Maintaining Operational Readiness

By: Captain John Emmons
       Fire Station 31-A Shift

There is more to a career firefighter's day than responding to emergencies. We also have to maintain our apparatus and equipment to ensure they are ready and will operate when needed the most.

For example, every three months, we complete a detailed maintenance of the ladder on our ladder truck here at Rockville Fire Station 31. This is actually completed on all ladder trucks in the county.

To be done properly, a detailed and lengthy process is required. The first step is to remove the old grease from the ladder. Over time and use, it loses its ability to lubricate and protect the ladder as it is extended and retracted. It is imperative to get off all the old.

The next step is to wash the ladder. A wash brush does not do a very good job so we wash it by hand with a rag, soap and water. After the ladder is dry, it's time to apply a thin coat of fresh, clean grease. The entire process takes several hours and is necessary to keep the ladder operating safely and properly.

Below are some photos from our quarterly aerial cleaning and lubrication we recently competed at station 31.

Happy Trails After 30 ½ Years!

Yesterday afternoon, Fire Chief Scott Goldstein stopped by the MCFRS Central Maintenance Facility (CMF) to honor a member of the department, Dave Atwood, who is retiring after 30 ½ years of service to Montgomery County. 

Dave worked as a mechanic at CMF whose role was to ensure all fire apparatus in Montgomery County was in working order.  He worked for a couple of local volunteer fire departments, when each volunteer department handled all apparatus repair work, before a county wide consolidation of all mechanics brought him to the MCFRS CMF.

When county residents see a fire truck on the road responding to emergencies, people often times do not think about the individuals behind the scenes who work hard to make sure the fire trucks are functioning properly and safely so our firefighters can do their jobs.  A vital role in MCFRS with little public fanfare. 

Fire Chief Goldstein presented Dave with a certificate recognizing his 30 1/2 years of service to Montgomery County along with a customized mantle clock. 

In the photos below, and standing to the right of Dave in both, is his father who also was a fire apparatus mechanic for Montgomery County for 30 years!  An impressive combined 60 years of service between father and son keeping fire apparatus on the road to serve the residents of Montgomery County! 

Thanks Dave and best wishes for a healthy and happy retirement!

Keeping the Fleet on the Street

Ribbon Cutting to Open New Central Maintenance Facility

Monday, March 22, 2010 - 11:00 a.m.

14935B Southlawn Lane

Rockville, Maryland

ROCKVILLE, Maryland - - County Executive Ike Leggett, Public Safety Council Chair Phil Andrews, members of the County Council, Fire Chief Richard Bowers and other elected officials and distinguished guests will be on hand for the grand opening celebration of Montgomery County Fire and Rescue’s new Central Maintenance Facility. The media and community are invited to attend this grand opening and tours will be available at the conclusion of the ceremony.

“Keeping the fleet on the street is the basic mission of the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service’s new Central Maintenance Facility,” commented Chief Bowers. “This state-of-the-art facility incorporates world class fleet management best practices and reinforces our commitment to provide innovative and cost effective solutions that increase efficiency and productivity while ensuring continuity of service to the residents of Montgomery County.”

The Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service has consolidated its satellite fleet management shops into this new 77,000 square foot Central Maintenance Facility. As the call load in Montgomery County continues to increase, the new Central Maintenance Facility complex is well-positioned to meet the growing demand and ensure a well-maintained fleet in top operating condition.

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service is one of the nation’s largest combination (career/volunteer) fire service agencies in the Country operating with a budget of about

$194 million and over 2,000 personnel.

In 2007 the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service attained the distinguished Accreditation status through the Commission Fire Accreditation International (CFAI), which falls under the Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE). The Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service is one of only 122 departments in the US and the largest combination, career and volunteer department in the nation to be accredited.

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