulance 88 took a child to a local hospital while PA5 took 1 to a local trauma center after losing consciousness as a result of the accident. Squad 8 cleared in just over 20 minutes while Ambulance 88 returned in just over an hour. Then just before 2300 hours, Ambulance 88 responded to the unit block of Sutton Ct, in Company 46's area, for one bleeding. Ambulance 88 and E462 arrived to find a dialysis patient bleeding uncontrollably and now unconscious. Units packaged the patient and attempted to control the bleeding loading them into Ambulance 88. Along with Medic 46, the patient was transported as a priority 1 trauma to a local center. Ambulance 88 cleared in about an hour. August 1st - The Chiefs go out of town, visit other departments - Earlier this week, Seat Pleasant's Chiefs went on road trips. Chief McGill went north to FDNY to attend the graduation ceremony for friend of Seat Pleasant and past member of Hillside Aaron Martin. FF Martin was part of the recent 264 probies who joined the rank and file of FDNY. FF Martin has been assigned to Ladder 170 in Brooklyn. Good luck "Poobe" in your new career. While Chief McGill was in New York City, Deputy Chief Mehaffey visted long time friend and former Seat Pleasant member Ryan Pope in Charlotte, NC. FF Pope works as a career firefighter in the City of Charlotte and recently was assigned to Engine 23. Together with Ladder 23, the station is the busiest in the city. While visiting, Deputy Chief Mehaffey rode along for a 24 hour period. The station ran around 20 runs in the 24 hours, mostly medic locals, but a box alarm, odor of smoke, an accident, and a homeless persons home in the woods that caught fire broke up the medical bonanza. Special thanks to Capt Williams (Engine 23) and Capt Boyd (Ladder 23) as well as the rest of the crew at E23 & L23 for their hospitality.
FF Martin during graduation / Chief McGill & FF Martin
Engine 23 & Ladder 23 in Charlotte August 1st - Engine 81 on afternoon house fire in Boulevard Heights - Around 1400 hours, Engine 81 was alerted to the area of Marlboro Pk & Southern Ave, in Company 17's area, for a house on fire. E171 arrived to find fire showing from the second floor of a vacant house in the 4300 Blk of Southern Ave. Engine 81 arrived and layed a line from Southern Ave & Pear St and took a position in an adjoining lot and ran a back up line to the first floor. Crews inside made progress knocking the fire upstairs. After checking for extension the assignment was scaled back. The cause is under investigation and Engine 81 returned to service within the hour. July 30th - Squad 8 on large accident ....and we mean large - Around 1830 hours, Squad 8 was alerted to the 5800 Blk of Marlboro Pk, in Company 26's area, for an accident with a vehicle overturned. Units arrived to find about 10 vehicles involved in an accident, with 1 overturned, and stretching over 2 blocks (down to the 5600 Blk of Marlboro Pk). Additional EMS units were called to assist units already onscene. With no one trapped, Squad 8 went to work evaluating patients. The person in the overturned car actually refused treatment as did alot of other people. In all, 3 people were transported to local hospitals. Chief 26A had the command and the accident was actually caused by a large vehicle leaking coolant on the roadway. Squad 8 cleared a short time later after patients were transported. July 28th - Busy day includes car into house and late night extrication of 3 - Just before 1000 hours, PGPD spotted a car matching a description of one used in a robbery and attempted to stop it. The attempt didnt work. The driver took off and refused to stop, leading PD on a pursuit. Eventually while trying to navigate the tight streets of Capitol Heights.....at great speeds...with a donut tire...the driver lost control, crashed through a vacant lot, hit a pole, and then went into the front of a house in the 600 Blk of Nova Ave in Company 5's area. Police notified PSC to start fire board as the driver got out of the car and started running. Police eventually caught up with the suspect a short distance later. Squad 8 and other units arrived and checked the occupants of the house who were determined to not be injured as well as the recent detainee. Units stood by for the building inspector to come check the structure. Squad 8 cleared in just over 30 minutes. Then around 2345 hours, after a wide array of calls, Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 were alerted to Walker Mill Dr and Shady Glen Dr, in Seat Pleasant, for an accident. Units arrived to find nothing and checked the area. While doing so, units were alerted to Walker Mill Rd & Shady Glen Dr, in Company 26's area, for an accident with 3 people trapped. Knowing this was probably the same accident, units from 8 headed that way. Units arrived to find an SUV that had gone off the road and hit a tree, trapping 3 now unconscious people. Squad 8 stabilized the vehicle and began to go to work removing the driver and passenger side doors as well as the front seats. They had to overcome some obstacles to do so as the recently transplanted generator from Squad 47 broke....again. The patients were removed and transported to local trauma centers by Ambulance 88 , Medic 29, PA5 and Trooper 8. Squad 8 returned to service in about 45 minutes while Ambulance 88 returned in just under 90 minutes.
July 26th - Ambulance 88 on early morning first due stabbing - Just after 0100 hours, Ambulance 88 was alerted to the 6500 Blk of Central Ave, across from the firehouse, for a cutting. Units arrived with police after a child called 911 saying someone stabbed mommy. Crews found an adult female with a large stab wound to the back. Ambulance 88 treated the patient who was transported to a local trauma center by PA5. Ambulance 88 returned to service after cleanup in about 30 minutes. July 23rd - Company 8 on early morning house, serious afternoon accident - Just before 0800, Engine 81 was alerted to the 4700 Blk of Davis Ave, in Company 17's area, for fire coming from a house. E171 arrived to find a 2 story house and reported a working fire. Engine 81 arrived and completed E231 's split lay and pulled a back up line but was requested to stand by. Units found a kitchen on fire with some drop down extension to the basement and some to the cockloft. Engine 81 remained on the scene for about 45 minutes before returning home. Then later just before 1530 hours, units were alerted to the O/L of 495 at Pennsylvania Ave for an accident with an unconscious person. Squad 27 arrived to find a serious accident and requested additional units including another Medic unit and a helicopter. Ambulance 88 was alerted to the call and responded to assist units. In all 4 trauma patient were transported to area hospitals. Ambulance 88 transported 1 patient to a local hospital and returned to service in about an hour. The Beltway was shut down for some time during operations and clean up making for a not so good rush hour commute for everyone. July 20th - Squad 8 on mid morning extrication on Ritchie Rd - Around 0945, Squad 8 was alerted to the 1700 Blk of Ricthie Rd, in Company 37's area, for an accident with 1 trapped. E371 arrived to find the same and began patient care. Squad 8 arrived a short time later and stabilized the vehicle and went to work removing the drivers side doors allowing the patient to be freed. The patient was removed and taken to a local trauma center by Medic 46. Squad 8 picked up and returned home in just under 30 minutes. July 19th - Squad 8 assists with "sleeping" trauma victim - At 1549 hours, Squad 8 responded to Woodview Dr & Tulip Tree Dr, in Company 46's area, for an accident with people trapped. Units arrived to find a vehicle down an embankment with an unresponsive person. Squad 8 arrived and the crew made its way down the embankment to the vehicle where they found a male sleeping in the drivers seat. The Squad crew woke him up and removed him to awaiting EMS units. The patient had an altered level of consciousness probably due to being under the influence of some type of CDS. Witnesses had reported that the male got out of his car after crashing, got up on the roof, called 911, and then got off the roof and climbed back in the car and went to sleep. The patient was transported to a local hospital by Medic 18. Squad 8 returned to service in about 20 minutes. July 18th - Squad 8 on evening storage unit fire in District Heights - At 1615 hours, Squad 8 was alerted to Rochelle Ave & Atwood St, in Company 26's area, for a storage unit on fire. Units arrived to find a working fire in a garage type unit at the apartment complex. Someone had apparently lit some couches on fire outside of the garage and it extended inward. E262 put a knock on it as Squad 8 arrived and the crew went to work opening up and checking for extension. Squad 8 pulled celilings and opened the roof as E262 knocked down the extension. Squad 8 remained on the scene for over an hour for overhaul and clean up. July 17th - Squad 8 and Chief 8A on afternoon house fire - Just before 1600 hours, as Squad 8 and Chief 8A (Mehaffey) were clearing a 23 box in the lovely 95 degree heat, E291 was dispatched for a shed on fire on Linda La off Old Branch Ave. E291 arrived and found the correct address in the 5800 Blk of Center Dr and reported a large shed off behind the house and requested an additional engine for water supply. Soon after, the box was requested bringing Squad 8 and Chief 8A. As units were responding, a large column of smoke could be seen from the Seat Pleasant area. First arriving units encountered a large shed well off, with a large area of brush that had extended to a rear deck. Quickly, the fire extended into the inside and consumed the first floor and basement and went through the roof. Units were pulled out of the house and exterior operations were the name of the game. Squad 8 arrived and was given the RIT and Chief 8A made a lap around the house to check for any changing conditions as Truck 17, supplied by E371, continued to ladder pipe the house. Chief 8A got together with command officers in the rear and came up with a game plan to extinguish the deep seated fire in what was left of the roof and the basement. With lines in place and ready to go, it was decided that they were going to use a second ladder pipe to try and extinguish the fire. Crews were pulled from the rear and told to report back to side A. Squad 8 stood by for another hour as the RIT as T26, supplied by E271, ladder piped the house more. Squad 8 and Chief 8A returned to service in about 2 hours.
July 16th - Engine 81 on Palmer Park duplex fire: Squad 8 on 9I with ejection - At 1718 hours, Engine 81 responded to the 7700 Blk of Burnside Rd, in Company 33's area, for a house on fire. Units from 33 arrived to find smoke showing and a room off upstairs. Engine 81 arrived and was put to work by command performing a secondary search as Company 33 finished extinguishing the fire. Engine 81's search came up negative. Command quickly scaled back the assignment holding the units from 33 and Engine 81. Engine 81 returned to service in just over 20 minutes. Then just after 1800 hours, Squad 8 responded to Ronald Rd & Dillon Ct, in Seat Pleasant, for an accident with a car into a tree. As units were responding, PSC upgraded the call as additional information was received that a female had been ejected and was semi conscious. Squad 8 arrived and found a female laying in the street bleeding from the face. Crews treated and packaged the patient who was taken to a local trauma center by PA5. Squad 8 returned to service in just over 20 minutes. July 15th - Ambulance 88 transports trauma from accident in Hillside - Just after 1400 hours, Ambulance 88 as alerted with PE51 to the 1100 Blk of Jansen Ave, in Company 17's area, for a multi vehicle head on collision. While enroute, additional units were started as there were several reported injuries. Units arrived to find several with traumatic injuries. Units worked to package several patients who were transported to local trauma centers. Ambulance 88 transported a female to a local trauma center while A299 and Medic 29 transported a male also to a local trauma center. Ambulance 88 cleared the hospital in just under 2 hours. July 14th - Busy morning for Company 8: stabbing, fatal shooting, auto fire - Just after midnight, Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 responded to the 1300 Blk of Upcot Ct, in Seat Pleasant, for one stabbed in the head. Units arrived and staged for COunty Police who then advised it was the result of a domestic but the patient had already been transported POV and the units returned to service. Then just before 0300, Ambulance 88 responded to the 6800 Blk of Central Ave, in Seat Pleasant, for a sick person. The crew encountered a very uncooperative person running around the apartment yelling she had to go to the hospital. While the crew was there, Squad 8 was alerted to Central Ave & Cindy La, in Seat Pleasant near Ambulance 88's call, for one that was shot laying on the sidewalk. Units arrived to find two peopel shot. One was pronounced dead on the scene and the other was transported to a local trauma center with a single gunshot wound. Squad 8 assisted EMS units with patient care then returned to service in about 20 minutes. Then about 20 minutes later, Engine 81 responded with AMbulanced 88, who cleared the hospital, for an auto fire at Central Ave & Rollins Ave, also in Seat Pleasant. Units arrived to find an auto well involved and crews extinguished the same returning to service in about 30 minutes. Then just after 0600, Engine 81 returned to Central Ave & Cindy La for a wash down as PGPD was done with their crime scene investigation of the homicide. Later in the day around 1130 hours, Ambulance 88 responded to Arena Overlook & Spectator Ave, in Company 46's area, for an injured person from a fall. Units arrived to find a male who had fallen about 35 feet suffering from numerous injuries. Ambulance 88 transported the patient to a local trauma center and returned to service in about an hour. In all, 11 runs were answered between midnight and 0600 with 26 total runs on the day. July 11th - Busy day for Company 8 produces fatal accident and trauma - Just after 1100 hours, County police were sent to Central Ave & Daimler Dr, in Seat Pleasant, for a male on a metro bus trying to shoot some kids. The male with the gun was also with three other males and several other people on the bus got into an altercation trying to wrestle the gun away from him. After a brief struggle, the male with the gun left the bus along with his cohorts and ran toward Cindy La but not before striking another male in the head with the gun. This brought Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 to the scene. Units from 8 treated the juvenile for a cut by the left eye and transported him to a local hospital. Squad 8 cleared in about 10 minutes and Ambulance 88 returned in about an hour. Then around 1700 hours, Squad 8 was alerted to Hill Rd & Hastings Dr, in Seat Pleasant, for an accident. Squad 8 arrived and found a two vehicle accident with 1 trapped. Additional units were called to assist. Squad 8 removed the doors and roof of the vehicle removing a teenage patient who was pronounced dead. Another patient in the car was transported to a local trauma center. Squad 8 returned to service in just over an hour. Later, Squad 8 returned to clean up some fluids and Ambulance 88 returned to transport a distraught family member of the deceased teenager to the hospital after passing out several times. Then at 2315 hours, Ambulance 88 responded to the 1300 Blk of Capitol View Terr, in Company 33's area, for a person assaulted with a brick. MP33 and Ambulance 88 came into the block and saw several males at the corner, one with a gun, who were later determined to be the perpetrators. Crews went to the reporting address and the injured male answered the door, also with a gun, and told them to " Hurry up and get inside ". Ambulance 88 treated the patient who had a large gash/bruise on the back of the head and general pain. He also claimed he was unconscious for about 5 minutes. Ambulance 88 went ahead and began transporting to a local trauma center but while consulting, they were advised that they had just gone on trauma reroute and were redirected to another trauma center. Ambulance 88 cleared in about 90 minutes. In all, 28 runs were handled by Company 8 today. July 10th - Squad 8 & Chief 8A removes 1 from drainage ditch after accident - Around 1630 hours Squad 8 and Chief 8A (Mehaffey) were dispatched to Central Ave & Addison Rd, in Seat Pleasant, for an accident. After checking the intersection and asking for a better location, PSC advised units they had additional calls reporting the 7700 Blk of Central Ave with a car into a ditch and on fire. Chief 8A arrived and found alot of smoke coming from a cement drainage area about 40 feet off the road. Chief 8A and Squad 8 went up the hill and located a SUV in the ditch with a few Police officers extinguishing the fire in the engine compartment with an extinguisher. The female was already out of the car and obviously shaken. Chief 8A established the Central Ave Command as the crew from Squad 8 cut down what was left of the chain link fence and grabbed an extension ladder to put down in the hole. Once down in the ditch, PA5 and members from Squad 8 and PE51 started packaging the patient on a board and in the stokes basket off Squad 8. While doing that, additional members from the Squad and PE51 set up anchors above ground to facilitate removing the victim. Once the victim was secured, she was raised up the ladder to the ground above and taken to the back of PA5 where she was unloaded and taken to a local trauma center. Chief 8A had the command and the officer from Squad 8, Career Capt Fusco, had the rescue sector. Units returned to service in about 40 minutes.
