Maintaining Operational Readiness

By: Captain John Emmons
       Fire Station 31-A Shift

There is more to a career firefighter's day than responding to emergencies. We also have to maintain our apparatus and equipment to ensure they are ready and will operate when needed the most.

For example, every three months, we complete a detailed maintenance of the ladder on our ladder truck here at Rockville Fire Station 31. This is actually completed on all ladder trucks in the county.

To be done properly, a detailed and lengthy process is required. The first step is to remove the old grease from the ladder. Over time and use, it loses its ability to lubricate and protect the ladder as it is extended and retracted. It is imperative to get off all the old.

The next step is to wash the ladder. A wash brush does not do a very good job so we wash it by hand with a rag, soap and water. After the ladder is dry, it's time to apply a thin coat of fresh, clean grease. The entire process takes several hours and is necessary to keep the ladder operating safely and properly.

Below are some photos from our quarterly aerial cleaning and lubrication we recently competed at station 31.

Update On Two New Aerial Tower Trucks

Currently, MCFRS has two new aerial tower trucks that are in the process of being built. These will replace units in the MCFRS fleet that are due to be replaced.

In the photos below, you can see there has been fantastic progress on the new Pierce towers with the installation of wiring, shelving, trim and other components. Next week, it is expected that similar type of installation work will continue and the aerial ladder sections are to be scheduled for assembly.

The units aerial ladder will be 100 feet in length and it is anticipated that the units could be delivered by late summer.

New Burtonsville Volunteer FD Truck 715 In Production

By: Michael Ryman, Captain
       Burtonsville VFD

Burtonsville Volunteer Fire Department's new Truck 715 is currently in production at Pierce Manufacturing in Appleton, Wisconsin. Our brand new ladder truck is approximately 11 weeks into production at this point in time. The department expects to take delivery in early May.

This 2016 Pierce Arrow XT ladder truck will feature a 105' heavy duty aerial ladder as well as a pre-piped waterway and 217' of ground ladders.  It will replace the current Truck 715, a 1998 Pierce Dash 105' aerial.

You can get the latest information and pictures by going here: New T715

Coming Soon to MCFRS: One of 29 New EMS Units

By: Steve Lamphier
      Manager, Fleet Section 

MCFRS will soon be receiving 29 new EMS units of which eight will be in the new MCFRS red. In addition, several new staff cars will also be delivered.

These EMS units are on Freightliner chassis’ and built by PL Custom of Manasquan, NJ.

The committee created a more provider friendly patient care compartment, including adequate counter space, and a LifePak mount.  Also, the HVAC system has a UV light built in to reduce microorganisms that may affect the patient’s or provider’s health.

All 29 EMS units replace a significant portion of the frontline fleet and many reserve units that are 12-16 years old will be leaving the fleet.

MCFRS Inspects One Of Three New Ladder Trucks

This week MCFRS aerial sub-committee members traveled to Ephrata, Pennsylvania to inspect one of three new ladder trucks.

The units are Spartan ERV 100’ aerials with similar specifications to the current tractor drawn aerial's already in service in the department. These aerials are also more commonly known to the general public as the "hook and ladder" truck.

Check out the photos below. Also check out the Fire Chief’s February video for more details.

Kensington Volunteer Fire Department Places New Ambulance In Service

On Saturday February 20, Kensington Volunteer Fire Department (KVFD) put in service new Ambulance 705 (A705).  In attendance leading the ceremony for KVFD were President Norm Jones, Chief Jayme Heflin, Deputy Chiefs Tom Jones and John “Red” Connell. The county was represented by Division Chief Alan Hinde and the blessing of the ambulance was done by Rev. Bill Wadsworth.

The officers and members of KVFD would like to thank the entire Kensington community for their help in raising the funds needed to make this purchase happen.

A705 is a 2016 Road Rescue built on a 2016 Freightliner M2 chassis, it comes with standard BLS outfitting and a Cool Bar HVAC system.  This unit will greatly help in responding to over 2700 ALS/BLS calls annually out of station 5 in Kensington.

Photos from the event below.

Happy Trails After 30 ½ Years!

Yesterday afternoon, Fire Chief Scott Goldstein stopped by the MCFRS Central Maintenance Facility (CMF) to honor a member of the department, Dave Atwood, who is retiring after 30 ½ years of service to Montgomery County. 

Dave worked as a mechanic at CMF whose role was to ensure all fire apparatus in Montgomery County was in working order.  He worked for a couple of local volunteer fire departments, when each volunteer department handled all apparatus repair work, before a county wide consolidation of all mechanics brought him to the MCFRS CMF.

When county residents see a fire truck on the road responding to emergencies, people often times do not think about the individuals behind the scenes who work hard to make sure the fire trucks are functioning properly and safely so our firefighters can do their jobs.  A vital role in MCFRS with little public fanfare. 

Fire Chief Goldstein presented Dave with a certificate recognizing his 30 1/2 years of service to Montgomery County along with a customized mantle clock. 

In the photos below, and standing to the right of Dave in both, is his father who also was a fire apparatus mechanic for Montgomery County for 30 years!  An impressive combined 60 years of service between father and son keeping fire apparatus on the road to serve the residents of Montgomery County! 

Thanks Dave and best wishes for a healthy and happy retirement!

Our New 3500 Gallon Tanker

Our new 3500 gallon tanker assigned to Fire Station 22 (Kingsview) during a training exercise on October 17.   The tanker is on the right.  Photo Courtesy of Captain Brett Livingston

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