Don’t be scared, be ready with a free Halloween CPR class! Reservations Required.

The only thing scarier than Halloween is not knowing how to save a life using CPR. Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is the leading cause of death among American adults.  Learn how to save the lives of your family and friends with a FREE CPR class and costume party. Please wear costumes however please keep your costumes family friendly and no weapons/simulated weaponry permitted! Refreshments and door prizes will be provided. All ages are welcome.  Act fast, limited space. 

Saturday, October 29, 2016
4:00 - 6:00 p.m.

Public Safety Headquarters
100 Edison Park Drive

Gaithersburg, MD 20878
* Secure Facility - ID required

To Register:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-halloween-costume-cpr-class-registration-18947281830

*This class is open to Montgomery County residents ONLY and does NOT result in certification. The Montgomery Community Emergency response Team (CERT) offers this  class free of charge to  Montgomery County Residents. The class are taught by ASHI professional instructors and Montgomery County EMT’s.

For more information, please contact the CERT Program Manager: greg.stjames@montgomerycountymd.gov.

Promotions

Congratulations to the following personnel who have recently been promoted to the rank of Master Firefighter:

• Bradley S. Disharoon
• Thomas J. Carlin
• Patrick D. Ellis

Be safe and best wishes in your new role and assignment!

Ladies Night Out Events A Success

On Friday, April 29 and Saturday, April 30 MCFRS hosted a total of three Ladies Night Out events for women who might be interested in pursuing a career with MCFRS. One session was held Friday night and two on Saturday (morning and afternoon) at our Public Safety Training Academy.

Fire Chief Scott Goldstein was on hand at each of the three sessions to welcome the participants.

A total of 122 enthusiastic women participated in one of the three, 4 hour sessions. The participants were split into groups and rotated among a total of twelve stations that simulated various aspects of the skills needed to perform the duties of firefighter.

The twelve stations were:

1) Stair Mill/Hose Drag
2) Forcible Entry
3) Maze/HazMat
4) Ladder Raise/Extension
5) Equipment Carry/Dummy Drag
6) Swift Water Rescue
7) Paramedicine/Mega Code
8) High-Rise Climb
9) Rappelling
10) Vehicle Extrication
11) Mock PT/Fitness and Nutrition
12) Ceiling Breach and Pull

Each session culminated in a live demonstration of what an actual response to a building fire would look like.

Below, you can find photos and videos from the Saturday morning session that ran from 8 a.m. until Noon.

Silver Spring Apartment Fire

At approximately 10 pm on Saturday, February 27, MCFRS Units were initially dispatched for a 'automatic alarm', at 1705 East West Highway, however the call was upgraded as additional calls were received reporting smoke and as first units arrived with smoke showing at Summit Hills Apartments in Silver Spring.

Units arriving on scene reported smoke showing from a seventh floor apartment. Firefighters made their way to the seventh floor, where they encountered heavy smoke conditions. Once they gained entry into the apartment, and found heavy fire involvement throughout the apartment. The fire was quickly knocked down and extinguished, but not after causing significant damage. The fire was contained to the apartment of origin in this seven-story building.  Fire Investigators indicate the fire severely damaged contents of the apartment and the furniture in the area of the origin was nearly completely consumed.

Currently, the fire is listed as undetermined and under investigation.

Approximately 11 apartments were damaged by smoke, heat or water. Four people were assisted by Red Cross. There were no injuries to Fire/Rescue personnel or civilians. More than 65 fire fighters were on the scene, including several from PGFD.

Damages were estimated to be:

$300,000.00 to the structure

$75,000.00 to the contents

Photos below.

House Fire in the 9500 Block of Biltmore Drive, Silver Spring

At approximately 5:45 PM on Sunday, January 31 MCFRS was notified by a monitoring company, via an automatic/monitored alarm in the home, that there was a smoke alarm activation at a home in the 9500 block of Biltmore Drive in Silver Spring.

Crews from Silver Spring Fire Station #16 responded and upon arriving on scene, found fire in the basement of the two story home.  The fire was in the laundry room with some extension to the first floor.  Additional units were requested and responded.

Two adults and one child in the home were alerted to the fire by a working smoke alarm and evacuated. 

In addition, firefighters were able to quickly locate, and use, the nearest fire hydrant as neighbors had previously shoveled and cleared around the hydrant located at Biltmore Drive and E. Franklin Avenue.  Well done neighbors!