July 8th - Seat Pleasant extinguishes fire on train tracks along DC line - Just before 2200 hours, as the day was winding down, Engine 81 responded to Eastern Ave & Addison Rd, in Company 38's area, for a fire along the train tracks. Engine 81 arrived and found a fire burning along about 250 feet of track. The crew trekked through poison sumac (itchy) and then took down part of a fence so that they could stretch a line to the fire. Being that CSX would not shut down the tracks for a fire, the crew was ever vigilant in checking both directions for oncoming trains. The crew worked for about an hour extinguishing the fire, raking up debris to make sure it was completely out, and dodging freight trains. Our friends from Deanwood, DC Engine 27 and DC BFC 2, also showed up to give moral support as our crew continued to work. Engine 81 racked up and returned to service in just over an hour. July 8th - Busy day for Company 8, Crews save 1 from less than ideal conditions - Sunday brought a fair amount of calls ( 29 for the day ) for Seat Pleasant including many, many medical calls. At 1927 hours, Squad 8, Ambulance 88, and Chief 8A (Mehaffey) responded to the 600 Blk of Cabin Branch Dr, in Seat Pleasant, for one not breathing. Units arrived to find a female in the kitchen down with no pulse and not breathing. Also in the house was about 15 family members who were visibly and verbally upset. After everyone bringing in different equipment, half the crew concentrated on removing and keeping additional hysterical family members out of the way while the other part of the crew worked on the patient. The crew began CPR as the AED was hooked up to the patient. After a minute or so of CPR, the patient was administered 1 shock and CPR was continued. Now more family members had showed up to the point where there was about 30 people yelling, screaming, and trying to get into the small duplex. During the chaos, crew members from 8 continued to work on the patient and package her for transport while the other crew members from 8 and PE51 as well as Seat Pleasant PD tried to keep the group under control. The patient was removed and quickly placed in the back of PA5 where CPR was continued for a short time until they realized she had a strong pulse. CPR was discontinued and the patient was taken to a local hospital where she regained consciousness and as crews were leaving was awake and talking. Personnel from Company 8 worked very hard under very chaotic conditions to save this patients life. A fine job was done by all on the call. The hard working personnel from Company 8 on the call that made this possible were Deputy Chief Mehaffey, Career LT McCormick, Volunteer LT Brenner, Career firefighters Hill, Stout, and Lopez and Volunteer firefighters Lindsey and Wells. July 7th - Today we learned that DC Firefighter/Technician James McRae III died while on duty this morning of an apparent heart attack. Firefighter McRae, the tillerman at T12 in the Tenleytown section of the city, reported not feeling well early in the morning and was transported to a local hospital. While being transferred to Washington Hospital Center via helicopter, he went into cardiac arrest and died. Firefighter McRae was 34 years old and had been on the department since 1991. He is survived by his mother and 9 year old daughter. We extend our thoughts and prayers to his friends and family as well as his fellow brothers and sisters as this death hits close to home as several of our members are career firefighters in DC. Rest well Brother McRae. July 6th - The lighter side : Only one patient a time please - In the realm of "Are you kidding me ?" but not in the realm of " that wont ever happen again", Ambulance 88 and PA5 were on a medical local in the 4800 Blk of Deanwood Dr in Fairmount Heights. As PA5 was hooking up the leads and checking a patient whose pacemaker was firing way too many times, a man was seen walking toward the ambulance. Taking notice of this, the driver of the Ambulance watched him as he approached the passenger side and opened the door. The driver asked " Can I help you ?". The male got in and closed the door. The driver again asked " Can I help you ?". The male stated, in a slurred voice, "Take me to the VA Hospital". After repeated attempts to inform him that they could not due to the other patient and the fact the medics needed to get the first patient to the hospital, another member got out and used the Jedi Mind Trick and told him " You do not want to be in this ambulance" (whether he waved his hand with two fingers out is unknown) and it actually worked. The male got out and went on his way. We wish we could tell Pineapple, our newest EMS member, that things wont always be this bizarre, but we cant swear to that. July 4th - Evening trauma, burned child, and local fireworks display - Most of the day was uneventful with the usual medic locals, a box here and there, and some accidents. As the sun began to set, the cookout began as members enjoyed the usual burgers, dogs, and some chicken that grace the table on the 4th every year. As crews were cleaning up, Ambulance 88 was dispatched to the 600 Blk of Birchleaf Ave, in Seat Pleasant, for an injured person from a fall. Ambulance 88 arrived to find a male semi conscious in the driveway of a house with a major injury to the head. Witnesses say he was just sitting there and then fell to the ground but have no idea what happened. The crew from 88 began treating the patient who became somewhat combative due to his head injury. PA5 arrived and began assisting 88 as the patient was loaded. Crews continued to try and treat the patient until people starting banging on the doors to the ambulance. Thats when they decided it was best they start transporting. The patient was transported as a priority 1 head trauma to a local trauma center. Ambulance 88 cleared in about an hour. Upon leaving the hospital, the crew on Ambulance 88 met up with Chief 8A (Mehaffey) to enjoy the local display of fireworks by residents on Eastern Ave in DC. After about 20 minutes of sitting in a parking lot in the 5800 Blk of MLK Hwy watching the show, a SUV arrived honking its horn wildly and driving into the parking lot with them. Chief 8A went and met the vehicle who produced a hysterical mom saying her 9 month old daughter had been burned by fireworks. Chief 8A took the burned child from mom and took her to the Ambulance crew. The child was suffering from second degree burns to her chest and left arm after being hit by a Roman Candle type device in the 6100 Blk of Clay St NE in DC. The crew began treating the child as PA5 arrived. Ambulance 88 and PA5 transported the child to a local childrens burn center. The rest of the night produced some more medic locals as well as some box alarms as the sound of fireworks lasted well into the 5th.
Fireworks displays in first due : MLK & Eastern / MD Park Dr & Southern Ave Also on this night, Battalion Chief 3, Chief Lisa Dunaway, was critically injured in an unfortunate accident while on a call on Forestville Rd. Her buggy somehow began to move and while going across the parking lot, she attempted to stop it before it hit the engine from 23 but instead got pinned between her vehicle and the engine. Squad 27 immediately called for a medic unit and helicopter as they removed the vehicle freeing her and began treating her. Chief Dunaway was flown to Baltimore Shock Trauma as a priority 1 suffering from numerous injuries including a serious arm injury. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Chief Dunaway, her friends, family, and coworkers. We wish her a speedy and healthy recovery. July 1st - July starts busy with fatal accident and house fire - Around 0251 hours, while Ambulance 88 was transporting a female in handcuffs with County PD to the hospital because she wasnt making any sense and laying in Central Ave, Squad 8 and EMS units were alerted to Central Ave & Addison Rd, by the firehouse, for a head on collision with people trapped. Squad 8 and police checked the area and were finding nothing as PSC continued to receive calls reporting this as well as now a car on fire. Squad 8 continued south on Addison Rd and came upon the accident in the 900 Blk of Addison Rd S and advised units. Squad 8 found a two vehicle accident with 4 patients trapped and a car on fire. E51 arrived and extinguished the fire and called for a second Squad (Squad 22) due to number and involvement of the trapped individuals. Another medic unit as well as a second BLS unit was called along with MSP Trooper 8. Units worked to extricate the victims who were all unconscious. One victim was pronounced dead on the scene and left in place for the police. After a lengthy extrication, all patients were removed and taken to a local trauma center. Squad 8 and Ambulance 88, who showed up later, remained on the scene for over 2 hours to assist police. Squad 8 later returned to extricate the body after the investigation was done and then later Engine 83 returned to lay down absorbent. Then the middle of the day was filled with brush fires and even an auto in the woods. Then just before 1900 hours, Squad 8 was alerted to the 3800 Blk of Crystal La, in Company 29's area, for a house on fire. E292 arrived to find an apparent working fire on the second floor. After getting the second floor vented, crews began knocking the fire involving the upstairs. Squad 8 arrived and was originally given the RIT but then redeployed to take care of utilities and a secondary search. The fire was extinguished with some extension and is under investigation due to the house being vacant and a female was seen leaving the house just prior to the fire being noticed. Squad 8 cleared in about an hour. Company 8 answered 33 runs during the day on Sunday including 8 between midnight and 0700. June 28th - Company 8 kept busy with assaults and shootings - Just after 1100, Squad 8 was alerted with EMS units to the 700 Blk of Elfin Ave, in Company 5's area, for a shooting. Units arrived to find a male injured, but not shot. Apparently, he had been riding in a car when the occupants threatened and attempted to shoot him and threw him from the moving vehicle. Units treated the patient for minor injuries. Squad 8 returned to service in about 15 minutes. Then just after 1130, Ambulance 88 was alerted to Suitland Pkwy & Naylor Rd, in Company 29's area, for an injured person. The story behind this call is as follows: MPD runs a tag that comes back lsited to a person wanted for murder. They attempt to stop the vehicle, occupied by a male and female, the vehicle does not stop and leads PD on a chase. When entering PG County after trying to elude police, the male, wanted for murder, pushes the female out of the window of the moving car. The only problem with this, other than the obvious, was that she was driving the vehicle. The male continued to try and escape while driving the car from the passenger side of the vehicle. The vehicle of course crashed. Both parties were taken into custody by numerous police officers and the female had only minor injuries. With no transport and a murderer off the street, Ambulance 88 returned to service in about 25 minutes. Then later around 2210 hours after returning from an accident on the Beltway , Ambulance 88 responded to 7600 Barlowe Rd, in Company 33's area, for 1 shot. Units arrived to find a male who had been shot in the arm on Mathew Henson Ave and then ran to the police station. Ambulance 88 transported the patient to a local hospital returning to service in about an hour. In addition, two women were robbed at the shopping center behind the firehouse and ran different directions. Ambulance 88 treated both and they refused. June 27th - Engine 83 on house fire caused by lightning strike - Just before 1500 hours, a sudden thunderstorm struck the county causing mayhem as units southside were kept busy running calls for lightning strikes. At 1447 hours, Engine 83 was alerted to the 4600 Blk of Keppler Pl, in Company 29's area, for a shed on fire. While enroute, a large column of smoke could be seen from Silver Hill Rd. Engine 83 arrived and layed a secondary line from Water Supply 25 as E51 began to knock the shed that was fully involved. Engine 83 ran the 250 2" from the back and into the house as the shed was close to the structure. The crew checked for extension as all of the siding had melted and the windows had been broken out by the heat. The fire was extinguished with little extension and the shed was a total loss. Engine 83 cleared in about 2 hours. On a side note, during this brief storm, several box alarms were struck for buildings hit by lightning and a 16 yo female was struck and killed by lightning in Oxon Hill despite the quick actions of PEPCO workers nearby who started CPR. June 25th - Squad 8 back in service, temporarily. Welds havent been done and will be done in the upcoming weeks. We do have a new generator though. Lets pray the box doesnt fall off before then. June 24th - Ambulance 88 on early morning trauma - Just after 0200 hours, Ambulance 88 was alerted to Ritchie Rd & Edgeworth Dr, in Company 37's area, for a car into a pole. E371 arrived to find a single vehicle into a pole with no one trapped but a patient suffering from multiple injuries. Ambulance 88 began stabilizing and treating the patient until the arrival of Medic 46. After their arrival, Ambulance 88 assisted personnel from M46 to load their patient who was then taken to a local trauma center. Ambulance 88 returned to service in about 20 minutes. June 19th - Ambulance 88 on southside fire, transports injured firefighter - Around 0400 hours, units from the 3rd battalion were dispatched to the 4200 Blk of 28th Ave, in Company 29's area, for a building fire. Units arrived to find a working fire in the basement. During operations, 3 firefighters became injured after being electrocuted and/or falling. Ambulance 88 was dispatched to the call around 0419 hours and transported 1 firefighter ( a former career person assigned to Company 8 ) to a local hospital after being shocked and injuring himself after the resulting fall. Two of the 3 were released from the hospital and 1 remained there for observation. Ambulance 88 returned to service in just under 2 hours. We wish them all a healthy and speedy recovery. June 20th - Week of relaxing at the beach marred by untimely deaths - While most of us were taking our yearly break from the firehouse, we were delivered the news of several untimely and line of duty deaths.1) Howard County Police Officer First Class Scott Wheeler died from injuries he sustained during a traffic stop after being struck by a car. 2) We received the news that long time member and former President of the Laurel Volunteer Fire Department died. She was a long time friend and supporter of the volunteers. She will be sorely missed. 3) Later that day, along with the rest of the country, we received word that 9 Charleston,SC firefighters died in a commercial building fire after the roof collapsed.- Firefighter Earl "The Squirrel" Drayton - 32 years of service - Capt Billy Hutchinson aka "Lightning" - 30 years of service - Capt Mike Benke - 29 years of service - Capt Louis Mulkey - 11 years of service - Engineer Mark Kelsey - 12 years of service - Engineer Brad Baity - 9 years of service - Asst Engineer Michael French - 1 year of service - Firefighter Brandon Thompson - 4 years of service - Firefighter Melven Champaign aka "Pimp Daddy" - 2 years of service4) Then by mid week, FDNY Firefighter Daniel Pujdak, with 2 years of service assigned to Ladder 146, died fighting a fire in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn. FF Pujdak, the roof man, was climbing back down a ladder when he slipped and fell 4 stories. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the friends, families, and fellow brothers and sisters of all these recent deaths. It is a grim reminder of the dangers of our job and that in a split second things can change forever. Be careful out there everyone. June 16th - Chief 8A on small fire as we all head out to the beach - As personnel started to get ready for the yearly trek to Ocean City for the MD State Firemans Convention, they were kept busy with a wide array of calls, mostly medic locals. Early Afternoon, Engine 83 was alerted to the 4400 Blk of Pistachio La, in Company 17's area, for a fire alarm. While enroute, a box alarm was dispatched for the 1100 Blk of Nalley Rd, in Company 33's area, for a fire in the boiler room. Chief 8A (Mehaffey) was in the area and responded on the call arriving first and reported smoke showing from Side B. E333 and Tower 33 arrived soon after and forced entry to the boiler room extinguishing the fire. Soon after, the assignment was scaled back to just the units from 33. The fire was incendiary in nature and with several witnesses, investigations was called to the scene. Chief 8A had the command and returned to service in just over an hour after investigations arrived. We'll see everyone at the beach !!
June 14th - Ambulance 88 on trauma in Landover - Just after 1630 hours, while PGPD were taking care of some "business", a crossing guard at Hill Oaks Rd & Nalley Rd, in Company 33's area, was struck by a vehicle. One of the police officers on the scene immediately radioed for an ambulance which put Ambulance 88 on the street along with a unit from 33 and Medic 55. Units arrived to find the patient face down in the roadway suffering from head injuries but still conscious. Crews treated and packaged the patient who was then loaded into Ambulance 88 and transported to a local trauma center with Medic 55 on board. Ambulance 88 cleared the trauma center in just over an hour. June 13th - Another day of severe storms sparks another fire for Engine 83 - For the second day in a row, severe storms rolled through the area sparking fires. Just after 1500 hours, E261 was alerted for smoke in the area of Suitland Pky & Silver Hill Rd. After searching the area for a few minutes, they arrived in the 4400 Blk of West Summer Rd to find smoke showing from a house and requested the box. The crew jumped on Engine 83 and were on the road. Engine 83 and Ambulance 88, clearing another call, arrived 3rd and split layed and took a position on side A. The crew pulled the crosslay and made it to the first floor where they began opening up and hitting some drop down extension as crews had fire in the upstairs and dormers. While the interior crew was working, Engine 83's driver threw a few ladders to the structure. Engine 83's crew also began opening up the walls in the stairwell where some fire was found. Later, as the bulk of the fire was knocked, the rest of the lines were backed out except 83's and the crew along with Squad 27 finished the hot spots and overhaul upstairs. Units from 8 were the last to leave again and returned to service in just over 2 hours. This fire was also contributed to a lightning strike.
June 12th - Storms come through, spark 3 alarm fire in Fairmount Heights - Just before 1800 hours, Engine 83 was clearing a fire alarm at 1207 Addison Rd S when PSC dispatched units to the 5300 Blk of Sheriff Rd, in Company 38's area, for smoke coming from the roof. Engine 83 quickly cleared however were told not to respond and transfer to 38. Knowing they would be closer then E174, they continued responding and were requested to the call by Chief 38. E384 arrived with heavy smoke showing from a strip mall. Ambulance 88 who was in the area, arrived behind E384 and quickly got dressed and assisted in pulling an initial attack line. The crew from 88 and the officer from E384 entered and began opening up to hit the fire in the roof area. Engine 83 arrived 3rd and layed 650 feet of dual lines and arrived in the parking lot. The crew from 83 pulled their crosslay and made it into the exposure building as fire was through the roof now. Engine 83 however did not receive water until E72 arrived on the task force due to the 4th due engine on the box passing 83's lines and laying their own. Soon after making it inside, command requested the structures be evacuated due to heavy fire conditions. A second alarm was requested and units went to exterior operations. Engine 83 continued to man a handline while supplying Truck 9's ladder pipe. When that was determined to not be working, their pipe was shut down and Engine 83 supplied Tower 7. During operations, a local from DC arrived as they were dispatched to the area of Eastern Ave & Southern Ave for smoke in the area. Command elected to use them also for operations as everyone was working and additional lines were needed. Eventually, Engine 72 started to run low on fuel so E371 had to be specialed to pick Engine 83's lines. A county fuel truck was requested early on in the incident, but did not show up until units were clearing. Units from PG and DC worked together for hours to extinguish the fire. Engine 83 was the last to leave the scene after over 4 hours of work. Thanks to the personnel from 5 and 38 who helped us rack up. The cause of the fire was determined to be a lightning strike. Last pic courtesy Jim Davis.
June 11th - Chest pains turns into so much more - Just after 2330 hours, Ambulance 88 was alerted for 1 with chest pains in the 4600 Blk of Zion St in Company 38's area. As Ambulance 88 turned the corner, the site of about 30 cops hinted to them that this was not chest pains. Apparently, there was a large party and when police arrived, the guests turned violent and heavily outnumbered the officers. As help was requested, officers used pepper spray for crowd control as they continued to fight with the party guests. Ambulance 88 treated many who were sprayed and transported 1 to a local hospital. A229 also made it to the call and transported 1 that was injured in the melee. Ambulance 88 returned to service just before 0100 on the 12th. Just goes to show, you never know what to expect when running calls around here. June 9th - First due fire preceded by shootings in 26's area & afternoon trauma - Just before midnight on the 8th, E261 and A269 were alerted to the 1900 Blk of Rochelle Ave for a shooting. After being dispatched, Engine 83 and Ambulance 88 were alerted to County Rd & Elmhurst Ave, also in Company 26's area, for one shot. Being that the County Rd call is directly behind 26's firehouse, units from 26 redirected there and the units from 8 went to Rochelle Ave. Units from 8 arrived with county police to find no patients. Units from 26 however had one shot in the back. Engine 83 and Ambulance 88 returned to service right around midnight. Then, right after backing in, Engine 83 was alerted for a SUV on fire at the Lowest Price Gas Station in the 5600 Blk of Mlk Hwy in Seat Pleasant. Engine 83 arrived soon after and found an SUV well off next to the pumps and requested the box be filled. Engine 83 positioned and took their own hydrant in DC and ran a line and went to work extinguishing the fire. Chief 8 (McGill) arrived and established command. The fire was quickly extinguished and command scaled back the assignment to 2 and 1. After checking for extension into the overhang, Engine 83 was held to rack up, clearing in just over 30 minutes. Later in the day around 1430 hours, Ambulance 88 responded to Landover Rd & Lake Arbor Way, in Company 46's area, for an accident. Ambulance 88 arrived and along with Medic 30 began treating a patient suffering from traumatic injuries. The patient was loaded into Ambulance 88 and along with Medic 30, transported to a local trauma center. Ambulance 88 returned home in about 90 minutes.
