June 1-7 is National CPR-AED Awareness Week

Your quick actions could save a life. Mouth-to-Mouth is out. Hands-only is in! 

Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) is the third leading cause of death in the U.S., affecting about 1,000 people every day in the U.S. On average, only 10% of sudden cardiac arrest victims survive. However when victims are treated quickly with CPR and defibrillators, the chance of survival significantly improves. Montgomery County Fire and Rescue has responded to numerous incidents where by-stander CPR has saved lives and encourages all residents to learn this important, lifesaving skill.  

Why don’t more people know and use CPR? Seven common myths that may be barriers to bystander action.

• Myth No. 1: SCA is rare. Fact: The number of people who die from SCA each day is equivalent to the number who would die if two jet planes crashed every single day killing nearly everyone on board.
• Myth: No. 2: SCA is the same as a heart attack. Fact: When people have heart attacks, they are awake and their hearts are beating. When people have SCA, they are not awake and their hearts are not beating. Heart attack can lead to SCA, but there are also many other causes.
• Myth No. 3: SCA only happens to the elderly. Fact: SCA happens to people of all ages, including more than 6,000 youth under the age of 18 each year.
• Myth No. 4: SCA only happens to people with a history of heart problems. Fact: SCA is often the first indication of a heart problem.
• Myth No. 5: Victims are better off waiting for professional help to arrive. Fact: Time is of the essence. Immediate bystander intervention can mean the difference between life and death.
• Myth No. 6: Only trained personnel are allowed to use AEDs. Fact: AEDs can be used effectively by anyone who can follow visual and voice prompts.
• Myth No. 7: AEDs can hurt people by shocking them inappropriately. Fact: People in cardiac arrest are clinically dead. Your actions can only help. AEDs are safe and effective and will not shock the heart unless shocks are needed to restore a healthy heartbeat.
(Source:  Mary Newman, Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation)

Need a refresher? Here’s what to do if you witness a possible sudden cardiac arrest:

• Recognize that the person is in trouble and decide to make a difference. Remember, the victim’s heart has stopped beating and without treatment, he or she will die within minutes. Your actions can only help.
• Call 911 and ask someone to bring the nearest AED to the victim’s side if one is available.
• Press hard and fast on the center of the chest at a rate of 100-120 times a minute. What? How do I do that? Imagine compressing to the tune of “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees. That’s it! Mouth-to- mouth is no longer required.

MCFRS Significant Incident Map - March 2016

A new feature here at MCFRS. Click on the icons and learn more about a significant incident that occurred in March. You may even find videos and photos embedded within the icon. You will also find links to more information in many as well.

Let us know what you think!

Car Into House

MCFRS Units were dispatched to the 19600 block of Clubhouse Rd., near Ridgeline Dr., in Gaithersburg for a report of a car into a house with entrapment.

Units arrived to find two occupants in a car that had crashed into a townhouse.  The striking vehicle crossed Club House Road and hit a fire hydrant before crashing into the townhouse.  The driver was trapped but was quickly extricated.  Both patients were evaluated with one adult male transported to an area hospital with serious injuries and one adult female transported with non life threatening injuries.

There was one adult female occupant at home who was on a couch when the car crashed into house.  She was not injured though the structural damage was significant which has resulted in her having been displaced.  The address was corrected to the 9900 block of Ridgeline Drive.

Click on photo below for more: 

MCFRS Significant Incident Map

This map is for incidents last week Sunday, June 23 – Saturday, June 29.

View MCFRS Significant Incident Map in a larger map

MCFRS Significant Incident Map

For incidents Sunday, June 9 through Saturday, June 22.

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MCFRS Significant Incident Map

Significant incidents MCFRS responded too Sunday, May 26 through Saturday, June 8. 

View MCFRS Significant Incident Map in a larger

MCFRS Significant Incident Map Sunday, May 5 – Saturday, May 25

Almost caught up!  I will be posting the remaining dates shortly to get us back on track.

Thanks again for your understanding!

Stay Safe!  Bill D

View MCFRS Significant Incident Map in a larger map

National Emergency Medical Services Week: May 19 – 25, 2013

This week is National Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week, in honor of the dedicated men and women who provide critical day-to-day lifesaving services on the “frontlines” of emergencies across the country. When conditions can change in seconds, dual role firefighters/EMTs and firefighter/paramedics in Montgomery County provide sophisticated, state-of-the-art pre-hospital emergency medical care that can often mean the difference between life and death. The fire department has a rich history of protecting the health and safety of the community through an ‘all hazards’ response model and this week provides an opportunity to recognize EMS contributions of the past and build upon them for a safer tomorrow.

This year’s theme, ‘EMS: One Mission. One Team,’ recognizes the integral role of EMS providers with hospital emergency and trauma teams. Annually, 75 percent of all Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service emergency calls are EMS-related and as the public’s demand for emergency medical services has steadily increased over the years, advances in medicine and technology have increased the role of EMS providers in the field.