The fire was quickly extinguished.  One adult occupant did suffer a little smoke inhalation and was transported to a local hospital for a checkup.  There were no firefighter injuries.

Cause of the fire was listed as accidental as a result of an overheated clothes dryer. Damages were estimated to be approximately $135K.  The family was displaced as a result of the damage to the home.

Recently, MCFRS has responded to several fires involving clothes dryers.  Learn a few tips to help prevent this: Clothes Dryer Cleaning Day – Preventing A Potential Fire In Your Home!

Takoma Park House Fire

At approximately 9 PM last night (January 30) MCFRS units were dispatched to a reported house fire in the 100 block of Park Avenue in Takoma Park.  Upon arrival firefighters found fire in the basement, 1st floor and deck of a 2 ½ story Cape Cod style home.

Firefighters immediately engaged in fire suppression activities.  Since the status of the occupants were unknown to first arriving firefighters, search and rescue efforts ensued and during the search in low visibility through heat and smoke a firefighter fell through a hole in the floor.  The firefighter fell through the floor to the basement and self-rescued with no apparent injuries.

The fire was quickly brought under control but significant damage to the home was sustained. At the time of the fire the house was unoccupied as the homeowners were away while the home was undergoing some renovation work.

Cause of the fire was listed as accidental; electrical in nature.  Damage was estimated at a little over $250K total.  A total of over 75 firefighters responded to the fire.

Videos below. Use is permitted with proper attribution to MCFRS.

Update - Takoma Park house fire brief narrative by MCFRS Incident Commander, Battalion Chief Matt Carrigan pic.twitter.com/cMm04nlsmG

January 31, 2016

pic.twitter.com/HrHVkDXaiz

January 31, 2016

Meet Rockville Fire Station 33 A-Shift

By: Captain Scott Buchholz

I have a great shift at Fire Station 33 A-Shift.  While not responding to emergency calls, they are constantly taking care of firehouse business, map work, learning first due areas and buildings, engine company drills, drivers training, station maintenance, vehicle check outs, station pride projects and other general duties that reflect a professional and positive attitude.

I could not ask for a better group to get work done while having fun doing it.

The positive and can do attitude continues on emergency calls as well as changing flat tires for residents, checking smoke alarms, and any other form of public service that we find.

Thanks to my shift at 33-A for the hard work you do! 

Left to right, FF Charles "Chazz " Smith, MFF Jaymie Birney, Me, FF Roger Hohman, FF Kyle Dixon, FF Perry Power.  Not pictured: FF Katie Null and FF Sean Cramer. Photo Courtesy of Jontell Buchholz 

Learning To Become A Firefighter

Meaghan Mooney from Great Day Washington spent some time with us learning what it takes to become a firefighter. See below videos from the show that aired last week.

Let The Games Begin!

Firefighters from across the world are descending on the Washington-Metro Area today to participate in the World Police & Fire Games.  Opening ceremony is at RFK Stadium at 6 PM with a fan fest area that opens at 3 PM.  The games run through July 5th at venues across the metro area.

Approximately 40 MCFRS personnel will be participating!

GOOD LUCK to all of our firefighters who are participating!

Photo courtesy of Master Firefighter Tim Beatty.

World Police & Fire Games Just One Week Away

In one week firefighters from across the world will be descending on the Washington-Metro Area to participate in the World Police & Fire Games.

A good number of MCFRS personnel will be participating as well.  Below is the top that will be worn by our folks during the opening ceremony next week.  On the back it says, "MCFRS- Maryland."

GOOD LUCK to all of our firefighters who are participating!

Interesting in giving back to your community? Volunteers Needed!

Interesting in giving back to your community? Go here to learn more: Join Fire and Rescue 

Thank You Lewis Orchards!

By: Lieutenant Tim Burns

One of the challenges that MCFRS faces during rural fire fighting operations is where to get water.  In the more urban and suburban areas of the county we use fire hydrants which are rarely more than 1000 feet from any fire.  However, in areas of the county that are without municipal water supply, crews have to be more resourceful.

On Sunday, March 29th during a barn fire on Darnestown Road, the initial plan was to use a pond located on the property.  Unfortunately, execution of that plan was not possible due to power lines coming down and separating the pond from the fire apparatus.  Crews had to rapidly transition to an alternative site, which is where the assistance of a few Montgomery County residents became key.