June 5th - The six million dollar squad: Doing what it takes to save it - "Gentleman, we can rebuild him. We have the technology. We can make him better than he was. Better......stronger.....faster". These words were heard being mumbled as Squad 8 went out of service and off for lifesaving repairs. For awhile now, Squad 8's generator has been shot and crews have been operating off a portable generator for working incidents. The vendors responsible for fixing generators have been having "issues" so no work could be done until those issues were solved. In addition, the walk in box has many, many cracks in it that have attempted to be welded only to break after leaving the shop. So with no plan from the county to replace the squad (18 years old, over 40,000 runs, and coming up on 200,000 miles) we have finally run out of duct tape and coat hangers and something needed to be done. First, Squad 8 will receive a transplant from the recently deceased Squad 47. Apparently, the squad was a "generator" donor and the onboard generator will be removed from Squad 47 and placed in Squad 8. Then, the front end will be worked on to try and fix the steering issues the squad has been having. Then, its off to NASA, thats right, the space center. Once engineers are finished working on the shuttle, they will wheel Squad 8 in and go to work fixing all the cracks in the box by welding them back together. Squad 8 is currently out of service and will be out for a few weeks probably. We will keep everyone updated and please keep "The Super Squad" in your prayers. June 1st - City continues to show its support, makes donation - Then, on Friday June 1st, people gathered at Station 8 to be a part of what has now become the annual check presentation that the City of Seat Pleasant generously gives us. Many were in attendance including local dignitaries, representatives from Jack Johnsons office, local fire departments, and of course the Seat Pleasant City Council. Seat Pleasants Mayor, the honorable Eugene Grant, presented a check in the amount of $15,000 to Chief Dave McGill as a showing of the City's support for us. SPVFC will use this money to assist in attempting to acquire new apparatus as ours is beginning to show its age. The Seat Pleasant Volunteer Fire Company would like to thank the City for its continued support of us as we look forward to many more years of serving the citizens of Seat Pleasant and surrounding areas from our current station at Addison Rd & Central Ave. Also special thanks to the West Lanham Volunteers who showed up with Truck 28 to show their support as well. Remember, anyone else wanting to donate can do so online or via mail.
May 20th - Our own "Slo Joe" ties the knot ( sorry for the late entry Joe ) - Just to keep everyone updated on things going on around the station. Back on May 20th, our own Capt Joe Johnson got married ( thats right, we didnt believe it either ). Joe married his fiance Darlene Howard at Martins Crosswinds in Greenbelt. Seat Pleasant Volunteers were in attendence as well as about 200 other guests for the late evening ceremony which was followed by a great feast and of course open bar. Congratulations to Mr and Mrs Joe Johnson on their new found life together. June 5th - Engine 83 and Ambulance 88 on trauma near firehouse - At 1740 hours, Engine 83 and Ambulance 88 responded to Central Ave & Soper La, just blocks from the firehouse, for an accident involving a motorcycle. Units arrived to find just that with the motorcyclist still down. Units from 8 treated and packaged the patient who was then loaded into Ambulance 88 and along with Medic 46 was taken to a local trauma center. Engine 83 returned to service in about 25 minutes while Ambulance 88 returned home in just over an hour. June 3rd - Sunday remains busy, ends with shooting - The day continued to be busy as crews were out all day after the busy morning running calls. Then just before 2300 hours, Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 responded to the 5900 Blk of MLK Hwy, in Seat Pleasant, for a cab driver that had been shot. Units arrived to find a male that had been shot once in the arm. The shooting actually occurred in the 6600 Blk of Clinglog St in the Carmody Hills section of Seat Pleasant and the victim drove to this location. Units from 8 treated the patient who was then transported to a local hospital. Squad 8 returned to service in about 10 minutes while Ambulance 88 returned to service just after midnight. In all, 28 runs were handled for the day as Sunday continues to be our busiest day of the week. June 3rd - Busy Sunday morning includes 3 different accidents with 3 trapped - Between midnight and 0730 hours, Company 8 responded to 12 calls including 3 different accidents with 1 person trapped in each. The first one was around 0300 hours when Squad 8 responded to the 9000 Blk of Central Ave, in Company 46's area, for an accident involving several vehicles. Units arrived to find one trapped and Squad 8 went to work stabilizing the vehicle and removing a door. The patient was removed and given to PA5 who transported the patient to a local trauma center. Squad 8 returned to service in about 30 minutes. Then around 0430 hours, Squad 8 responded to Pennsylvania Ave & Alton St, in Company 17's area, for a car into a pole with 1 trapped. Units arrived to find just that as the car had wrapped around a pole. As Squad 8 was arriving the engine company had opened the door enough to be able to get the patient out. Squad 8 assisted them and EMS in removing the patient. The victim was transported to a local trauma center and Squad 8 returned a short time later. Then the last came around 0545 hours, Squad 8 was alerted for an accident on the Beltway @ Ritchie Marlboro Rd with a vehicle off the road and overturned. While enroute, units were advised MSP was on the scene with 1 trapped. Squad 8 arrived first at Darcy Rd to find a heavily damaged vehicle down an embankment. The officer from Squad 8 established command and the crew went to work. The vehicle was stabilized and both drivers side doors and the B post were removed in about 10 minutes. After that, the patient was carefully packaged into Squad 8's stokes basket and brought up the embankment. The patient was given to Medic 30 who then transported them to a local trauma center. Squad 8 cleared the scene in about 30 minutes.
9000 Blk of Central Ave
Pennsylvania & Alton St / The Beltway @ Darcy Rd June 2nd - Busy day: calls include many accidents w/trauma and shooting - Just after midnight, Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 were alerted to the Outer Loop of 495 @ Landover Rd for an accident. Units from 33 arrived and found a trauma patient but no one trapped returning Squad 8. Ambulance 88 arrived and assisted EMS 1 as they waited for a trooper as all of the local trauma centers were closed. Eventually a MSP Trooper arrived from Baltimore and transported the victim. Ambulance 88 returned a short time later after the Trooper took off. While Ambulance 88 was operating on the trauma, Squad 8, on the way back from the Beltway accident, was sent to Central Ave & Addison Rd, by our firehouse, for a pedestrian struck. Squad 8 came upon a vehicle into a pole in the 6600 Blk of Central Ave with a male that was crawling out of a vehicle. The driver had swerved to avoid a pedestrian and ran head on into the pole. The reason he had to crawl and couldnt get out of the car on his own was because he was suffering from a broken femur. The Squad crew began to treat and stabilize the victim as he was removed for PA5 who transported him to a local trauma center. Squad 8 returned to service in about 30 minutes. Then after a morning of the usual medic locals and accidents, Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 were alerted around 1500 hours for a shooting in the 700 Blk of 61st Ave in Fairmount Heights. Units arrived to find that a male had obviously been shot, however, a friend of his had put him in a car and drove him to the hospital prior to everyones arrival. What a great friend. Units from 8 cleared shortly after it was determined there were no more victims. Then about an hour later, Squad 8 was alerted to Allentown Rd & Maxwell Dr, in Company 27's area, for an accident with a vehicle on fire. Units arrived to find a 3 vehicle accident with a truck overturned, resting on the hood of a car and then both those vehicles into a Metro Bus which was now on fire. Two of the occupants in the car got out and ran away and the riders on the now flaming Metro Bus also evacuated rather quickly. While the engine company knocked the fire, Squad 8's crew assisted EMS units as one patient had to be flown out to a local trauma center as well as killed the battery to the Metro Bus. Squad 8 cleared the scene a short time later.
May 30th - Squad 8 runs horrific crash on the Beltway @ Ritchie Marlboro - Just before 1900 hours, Squad 8 was alerted to the Beltway & Ricthie Marlbor Rd, in Company 37's area, for an accident involving a police officer and a vehicle overturned. It was soon discovered that it was much more than that. Units arrived to find a 7 vehicle accident stretching over both the Inner and Outer loops of the beltway. E371 soon confirmed multiple people trapped in different vehicles and requested additional units. After the accident, many people decided to park their cars on the beltway and get out to look, or help, or whatever but this hampered efforts as apparatus could not get through. Having a very large bumper and not to be deterred knowing they had work ahead of them, Squad 8 had to literally push cars out of the way on to the median to gain access as their drivers were nowhere to be found. After eliminating the parked cars, Squad 8 began to work as one of the police officers that was trapped was yanked out of the car and given to EMS. Squad 8's crew then went to an overturned SUV that had two people trapped. Squad 8 stabilized the vehicle with their rescue struts and went to work removing the doors, hinges, and posts. One person was trapped between the seats and roof while the other was laying underneath that person. In all, the extrication took less than 10 minutes and both patients were removed, one unfortunately was pronounced dead. Two additional Squads were called to the scene, however they assisted with EMS as Squad 8 had the trapped extricated quickly, along with many, many EMS units and helicopters. In all, 2 were dead and 15 injured in this accident. Squad 8 returned to service in about an hour while the Beltway remained closed for 5 hours, snarling traffic all night. May 30th - Squad 8 on fatal 3 alarm fire in Forestville, career firefighter injured - Just after midnight, Squad 8 was alerted to the 7100 Blk of Donnell Pl, in Company 23's area, for an apartment building on fire. First arriving units encountered heavy fire from all floors and a second alarm was requested. Crews went to work and tried to make an attack on the fire as it continued to consume the entire building of origin and spread to the exposure buildings. Squad 8 arrived and went to work performing a search as a third alarm was quickly called. The Squad crew entered the exposure building which was now on fire and began evacuating sleeping residents who were oblivious to the fire. After evacuating the building, the Squad crew was reassigned as the RIC and began throwing ladders as well as removing bars and windows. During operations, firefighters were reported missing as the evacuation tones were sounded and crews went to exterior operations. Squad 8 as the RIC began to spring into action but luckily the firefighters were accounted for soon after being reported missing. Crews worked for some time operating master streams and ladder pipes to control the fire which was still spreading rapidly and involved several buildings. Eventually crews entered exposure buildings to extinguish fire and hot spots. Squad 8 operated for over 4 hours before returning to service. The building was deemed unsafe due to extensive structural damage and investigators attempted to account for all residents using a list of occupants supplied by the leasing office. One remained unaccounted for and the next morning a visual inspection of the apartment was done producing the occupants body. Also during operations, one of the downed firefighters, Career FF Tim Ormerod assigned to Morningside Company 27, was critically injured with inhalation burns after his mask came off. Firefighter Ormerod was treated on the scene and transported to Medstar where he was tubed and admitted. Since then , he has been upgraded to serious and has been extubated. Several personnel from Seat Pleasant have been to WHC to visit with him and he seems to be in good spirits. We wish Tim good luck and a very speedy recovery. See you soon brother ! Photo of arriving conditions courtesy PGFD Battalion Chief W. Budd May 28th - Day four of Holiday weekend : Eh, not much - Today was not nearly as exciting as the previous 3 days. We ended up just shy of 20 runs and the most noteworthy call was a brush fire at Central High School. Other than that was the usual medic locals and accidents. Just figured we would give everyone a little closure for the weekend. May 27th - Day three of Holiday weekend : 3 stabbings....so far - Just after 0130 hours, Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 responded to the 300 Blk of 68th Pl, in Seat Pleasant, for a stabbing. Apparently there was a large party going on when one person got stabbed in the thigh. Units from 8 treated the patient who was then loaded into Ambulance 88 and transported to a local trauma center with medics onboard. Squad 8 cleared in about 20 minutes while Ambulance 88 made it back in about an hour. While Ambulance 88 was at the trauma center, Squad 8 responded to Seat Pleasant Dr & Birchleaf Ave, by the Sugar Shack, for one stabbed. Units arrived to find a male in the 600 Blk of Birchleaf Ave stabbed. Squad 8 treated the patient's non life threatening stab wounds as they tried to get him to go to the hospital because well, he had been stabbed. After several attempts, the victim refused transport AMA. Squad 8 returned to service in about 20 minutes. Then later just after 1400 hours, Squad 8 and Chief 8A (Mehaffey) responded to the 500 Blk of 69th Pl, in Seat Pleasant, for one that had been stabbed in the face. Units arrived with police to find a male with deep lacerations after being stabbed multiple times in the face and in the arm. Squad 8 treated and bandaged the patient who was taken to a local hospital by A179. Squad 8 and Chief 8A returned to service in about 20 minutes. Late in the afternoon, storms rolled through the area which made for a busy time in the surrounding areas. Company 8 logged 30 runs on this third day of the Memorial Day Weekend. One day left. May 26th - Day two of holiday weekend : 3 more shootings & a run in with PD - After a long night of running calls, Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 were sent at 0855 hours to the 5700 Blk of Gladstone Way, in the London Woods section of Seat Pleasant, for a possible shooting. Initial reports stated that a loud boom was heard and male was seen laying on the ground. Units from 8 arrived with PGPD to find a male who had been shot once in the leg with a shotgun after an attempted carjacking. Units from 8 attempted to bandage and treat the shattered leg as they awaited the medic unit. The male was loaded into Ambulance 88 and transported to a local trauma center with Medic 46 on board. Squad 8 returned in about 25 minutes while Ambulance 88 did not return for over an hour. Engine 83 returned a little later after the police investigation for a wash down. Then around 1530 hours, Ambulance 88 was alerted to an injured person from a domestic in the 6800 Blk of Greig St in Seat Pleasant. The initial call was for a male beating a female which quickly turned into a much larger fight. As numerous police units made their way into the area to break it up, one male remained extremely combative forcing PD to use a tazer to subdue him to protect themselves and others. Ambulance 88 arrived and used a N95 mask to put over the subjects mouth as he was in custody but continued to spit on officers. After the mask was on, Ambulance 88 assisted PD with placing the male in a cruiser for transport. While doing so, several males came out of nowhere and started kicking and beating the subject again. Police quickly scrambled to round up these individuals and restore order while the crew from A88 made sure they were not involved with the chaos. The subject was taken from the scene by PD but later died due to unknown reasons. The incident is under police investigation. Then just before 2300 hours, Squad 8 responded to the 6600 Blk of Asset Dr, in Company 38's area, for one shot. As A389 was coming into the neighborhood, a shooting victim was found at Hill Rd & Consideration La. A389 stopped here for this victim and Squad 8 was told to report to the original address as there was a second victim there. PA5 and PE51 were alerted to Squad 8's location. Initial reports stated that there was quite a few gunshots exchanged with two cars leaving the area. A389 and Medic 46 transported 1 teenager who was shot in the back part of the thigh to a local trauma center while the patient Squad 8 had was transported by PA5 to a local trauma center as a priority 1. Squad 8 cleared in about 20 minutes as police continued their investigation. May 25th - Holiday weekend begins busy: Shootings, trauma, and house fire - The Memorial Day Weekend began right away for Company 8. Just after midnight, Ambulance 88 was alerted to the 6500 Blk of Gateway Bl, in Company 26's area, for a person shooting in the basement. Units stood by for County PD to secure the scene as the shooter was still on the scene armed. Units came in and found a male in the basement shot once in the chest. Personnel quickly evaluated the patient and discovered him not breathing and due to the gunshot wound to the chest pronounced him dead. The shooting apparently involved two brothers who got into an argument until one shot the other. Ambulance 88 cleared a short time later. Then just after 0130 hours, Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 responded to the 5900 Blk of Central Ave, in Company 5's area, for an accident with a report of one ejected. Units arrived to find a combative male laying in the street. Crews attempted to treat and package the patient although he was being less than cooperative. Ambulance 88 transported the patient along with Medic 46 to a local trauma center. Squad 8 cleared in about 30 minutes while Ambulance 88 returned in just over an hour. The day then continued with a multitude of different calls until just before midnight when Engine 83 responded to the 1100 Blk of Addison Rd S, in Seat Pleasant, for a house on fire. Engine 83 arrived to find smoke showing from the single family dwelling and eventually heavy fire on the first floor. Crews worked to knock the fire as the fire had extended upstairs. Engine 83 remained on the scene for about 3 hours as there was extensive overhaul to be done. You think the day may be done, but no. While Engine 83 was arriving at the fire, Ambulance 88, clearing another call, was sent to the 6400 Blk of Hilmar Dr at 2359 hours, in Company 26's area, for a shooting. Units arrived to find a male shot once in the leg by an unknown assailant. Ambulance 88 assisted A269 with loading the patient who was then taken to local school where he was transported to a trauma center by MSP Trooper 2. Ambulance 88 cleared this call in about 25 minutes. In all, day one of the long weekend produced 30 runs. May 24th - A88 on trauma while Squad 8 extricates 1 from under a truck - Just before 1030 hours, Ambulance 88 was special called to an accident at Landover Rd & McCormick Dr in Company 46's area. Units were on the scene with a multiple vehicle accident with a vehicle on its side and multiple patients. Ambulance 88 arrived and along with Medic 18 treated one of the trauma patients. Ambulance 88 along with Medic 18 transported to a local trauma center while A469 transported an additional trauma patient with medics on board also to a local trauma center. Ambulance 88 returned to service in about an hour. While Ambulance 88 was on this call, Squad 8 was alerted to the unit blk of Hampton Park Bl, in Company 37's area, for an accident with report of a car under a tractor trailer. Units arrived to find just that. With the thought of a possible lengthy extrication and Squad 8 understaffed, a second Squad was called. The crew from Squad 8 went to work and the patient was extricated in about 15 minutes. The patient was removed and taken to a local trauma center by PA5. Squad 8 cleared the scene in about 30 minutes. May 22nd - Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 on Seat Pleasant drive by shooting - Just before 2100 hours, Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 were alerted to the 7000 Blk of Central Ave, in Seat Pleasant, for a shooting. The caller advised they did a drive by on his house and he was shot in the leg. Units arrived with police and found a male indeed shot in the leg after numerous shots had been fired at his house. Units treated the person and loaded him into PA5 where he was then transporte dto a local trauma center. Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 cleared in about 20 minutes just in time to run a 33 box for a gas station on fire. The box turned out to be nothing. May 21st - Engine 83 and Chief 8A on accident with trauma - Just before 2130 hours while returning from a box alarm in Company 46's area, Engine 83 and Chief 8A (Mehaffey) responded to Sheriff Rd & Cypress Tree Dr, in Company 38's area, for an accident. As Chief 8A was arriving, PSC advised him they were receiving reports of one trapped. Chief 8A found a two vehicle T-Bone accident with the driver still inside. The patient was still originally thought trapped but after further assessment was not and with PA5 enroute, the medics were already on the way. Engine 83 arrived and began patient care and immobilized the patient and carefully removed him to a backboard and PA 5's cot once they arrived. The patient was transported to a local trauma center due to mechanism. A second patient decided they wanted to go a little later and A229 transported them. Units from Company 8 returned to service in about 30 minutes. Chief 8A had the Sheriff Rd Command.
