Know Your First Due

By: Captain Scott Buchholz
       Fire Station 12 A-Shift

As firefighters and company officers, knowing where you are going and understanding the intricacies of the first due (primary) response area are of high importance.

Fire Station 12 A-shift (and most other companies) learn their first due area by getting out and physically exploring the area. An important part of knowing where you are going is learning streets/roads in the first due and to help with that a map drill is conducted at the start of every shift (as shown in the picture below).

New Training Academy Nearing Completion

The new Public Safety Training Academy (PSTA) is nearing completion. As you can see in the photo album below, carpet is going down for administrative suites, painting is being done, bathrooms are getting finalized, ceiling tiles are going up and safety rails and staircase rails are installed.

Especially impressive when you take a peek back at our earlier updates with photos:

New Public Safety Training Academy Campus Progress

More Progress At The New Public Safety Training Academy Campus

Progress Continues At The New Public Safety Training Academy Campus

Move in is tentatively scheduled for sometime late August or early September. Fall Semester training will be conducted at the new PSTA along with our new recruit class that is expected to start in December.

Photos provided by Assistant Chief (ret) Mike Clemens.

Ready For Anything

By: Firefighter/Paramedic Joseph Crum
      Station 17, A-Shift

With all the major roadways that run through Montgomery County it is almost inevitable that someone, somewhere, will be involved in a vehicle collision. Every vehicle is different, every collision is different and so every incident we run is different.

As we arrive on the scene of a collision a vehicle may be on its wheels, turned over on its side or roof, and the occupants may be trapped inside. Because of this, we must be prepared for any situation.

Laytonsville Fire Station 17 has one of six Rescue Squads in the county that carry the appropriate equipment for the most serious types of these situations. Pictured below are photos from a recent training where we prepare ourselves for the real thing when our best work is requested. We performed a “tie-back” system to prevent a car from rolling over after it was found flipped onto the passenger side. Once the vehicle is secured we can use hydraulic tools to remove pieces from the car to gain access to any occupants still inside.

Our job is not always as easy as opening the door. Sometimes we may need to force or cut a door/roof to be able to get the occupants out of danger and treated for injuries.

Not Your Average Driver Training

By: Lieutenant Tom Cleveland, Jr.
       Fire Station 34 A-Shift

Yesterday, personnel from Fire Station 34 (Milestone) A-Shift took advantage of the beautiful weather to drill with a future Engine driver. So off we went to Seneca Creek at Davis Mill Road and Huntmaster Road.

The scenario involved drafting from an alternate water source in non-hydrant area. This is important as there are areas of the county that do not have a fire hydrant close by. We must train all new drivers to be ready for any scenario they may encounter on a fire scene.

Progress Continues At The New Public Safety Training Academy Campus

Last week, we provided a little pictorial update of progress at the new Public Safety Training Academy. As you can imagine, since then, more progress has been made.

Below you will find a few photos with updates via our point person on the project Assistant Chief (ret) Mike Clemens.

Concrete apron to Apparatus bays today on the Charlie side.

Command Development Training Center getting window glass.

Retaining wall at the fuel depot.

Skid pan.

Gable roof on the High Bay townhouse. Concrete and wood.

Asphalt road to the fuel depot.

Curbing at cityscape.

Roof area of the city scape in the high-bay.

Ensuring Operational Readiness

By: Firefighter/Paramedic Joe Crum
       Fire Station 17, A-Shift

The northern part of Montgomery County can be considered very rural. Large farming areas exist in towns such as: Poolesville, Hyattstown, Damascus, and Laytonsville. A fire in an old farm houses or large barns create different challenges for a fire department compared to what we will see in an urban/city environment.

The biggest challenge we face in these areas is water supply. In these areas, municipal water services may not be available and with that, no hydrants to supply the fire engine to attack a fire if it occurs. Because fire does not go out without water, we need to find water somewhere else.

