News Advisory - Smoke Alarms: A Sound You Can Live With Install and Maintain Smoke Alarms. It’s the LAW!

IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  November 29, 2011

Rockville - - - Montgomery County fire officials have confirmed that there were no working smoke alarms present in several significant residental fires in the County this fall. Fire officials  are urging residents to test their smoke alarms to ensure they are working while reminding residents that Montgomery County Code requires homeowners to install, test and maintain smoke alarms on every level of their home and outside all sleeping areas. Failure to comply with this local law could result in a fine and/or imprisonment.

Most fatal fires occur at night when people are sleeping and experts say that the early warning from a working smoke alarm actually doubles your chances of escaping a home fire. Since the primary job of a smoke alarm is to awaken sleeping people and warn them of urgent danger, it is essential that smoke alarms are working and are proximate to sleeping areas of the home.

Fire Chief Richard Bowers reminds residents that as we approach the winter heating season, it’s critical that every home have working smoke alarms. “Most fires are preventable, said Chief Bowers. “Smoke alarms are one of the best and easiest safety features you can use to protect yourself, your family and your home. I strongly urge every resident to take a few minutes to test their smoke alarms, practice their home fire escape plan and replace any smoke alarms that are 10 years or older. Many people believe that smoke alarms last forever. They don’t.”

The Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service offers residents free assistance with smoke alarm installation and maintenance. Any homeowner who cannot install or test smoke alarms in their homes due to age, physical limitations or cannot afford to purchase a smoke alarm or batteries can call 311 for assistance. Visit us at www.mcfrs.org/mcsafe for additional safety information!                                                              

News Advisory: Maryland Task Force 1 - On Alert

IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 25, 2011
 

Maryland Task Force 1 - On Alert

Rockville - - - Maryland Task Force 1 (MDTF-1) has been placed on “Alert Status” by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) along with Virginia Task Force 1 (VATF-1) for possible deployment as Hurricane Irene strengthens. Hurricane Irene is the first major storm of the Atlantic hurricane season and officials are monitoring its projected path closely.

If activated, MDTF-1 will deploy a team of 80 highly skilled and trained responders from various disciplines including search and technical rescue personnel, structural engineers, physicians, canines, communication specialists, paramedics and other support personnel to the affected area(s). In addition, 15 trucks will travel with the team carrying 35 tons of supplies, sophisticated search/rescue and logistical equipment. MDTF-1 is designed to be self-sustaining when responding to a disaster, ensuring that there is no impact to local resources, and would deploy within 4-hours by ground, should the team be activated.
 
Should MDTF-1 be activated, the Media Line will be updated with current information.     

News Advisory: Fire Chief and County Executive to Recognize “Everyday Heroes”

IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 18, 2011

Fire Chief and County Executive

to Recognize “Everyday Heroes”

Local Residents Actions Save Others

Thursday, May 19, 2011

1 p.m.

Offices of the County Executive

Executive Office Building – 2nd Floor

101 Monroe Street, Rockville

Rockville - - - County Executive Isiah Leggett and Fire Chief Richard Bowers will recognize a group of “Everyday Heroes” in a brief ceremony in Rockville. Several individuals will come together to be recognized for their collective ‘life-saving’ action(s) that occurred throughout the County at various emergencies.

Incidents include neighbors who rushed in to save an elderly couple in a Potomac house fire, a truck driver who arrived on the scene of a vehicle crash and pulled the injured driver from the burning vehicle to safety and an alert resident who spotted a distressed kayaker who been thrown from her kayak and was clinging to the branches of a tree in the frigid Potomac waters and summoned critical emergency help which ultimately saved the boater’s life.

Because of their quick thinking, decisive action and willingness to ‘get involved,’ several people are alive today due to these extraordinary acts of courage and bravery.

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News Advisory: Firefighters Going Door-to-Door in Gaithersburg Neighborhood Today Checking Smoke Alarms After Two-Alarm Fire

Media Advisory Door to Door Feb 17

News Advisory - Heart Attack Victim Reunion with First Responders Following Dramatic Ride to Hospital During the Height of the Washington Metropolitan Area’s Paralyzing Snowstorm

Snowstorm Cardiac Victim Reunion

NEWS RELEASE: Toys for the Holidays ……..Help Us Help Others - Region’s Fire Stations Are Toy “Drop-off” Sites

News Release from MCFRS below.

Help Firefighters Provide Toys for the Holidays 1110

Gaithersburg High School Arson Arrest

Fire explosive investigators arrest 2 individuals in an 8 day old investigation

On April 6, 2010 around 4:30 am Montgomery County Fire and Rescue units were originally dispatched to the unit block Oceania Avenue for a house fire. While units responded, the Emergency Communications Center provided additional information indicating an unknown fire to the rear of Gaithersburg High School (314 South Frederick Avenue). Fire and Rescue personnel from Station 8 (Gaithersburg) arrived on the scene to find the press box behind home plate on fire. The fire was quickly extinguished and Montgomery County Fire and Explosive investigators were requested to the scene for an origin and cause investigation. Fire and Explosives investigators determined the fire to be incendiary in nature.