May 20th - Squad 8 runs early evening house fire in Capitol Heights - Just after 1700 hours, Squad 8 responded to the 100 Blk of Tunic Ave, in Company 5's area, for a stove on fire. Engine 51 arrived to find smoke showing with fire involving the kitchen. Squad 8 arrived just behind the engine from 5 and went to work. Squad 8 made entry and performed a search as well as started opening up. The fire was extinguished quickly and Squad 8 assisted with overhaul and checking for extension. Command quickly scaled back the assignment as their was minimal extension. Squad 8 remained on the scene for about 40 minutes before returning to service. May 19th - Fights, Stabbings, and shootings make up busy Saturday - The day started off at an average pace as crews took in the annual Seat Pleasant Day events at Goodwin Park. Every year the community comes together and celebrates Seat Pleasant in the month of May and is a huge success but unfortunately a few people cause it to end on a sour note. This year was no different. Just before 1700 hours, Ambulance 88 responded to 311 68th Pl, the site of Seat Pleasant Day, for an injury after a fight. Apparently 20-30 females jumped another female and beat her up pretty good. The patient refused. Later on toward the end during the concert, another fight broke out where police had to use a a pepper bomb to dispurse the crowd. After the crowd dispursed, they went over to the Metro across from Company 8 where the large fight continued where a person was stabbed. Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 responded and found 1 person stabbed multiple times in the face. Crews treated the patient as police kept a watchful eye on the crowd as people were running everywhere. Ambulance 88 transported the patient to a local trauma center. Upon Squad 8 returning to quarters, the crew found another stabbing victim laying on the front ramp. Squad 8 started patient care as the person was beat up and stabbed several times in the lower body. Medic 46 arrived and took the patient to a local trauma center with Squad 8 providing a driver. The crew returned to service just after 2100 hours. Then crews were kept busy where they ran back to back shootings in the first due. One in the 500 Blk of Valley Park Ct and the other in the 5900 Blk of Burgundy St. Both shootings turned up no patients onscene. In all, 31 calls were answered by Company 8 today and with the exception of the events that followed Seat Pleasant Day, it was a success. May 16th - Warm temperatures and afternoon storms bring busy day - Wednesday started off slow but in the afternoon picked up at a quite furious pace. Starting about 1600 hours, Company 8 hit the streets and didn't come back. In 3 hours, Seat Pleasant responded to 14 runs including several wires calls, trees into houses, and auto accidents. Just after 1900 hours, Ambulance 88 responded to MLK Hwy & James Fletcher Way, in Company 33's area, for an accident with people ejected and trapped. Units arrived and extricated 1 as several were ejected. Ambulance 88 arrived as an additional BLS unit and ended up treating and transporting 2 patients to a local hospital not returning to service for about 90 minutes. In all, 25 runs were answered during the 24 hour period. May 15th - Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 on trauma in Boulevard Heights - Just after 2130 hours, Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 responded along with E174 to Pennsylvania Ave & Quarter Ave for an accident. E174 arrived and advised no one trapped but several injured and requested an additional BLS and a medic unit. Units from 8 arrived and started patient care on the victims. Ambulance 88 took 1 patient with a medic from 29 and A179 took another patient with the other medic from 29 to local trauma centers. Squad 8 returned in about 30 minutes while Ambulance 88 returned much later. May 14th - Engine 81 on afternoon 2 alarm fire in Morningside - Just before 1430 hours, Engine 81 was dispatched to the 3700 Blk of Monacco Ct, in Company 27's area, for a townhouse on fire. E271 arrived shortly after to find smoke showing from the attic. Chief 27 (Hendley) arrived soon after and seeing fire starting to break through the roof called for a second alarm. Engine 81 arrived and ran a line to the Bravo exposure where they encountered heavy fire conditions as the fire had burned through the fire walls and roof and was now running the cockloft in 2 townhouses with additional extension to the D and B2 exposures. Part of the second alarm was called in to the scene to assist with opening up and knocking down hot spots. Engine 81 operated on the top floors for about 40 minutes until the fire was deemed under control and the assignment was scaled back. All crews worked hard together to open up and get ahead of this fire. Engine 81 returned to service in well over an hour after picking up. May 13th - Squad 8, Ambulance 88, & Chief 8A on multi trauma accident - Sunday kept crews busy as the rest of the weekend had as 7 runs were answered between 0030 & 0330 hours and a steady pace was kept duing the day including a female who tried to run over a Seat Pleasant Police officer during a traffic stop who needed a little cleansing after an OC spraying and a BBQ grill...in the kitchen of a townhouse in 33's area. Then around 1830 hours Squad 8, Ambulance 88, Chief 8A (Mehaffey) responded to assist units from Company 46 on an accident involving a motorcycle at Largo Dr W & Lottsford Rd with 1 trapped. Chief 33A (Kelleher) arrived and established command. Units from 8 arrived and went to work with Squad 8 stabilizing and removing the passenger door so that Ambulance 88 could remove their patient. In all, 3 people were transported to local trauma centers. Chief 8A was assigned the extrication group. Squad 8 and Chief 8A returned to service in about 30 minutes while Ambulance 88 returned home in just over an hour. This was the 26th run of the day so far for Company 8 and the 77th for the weekend.
May 12th - Seven people shot as a result of drive by shooting - Just before 1700 hours, E261 and A269 responded to the 6800 Blk of Atwood St for 1 shot. While enroute , PGPD arrived and found multiple victims which brought Ambulance 88 and many other EMS units as well as Chief 8 (McGill). Ambulance 88 arrived and began assisting units from 26 in treating multiple victims as they were scattered all over. Apparently, a car drove up as people were outside enjoying the weather and opened fire on a group with an assault rifle striking 7 people ranging from ages 12 to 21. Ambulance 88 ended up transporting 2 shooting victims who were shot in the hand and leg to a local hospital. County Police are still investigating and found the vehicle used and the weapon used in the shooting later on. Ambulance 88 returned to service in just over an hour. May 11th - Squad 8 and Chief 8 on afternoon townhouse fire - Just before 1500 hours, Squad 8 and Chief 8 (McGill) responded to the 12000 Blk of Hallandale Terr, all the way out off Enterprise Rd in Company 46's area, for a townhouse on fire. Chief 38 was in the area and arrived first to find fire coming from the second floor. E461 and additional units arrived soon after and ran a line to the second floor where they found a bedroom and hallway off with some minor extension to the roof. Squad 8 arrived and assumed the RIC as crews knocked the fire and began opening up. Squad 8 and Chief 8 operated for about 30 minutes before returning to service. May 10th - Two Seat Pleasant Volunteers operate at fatal Bay Bridge crash - Just after 1600 hours, an accident occurred on the westbound span of Maryland's Chesapeake Bay Bridge
involving several vehicles including a tanker truck just past mid span. The accident claimed the lives of 3 people and injured 5 others. Seat Pleasant's Lt Kevin Brenner, a career medic in Queen Annes County, was actually in the back of his unit on the bridge treating a patient when the accident occurred directly in front of him and his partner. They stopped the unit and the driver immediately went to survey the horrific scene as vehicles were all over the bridge. The crew immediately called for additional units as it was obvious they would be needed. As additional units arrived, care of their medical patient was taken over and Paramedic Brenner assumed the EMS group
and worked with units to triage and package patients who then had to carefully passed through the scene to the other side
of the accident to be transported by Anne Arundel EMS units who had come eastbound on the westbound span. In the group of Anne Arundel units was Seat Pleasant Volunteer Jerell Thomas who also was at work at Anne Arundel Station 23 and responded on the call as part of the Hazmat Team from that station. Their crew threw down a bunch of absorbent and tried to contain the spill to prevent it from running off into the bay. Both Seat Pleasant members operated for a few hours on the bridge 150 feet above the bay.
Killed in the crash were a father and son who were both volunteers at Crumpton, a volunteer fire company in Queen Annes County.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to their friends and families as well as the fellow volunteers at Crumpton and all the people affected by this accident as it was definitely one
to remember. Photo courtesy WUSA TV 9 May 10th - Engine 81 on 2 alarm fire along MD/DC border - Just after 1400 hours, Engine 81 was dispatched to the 3900 Blk of Southern Ave, in Company 17's area, for "an apartment complex on fire". While enroute, County Police were on the scene reporting heavy fire from the ground floor and were attempting to get people out of the building. While PG units were enroute, DC had also sent a response to their side of the line for a building fire which ended up being one in the same. Units from PG and DC worked together to control and extingusih the fire as it began to leapfrog and extend up the building. Command called for an additional alarm from PG to assist on the call. Engine 81 operated for about 90 minutes before picking up and returning home. Units from PG and DC worked well together showing a mutual aid agreement could possibly work between the two.
Photo courtesy of DCFD.com May 9th - Engine 83 on Fairmount Heights vacant house - Early in the morning, Engine 83 was dispatched to the 5700 Blk of J St, in Company 38's area, for a house on fire. E83 arrived with E384 to find a boarded up vacant house with smoke showing. E83 along with E384 ran lines to the front as the LT from 83 began to try and pull boards off windows and the door. Once the special services arrived and all the boards started coming off, it was discovered there was heavy fire throughout the first door. E384 and E83 both worked together and made their way through the house extinguishing fire as they went while the special services vented the house. The fire was knocked down shortly after and Engine 83 remained inside hitting hot spots and assisting with overhaul. The fire was ruled suspicious by investigators and coincidentally this house was the scene of a basement fire not too long ago. Engine 83 returned to service in about 2 hours after picking up.
May 7th - Busy day sends Ambulance 88 to afternoon trauma in Oxon Hill - Just before 1500 hours, Ambulance 88 was alerted to Iverson St & Southview Dr, in Company 42's area, for a person reportedly hit by a bus. PE42 and Chief 42B arrived and found a patient suffering from multiple injuries after being struck and called for a helicopter. Ambulance 88 and Medic 47 arrived together and continued treatment. The patient was transported to the landing site where he was transferred to MSP Trooper 2 and taken to a local trauma center. Ambulance 88 cleared after cleanup in about 45 minutes. As of this writing, around 2100 hours, Company 8 had responded to about 30 runs for the day. May 5th - 2 fires in 29's area, fire with people trapped and a second small fire - At 0320 hours, Engine 83 was alerted to the 3300 Blk of 28th Pkwy, in Company 29's area, for a house fire with 4 people trapped. Battalion Chief 3 arrived first to find a working fire on the 2nd floor with confirmed people trapped. E292 arrived and stretched a line as crews came across one civilian burned in the front yard. Engine 83 arrived and reversed lay from E261 and then was tasked with searching the basement while crews took care of the fire upstairs. Upon entering the basement, the crew from 83 found a man in the basement wondering why there was water coming down the basement steps. After insuring him he did not need his socks and shoes, the crew removed him from the structure. The fire was extinguished and Engine 83 returned to service in about 40 minutes after picking up. Then later in the day around 1930 hours, Engine 83 was on the road again to the 3800 Blk of Old Silver Hill Rd for a house on fire. E292 arrived to find a working fire and stretched a line. Engine 83 arrived and took a hydrant a house down from the reported address. E292 handled a small fire on the first floor of the dwelling as Engine 83 stood by and remained on the scene for about an hour before returning to service. May 4th - Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 on trauma involving motorcycle - Just before 1730 hours, Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 responded to Central Ave & Brightseat Rd, in Company 46's area, for an accident involving a motorcycle. Units from Company 8 arrived first to find a motorcycle that had T-Boned a car sending the rider flying about 25 feet down the roadway. Ambulance 88 treated the victim in the car while Squad 8 and Medic 46 worked on the rider of the motorcycle. Ambulance 88 ended up getting a refusal while Medic 46 transported one to a local trauma center. Units from Seat Pleasant returned in about 30 minutes. May 1st - Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 on extrication in Palmer Park - After returning from a small kitchen fire in Company 33's area. Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 were alerted to Sheriff Rd & Harvey Dr, in Company 33's area, for an accident with injuries. Units arrived to find one trapped in a car with several others hurt. Squad 8 stabilized the car and removed both passenger side doors along with the B post. Ambulance 88 arrived and began treating one of the wounded with the normal backboard and collar treatment. The extricated victim was removed and taken to a local trauma center. Squad 8 returned to service in about 30 minutes while Ambulance 88 returned to service in just over 2 hours. April 30th - Engine 83 responds to late victim of triple shooting - Earlier in the night on the 29th, units from 38 were dispatched to the 1300 Blk of Early Oaks La for a shooting. Units arrived to find a victim shot multiple times sitting in a car. After a quick evaluation, that patient was pronounced dead while another victim had jumped in a car and showed up at a local hospital also with multiple gunshot wounds. As police were investigating the shooting, a homeowner came home around 0230 on the 30th, after passing the police tape, to find an unknown male in his bathroom, bleeding badly, and possibly dead. This call brought Engine 83 to the address. Units arrived and this patient was also pronounced dead on the scene. Engine 83 returned to service in about 15 minutes. April 29th - Ambulance 88 makes trip to pediatric burn center with child - Just before 2100 hours, Ambulance 88 responded to the 2700 Blk of Loring Dr, in Company 26's area, for 1 burned. Units arrived to find a small child with burns to the upper body from water. Ambulance 88 and Medic 29 treated the child and then transported her to a local pediatric burn center where the child was admitted. Ambulance 88 did not return to service until after 2300 hours. April 28th - Engine 81 attends funeral for long time friend George Linnell - After a long battle with illness, our long time friend and fellow volunteer George Linnell passed away. Today Seat Pleasant attended George's funeral at St Mary's Church in Landover Hills to pay respect to him and the great life he lived. George Linnell was always around for us and helped us with anything we needed over the years and was very instrumental in our ordeal when past Chief and President Pat Souders died a few years ago and basically gave us anything we needed and coordinated all hospital activities. Several other companies also attended the fire department funeral as George will be greatly missed and was respected by all. After the ceremony, the ladies auxillary from Landover Hills VFD, where George was a life member, hosted a reception at Branchville for everyone in attendance. Rest in peace. Seat Pleasant also would like to send our prayers and condolences to the family and friends of Montgomery County Police Ofc Luke Hoffman who was also laid to rest today after dying in the line of duty during a foot pursuit of a fleeing criminal after being struck by another cruiser. Ofc Hoffman was also a volunteer at West Friendship Volunteer Fire Department Company 3 in Howard County.
April 27th - Engine 83 attends career day at local Elementary School - After taking in a few morning calls, the crew from Engine 83 arrived at William Paca Elementary School on Sheriff Rd to talk to kids about firefighting. Lt Kevin Brenner led the demonstration for grades K through 4 while rookie firefighter Marcus Hamilton let them check out his gear and breathing apparatus and the driver, Deputy Chief Mehaffey,
allowed them to take in the lights and sirens. Fire safety topics were covered incuding dialing 911 and fire escape plans. The crew was then treated to a lunch by the school staff. Engine 83 remained at the school for about an hour visiting with these future firefighters.
April 27th - 25+ people involved in early morning accidents in Seat Pleasant - Just 1 minute before 0900 hours, Squad 8, Ambulance 88, and Chief 8A (Mehaffey) responded to Central Ave & Jonquil Ave, in Seat Pleasant, for an accident. While enroute, units were advised of a County School Bus involved. Units arrived to find 3 vehicles and a loaded school bus involved. After a quick size up, Chief 8A established command and requested an EMS Task Force. Just after calling for the EMS Task Force, a citizen advised Chief 8A of another accident just up the street at Hill Rd and advised communications. Units at Jonquil Ave treated 3 children and 2 adults with A88, A179, PA5, and Medic 12 who was leaving apparatus maintenance and stopped by (thanks). Battalion Chief 1 (Smith) had the Hill Rd Command where he diverted to as units had 4 people injured. The rest of the children on the bus, 15 of them, were transferred to another County School bus and transported to PG Hospital where they were checked out. Both accidents closed Central Ave for the rest of morning rush hour wreaking havoc for most on the roads. Squad 8 and Chief 8A returned to service in about 45 minutes while Ambulance returned to service in just over an hour.
April 26th - Squad 8 extricates one from car in the woods on the Beltway - Just after 1300 hours, Squad 8 was alerted to the O/L of 495 @ Ritchie Marlboro Rd, in Company 37's area, for a car off the road, on fire, with 1 trapped. Units arrived to find a car off the road into some trees with someone trapped and a small fire in the engine compartment. Squad 8 stabilized the vehicle and began working on extrication while E371 took care of the fire. Crews worked together and the patient was removed in about 20 minutes and treated by EMS units. Squad 8 returned to service in about 45 minutes. April 22nd - Sunday produces evening shooting in Seat Pleasant - While the day started slow, the bulk of the day produced a good number of calls which included quite a few accidents, many medic locals, a few outside fires and a small kitchen fire at Checkers on Central Ave. Also included in that was a shooting. Just before 1700 hours Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 were alerted to the 7500 Blk of Millrace Rd, in Seat Pleasant, for 1 shot. Units arrived to find a male shot in the wrist without an exit wound. After some questioning by PGPD and alot of refusals to answer said questions, it was discovered the male was shot at another location and ended up here. The patient was treated and taken to a local trauma center. Squad 8 cleared soon after and Ambulance 88 cleared much later. April 21st - Trauma, high angle rescue, and LODD funeral make up day - Just after 0400 hours, Ambulance 88 responded to the I/L of 495 @ Central Ave for an accident with a vehicle overturned. Units arrived to find just that with 1 patient. Ambulance 88 and Medic 46 took over patient care from units already on the scene. The patient was treated and immobilized and then transported to a local trauma center by Ambulance 88 with Medic 46 onboard. Ambulance 88 cleared in just over an hour. Then after a long dry spell of no calls, around noon Company started up as the Squad and Ambulance ran back to back accidents in Seat Pleasant where multiple EMS units had to be called ( 2 on the first followed by 3 BLS units on the 2nd one ). Then just after 1400 hours, A179 was dispatched to the 1800 Blk of Porter Ave, in Boulevard Heights, for a person with an injured leg after cutting a branch from a tree. What wasnt relayed at first is that the injured person was still trapped in the tree about 30 feet in the air. This additional information brought Squad 8 to the scene who assisted units and the TR Team in carefully extricating the patient from the tree. Once freed, the patient was flown to a local trauma center and Squad 8 cleared the scene just after 1530 hours. While Squad 8 was on the tree trauma, a crew from company 8 was on Engine 81 enroute to the Nissan Pavillion in Prince William, VA where services were being held for Career Firefighter Kyle Wilson who was assigned to Truck 512 ( O.W.L. VFD ) in Prince William County, VA. FF Wilson was killed Monday April 16th after becoming trapped in a house after searching for possible trapped victims. The crew from Seat Pleasant joined many other departments, both fire and police, from VA, MD, NY, DC, etc as they paid their respects to a hero who died in the line of duty. Rest in peace brother.