Throughout the county, we can find dry hydrants or cisterns to get the water we need. A dry hydrant is usually a piece of pipe that extends from a body of water, typically a lake or pond, and allows one Engine Company to pull water from it so it can fill Tankers that then take water to the scene of a fire. Cisterns are large underground tanks that hold thousands of gallons of water. These may have a pipe sticking out of the ground, similar to a dry hydrant, or could just be a removal cover that we can place suction hose directly into the water and pull the water into the fire engine.

Every firehouse in the county keeps record of where a dry hydrant or cistern is located within their coverage area. These sites are inspected and tested on a quarterly basis by station crews. We make sure that they are accessible and functional. The property owner is still responsible for maintenance. As a resident it is very important to keep these clear and not block access by any vehicles. Easy access for us could mean a big difference at a fire.

Below is a picture of Engine 717 from Laytonsville testing a cistern in their area.

No Fire Hydrant? No Problem!

By: Captain Vicki Fowler

       Hyattstown Fire Station #9

Not all of Montgomery County has fire hydrants in their neighborhood.  As a matter of fact, in Hyattstown Fire Station 9's first due area, there are zero fire hydrants. That is okay as we can bring our own water or get water from one of the local creeks, ponds, lakes or even pools.

In order to ensure we are ready to handle fires in which we must bring, or “draft,” our own water supply, we train regularly to stay proficient in this critical skill set. The photos below are from a training we held the other day to practice getting water to a variety of our units for a variety of fires.

One of the pictures show Tanker 709 that holds 3,500 gallons of water.  The water is being dumped into a portable folding tank so that an engine can draft the water out of the tank and into its own tank so that it can flow water through the fire hose on the unit. 

The reason we dump the water into a portable tank, and not directly into the engine, is so the Tanker can go and get a refill of water from a designated location.

At Fire Station 9 we also have brush trucks for fighting brush fires.  They are smaller and more agile and can go across fields much easier than our engines.  In several of the photos below, Brush 709B is drafting water from the creek.  Our firefighters are pulling the water out of the creek, into its own water tank, and then using it. 

All personnel performed well on a beautiful day to train and ensure our operational readiness. 

New Public Safety Training Academy Campus Progress

By: Michael Clemens
Assistant Chief (Ret) MCFRS

After months of hard work, the new Public Safety Training Academy is starting to look like a campus. Total completion is still several months away but we have come a long way since the ground breaking in February of 2015.

Below is a series of photos highlighting just how far we have come in the process.  

In the photo below, and to the left, siding has been put on the police shooting range building exterior. At the center, and a little green in color, is the Academic Building for both police (MCP) and fire (MCFRS). The MCFRS offices are on the second floor on the left while MCP will be on the first floor just below. A lobby area will be in the center and all classrooms are on the right of the building.

The multi-use Cityscape Structure Training area is going up in this photo. The school structure on the right is framed up. This will look great in the weeks to come.

Next up is the MCP’s Canine Training Building which is starting to take shape though the roof membrane is not installed yet. That should be happening soon. 

Below, the arch between the gym and parking garage coming from the front plaza area is up.  It will hold the rolling gate swipe card gate going to the back building and areas.

The High Bay and Fire Training Support Building is getting the interior painted. In addition, the balconies are getting installed along with lights, heating equipment and ventilation this week. The areas within the structure will be made to look like store fronts, a townhouse, and apartment building. There will also be storage and site support equipment on the other side of this building.

Siding completed on the High-Bay. Trim and doors next. 

In this photo we can see that the six story fire building (on the left) is half way up. This will be used for simulated fires and other emergencies in a high-rise building. Next to it is the single family burn structure that is almost complete.

Elevator installed in the lobby of the Academic building. It is becoming cleaner and less dusty inside. They are cleaning to make it ready for the fiber installations next month and painting. Second floor balcony location over the lobby below.

Look for another update soon! Right now, the estimate is the new training complex will be in sometime in late August for the beginning of fall classes.

Spring Is In The Air And A Firefighter’s Fancy Turns To - Training!

By: Captain Rick Triplett
       Fire Station 23/A-Shift

When winter sets in, it makes it almost impossible to get out under practical conditions to prepare our personnel to become fire apparatus drivers. This is critical as all personnel must undergo a rigorous training program and testing process in order to be allowed to drive fire trucks in MCFRS.

