Heads Up in Parking Lots

Look for this bag at a parking lot near you soon!

Did You Know: 30% of pedestrian collisions in Montgomery County occurred in parking lots last year – and many of them resulted in severe injuries.

Today's MCFRS 101 Days of Summer Safety focus is on pedestrian safety in parking lots. County Executive Leggett held a press event today highlighting additional efforts in the County’s ongoing campaign to improve pedestrian safety in parking lots.

Please take a moment to view the short video below to increase your awareness. As well, please also go to the Department of Transportation's Pedestrian Safety web site to find educational resources that you can share with friends and family.

Help us to spread this important safety message to friends and family! Help us help you to prevent having to make the 911 call.

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.

Fatal Collision on River Road

A little before 7 p.m. on Saturday, February 27 MCFRS Units were dispatched for a report of a motor vehicle collision with entrapment at the intersection of River Road and Pyle Drive, in Bethesda. First arriving units found a two vehicle collision, one of which was off the roadway in a ditch, with several people trapped in one vehicle. 

Several others were injured including passerby good Samaritans who were injured attempting a rescue prior to MCFRS arrival. Initially there were at least 5 injuries.

An EMS task force was quickly requested and responded to the scene. This brought a total of 12 fire and rescue units to the scene.

It was determined that three of the trapped occupants, two adults and one teenager, had succumbed to their injuries on scene. The fourth, believed to be a teenage female, was extricated and transported to a local trauma center with life threatening injuries. Several others were transported with non-life threatening injuries. 

The Montgomery County Police Collision Reconstruction Unit was called to the scene to conduct an investigation.

MCFRS Units that were on the scene; C741, BC702, EMS701, E710, T710, RS741, A710, A741B, M741, M741D, M730, PE706.

Photos from the scene below. Montgomery County Police have put out a Press Release with an update: Fatal Collision on River Road Investigated

Find the Pedestrian! Where?

Exactly! It's almost rush hour and it's going to especially be challenging for pedestrians. Snow piles can make navigating streets and intersections dangerous for both pedestrians and drivers. Many pedestrians may be difficult to see and crosswalks challenging to navigate. Drivers should take extra care when turning corners with snow piles that may limit visibility.  

Be especially careful around bus stops and transit centers where there is increased pedestrian traffic. 

Post blizzard conditions can mean increased risk for pedestrians. Hats, hoods, earmuffs and scarves can interfere with the ability to see and hear traffic. Make sure your peripheral vision is clear and pay attention and don't be distracted by cell phones. 

Pedestrians should wear brightly colored clothing so drivers can see you, especially in times of poor visibility, and use reflective clothing or stickers for maximum visibility.

While many sidewalks are still not cleared, we remind all pedestrians to do their best to stay off plowed roadways.

If you must walk in the street, walk against the flow of traffic and as close to the curb as you can. Before you step off the curb, make sure oncoming cars and trucks have come to a complete stop. Due to poor road conditions, motorists may have difficulty stopping at traffic signals or slowing down for pedestrians who have the right of way. 


Always be on the lookout for vehicles that may have lost traction and are slipping toward you. Be aware that approaching vehicles may not be able to stop at crosswalks or traffic signals. Streets and parking lots may be temporarily blocked for snow removal operations. Drivers and pedestrians need to yield to snow removal equipment and staying off your phone and focused on the roads could just save your life. 

We made it this far --- let's all work together and make sure everyone gets where they are going safely! 

Find the Pedestrian! Where?

Exactly! It's almost rush hour and it's going to especially challenging for pedestrians. Snow piles can make navigating streets and intersections dangerous for both pedestrians and drivers. Many pedestrians may be difficult to see and crosswalks challenging to navigate. Drivers should take extra care when turning corners with snow piles that may limit visibility.  

Be especially careful around bus stops and transit centers where there is increased pedestrian traffic. 

Post blizzard conditions can mean increased risk for pedestrians. Hats, hoods, earmuffs and scarves can interfere with the ability to see and hear traffic. Make sure your peripheral vision is clear and pay attention and don't be distracted by cell phones. 

Pedestrians should wear brightly colored clothing so drivers can see you, especially in times of poor visibility, and use reflective clothing or stickers for maximum visibility.

While many sidewalks are still not cleared, we remind all pedestrians to do their best to stay off plowed roadways.

We made it this far --- let's all work together and make sure everyone gets where they are going safely! 

Unit Citations

Today, Fire Chief Goldstein had the privilege to preside over two Unit Citation presentations at Fire Station #31.

The presentations were for two separate challenging vehicular crash incidents that occurred on the same day: June 25, 2015.  Both plaques are in the photo book below describing the events and highlighting personnel who responded.

Please also find a video of the live feed we shot during the first presentation.

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: 

Help Us So We Can Help Those We Serve!

Extrication Ad 2013 by Montgomery County (MD) Fire and Rescue

Serious Motor Vehicle Collisions

By: Battalion Chief Mark Davis

On Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday of last week, companies in the lower end of the 1st Battalion responded to serious motor vehicle collisions all resulting in serious injury to multiple occupants. At least two of the collisions appeared to have involved high speed. People need to SLOW down. Companies 12, 16, and BC701 operated at the wreck shown in the below photo which occurred across the street from Co 12 on Friday, May31. 

When you look at this photo (right) , you have wonder, "How did this happen?" Well- the FD wonders the same thing - however, they have to go into action and bring the emergency under control. When cars are on top of each other such as at this wreck, the scene is unsafe until those cars can be stabilized to prevent any movement or shifting. An unstable car is a danger to both the trapped occupant and the emergency responder. 





Mechanical struts - shown in the lower right - are used to stabilize objects. In this case, the strut is one of several in use to stabilze the car that is resting on top of the other car. Master Firefighter Sean Hall (16-C) - shown in photo (left) - shared the photos.








With all patients removed, the FD carefully removes the stabilization devices that they used and releases the scene to the police. Wreckers will eventually seperate the cars and tow them away.