April 19th - Squad 8 on afternoon District Heights house fire - Around 1518 hours, Squad 8 was alerted to the 2800 Blk of Sydney Ave, in Company 26's area, for a house on fire. As units came into the block, heavy smoke could be seen throughout the neighborhood as E261 arrived to find fire showing from a single family house. Squad 8 arrived just behind E261 and went to work performing a search and ventilating. Engine companies advanced lines and extinguished the fire which involved several rooms while Squad 8 began opening up. During operations, several cats were located and removed and given to the occupant. The fire was determined to be caused by a candle and Squad 8 remained on the scene for just over 2 hours to overhaul and assist investigations.
Photo Courtesy PGFD April 18th - Seat Pleasant VFC delivers donation to Elementary School - This morning, Chief Dave McGill arrived at Seat Pleasant Elementary School accompanied by Lt Kevin Brenner to present a gift to them. Today, in coordination with Mayor Eugene Grant's office, The Seat Pleasant Volunteer Fire Company donated $1500 to the schools library to help it provide new books and resources. Although not a lot of money to some people, for the Seat Pleasant Volunteer Fire Company it amounts to quite a bit. The importance of education in the community, especially at a young age, is paramount. This was just a small token in giving back to the community who has given us more support in the past several years than ever before and hopefully for many years to come. April 18th - Squad 8 extricates one after bail out in Hillside - Just after 1600 hours, Squad 8 was alerted to Clovis Ave & Heath St, in Company 17's area, for an accident with a vehicle overturned and 1 trapped. Units arrived in this residential area to find two vehicles with 1 that had flipped over and hit a telephone pole with roof and then bounced back to the ground forcing the driver partially into the backseat. The occupant of the other car then proceeded to jump out and run down Heath St toward DC. Squad 8 arrived and stabilized the vehicle and went to work removing all 4 doors, the B posts, as well as the roof. The extrication took about 15 minutes and was followed by numerous applause by some of the large number of residents who had gathered. The patient was transported to a local trauma center by Medic 46 and Squad 8 returned to service in about 30 minutes. Battalion Chief 3 had the command.
April 17th - Ambulance 88 on shooting in Largo - After several calls over the past week or so for shootings that turned up no patient, Ambulance 88 responds to an accidental one. At 2338 hours, Ambulance 88 was alerted to the 600 Blk of Mt Lubentia Way, in Company 46's area, for one who was cut. While enroute, it was discovered that the male had actually been shot in the hand. While enroute to the call, a PSC calltaker remained on the line and listened to them discuss where to hide the gun. Units arrived with County Police to find a male patient who had accidentally shot himself in the hand after handling the weapon. Ambulance 88 treated and bandaged the patient who was taken to a local hospital for treatment. Ambulance 88 returned to service in about an hour. April 10th - Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 on flipped vehicle with trauma - Just before 0100 hours, Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 responded to Central Ave & Cindy La, in Seat Pleasant, for a vehicle that had flipped over down a hill, on fire, and 1 ejected. Units from 8 arrived to pretty much find just that. One patient was found laying on the ground about 50 feet from the vehicle while the other was walking around. Units from 8 began treatment of both teenage patients. The ambulatory one refused transport AMA and the other patient was taken to a local trauma center by Ambulance 88 and PA5. Squad 8 returned to service in about 40 minutes while Ambulance 88 remained out for about 2 hours to restock and cleanup. In somewhat related news, it was announced today that PG Hospital cannot be saved and will be closing. The hospital treats over 180,000 patients a year and is the states 2nd busiest trauma center. As seen by this website, Ambulance 88 spends most of its time there and with the upcoming closure (which is said to be within 2 months), longer transport times and more trips into DC will be forthcoming. Doctors hospital better get ready ! April 8th - Squad 8 takes in two afternoon fires, one in the first due - Just before 1600 hours, Squad 8 was alerted to the 1400 Blk of Pacific Ave, in Company 17's area, for a house fire. Units arrived to find smoke showing and a fire on the 1st floor. Squad 8 arrived and assisted units who were extinguishing the fire in checking for extension and overhaul. The fire was extinguished and Squad 8 remained on the scene for just under 40 minutes before returning to service. Then around 1740 hours, as Squad 8 was clearing a first due medic local, they responded to the 400 Blk of 71st Ave, in Seat Pleasant, also for a house fire. Ambulance 88, clearing a separate medic local, also responded on the call. Units arrived to find a fire in the house. Squad 8 again worked to check for extension and overhaul as the fire was extinguished. Squad 8 returned to service in just under an hour. April 7th - Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 on first due shooting - At 2250 hours, Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 responded to Central Ave & Cindy La, in Seat Pleasant, for 1 shot. Units arrived with County Police to find a corrected address in the Central Gardens 1 complex in the unit block of Cindy La and had 1 victim shot. Units treated and packaged the patient who was shot once in a lower extremity and was transported to a local trauma center by Ambulance 88. Squad 8 returned to service in about 20 minutes while Ambulance 88 did not return home until just after midnight. April 5th - Miss a fire, run a small fire, and everything in between - In the realm of "cant run 'em all", Company 8 missed out on another house fire today in Company 5's area due to getting FRAC cards at FSB. However, soon after everything broke loose in the 1st and 3rd Battalions. While Squad 8 returned, Engine 81 responded to an outside gas leak in the 7400 Blk of Calder Dr in Seat Pleasant. While Engine 81 stood by there for the gas company, Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 ran all over. Many medic locals were taken in along with accidents including 1 in Company 26's area where Squad 8 responded with A459 which was preceded by a medic local on Silver Hill Rd with T17 and A249. Ambulance 88 also responded to an accident in 46's area from Allentown Rd. Eventually Engine 81 returned after the gas company crimped the line but it didnt stop there. While Ambulance 88 ws on a run, A389 responded to the 300 Blk of Zelma Ave for a man down. Upon arrival it was discovered the subject in the street was not breathing which brought additional units including Squad 8. Squad 8 was quickly placed in service as the patient was pronounced dead on the scene and Police are investigating. While on the scene of the deceased person, E52 found someone in the 200 Blk of Zelma with a nose bleed which brought the recently cleared A88. Then just before 1700 Squad 8 and Chief 8 (McGill) responded to the 1700 Blk of Brooksquare Dr, in Company 26's area, for a kitchen fire in a townhouse. Chief 8 arrived and established command and units found a kitchen fire which was being held in check by the sprinkler system. Squad 8 was assigned to take care of utilities. Command scaled back the assignment quickly and Squad 8 returned to service in about 20 minutes. April 4th - Seat Pleasant takes in 2 evening fires - Just after 1900 hours, Squad 8 responded to the 600 Blk of Capitol Heights Bl, in Company 5's area, for smoke coming from a house. E52 arrived to find a working fire in a 2 story house. Squad 8 arrived and entered with E52 as they found heavy fire on the 1st floor. Squad 8 opened up and searched as additional units checked the 2nd floor for extension. The fire was knocked down and extinguished with minimal extension. Squad 8 remained on the scene for 2 hours before returning home. Then at 2230 hours, Engine 81 responded to the 13100 Blk of Brussels Way, in Company 20's area, for a house on fire with someone trapped. While enroute, PSC continued giving updates on the status of the trapped person. Chief 20 and E203 arrived with heavy fire from the second floor and through the roof. Engine 81 was directed to pick up E462's split lay. The fire extended throughout the attic and into the garage and a task force was called to assist. Engine 81 operated on the 2nd floor for a short time along with many other units. Crews worked to open up and extinguish the fire. The task force was returned and the trapped subject was removed prior to FD arrival. Engine 81 returned to service in just over 90 minutes. April 3rd - Company 8 takes in small fire, trauma, & pit bull attack - Just after 1430 hours, Engine 81 and Chief 8A ( Mehaffey ) responded to the 400 Blk of Zelma Ave, in Seat Pleasant, for a house fire. Engine 81 arrived to find nothing evident however after entering the front door, found heavy smoke conditions. Engine 81 and Truck 5 found a small fire in the kitchen and was extinguished. Command held Engine 81 and Truck 5 for about 30 minutes to pick up. Then just after clearing Zelma Ave, Ambulance 88 responded to Walker Mill Rd & Rochelle Ave, in Company 26's area, for a pedestrian struck. Ambulance 88 arrived with E261 and found a teenage male in the roadway. Ambualnce 88 packaged and loaded the patient and took him to a local trauma center. Ambulance 88 cleared in just over an hour. Then while on "routine patrol" Chief 8A stopped by an address in the 5100 Blk of Heath St, in Company 17's area, where someone had been bit by a dog. Chief 8A arrived to find a group of people and a young pit bull. After being yelled at by a female 3 times to "kill it" and explaining to the citizen that he could not, he attempted to separate the female from the dog as PGPD arrived. Chief 8A then went inside to find 2 children and an adult that had been bit by the dog. After grabbing the aid bag from the trunk of the car, all patients were bandaged as they waited for additional resources to arrive. A299 transported 2 to a local hospital with bite and puncture wounds. Chief 8A returned to service and PGPD handled the dog.
Scene on Heath St April 2nd - Ambulance 88 on shooting in Boulevard Heights - Around 2230 hours, Ambulance 88 was dispatched to the 1000 Blk of Balboa Ave, in Company 17's area, for 1 shot out front in the street. Units were advised to report to the scene after police cleared it and found a male shot once in the lower body. With no Medic unit available and EMS 14 coming from Oxon Hill, Ambulance 88 treated and loaded the patient and transported him to a local trauma center with a gunshot wound to the right hip. Ambulance 88 returned to service in just over an hour. April 1st - A88 responds to shooting which turns into double stabbing - Just after 0240 hours, Ambulance 88 responded to the 200 Blk of Harry S Truman Dr, in Company 46's area, for one shot. While enroute, a car pulled in front of Medic 46 at Campus Way S & Harry S Truman Dr forcing them to stop and then approached them advising they had 2 stabbing victims in the car. Medic 46 advised PSC who then rerouted E462 back to Medic 46. Ambulance 88 was told to continue to the shooting alone until PGPD advised and PA5 was started to assist with the stabbing. After staging for a few minutes, nothing was found and Ambulance 88 was placed on the stabbing and assisted units there. Medic 46 transported 1 to a local trauma center and PA5 transported another to a local hospital with a stab wound. Ambulance 88 returned to service in about 20 minutes from both calls. March 28th - Then there was an apartment fire, followed by trash - Just after 1800 hours, after Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 returned from an assault call, Engine 81 and Chief 8A (Mehaffey) responded to the 6500 Blk of Pennsylvania Ave, in Company 26's area, for an apartment fire. E261 arrived to find nothing showing but quickly found a working fire in the living room of a vacant apartment. Engine 81 arrived and maneuvered around to reverse lay from E371 to a hydrant by the elementary school then reported to the building to conduct a secondary search. Chief 8A, after being greeted by residents saying they know who set the fire, reported to command to assist and relay that information. The fire was contained to the original apartment and is under investigation. One firefighter from E261 was injured after being cut by plate glass and was quickly taken to a local trauma center. Units from Seat Pleasant returned to service in about 45 minutes after racking up. Upon returning home, a strong odor of something burning was noticed in the air. After a little looking around, it was noticed a dumpster was on fire to the rear of the station. Engine 81 ran around back and handled the trash. This was the 11th run in 5 hours which included a door pop and two fires. We wish the injured firefighter from 26 a quick recovery from his injuries.
6500-Blk of Pennsylvania Ave
Engine 81 extinguishing trash behind the station March 28th - Squad 8 and Chief 8A follow tool job with house fire - Just before 1600 hours, Squad 8 and Chief 8A ( Mehaffey ) responded to the area of Robert Lewis Dr & Folkstone Way, in Company 46's area, for smoke coming from a house. While enroute a corrected address in the 12700 Blk of Folkstone Way was given. A469 arrived first to report smoke showing from the house. Squad 8 and Chief 8A arrived just behind Tower 33 and were given the RIC by Command. E462, E371, and TW33 worked to contain the fire which involved the kitchen and adjoining rooms. Chief 8A was given side C responsibilities. The fire was extinguished and the house vented as their was much overhaul to do. Command held 46, 37, TW33 and Squad 8. Units from Seat Pleasant returned in about 30 minutes.
March 28th - Squad 8 and Chief 8A on MLK Hwy door pop - Around 1500 hours, Squad 8 and Chief 8A ( Mehaffey ) responded to MLK Hwy & Carrington Ave, in Company 38's area, for an accident. As units arrived, PSC advised they were upgrading the response for one trapped bringing RE33 and Medic 46 along with BC1 and the EMS officer. Squad 8 determined that one patient did need a door popped and 1 additional BLS unit was requested for 3 injured. Squad 8 popped the door allowing the victim to be removed and A389 and PA5 took a total of 3 BLS patients while Medic 46 took 1 patient as a mechanism trauma to a local trauma center. Chief 8A had the MLK Command and units cleared in under 25 minutes.
March 23rd - Engine 81 and Chief 8B on 2 alarm fire - Around 1100 hours, units were dispatched for smoke in the parts department at Ourisman Chevrolet in the 4400 Blk of Branch Ave in Company 29's area. The engine from 29 arrived shortly after and reported fire through the roof. Units went to work and soon after, Battalion Chief 3 called for a 2nd alarm bringing Engine 81 and Chief 8B (K. Dennis). Engine 81 arrived and reported to the rear as Chief 8B reported to the command post. The crew from the engine operated in the rear and assisted units as several ladder pipes were put into service. During operations, the building's integrity was questioned and units were repositioned. Units from Seat Pleasant operated for 3 hours before returning to the city. The fire caused an estimated $1.5 million in damage. Not to be left out, earlier in the day Ambulance 88 took in a fire on the working fire dispatch in the 800 Blk of Manor House Dr, in Company 46's area, as units were on the scene of a working fire in a house.
March 22nd - Units from Seat Pleasant pop door at Central Ave & 495 - Just before 2300 hours, Squad 8, Ambulance 88, and Chief 8B ( K. Dennis ) responded to Central Ave & The Beltway, in Company 46's area, for an accident. EMS 14 arrived and reported 1 trapped. Squad 8 arrived and stabilized the car and went to work to remove the door while E371 stood by with a protection line. A short time later, the patient was removed and transported to a local hospital. Chief 33A had the command and Chief 8B had the rescue sector.
March 20th - Violence continues with a spot of good news - As the day went on, night fell and on came some violence. Late in the evening units were sent to the unit blk of Gentry La, in Seat Pleasant, for an injured person after a home invasion robbery. About 15 minutes later, more units from Seat Pleasant were sent to the 600 Blk of Goldleaf Ave , also in Seat Pleasant, for one shot out front. These violent incidents are not just in Seat Pleasant but are a county problem as police have been dealing with many homicides and shootings throughout. In a bit of good news, County police arrested today a 16 year old male and charged him with murder in the homicide of a Seat Pleasant youth on March 11th at Central Ave & Daimler Dr. The youth was arrested today at his home on Cindy La, just a block from where the murder occurred. The other perpetrators are still at large. For this story and the rest of the happenings in the county, click on our PGPD news link. March 20th - Seat Pleasant on afternoon Palmer Park house fire - Just after 1300 hours, Engine 81 and Chief 8 ( McGill ) responded to the 7600 Blk of Allendale Dr, in Company 33's area, for a house on fire. Units from 33 arrived with smoke showing from the second floor which also brought Ambulance 88 on the working fire dispatch. Engine 81 and Chief 8 arrived shortly after 33 and Chief 8 assumed the command while Engine 81 ran a line to exposure D to check for extension there. Crews from 33 extinguished the fire upstairs in the original unit and Engine 81 took care of the exposure. The fire was extinguished and under control in about 15 minutes and command scaled back the assignment for overhaul. Units from 8 returned to service in about 35 minutes. Earlier in the day units operated on a small fire in pretty much the same neighborhood.