We have two firefighters on the shift training to be an engine driver and two training to become aerial tower drivers. So when it’s 60 degrees on a Sunday all the personnel from Rockville Station 23/A-Shift took advantage of the warm weather to train.

All 11 personnel of the shift went out to pull hose lines and flow water between the engine and aerial tower to assist in the training of these future fire apparatus drivers. As well, we also took the opportunity to practice scaling buildings with the aerial tower ladder.

A great training opportunity for some to learn new skills and others to brush up on their current skill sets.

Training To Save Our Own

By: Captain Pedro Meneses
       Fire Station #15 A-Shift

This past Thursday (February 25) units from Company 15 (Burtonsville) trained on "Saving your own", forcible entry and hoseline management. They performed as they would in a real emergency and executed drills that were as realistic as we could get by with out actually burning.

Everyone did a great job and demonstrated a high level of proficiency while executing the drills.

Photos and video below.

Congratulations to Our Newest Firefighters and EMT's

This past Friday evening a graduation ceremony was held at our Public Safety Training Academy (PSTA) for Twenty-One (21) newly certified volunteer Firefighters and Fifty-Nine (59) newly certified volunteer Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT's).

Each person went through rigorous training and a challenging course load throughout the summer months to attain the certifications.  Family and friends packed the PSTA to honor and cheer on their loved ones as they received recognition for this tremendous achievement.

Congratulations to all!

Videos and photos from the ceremony below.

Tied Up In Training

By: Firefighter Dan Rothermel

Fire Station 24-B Shift

Members of the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS) constantly train to keep their skills sharp. Here, members of Fire Station 24 (Colesville) are working with their Tower Ladder and ropes to simulate an above/below grade rescue with a stokes basket.

It is important for firefighters to practice all skills they possess for any possible fire or rescue situation. In this scenario, the wrong or improperly tied knot could mean injury or death to both the person being rescued and the firefighter.

Constant training and practice ensures the women and men of MCFRS will be ready and able to perform flawlessly when called into action.

MCFRS Gas Fire Training At Washington Gas Training Facility

Engine 702, Engine 719, Tower 719, and Ambulance 702 conducting Training at the Washington Gas Facility. Video courtesy of Firefighter Bryan Riley.

Leggett Hails Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service’s Record Graduation; Recruit Class 37 is Largest Class in County Fire Service History

On July 11, 2013, the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service held its largest Recruit Class graduation ceremony in the County’s Fire Service history. Certificates for completion of the 26-week Firefighter and Rescuer training program were awarded to 70 graduates of Recruit Class 37 during the 1:00 p.m. ceremony held at the National Institute of Standards and Technology in Gaithersburg. 

County Executive Isiah Leggett, Councilmember Phil Andrews, Fire Chief Steven Lohr and President of the Montgomery Career Firefighters Association, Local 1664, Jeffrey Buddle delivered remarks to the class, and an auditorium filled with their families and friends. 

“The dedication and sacrifice of firefighters really came to the forefront during the attacks of 9/11, and now again with the loss of the 19 elite ‘Hotshot’ firefighters in Arizona,’ said County Executive Leggett. “While this is a time to celebrate your achievements, this is also a time to remember how much will be demanded of you. On behalf of the County, we are all so grateful - in advance - for the extraordinary service you will provide to our citizens throughout your careers.” 

“You haven’t just joined a fire department, you’ve joined a family,” said Chief Lohr. “As a member of the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service, you will never be alone, there will always be someone with you during any challenge you may face. You’ve learned from the best and we will now expect the best from you.” 

This year, for the first time, the Chief Thomas Carr Leadership Award was presented to the member of the class who best represented the ideals and leadership of former Montgomery County Fire Chief Thomas Carr who recently lost his battle with MSA, a form of Parkinson’s disease. The winner, one of four recruits nominated by the training academy staff and voted on by class members, was Firefighter Andrew Tuzzio. 

There were over 1,000 candidates who applied to Recruit Class 37. Eighty-three were accepted into the training program. Seventy successfully graduated and have now joined the highly-respected ranks of the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service.