Dogs Rescued at Apartment Fire

By: Captain Pat Stakem
      Fire Station 19, C-Shift

These two guys in the photos below are some happy pups. We rescued them from an apartment fire late Friday night.

Our units arrived to find a small kitchen fire being held in check by automatic fire sprinklers though there was a good amount of smoke. Firefighter/Paramedic Katie Dennison from PE701 found one of the dogs in the bathroom hiding and Firefighter Damon Grattan and I found the other in the bedroom on the floor not really moving.  After a little fresh air they were back to the happy go lucky pups I'm sure they normally are.

Both have been reunited with their human. Sometimes we're in the right place at the right time and things work out. Great work by all fire and rescue companies that responded.

Local Event Benefits MCFRS & Pets on Saturday, May 14th: Pet Safety Expert's Nationwide Effort Hits Home This Weekend

Herndon, VA - Local pet safety expert Ines de Pablo started the Montgomery County Project as part of the 02 Fur Life Program which has provided more than 1550 pet oxygen masks for fire, EMS and police departments in North America.  The life saving equipment for pets is not usually accounted for in department budgets and de Pablo is kicking off fundraising efforts this weekend with a dog wash at the Herndon Bark'N Bubbles location.


WHEN: Saturday, May 14th, 11am-3pm


WHERE:  Herndon Bark'N Bubbles Dog Wash, 795 Center St, Ste 1, Herndon, VA
20170


WHAT: Proceeds from day's dog washes benefit the Montgomery County Project and provide pet oxygen masks for fire stations in Montgomery County, Maryland 

O2 Fur Montgomery County Project At Saturday's Pet Fiesta

Stop by Wag'N Enterprises at booth number 59 at tomorrow's (Saturday) Pet Fiesta at the Reston Town Center 10:00am - 4:00pm to learn about the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Project, which aims to get all 36 stations equipped with pet oxygen masks. 

First responders need the masks and equipment to save pets and working K-9 dogs from smoke inhalation from fires or other emergencies.  Check out Wag’N at booth number 59 to learn what you can do to help save pets!

Dog Rescue

While this happened a week ago, I thought it would still be nice to pass along to all of you out there who follow us. Several good pictures are included. The below narrative was provided by Lieutenant Rick Triplett who was the Officer in Charge on Truck 735 (Milestone) which participated in the rescue.

A week ago, November 30, fire and rescue units were called to assist with a dog that was trapped in a metal drainage pipe. The dog was in a metal drainage pipe about 30 feet from the opening and was hung up on something in the pipe and the pipe was too narrow to crawl in to. The squad crew had measured in from the end to see how far in he was so they knew where to start digging. Rescue Squad 729 (Germantown) had started digging when we arrived and were down about 1 foot or so. We continued to dig when a guy said he had a small backhoe across the street.

We were able to get the backhoe into the scene and dig down 4 to 5 feet before it hit the pipe. We then used an air chisel, hydraulic spreaders and cutters to make a hole in the top of the pipe. The dog was about 4 feet from the opening and could not be reached. While we were discussing our options the dog stuck his nose out of the opening. At first he backed away when he saw strangers but a minute later he came out a little further and we were able to grab him and pull him out.

Go here to see several photos: MCFRS on Flickr

The crews were: Battalion Chief Witt was Battalion 705, Rescue Squad 729 was Lieutenant Randall, Firefighters Tatum and Palma, Aerial Truck 735 was Lieutenant Triplett, Master Firefighter Hardy and Firefighter Ocker.