March 18th - Engine 81 on small fire in Largo apartment building - Around 0445 hours, Engine 81 responded 3rd due to the 10200 Blk of Prince Pl, in Company 46's area, for smoke in the building. E461 arrived with nothing evident but after investigating found smoke in the hallway. Engine 81 arrived second and took that responsibility and layed out. E461, E81, and TW33 investigated to determine the source. Units discovered a furnace on fire in an apartment with some extension to the walls. The fire was quickly extinguished and units checked for extension. The assignment was scaled back and Engine 81 picked up and cleared in about 45 minutes. March 16th - Squad 8 & Ambulance 88 on another fatal shooting - Just before 0300 hours, Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 responded to the 7900 Blk of Central Ave, in Seat Pleasant, for a report of one shot. Units arrived at the Le Pearl nightclub ( formerly known as the Mad Chef Cafe ) to find a large group of people and a male laying on the ground next to his car with a gunshot wound to the chest. Apparently the car he was in was rear ended by another vehicle and then the people in the car that hit his started shooting, striking him in the chest. Units from 8 started treating the patient and immediately started CPR as he had no pulse. Ambulance 88 and PA5 transported the patient to a local trauma center where he was pronounced dead. Even with all the people at the club, apparently there were no witnesses and PGPD are still investigating. Squad 8 returned to service in about 20 minutes while Ambulance 88 returned just before 0430 after cleaning up. March 14th - Squad 8 on apartment fire in Morningside - Just after 1500 hours, Squad 8 responded to the 5600 Blk of Regency Park Ct, in Company 27's areas, for the roof of a building on fire. Units arrrived to find a large construction dumpster on fire next to a building with extension into the roof. Squad 8 arrived and was assigned the RIC as units worked to open the roof as heavy smoke was pouring from it. Squad 8 stood by as units extingusihed the fire outside and in the cockloft. The fire was extinguished and units were held for some time while checking for extension and overhaul. Squad 8 cleared in about 90 minutes. March 11th - Another stabbing victim shows up at the station - The violence around the firehouse continues into the end of the weekend. Around 2115 hours, as Ambulance 88 was out on a working code, a visitor came by the station. This visitor, like the two the other night, was bleeding after being stabbed twice. The Squad crew called for EMS units which brought A389, Medic 46, and EMS14 to the front ramp. Squad 8 began evaluating and treating the patient until the arrival of those units. The patient was transported to a local trauma center by A389 with Medic 46 on board. While units were on this call, Ambulance 88 and Engine 51 ran to the 300 Blk of 71st Ave with the County Police for a subject that had overdosed on "dippers". In all, another wild and crazy day in Seat Pleasant with well over 20 runs. March 11th - Another busy morning includes first due fatal shooting - Units from Seat Pleasant were kept busy again this morning as the company took in 9 runs in the 4 hours between 0030 and 0430. It all started around 0030 when Ambulance 88 was called to assist on an accident with 1 trapped at Whitehouse Rd & Brown Station Rd in Company 46's area. Ambulance 88 had two victims and almost had to transport them to Anne Arundel Hospital (thats right) until they received refusals. Medic 46 transported a patient to a local trauma center after being extricated by Squad 20. Then around 0130 hours, while Ambulance 88 was off in District Heights, PA5 was dispatched for a man down at Central Ave & Daimler Dr in Seat Pleasant. PA5 arrived to find a male in the street suffering from gunshot wounds. Squad 8 along with a Medic unit were alerted to the call. Soon after arriving, Squad 8 and PA5 were held as the patient was declared dead and the units stood by until police arrived. Apparently the male was walking with someone when a group of males approached them. After thinking they were up to no good, the two tried to run but 1 was gunned down. Engine 81 returned later to assist PGPD with cleanup after their investigation. March 10th - Squad 8 and Chief 8 on Oxon Hill apartment fire - Around 2045 hours, Squad 8 and Chief 8 (McGill) responded to the 1200 Blk of Southview Dr, in Company 42's area, for "lots of smoke" coming from the second floor. While enroute, PSC advised units that they were receiving multiple calls from different locations reporting a fire. Utility 42 arrived to find smoke and fire showing from the rear of a 3 story garden apartment. Units arrived and went to work advancing lines to the fire apartment and above as a kitchen area was found well involved with extension. Squad 8 arrived as the second special service and was given the RIC assignment as Chief 8 was given safety. The bulk of the fire was knocked down quickly and units worked for awhile to check for extension and overhaul. One occupant was treated on the scene for injuries sustained. Units from Seat Pleasant returned to service in about 45 minutes. March 10th - 2 males, with multiple stab wounds, visit Seat Pleasant - Just before 0030 hours, the doorbell to the firehouse rang. As personnel answered the door, they discovered two males bleeding badly asking for help. One male had a 6 inch laceration to the neck from a knife wound and the other had multiple slash wounds including one to the face, a large one to the neck, and a stab wound to the back of the head. Apparently, the two males had been robbed at the liquor store next to station 5. One male gave up his money but the other pulled a knife in defense. It obviously didn't work as the robbers quickly slashed both victims. Instead of walking next door to station 5, they got in their car and drove to our station. Both males were treated and taken to a local trauma center by Ambulance 88 and PA5. Units from Seat Pleasant were kept busy the rest of the morning as they took in 9 runs between 0030 and 0430. March 7th - Squad 8 has busy morning, extricates one on Suitland Pkwy - Today the area saw more snow which started during morning rush hour and kept units busy going from accident to accident. Around 1230 hours, Squad 8 and Chief 8B ( K. Dennis ) responded to Suitland Pkwy & Allentown Rd for an accident with a vehicle off the road and overturned. E271 arrived and advised a location on the ramp from SB Suitland Pkwy to Suitland Rd and had 1 trapped in an overturned vehicle up against a tree. Squad 8 and Chief 8B arrived and stabilized the vehicle. After stabilization, the crew removed the two passenger side doors as well as the B post. The patient was removed and placed in a stokes basket off of Squad 8 and brought up the hill by crews on the scene. The patient was taken to a local hospital and the units from 8 picked up and returned to service a short time later. The day continued to be busy as the station had responded to 20 runs by 2000 hours.
March 6th - Squad 8 goes in service in reserve unit and runs tool job - As the real squad from 8 continues to suffer damage from almost 18 years of heavy use ( over 45,000 runs ), crews placed reserve squad 27 in service today as Squad 8 and soon after were on the road. At 1517 hours, Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 along with Chief 8B (K. Dennis) were dispatched to Walker Mill Rd & Longleaf Rd, in Company 37's area, for an accident with people trapped. Units arrived to find a two vehicle accident with several patients and people trapped. Squad 8 arrived and stabilized the vehicle and removed the two passenger side doors, B post, and the roof. Several patients were treated and transported to local hospitals including 3 traumas. Units from 8 returned to service after picking up.
March 6th - Squad 8 on CO leak followed by "G" St duplex fire - After 0200 hours, Squad 8 was alerted to Harry S Truman Dr, in Company 46's area, for a CO leak with sick people. Units from 46 arrived and found high levels of CO and several sick people. Squad 8 arrived and evacuated 8 apartments and several people were evaluated. EMS units ended up transporting two patients to area hospitals and units stood by for the gas company. Squad 8 returned to service in just over an hour. While enroute back to the station as the Squad was passing Cindy La, the box was struck for the 7200 Blk of G St, in Seat Pleasant, for a duplex on fire. Although Squad 8 was in service, they were left off the original box completely however that was quickly rectified. Squad 8 mades its way down Seat Pleasant Dr and as they made the left on Birchleaf Ave knew they had work as fire was seen in the distance. Squad 8 arrived first and had heavy fire showing from the 2nd floor. The crew made entry and assured the occupants were out. E51 arrived next and Squad 8 and the crew from 5 made their way upstairs and extinguished a few rooms and performed additional searches while openeing up. The bulk of the fire was quickly knocked as additional units arrived. Crews worked to open up the ceiling on both sides of the duplex as fire had extended into the cockloft area and spread throughout the roof. The fire was extinguished and units remained on the scene for awhile for overhaul. Squad 8 returned to service in about 90 minutes. March 5th - Engine 81 first arriving on house fire on "K" street - Just after 1900 hours, Engine 81 was dispatched to the 6100 Blk of K St, in Company 38's area, for a bedroom on fire. Engine 81 arrived to find smoke showing from the second floor and advanced an attack line. The crew found a room off on the 2nd floor and extinguished the same. Additional units on the call opened up and checked for extension. Command scaled back the assignment a short time later as the fire was out with minimal extension. Engine 81 returned to service in about an hour. March 4th - Tool job followed by morning crime and 2 dead in shooting - Just before 0500 hours, Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 responded to Addison Rd & Crown St, in Seat Pleasant, for a car "wrapped" around a pole with wires down. Units arrived to find a single vehicle into a pole with the driver trapped. Squad 8 stabilized the vehicle and began extricating the victim who was laying diagonally across the front and back seats. Once removed, Ambulance 88 packaged the patient and transported to a local trauma center with Medic 46. Squad 8 returned to service in 35 minutes while Ambulance 88 returned in about 90. Then as the sun rose, Ambulance 88 responded to the 6800 Blk of Central Ave where an argument had broken out and a man with a gun or knife (they dont know) forced their way into an apartment, some people were robbed and then took off. Ambulance 88 treated a female who had injured her leg kicking out a window (?) but refused transport. Then Ambulance 88 was on the road again to the 7200 Blk of Central Ave, in Seat Pleasant, for a female who was covered in blood and incoherent at the church. The female began fighting with people at the church as she claimed she was a victim of a crime but denied ambulance crews contact with her and police took over releasing Ambulance 88. Then just after noon, Ambulance 88 responded to the 11200 Blk of Hannah Way, in Company 46's area, for a shooting. The original call indicated there were several victims and possibly domestic related. PGPD arrived to find 3 victims shot and advised scene was secure. The crew from E462 encoutered 1 DOA, 1 shot in the head that was a working code, and another victim shot who had a pulse. Crews worked to revive the 1 victim and worked on the other shooting victim. PA5 transported the working code and Ambulance 88 transported the other victim with Medic 43, both going to a local trauma center. PA5's victim was pronounced dead at the hospital while Ambulance 88's patient remains critical. Ambulance 88 returned to service quite some time later. Police are investigating the incident.
11200 Blk Hannah Way as police investigate March 3rd - Another busy day brings trauma for Company 8 - Around 1215 hours, Squad 8 & Ambulance 88 were dispatched to Addison Rd & Martin Luther King Hwy, in Seat Pleasant, for a pedestrian struck. Units from 8 arrived to find a male that was struck at a high speed laying in the road. Units began to evaluate the patient finding a closed tib/fib fracture to the left leg, a large laceration to the back of the head and bleeding from both ears. Crews carefully treated and packaged the patient who was transported by Ambulance 88 and PA5 to a local trauma center. Squad 8 returned to service in about 35 minutes while Ambulance 88 returned home in just over an hour. Units from Company 8 answered 29 runs today in the 24 hour period. March 2nd - Ambulance 88 on fatal shooting on Southern Ave - Just after 1600 hours, Ambulance 88 was dispatched to the 4100 Blk of Southern Ave, in Company 17's area along the SE DC line, for one shot. Ambulance 88 arrived with units to find a male laying in the street with a gunshot wound to the abdomen as well as a gunshot wound to the temple. Crews evaluated the patient and pronounced him dead on the scene. Police took over the scene and are still investigating. Ambulance 88 returned to service in about 30 minutes which was a good thing as there were plenty more calls to run. Units from Seat Pleasant were kept busy with responding to 32 runs in the 24 hour period on Friday including another trauma at Addison Rd & Elkwood La in Company 38's area. Units arrived to find a vehicle that had struck a parked car and flipped over in the middle of Addison Rd. No one was trapped however Squad 8 assisted EMS units as they treated patients 1 of which was taken as a trauma. March 1st - Squad 8 extricates 1 on Pennsylvania Ave - Around mid afternoon, Squad 8 was alerted to Pennsylvania Ave & Spaulding Ave, in Company 17's area, for a vehicle off the road in the woods. E174 and A179 arrived to find a vehicle off the road with an unconscious person and trapped in the vehicle. Squad 8 arrived and took equipment into the woods and stabilized the vehicle. Crew members also had to use a chainsaw to cut down a tree and clear a path to the vehicle. Squad 8 removed the roof and the two drivers side doors to allow the patient to be removed. The patient was extricated and then given to EMS units who took the the patient to USPP Eagle 1 who transported the victim to a local trauma center. Squad 8 picked up and returned to service a short time later. February 28th - Engine 81 extingushes vehicle after 50 mile police chase - Around 0500 hours, a police officer in Baltimore, Maryland attempted to initiate a traffic stop on a vehicle with stolen tags. The driver refused to stop and the chase was on. Officers from MD State Police joined in as the vehicle headed down 95 and eventually on the Capital Beltway. After an hour into the chase, causing a few accidents and ramming some police cars, the vehicle exited onto Central Ave heading toward Seat Pleasant. Eventually PGPD joined in the chase and after the vehicle went off the road momentarily in the 6500 Blk of Central Ave, it crashed into a pole at Central Ave & Addison Rd by the firehouse. Police officers immediately got out and with guns drawn subdued the driver taking him into custody. As policed did that, the engine compartment remained on fire and Engine 81 arrived to assist in that matter. The engine returned a short time later. Check links below for footage of chase and news report from our friends at Fox 5. February 27th - Early morning shooting starts off day for Seat Pleasant - Around 0330 hours, Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 responded to the Unit Blk of Cindy La, in Seat Pleasant, for a shooting. Police were on the scene with 1 shot as more calls poured in to PSC reporting and argument and up to 5 gunshots heard. Units arrived to find a male shot multiple times. Units treated and packaged the patient who was transported by Ambulance 88 with Medic 46 on board to a local trauma center. Squad 8 cleared in about in about 20 minutes while Ambulance 88 returned to service in just over an hour. The day continued with the usual array of medic locals, accidents, and box alarms including a kitchen fire in a high rise in the 3900 Blk of Suitland Rd where Squad 8 operated for about 30 minutes. In all, 21 runs were taken in by Company 8. February 25th - Company 8 takes in another fire to begin the week - After a relatively steady overnight which included a shed fire in 33's area as well as several accidents, the snow began to fall which brought a new day of calls and about 4 inches of snow to deal with. Just after 1530 hours, units in Oxon Hill were dispatched to the 1800 Blk of Brierfield Rd , near Iverson St, for a house fire. PE42 arrived to find heavy fire conditions in the basement. Ambulance 88 was dispatched on the working fire dispatch as units went to work. Soon after, Engine 81 was dispatched on the call as command called for a fire task force. Engine 81 arrived and was told to report to command was put to work relieving PE42 so they take a blow. The crew worked to open up some and hit some remaining hot spots. While working, Ambulance 88 set up the aid station. Units operated for short while before returning. This was the 37th fire of the year and the 20th fire in 25 days for February. February 24th - One more fire to finish off the week - Well you think we would have learned to wait until the end of the day to update the site but nope. Around 2214 hours, Engine 81 and Chief 8 (McGill) responded to 3701 Branch Ave for a building fire. Originally E292 responded for an investigation of an alarm and arrived to find heavy smoke and requested the box. Engine 81 arrived and took the connections to the building which was a very large warehouse type building. Units, through zero visibility, ran a few lines off a leader line and found a storage room off on the 2nd floor. Engine 81 teamed up with Truck 17 to assist in ventilation of the large structure while Squad 27 tied off a search rope and searched the structure. An additional special service was called to assist with venilation as Chief 8 coordinated that and the fire was knocked down and extinguished quickly. Engine 81 and Chief 8 operated for about 90 minutes before returning to service. February 24th - Saturday starts off where Friday ended for Seat Pleasant - Just before 0300, units in Oxon Hill were dispatched for an apartment fire in the 600 Blk of Audrey La. Units arrived to find heavy fire and numerous people trapped including people jumping from the top floor. Due to these conditions, an EMS task force was requested bringing Ambulance 88 to the scene. Soon after, a fire task force was sounded followed by the full 2nd alarm which brought Squad 8 to the scene. First in units made at least 10 rescues via ground ladders in addition to those who had jumped. The ambulance operated for about an hour before returning to service and Squad 8 remained in staging for a short while before being returned. Then around 0700 hours, a house assignment was dispatched to the 12600 of Kingsview St on the Woodmore side of Company 46's area. Units arrived with heavy fire from an attached garage with extension to the original house and the exposure house. Ambulance 88 was dispatched on the working fire dispatch followed shortly by Engine 81 who was on the fire task force. Ambulance 88 arrived and established an aid station and Engine 81 arrived and checked utilities and assisted with overhaul. Original units put a good stop on the fire and both units from Seat Pleasant operated for about 90 minutes before returning home. Then at 1440 hours, Ambulance 88 responded to East Capitol St & Southern Ave along the DC line for an officer on a bike that was hit by a car. Engine 51 and Ambulance 88 arrived to find a bicycle still in the windshield of a car and the patient laying about 20 feet away. The victim was suffering from a head injury as the helmet broke apart as well as numerous other injuries. The patient was treated and packaged and then transported in Ambulance 88 with DC Medic 30 on board to a local trauma center. Ambulance 88 returned to service in just under 90 minutes. February 23rd - Busy Friday night for Company 8 brings boxes and autos - Friday was an about average day with 20 runs for the 24 hour period however things kicked up about 1900 hours. The last 5 hours of the day brought 6 runs including 3 box alarms, a medic local, and a bus on fire immediately followed by a van on fire. Squad 8 was kept busy running the 3 box alarms ( 1 reported apartment fire in 17's area and 2 house assignments in 46's area ), Ambulance 88 took in a check on the welfare and then Engine 81 was dispatched just after 2030 hours to the 400 Blk of Addison Rd S for something on fire in a wooded area. Engine 81 arrived to find a bus on fire and extinguished the same returning to service in just over an hour. Minutes after retruning to service, they were sent to the 7000 Blk of Central Ave for trees on fire on metro property. Engine 81 arrived to find a van well off and again went to work extinguishing the same. Engine 81 returned again in just over an hour where the night continued......... February 22nd - Shooting, extrication, and working code all by 8am - At 0147 hours, Ambulance 88 was alerted to the 9000 Blk of Congress Pl, in Company 46's area, for a man who had been robbed and shot at and had a "chunk of his forehead taken off ". E462 arrived and found a male that had been grazed in the head by a bullet. Ambulance 88 arrived soon after and continued treating the patient who eventually refused transport. The male was definitely lucky to be alive and Ambulance 88 returned to service. Then just before 0700, Squad 8 responded to the 600 Blk of Harry S Truman Dr, in Company 46's area, for an accident with a vehicle on its side. Units arrived to find a metro access van on its side with a person inside. Squad 8 arrived and stabilized the vehicle and then went to work removing the rear doors as well as the rear seat. The extrication took about 7 minutes and the patient was removed to awaiting EMS personnel. Squad 8 picked up and returned to service in about 30 minutes. Then around 0800, Ambulance 88 was dispatched to Hill Rd & Hastings Dr, in Seat Pleasant, for a man face down on the ground at the bus stop. Ambulance 88 arrived and discovered the patient with no pulse and not breathing. The crew called for assistance bringing Squad 8 and a Medic unit. The crew immediately started CPR and worked the patient. Squad 8 arrived and assisted and helped load the patient who was taken to a local hospital. Squad 8 returned to service in about 30 minutes while Ambulance 88 did not return home until almost 10am. Other interesting calls for the day included a rollover accident in Largo where a Cadillac overturned and rolled quite a few times taking out a sign. The driver of the vehicle managed to bail out and flee before fire department arrival. Later on, an adult female at a bus stop in the 6700 Blk of Walker Mill Rd called 911 and advised the calltaker that she was only 14 and had been bitten by both a cobra AND a spider. Watch out for those Seat Pleasant Vipers !!! February 21st - Engine 81 on 3 alarm fire in District Heights - At 1717 hours, Engine 81 was dispatched to the 1900 Blk of Brooks Dr, in Company 26's area, for smoke in the building. E261 arrived to find smoke showing from a garden apartment and advanced a line. Engine 81 arrived and layed a line from 29's engine to a nearby hydrant, unfortunately that hydrant was dead and Engine 81 had to reposition further down. The crew went with E291 to the top floor where they experienced heavy smoke conditions. The crew from Engine 81 searched two of the 4 apartments on the top floor and then made entry to the main fire apartment. The crew from 8 and 29 opened up the ceiling to expose heavy fire conditions in the cockloft. By this time a second alarm had been sounded as there was fire on all 3 floors and through the roof. The fire was extinguished as crews worked hard to open up and get to it. Engine 81 worked for some time performing extensive overhaul. Eventually a 3rd alarm was called to the scene to assist. Engine 81 returned to service in just over 2 hours. Sorry folks, no pictures, the crew was too busy. February 20th - Squad 8 on two more daytime apartment fires - Just minutes before 0700 hours, Squad 8 was alerted to the 3000 Blk of Branch Ave, in Company 29's area, for an apartment fire. E292 arrived to find a working fire on the 7th floor of the high rise. Squad 8 arrived and was assigned the RIC duties as crews found a few rooms off in the unit. In addition to the RIC, Squad 8 checked the 6th floor for any extension or occupants. Crews extinguished the fire which was contained to the original unit and held units for awhile for smoke removal and overhaul. Squad 8 returned to service in about an hour. Then around 1245 hours, Squad 8 was alerted to the 4400 Blk of 23rd Pkwy, also in Company 29's area, for an apartment on fire. E292 arrived with a garden apartment and a working fire in a terrace level apartment. Upon arrival it was learned that occupants were trapped on the 2nd floor. The crew from Truck 5 went to work and rescued 2 children and an adult from the 2nd floor while E292 and other units extinguished the fire which involved the kitchen of an apartment creating heavy smoke conditions. Squad 8 was again given RIC duties and sized up the situation in the rear. The fire was extinguished with minimal extension and the assignment was scaled back. One citizen was treated on the scene for trouble breathing. Squad 8 returned to service in about 45 minutes. These were the 31st and 32nd fires in the first 51 days of the year for Company 8. In addition, Company 8 responded to 92 runs over the 4 day Presidents Day weekend.