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS) has a national reputation for excellence and is continually researching and implementing innovative protocols to improve patient outcomes through advanced pre-hospital emergency medical care. In 2009, the department implemented several critical programs that demonstrate the department’s commitment to saving lives in the community. With strong evidence nationally that pre-hospital care has a profound impact on survival, the department was one of the first in the state to implement and deploy paramedic-staffed engine companies which facilitates faster access, improved pre-hospital care and enhanced patient care during an emergency. In 2010, the department established the Emergency Cardiac Care (ECC) program which allows paramedics to transmit critical patient data directly and securely from remote locations to area hospitals using sophisticated technology and equipment. This new technology accelerates the diagnosis process while reducing critical time that ultimately can make a difference in patient outcome and survival.

“In recent weeks, we have seen the critical role that EMS responders play in major events and times of disaster,” said Chief Steven Lohr. “Today’s EMS system brings the first, and often critical, hour of specialized emergency care right to the patient’s side.When you have a medical emergency, you need immediate care. EMS Week provides an opportunity to recognize the often less visible members of our lifesaving team who are often first on the scene of emergencies and  medically complex calls and, on a daily basis, go above and beyond the call of duty to save lives.”

National EMS Week May 20 – 26, 2012

Rockville - - -  Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week will be celebrated throughout the nation May 20-26, 2012.  Montgomery County fire fighters, all of who are paramedics or emergency medical technicians are called to assist on over 100,000 incidents each year.

The Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS) is a full spectrum life safety agency protecting nearly 1 million people who live and work in Maryland’s most populous jurisdiction.  The theme for this year, “EMS: More than a Job. A Calling,” underscores the commitment and dedication of the nation’s emergency medical service (EMS) providers who serve their communities all across the United States.

"The dedicated men and women who serve as EMS providers in Montgomery County are often first on the scene of local medical emergencies, motor vehicle crashes, disasters of all shapes and sizes or other event that may place them in a hazardous environment,” said Fire Chief Richard Bowers,  Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service.


“As this year’s theme implies, our emergency first responders serve on the front lines and are an integral part of emergency health care in our communities while performing an extraordinary service.”
EMS Assistant Chief Diane Zuspan added, "Our EMS team provides an essential service to the communities we serve and we proudly recognize these inspiring and dedicated emergency medical responders who, on a daily basis, go above and beyond the call of duty to save lives, often while putting themselves in harm’s way."


Montgomery County has demonstrated an improved quality of out-of-hospital resuscitation through bystander CPR, AED deployment via public access, pre-arrival advanced care and other continuous quality resuscitation improvements. During EMS Week, Montgomery County Fire Chief Richard Bowers wants to especially acknowledge all the men and women of the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service, bystanders and medical professionals who have been involved in life-saving efforts in the County. 

Significant Fire & EMS Incidents From August 1 - 7

Battalion 1 Incidents

• No significant incidents to report.

Battalion 2 Incidents

• Apartment Fire in the 2800 block of Terrace Drive. Units arrived to find light smoke showing from a 3 story garden apartment w/a small fire in the kitchen of an apartment on 2nd floor. Two families displaced. $10K damage to structure & $3K to contents.

• Motor Vehicle Crash @ Little Falls & River Rd – Units arrived to find 1 person trapped in a car. Patient was extricated and transported, priority one, to local hospital.

• Metro Incident – Units dispatched for an adult male struck by, and trapped beneath, a Metro train at the Friendship Heights Metro Station. Units found an adult male suffering multiple system trauma, trapped under the center cars of the train. Personnel extricated, removed, and transported the patient. Assistance was provided by several units from DCFD. One firefighter injury (exhaustion).

• Apartment Fire in the 4800 block of Battery Lane. Units arrived to find a grease fire with extension in apartment on 3rd floor. One civilian with minor burns transported to the burn center. $3K damage to structure & $1K to contents.

• House Fire in the 7800 block of Woodrow Place. Units arrived to find light smoke showing from the home and a confined food fire on the stove. No damage to structure or contents.

Battalion 3 Incidents

• Hazardous Materials Incident in the 9600 block of Medical Center Drive - 4" Gas main ruptured by track dozer. Sheltering in place occupancies west of break (9700 - 9900 Medical Center - including Nursing facility & hospital).

• TRANSFER STATION Fire @ 16101 FREDERICK RD: Had fire in a loaded inter-modal container on the trash train. Used crane to off load. Dumped contents and used loader to assist in extinguishment. No damage or injuries.

Battalion 4 Incidents

• Carbon Monoxide Incident in the 11900 block of Andrew St - Units dispatched for an activated CO alarm. RS742 found 400ppm with 4 occupants needing evaluation. Source of CO was gas power washer operating outside an open window. Transported 3 patients, minor exposure.

Battalion 5 Incidents

• HOUSE FIRE in the 9400 block of HOLSEY RD - Small fire on bedroom dresser, E713 extinguished, No extension

• Motor Vehicle Crash @ Muncaster Mill/ Airpark - Units arrived to find a head on collision that injured 6 people total. All transported to area hospitals with varying degrees of severity.