A joint investigation began and included Montgomery County Fire and Explosive investigators, Gaithersburg City Police, District of Columbia Fire Department accelerant canine (FM203) and Montgomery County Public Schools security which includes the Educational Facilities Officer. The accelerant canine alerted investigators to ignitable liquids along an area of the burned press box. The press box contained the public announcement system, athletic equipment for the baseball program and grounds maintenance equipment. Damage was estimated at over $20,000 (building structure and contents).

On Wednesday, April 14, 2010 Montgomery County Fire and Explosive Investigators arrested 2 individuals for their involvement in this incendiary fire. Fire and Explosive investigators made the arrest of Zachariah Maurer (DOB 3/24/1992) of Gaithersburg and charged him with one count each of the following: 2nd Degree Arson, 1st Degree Malicious Burning, Conspiracy to Commit 2nd Degree Arson, Conspiracy to Commit 1st Degree Malicious Burning, Disrupting School Activities and two counts of Trespassing/Destroying school property. Bond status for Zachariah Maurer is unknown at the time of this release. A 16 year old male juvenile was also arrested and released to his parents under house arrest and a juvenile hearing is scheduled for Thursday April 15, 2010. Charges for a second 16 year old juvenile are pending.

Arson is one of the leading causes of property loss due to fire in Montgomery County, Maryland and in the United States. Nationally, one-fourth of all fires are arson and over one-half of them are set by juveniles. Fire and Explosive Investigators are asking anyone with information about arson fires to contact the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service ARSON Tip Line at 240-777-2263.

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NEWS ADVISORY - Photo Op

Washington Freedom and the Fire Department are Teaming up! Photo Op

Public Information Office

Media line – 240.777.2442

When: April 15, 2010


Time: 4:00 p.m.

Where: Bethesda Fire Department, 6600 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland
(parking behind the station)

ROCKVILLE, Maryland - - The Washington Freedom is the region's elite, professional women's

soccer team and Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS) is honored to have been selected by the club to be recognized at this weekend's game recognizing First Responders.

Stars from the Freedom will be stopping by Bethesda Fire Station 6 TODAY to test their skills off the turf. Sliding down the firehouse pole may prove more challenging than the pressure of rocketing a soccer ball thru the goalposts at high velocity … or not. These seasoned athletes definitely have what it takes and are going the extra mile to ensure that the community also has what it takes to be fire safe - - - working smoke alarms.

“The Washington Freedom is an outstanding organization and is doing great things in the community,” said Fire Chief Richie Bowers. “If any one can KICK off our Spring into Summer Safely campaign - - - it’s these athletes who are champions both on the field and off.”

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Early Morning Damascus Arson Fires

Investigators Seek Information

Montgomery County Fire and Explosive Investigators are looking for information regarding multiple intentional set fires in the Damascus area during the pre-dawn hours of Tuesday August 18, 2009. Crime Solvers of Montgomery County will pay a cash reward of up to $1,000 for information provided to them that leads to an arrest and/or indictment in this felony crime.
These fires resulted in damage to straw/haybales, multiple mailboxes, a trash can and were potentially very damaging. Arson fires can be hazardous and damaging to both individual(s) intentionally setting the fires and the intended target. Investigators estimate that these fires caused a total of approximately $25,000 in damage. Below is a timeline of the events and a map is also attached:

3:04 a.m. – Straw / hay bales on fire in the 23600 block of Kings Valley Road
3:34 a.m. – Straw / hay bales on fire at Kings Valley Road and Mountain View Road
4:41 a.m. – Straw / hay bales on fire in the 24500 block of Woodfield School Road
5:00 a.m. – Brush and mailbox fire at 9310 Watkins Road
5:00 a.m. – Mailbox fire at 24215 Primula Court
5:06 a.m. – Multiple mailboxes on fire at 7501, 7505, 7513, 7517 Hawkins Creamery Road
5:34 a.m. – Trash can on fire at 24150 Doreen Drive
7:58 a.m. – Landscaping around mailbox was extinguished by the homeowner at 8908 Primula Drive.

Montgomery County Fire and Explosive Investigators are being assisted by the Montgomery County Police in the on-going investigation. Fire Investigators are also asking the community for assistance in identifying the owner of a gas can which was found in the area of one of the fires. The gas can has unique writing and Fire Investigators believe that the owner can identify the gas can.

The maximum penalty for these fires is 5 years in prison and a $5,000 fine. Montgomery County Fire and Explosive investigators are looking for information from the community to help close this case. Anyone with possible information or knowledge about these fires is asked to contact the Montgomery County Crime Solvers toll-free number at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). Citizens can leave tips anonymously through Crime Solvers and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 for information that leads to an arrest and/or indictment in this felony crime. The reward will be offered for 90 days from the date of this release. The Montgomery County Arson Tipline will also take tips at 240-777-2263. Anyone with possible information or knowledge about these fires is being asked to contact the Montgomery County Crime Solvers toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).