4400-Blk 23rd Pkwy February 18th - Ambulance 88 on daytime shooting - Just after 1530 hours after clearing an accident , Ambulance 88 was alerted to a shooting in the 7800 Blk of Sheriff Rd in Kentland. PSC began receiving calls of a man randomly shooting at house and people. One residence was hit and glass shattered into the building and landing on a child. The child was fine and refused medical treatment. Then a male reported being shot by a man and hid behind a building " until it was safe ". Police found the male and fire units were brought in to treat the patient. Upon examining the patient it was discovered he had been shot with a shotgun and was suffering from multiple wounds. The patient was treated and loaded into Ambulance 88 and transported to alocal trauma center with medics on board. Ambulance 88 returned to service in about an hour. February 17th - Fires only come in two's anymore - Just after 0900 hours, Engine 81 and Chief 8 (McGill) responded to the 6900 Blk of Walker Mill Rd, in Company 26's area, for a couch on fire. Units arrived to find fire showing from an apartment on the second floor. The crew from Engine 81 put a line in service with E261 and began knocking the fire while Engine 81's driver started throwing ladders. Chief 8 was given Division 3 as units opened up and checked for extension. The fire was extinguished and units began the overhaul phase of the incident. While performing overhaul, PSC dispatched a call for a townhouse fire in the unit Blk of Daimler Dr in Seat Pleasant. Chief 8 immediately loaded up and headed that way from Walker Mill Rd. Division Chief 12 ( JT Williams) arrived to find nothing showing but soon changed it as a fire was discovered in the basement. Chief 8 arrived with E331 and deployed a line to the basement. The crew worked to knock the fire as other units were arriving. The fire was quickly extinguished and units began overhaul. Chief 8 remained on the scene for awhile as units picked up and returned to service. Engine 81 returned from the Walker Mill fire in about 2 hours.
February 15th - Engine 81 goes to apartment fire in Forestville - Just before 1600 hours, Engine 81 responded to the 3700 Blk of Donnell Dr, in Company 23's area, for an apartment on fire. Units arrived to find a working fire in a ground floor apartment. Units went to work knocking the fire that consumed a room or two in the apartment and checking the floor above as well as searching and venting the building. The fire was quickly extinguished and units were held for overhaul. Engine 81 picked up and returned to service in about 45 minutes. February 13th - Ambulance goes to fire, engine spends day in Oxon Hill - Just after 0900 hours, units from Company 42 were alerted for a house fire in the 5000 Blk of Leland Dr. Units arrived to find a working basement fire with heavy smoke showing. The working fire dispatch was struck bringing Ambulance 88 to the scene. As units tried to extinguish the fire it burned through to the first floor causing command to call for a task force alarm and back units out. Ambulance 88 arrived and stood by and eventually transported a firefighter with neck pains to a local hospital after drywall fell on them. While the fire was going on, Engine 81 transferred to Company 21 and ran a few calls including an accident with a vehicle overturned in the 3300 Blk of Lumar Dr where they assisted EMS personnell. Both units returned home about 1300 hours. February 10th - Seat Pleasant two-a-days continue - Just after 0130 hours, Engine 81 was dispatched on a local in the 1200 Blk of Shamrock Ave, in Company 26's area, for smoke coming from a wall. E261 cleared a previous call and Engine 81 was placed in service. However a few minutes later, Chief 8 (McGill) arrived with smoke showing and requested the assignment be filled putting Engine 81 on the street again. Units encountered fire on the first floor in the walls along the chimney with fire in the attic also. Engine 81 arrived and ran a line to the attic where they extinguished the fire there and opened up. Crews operated for just over an hour before returning to service. Chief 8 had the command. Then later just before 2100 hours, Engine 81 was dispatched to the 7800 Blk of Burnside Rd, in Company 33's area, for a house on fire with people trapped. Units from 33 arrived to find fire showing from side B of a triplex. Engine 81 arrived, layed out and pulled their 250 and ran it to the exposure to check for extension as their was heavy fire in the roof area. The crew opened up and found lots of smoke but no fire extension and took care of utilities. The searches came up negative as there was no one trapped and Engine 81 returned to service in about an hour. This was the 6th fire in 2 1/2 days and the 9th fire of the week. In addition to the fires, County Police gave chase to a stolen car full of armed carjackers through our area of the county today. The chase started in front of Company 8 at Central Ave & Addison Rd and ended at Marlboro Pk & Brooks Dr where they crashed and bailed out but along the way caused several accidents, 1 involving a PGPD officer which Ambulance 88 responded to. One person in that accident was taken to a local trauma center. Fox 5 news caught the end of the chase on camera and you can check that out below. February 9th - Two more fire for Company 8 - The fires continued today for units from Seat Pleasant. Just after 1030 hours, Squad 8 was alerted to the 1200 Blk of Abel Ave, in Company 17's area, for a house on fire. Clearing another run, Squad 8 arrived soon after with fire showing from the second floor. As the crew entered, it was discovered that there was active fire on the first floor as well. Units went to work extinguishing the fire as the Squad crew searched and vented the house. A task force alarm was called to the scene as well bringing additional units as a precaution. The fire was extinguished a short time later and Squad 8 remained on the scene for over 2 hours performing overhaul and assisting investigators. Then a few hours after clearing, Engine 81 responded to East Cedar St in Kentland for a house fire. E331 arrived with smoke showing and found a kitchen and dining room on fire. Engine 81 arrived and operated for about 35 minutes before returning to service as the fire was knocked down quickly. This was the 4th fire in less than 36 hours for Seat Pleasant as the company answered 21 runs today in addition to the fires. February 8th - "Two fires Thursday" for Company 8 - Just after 0700 hours, Squad 8 was alerted to the 9000 Blk of Ardmore Rd, in Company 33's area, for a house fire. Units from Kentland arrived to find smoke showing and a few rooms off in a house. Units began working to knock the fire and open up as the Squad made its long journey down MLK Hwy. Squad 8 arrived and assumed the RIC duties as units operated and extinguished the fire. Squad 8 picked up and returned in about 30 minutes. Then at 2000 hours, Engine 81 and Chief 8 (McGill) responded to the area of Marlboro Pk & Forestville Rd, in Company 23's area, for a house on fire. Units arrived to find a vacant house with heavy fire from the second floor. Engine 81 arrived, layed out and ran their 400 to the house. The crew, along with Chief 8, took the line to the second floor via a ground ladder where they assisted in extinguishing the fire and opening up. The crew operated for awhile before picking up and working to get the hose back on the rig as it had all frozen to the street. Flares on the couplings was the name of the game until it was all back on. Units from 8 cleared in about 90 minutes. Vacant house on Marlboro Pike February 6th - First due shooting turns into homicide - Around 2115 hours as the snow began to fall, Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 responded to the 500 Blk of Cedarleaf Ave, in the Carmody Hills Section of Seat Pleasant, for one shot. Units arrived with the County Police to find an adult male shot in the chest on his front porch. Crews bandaged and treated the patient who was then transported priority 1 to a local trauma center by Ambulance 88 with PA5 and the medic from E51 on board. The patient later died from his injuries. Squad 8 cleared in about 20 minutes while Ambulance 88 returned in just over an hour. February 5th - Units from Seat Pleasant on high rise fire - Just before 1500 hours as the coldest temperatures of the year settled in (windchills around 0), Squad 8, Ambulance 88, and Chief 8A (Mehaffey) responded to the 3000 Blk of Branch Ave, in Company 29's area, for a fire on the 5th floor. E294 arrived and found heavy smoke conditions on the 5th floor which was due to a fire in the basement trash room. E261 and E272 made their way to the basement and 1st floor trash rooms and worked to extinguish the fire. Squad 8 was given the RIC assignment and was sent to the 4th floor to check on a blind resident. Squad 8's crew found him and he was sheltered in place. While operating inside, Truck 17's driver was approached by a citizen complaining of an asthma attack which Ambulance 88 was directed to their location to assist. Due to fire conditions and smoke on all floors, a fire task force was called to bring additional units. Chief 8A was given the title of vent group leader and worked with Tower 21, Truck 17, and Engine 51 in ventilating the floors and trash rooms by opening roof doors and a rooftop vent to the trash chute. The fire was extinguished and smoke removed as units from 8 cleared in about 90 minutes. The rest of the evening was busy as the Squad responded to 5 more box alarms and the engine responded to 2 of them as well as several calls while Squad 8 was out on runs.
Smoke showing from side 1 / Roof's view of Squad 8 in front February 4th - Super Bowl Sunday brings more than food & football - Just after 0200 hours, Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 were alerted to the Beltway and Landover Rd for an accident. Squad 8 was placed in service prior to arrival but Ambulance 88 continued in. Several patients were treated as Ambulance 88 assisted Medic 18 with a trauma patient. The patient, suffering from numerous injuries, was treated and packaged and taken to a local trauma center. Ambulance 88 returned to service in just under an hour. Then just after 0800 hours, Squad 8 responded to the 800 Blk of Central Hills La, in Company 38's area, for a gas leak. Units arrived to find an odor of gasoline and a "suspicious set up" as a gas can was turned over next to the furnace. Squad 8 remained on the scene for about 30 minutes ventilating the structure before returning to service. Not really newsworthy, however it leads us into our next run. About 30 minutes later, Engine 81 responded to the same house in the 800 Blk of Central Hills La for a bedroom on fire. E384 arrived just ahead of Engine 81 and reported smoke showing from the second floor. E384 and Engine 81 both ran lines to the upstairs bedroom where they found a working fire. The fire was quickly extinguished and crews began to overhaul and check for extension. Engine 81 returned to service in just under an hour. Then during the game as crews watched Rex Grossman attempt to be an NFL quarterback, Squad 8 was alerted to the 7400 Blk of Marlboro Pk, in Company 23's area, for a fire in a nursing home. E261 arrived and found heavy smoke on the 2nd floor and upon arrival Squad 8 was put to work. Due to the high life hazard, crews worked to determine if there were any patients. A microwave was discovered on fire in a pantry and the fire was extinguished quickly. Squad 8 remained on the scene for about 45 minutes to ventilate the building as no residents were in need of EMS attention. While not running calls, crews enjoyed good food including BBQ ribs, BBQ sandwiches, cole slaw, potato salad, chili, and the usual chips and dips enjoyed during the Super Bowl as well as starting on several construction projects around the station. Overall, not a bad Sunday.
Members enjoying food / VP Harrison & Sqd Capt Dennis on lockers
President Lambert cutting wood / End of day 1 on lockers February 3rd - Squad 8 extricates 1 on The Beltway - Around 1630 hours, Squad 8 responded to the I/l of 495 at Central Ave for an accident with an suv flipped over. Units arrived to find an accident with 1 trapped. Squad 8 stabilized the vehicle and quickly removed the roof allowing victims to be freed. Patients were removed and given to awaiting EMS personnel where they were treated and packaged. Squad 8 picked up and returned to service in about 30 minutes. February 1st - Early morning fire and 2 evening accidents - Just after midnight, Squad 8 was alerted to the 3800 Blk of 28th Ave, in Company 29's area, for a house fire. Units arrived to find the first floor of a dwelling well involved. Squad 8 arrived and was given RIC duties as units began knocking the fire. As the crew stood by, a patient suffering from burns appeared and Squad 8 began treatment as EMS units were arriving. The patient was an occupant of the house and suffered 2nd & 3rd degree burns to the hands. The fire was knocked down and Squad 8 returned to service in just over 30 minutes. Then just after 1530 hours Squad 8 responded to Addison Rd & Seat Pleasant Dr, in Seat Pleasant, for an accident with a pole down on a vehicle. Units arrived to find a telephone pole that had fallen onto a car due to a box truck attempting to pass on the right, striking the pole, and causing it to fall on the car waiting in traffic for the light. The car was heavily damaged and Addison Rd was closed for awhile but fortunately the driver was not hurt. Squad 8 remained on the scene for about 10 minutes before returning home. Later in the evening just before 1800 hours, Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 responded to the 1300 Blk of Addison Rd S, in Seat Pleasant, for an accident with a car into a tree, people trapped, and on fire. Units arrived to find a vehicle into a tree and on fire but no one trapped. The car was extinguished while several patients were treated for injuries one of which was transported to a local trauma center. Squad 8 returned to service in just over 20 minutes while Ambulance 88 returned in just over an hour. 26 runs were handled today by Company 8.
Addison Rd & Seat Pleasant Dr
1300 Blk Addison Rd S
January 30th - Busy day brings morning tool job and homicide - Just after 0830 hours, Squad 8 was alerted to Marlboro Pk & Silver Hill Rd, in Company 26's area, for an accident with a vehicle flipped over and 2 trapped. E261 arrived to find a two vehicle accident with an SUV on its side and two occupants trapped. Squad 8 arrived and stabilized the vehicle with the rescue shores and then removed the windshield. Additional EMS units were called as several patients were encountered. Both patients were removed to awaiting EMS personnel and transported to local hospitals. Squad 8 returned to service in about 30 minutes. Then about an hour later , Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 responded to Seat Pleasant Dr & Birchleaf Ave, in Seat Pleasant, for several callers advising of a dead body back in the woods at the park. Units arrived to find a victim who was priority 4 and initial indications show his throat was cut. Units from 8 returned to service a short time later and Police are still investigating the death. The first 14 hours of today has already brought 19 runs for Company 8.
January 27th - Ambulance 88 on accident with trauma & entrapment - Just after midnight, Ambulance 88 was alerted to the Outer Loop of 495 at Landover Rd for an accident with 1 overturned. Units from 33 arrived to find a vehicle on its side and 1 person trapped. The crew from 33 worked to remove the roof and upon removal, Ambulance 88 packaged the patient and then moved them to Medic 30 and assisted the medics in the back. Medic 30 then transported the victim to a local trauma center. Ambulance 88 returned to service after cleaning up in about 40 minutes.
January 26th - 2 fires and injured person that turns into death - Around 0100 hours, E331 responded to the 2900 Blk of Mueserbush Ct, just off MLK Hwy, for an outside fire. Upon arrival, the crew found fire racing up the front of a townhouse and to the roof and requested the box be filled bringing Squad 8. Units made entry and checked for extension as heavy smoke began to show from the roof line. Squad 8 arrived and was given the RIC assignment as units operated and opened up. Squad 8 remained on the scene about 30 minutes before returning home. Then around 0830, Ambulance 88 was dispatched to the 800 Blk of Karen Bl, in Seat Pleasant, for the injured person. Crews found a victim in a vehicle that had a tube going from the muffler to the window and then the window had a sock stuffed in it. Crews immediatley removed the victim and began CPR. Ambulance 88 transported with medics to a local hospital where even through continued life saving efforts, the victim was pronounced dead. Squad 8 later returned to the scene to assist detectives with monitoring air levels in the vehicle. Both units returned to service around 1030 hours. Then just before 1400 hours, units from Marlboro arrived on the scene at the County Courthouse at 14735 Main St with heavy fire and smoke from the roof. As most may remember, this was the site of a multiple alarm fire a few years ago that we never made due to being placed on medic locals everytime an additional alarm was hit. This time there were not nearly as many people in need of medical assistance. Engine 83 responded on the second alarm and upon arrival was ordered to operate on the second floor and searched the building. Crews operated for quite some time as the roof and roofing materials burned. Engine E83 remained on the scene for 2 hours before returning to the City of Seat Pleasant.
Mueserbush Ct January 23rd - Engine 83 on Walker Mill Rd house fire - Around 1040 hours, Engine 83 was alerted to the 6800 Blk of Walker Mill Rd, in Company 26's area, for a house fire. E261 arrived to find an electrical meter on fire with it running up the side of the house. Pepco was immediately called for as units had to wait to extinguish the fire due to the meter being live. Engine 83 arrived and along with Truck 17 and E371 shut the power off inside and went to the second floor and opened the knee walls as the fire had extended into them on side D. Eventually the transformer on the pole blew as well as PEPCO arriving and cutting the power allowing units to extinguish the fire completely. Engine 83 remained on the scene for just over an hour before returning to service.
Shot of exterior damage to house after the fire was extinguished January 22nd - Small fire then larger fire, both in Capitol Heights - Around 1545 hours, after clearing a box alarm on Silver Hill Ct, Engine 83 was dispatched first due to the 500 Blk of Clovis Ave, in Company 5's area, for a kitchen fire. Engine 83 arrived to find smoke showing and advanced a line. A small fire was found in the kitchen with moderate smoke conditions throughout. Engine 83 and Truck 5 operated to check for extension while the rest of the assignment was scaled back. About 30 minutes later as crews were picking up from Clovis Ave, E384 happened across a house fire in the 100 Blk of Quire Ave also in Company 5's area and called for the assignment. Hearing the call, Engine 83 and Truck 5 quickly cleared and responded. E384 found heavy smoke from the basement and first floor of a house and advanced a line. Engine 83 arrived and picked up E384's line and advanced another line to the first floor. As E384 attempted to extinguish the fire in the basement, Engine 83's crew searched the first and second floor and opened up. As the crews in the basement had trouble making headway due to heavy clutter and a gas fed fire, the first floor became darker and hotter as fire began to burn through the floor from the basement to the 1st floor. During this time, several personnel became unaccounted for and the RIC was deployed and the house evacuated. Members were soon accounted for and crews began an exterior attack as they tried to open up the outside of the house to access the gas meter. The gas Company arrived soon after and assisted with shutting off the gas so the fire could be completely extinguished. Engine 83 remained on the scene for over 4 hours before returning to service. On a side note, upon clearing Engine 83 responded to the 5900 blk of Nassau St in Company 26's area for a house fire. E261 and Trucks 9 & 5 operated for awhile as a small fire was found in the basement. Engine 83 picked up 17's line and stood by as units checked for extension. Engine 83 cleared this fire in about 25 minutes.
RE 363 aka Engine 83 / Fire w/ 5901 East Capitol St in background
Heavy smoke pushes from the house as crews attempt to extinguish January 21st - Another busy Sunday for Company 8 includes trauma - Just like most recent Sundays, this one kept crews busy all day. The areas first snowfall of the year was partially responsible we guess as crews responded to multiple accidents including Ritchie Rd & Central Ave 3 times during the day. Around mid afternoon, Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 responded to Ritchie Marlboro Rd & Sansbury Rd, in Company 37's area, for a vehicle overturned and kids trapped. After searching the area, crews found the accident much farther up on Ritchie Marlboro Rd and indeed did have a vehicle overturned but no one trapped. Crews from 8 assisted EMS units and helped package patients as 3 of them were transported to local hospitals including 1 by Medic 25 to a local trauma center. Units from 8 cleared a short time later. Close to 30 runs were answered by Seat Pleasant in the 24 hours that made up Sunday. In addition, it was good to see snow. Finally feels like winter after just a week or so ago we were enjoying temperatures in the 70's.
2500 Blk Ritchie Marlboro Rd January 20th - Squad 8 on apartment fire then trauma with 88 - Around 1345 hours, Squad 8 was alerted to the 6800 Blk of Bock Rd, in Company 21's area, for smoke in the building. As Squad 8 made its way to Oxon Hill, E211 arrived to find heavy smoke on the second floor. Squad 8 arrived and went to work ventilating as first in units handled the fire that was contained by a sprinkler to a room in the fire apartment. Due to the building being part of a 55 and over community and the moderate smoke conditions throughout, Squad 8 checked on many residents and assisted with evacuating people from the fire floor as well as advising residents above to shelter in place. Squad 8 operated for just over 90 minutes before returning to quarters. Then just before 1745 hours, Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 responded to Martin Luther King Hwy & Cabin Branch Dr, in Seat Pleasant, for a pedestrian struck. Units arrived to find a vehicle with extensive damage to the windshield and a patient with severe head injuries. The patient was quickly treated and packaged by crews from 8 and then transported to a local trauma center by Ambulance 88 with the medics from PA5 & PE51 on board. Squad 8 returned to service shortly after while Ambulance 88 returned to service in about an hour. January 18th - Engine 83 on vacant house in Palmer Park - Just after 1800 hours, Engine 83 was alerted to the 7600 Blk of Allendale Dr, in Company 33's area, for smoke coming from a house. E384 arrived first (due to units still operating on a house in 46's area that 83 had just cleared) to find smoke from the second floor of a two story rowhouse. Engine 83 arrived and picked up their line and backed up the crew from 38 as they they found a room off upstairs. The house was believed to be vacant but crews performed searches as vacant dwellings are usually occupied around here. Additional units checked exposures to attempt to locate any extension. Engine 83 remained on the scene for about 40 minutes before returning home. January 17th - Squad 8 on early morning bedroom fire - Just after 0200 hours, Squad 8 was alerted to the 6000 Blk of Cedar Post Dr, in Company 26's area, for a bedroom on fire. E261 arrived on the scene to find smoke showing from a townhouse. The crew advanced a line upstairs and found heavy smoke conditions with a sprinkler activation. Squad 8 arrived and did a search and checked for extension as well as vented. The fire was contained to the room of origin and Squad 8 returned home in about 30 minutes. January 15th - Engine 83 and Chief 8 on another Cindy La fire - Just after 0100 hours, Engine 83 was dispatched to the unit block of Cindy La, in Seat Pleasant, for a report of fire in the building. While enroute, PSC advised of several calls and people trapped. Engine 83 arrived to find heavy fire and smoke showing from a terrace level apartment and people jumping from balconies. The officer ran a line to the front door and down the steps followed by a crew from Engine 371. Chief 8 (McGill) arrived and established command. The driver from Engine 83 along with the crew from Truck 17, Quint 22, and the Duty Chief made rescues of at least 7 people from rear balconies. The fire was extinguished in about 10 minutes and confined to a few rooms in the original apartment as units checked for extension in additional apartments. The cause was contributed to children playing with fire and Engine 83 cleared the scene in about 2 hours. Several residents contributed their lives being saved to the quick actions of fire department units onscene. Job well done.
Photos courtesy Jim Davis January 14th - Two extrications, traumas, and small fire - Sundays continue to be the busy days of the week for us. The past few weeks, Sunday has given us close to 30 runs a day each week. Around 0400 hours, Squad 8 responded to Martin Luther King Hwy & Hill Rd, in Company 38's first due, for an accident. While enroute, PSC advised that police were on the scene in the 400 Blk of Hill Rd, actually in our first due, with people trapped. Squad 8 arrived and confirmed this report and began extrication while additional units were called. There were several patients, one of which was sent to a local trauma center. Squad 8 cleared the scene in about an hour after assisting with EMS care and transport of additional victims. Upon clearing the call, E51 was enroute to the 6800 Blk of Central Ave, in our first due, for alarm bells. While repsonding, the call was upgraded to a box as they were receiving calls for smoke in the building. E51 and Squad 8 arrived to find a small fire in the building. The fire was extinguished and Squad 8 ventilated clearing the call in just over 30 minutes. This coincidentally was adjacent to the previous set fire on Cindy La. Then just before noon, Ambulance 88 responded to Largo Center Dr & Lake Pointe Ct, in Company 46's area, for an accident. While enroute, Squad 8 was started as reports stated 1 trapped. Crews arrived to confirm this report and Squad 8 and Rescue Engine 33 worked on extrication. Ambulance 88 and Medic 46 began treating one of the extricated patients who was unresponsive suffering from serious head injuries. The crew packaged the patient and Ambulance 88 transported with Medic 46 to a local trauma center. Squad 8 cleared in about 45 minutes while Ambulance 88 cleared around 1430 hours. The day ended with another trauma as around 2225 hours Ambulance 88 responded to the 800 Blk of Largo Center Dr, Company 46's area again, for a pedestrian struck. Units arrived to find a male who had fallen off of a car while it was moving suffering from multiple injuries. Ambulance 88 assisted Medic 30 with treatment and packaging. Medic 30 transported the patient to a local trauma center. Ambulance 88 cleared the scene in about 30 minutes. This Sunday brought 27 runs for Company 8. January 12th - Engine 83 on small first due fire on Cindy La - Just after 1030 hours, Engine 83 was dispatched to the unit block of Cindy La, in Seat Pleasant, for smoke in the building. While enroute, PSC advised they were receiving calls reporting people trapped. Battalion Chief 1 arrived to find smoke showing from a garden apartment and established command. Engine 83 arrived and found a set fire in the stairwell with heavy smoke conditions. While taking care of the fire, a female on an upper balcony who was trapped threw her 3 yo child off the balcony to the waiting arms of a citizen. The crew from Engine 83 arrived at the apartment just as she was climbing over the balcony to jump herself and advised her just to sit tight as the fire was out. The crew from Truck 5 checked out the child who was thrown from the balcony. Crews remained on the scene for about 45 minutes before returning to service. January 12th - Engine 83 & Chief 8 on fatal District Heights fire - Around 0445 hours, Engine 83 was alerted to Marlboro Pk & Walker Mill Rd, in Company 26's first due, for a house on fire. As crews went responding, a large column of smoke could be seen against the night sky and soon after, E261 arrived in the 5500 Blk of Walker Mill Rd with heavy fire conditions. Originally it was thought that it may just be a large shed but after getting back there it was noticed it was a home. Chief 8 (McGill) arrived and originally established command prior to the arrival of Battalion Chief 3 as Engine 83 arrived and picked up E261's line. The crew from Engine 83 helped put the first line in service and began extinguishing the large body of fire. Crews worked for awhile with handlines to extinguish the fire. One victim was found deceased during operations. Engine 83 returned to service in about 90 minutes after picking up.
January 11th - Squad 8 on accident with van on fire, 4 traumas - Around 2300 hours, Squad 8 was alerted to the 500 Blk of Larchmont Ave, in Company 5's area, for an accident with a van on fire and people trapped. Squad 8 arrived to find a van on fire after striking a cement retaining wall and a large group of people around the van. Local residents and passersby after seeing/hearing the accident rushed to pull 4 victims out of the vehicle prior to our arrival. As the engine began extinguishing the van, crews worked on the 4 patients removed by the citizens. In all, 4 were taken to local trauma centers ( 1 as a trauma code ) and 1 citizen was treated after being injured during the rescue. Squad 8 returned to service soon after cleanup. January 10th - Squad goes to DC and works with Squad 3 again - Around 2200 hours, Squad 8 was alerted along the DC line to Eastern Ave and Kenilworth Ave, in Company 38's area, for an accident with 1 trapped. Units from PG arrived with E27 and T17 from DC to find an SUV under a tractor trailer at 295 and Polk St NE. Apparently the SUV had run under the rear of the tractor trailer as it was backing up on 295 to get back to the service road for Polk St. Due to the extent of entrapment, Squad 8 took the passenger side and DC Squad 3 took the driver side removing the doors and then worked together to remove the roof. The patient was removed from the passenger side and transported to a local trauma center. Squad 8 cleared awhile later after cleaning up and assisting units with lights. This was the 3rd time Squad 8 has gone to DC for work in just under 3 weeks.
Photos courtesy of www.dcfire.com January 8th - Engine 83 runs townhouse fire in District Heights - Just before 1000 hours, Engine 83 was alerted to the 5100 Blk of Cranmer Wy, in Company 26's area, for smoke in the basement of a townhouse. E261 arrived to find smoke conditions in the townhouse but no source. Engine 83 arrived and took a position in the rear and noticed heavy smoke conditions with an alarm sounding in the adjacent townhouse. The officer reported to command and then ran a line into that townhouse through heavy smoke to find a fire in the basement that was being held in check by a sprinkler head. The crew extinguished the hot spots and overhauled the basement as there was alot of smoldering debris. Engine 83 operated for about an hour before returning home. January 7th - Squad 8 runs fire task force in Upper Marlboro - Just after 1000 hours, units from Company 20 and surrounding stations were alerted for a house fire in the 5900 Blk of Old Crain Hwy. Units arrived to find heavy fire from the rear of the house. Units worked to keep the fire in check as the house sat way off the road which created limited access and initially limited water supply. As the fire started to spread to the attic and through the roof, the house was evacuated and the fire task force hit bringing Squad 8 who was already on their way on a transfer. Squad 8 arrived and went to work opening up and assisting with hitting hot spots in the attic. Crews worked for awhile trying to open up the 3 story balloon frame house with plaster walls and ceilings ( fun huh ? ). Squad 8 operated for almost 2 hours before returning home. Ambulance 88, originally transferred to 20 then to 45, ran a few calls including an accident with a vehicle overturned in 46's area. All units were back home by 1530 hours.
Sorry, camera was with 88. This is all we got. January 6th - Squad goes to DC again, A88 assists on accident - Around 1945 hours, Squad 8 was alerted mutual aid to the District of Columbia for an accident with people trapped at Southern Ave & East Capitol St in Engine 30's first due. Units had an SUV overturned with 1 ejected and a vehicle with two people trapped. Squad 8 arrived and stabilized the vehicle as Squad 3 from Southeast arrived. Squad 8 and Squad 3 worked together to extricate the victims as Squad 8 took the passenger side and Squad 3 took the drivers side by removing the doors and roof. After the patients were removed, Squad 8 used their thermal imager to check the nearby woods for any other possible victims that may have been ejected. Squad 8 cleared in just over 30 minutes. This was the second time in 2 weeks Squad 8 has made a trip to DC. Then after returning home, Ambulance 88 was sent to Silver Hill Rd & Pennsylvania Ave, in Company 26's area, to assist on an accident with people trapped. Ambulance 88 arrived and treated victims of an accident that required the extrication of 1 patient. Ambulance 88 transported to a local hospital and returned to service in about an hour. January 5th - Accident with car on fire, later fire in high rise - Around 0024 hours, Squad 8 and Ambulance 88 responded to the 400 blk of Hill Rd, in Seat Pleasant, for an accident with a car on top of another and a car on fire. Ambulance 88 arrived first to find 2 cars in a ditch, one on top of the other, and on fire. Squad 8 arrived and held the fire in check with a can and dry chem extinguisher until the arrival of E384. Additional EMS units were called as Ambulance 88 transported 2 and PA5 transported 1 to local hospitals. Units from 8 returned to service in just over an hour. Then at the opposite end of the day around 2230 hours, Squad 8 was sent to the 3100 Blk of Good Hope Ave, in Company 29's area, for an apartment fire. Units arrived to find a working kitchen fire in a 4th floor apartment as Squad 8 was assigned the RIC duties. Crews worked to extinguish the fire and open up checking for extension. Squad 8 operated for about an hour before returning to service.
Hill Rd accident January 2nd/3rd - Early DOA, two accidents with traumas, small fire - Around 0730 hours, Ambulance 88 was sent to the 500 Blk of Addison Rd S, in Seat Pleasant, for a person down. Upon arrival , they discovered a patient not breathing and requested assistance. Squad 8 responded on the run as well as a medic unit. Crews evaluated the patient and declared them priority 4 and units from 8 cleared in about 20 minutes after arrival of police. The just after 2100 hours, Squad 8, Ambulance 88, and Chief 8 ( McGill ) responded to Central Ave & Cabin Branch Rd, in Seat Pleasant, for an accident with 1 overturned, in a ditch, on fire, and people trapped. Units arrived to find 1 car on Central Ave with the front end ripped off and another vehicle on its roof in a gully and on fire. Crews found a patient up on the hill as E51 extinguished the fire. Squad 8 stabilized the vehicle and began searching the car and surrounding area for additional victims. Ambulance 88 and the medic units transported two victims to local trauma centers. Chief 8 had the command and units cleared in about 90 minutes. Upon clearing, Ambulance 88 was sent to Whitehouse Rd & Harry S Truman Dr, in Company 37's area, to assist units on an accident with people trapped. Squad 8 would have been on this call but was still tied up on the previous accident. Ambulance 88 arrived and transported two victims to local hospitals. One patient had been severely trapped, extricated, and flown to a local trauma center. Ambulance 88 returned to service just after 0130 hours. Then the night continued, actually into January 3rd when around 0330 hours Engine 83 responded to the 4200 Blk of Suitland Rd, in Company 17's area, for an apartment fire. Due to some confusion, Engine 83 arrived at the address first and found a small fire in the laundry room. The crew extinguished the fire and the assignment was scaled back. Engine 83 returned to service in just over 30 minutes.
Central Ave & Cabin Branch Rd January 1st - New year rings in busy including early morning fire - As the neighborhood gunfire began to subside ( some ), Company 8 started on the daily runs around 0100 hours for an assault. By 0700 hours, the Company already had 11 runs on the day including a fire in District Heights. Around 0520 hours, Squad 8 was alerted to the 6400 Blk of Pennsylvania Ave, in Company 26's area, for smoke in the building. While enroute, PSC advised units they were receiving several more calls including reports of people trapped on the balconies. Units arrived to find heavy smoke in the building. Squad 8 arrived as the first special service and went to work forcing entry, searching, and venting as the engine crew knocked down the small, set fire at the front door. Squad 8's driver also removed one from the 2nd floor balcony via ground ladder. The fire was extinguished and Squad 8 was held for a little over 30 minutes before returning. In all, the Company responded to 34 runs on the first day of 2007 including 14 accidents, 3 box alarms, 2 OB's, 2 working codes, and a call for a shooting as well as additional medic locals.
|
| Copyright
© 2007 Seat Pleasant Volunteer Fire Company Inc. 6305 Addison Road Seat Pleasant, Maryland 20743 (301) 336 - 2331 |