Paramedic Engine 709 (Hyattstown) noticed a pond that was on the property of Lewis Orchards on Peach Tree Road, located about a mile and a half from the fire scene.  MCFRS needed to use the pond and associated parking lot at Lewis Orchard to establish a “fill site” operation to fill water tankers so that they could shuttle water to the fire engines on the fire scene.

The folks working at LewisOrchard were more than accommodating to the MCFRS operation and really seemed to take the intrusion on their business as a civic duty.  They never questioned why or what the crews were doing, they went out of their way to move vehicles and answer questions, and even went as far as using one of their pickup trucks to shuttle some equipment between two engines that were several thousand feet apart. 

MCFRS sincerely appreciates the support that Lewis Orchards provided and thanks them for all of their help during the operation.  In all, crews filled approximately 8 loads of water or about 25000 gallons from this site.

Congratulations To Recruit Class 40

Acting Fire Chief Scott Goldstein to welcome 43 members of Recruit Class 40 to MCFRS after 26 weeks of training! Graduation Ceremony TODAY at 2:00 p.m. at the National Institute of Standards and Technology in Gaithersburg.

Congratulations and stay safe!

Tied Up In Training

By: Firefighter Dan Rothermel

Fire Station 24-B Shift

Members of the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS) constantly train to keep their skills sharp. Here, members of Fire Station 24 (Colesville) are working with their Tower Ladder and ropes to simulate an above/below grade rescue with a stokes basket.

It is important for firefighters to practice all skills they possess for any possible fire or rescue situation. In this scenario, the wrong or improperly tied knot could mean injury or death to both the person being rescued and the firefighter.

Constant training and practice ensures the women and men of MCFRS will be ready and able to perform flawlessly when called into action.

Happy Trails After 36 Years

By: Master Firefighter Tim Burns

Today, a fixture of the 1st Battalion completes a long and distinguished career. After 36 years, Captain Donny Deibler will retire effective July 1 and this is his last shift. 

Pictured here center, Captain Deibler was hired on May 22, 1977 at Fire Station 1. To give some perspective to that date; Jimmy Carter was beginning his term as president, the Apple II computer was first being released for sale, and the first Star Wars movie was new in theaters.

Captain Deibler was promoted to “technician” in 1980 and moved to Fire Station 16 in 1981. Captain Deibler spent the majority of his career at station 16 as a technician; a position that was later renamed “master firefighter.” In 2000 he was promoted to Lieutenant and moved to station 12. After 23 years he did a short stint outside of the 1st Battalion at Fire Station 17 in Laytonsville when he was promoted to Captain in 2005. Fortunately, his love of the 1st Battalion was too great and he returned to us after only 3 years, taking the Station Commander position at Fire Station 19 in 2011.

During his entire career Captain Deibler has been an exceptional employee, mentor, leader and friend. The 1st Batallion will truly miss his contributions to the organization but we wish him success and happiness in retirement.

Career Day at Eastern Middle School

By: Master Firefighter Tim Burns Station 16-A Shift

This past week, members of the 1st Battalion from Company 16 A-Shift participated in "career day" at Eastern Middle School in their first due area. 

They spoke to two groups of about 30 middle school aged children each. The crew from Paramedic Engine 716 was able to talk with the students about what brought them to this career, what the requirements are to work for Montgomery County Fire and Rescue, and what our days are like.

For the members of the 1st Battalion, it is important for us to get out into our community at events like this one for a number of reasons. Most importantly, we hope to inspire the next generation of 1st Battalion firefighters and paramedics. Many of us began our careers as junior firefighters, cadets, or volunteers at an age not much older than these students are now. We enjoy sharing the good fortune that we have all found in this profession.

MCFRS Significant Incident Map

Sunday, April 7 – Saturday, April 13

View MCFRS Significant Incident Map in a larger map

Montgomery County Firefighters Pipes & Drums Honor Wounded Warrior

By: Captain Rick Blandford

This past Saturday the Montgomery County Firefighters Pipes and Drums band, along with members of our brother bands in the area, escorted Lance Corporal Michael Martinez to the site of his new modified home. We were proud to play the ceremony that honored a returning warrior who so proudly served his country.

Photo Courtesy of Capt. Rick Blandford

The home was presented to LCpl Martinez at the key ceremony on Saturday and was built by "Home for our Troops", a non-profit organization that provides specially adapted homes for severely wounded veterans at no cost to those veterans.

Courtesy of Firefighter Peter Leong

Photo Courtesy of Capt. Rick Blandford

Toys for the Holidays …Help Us Help Others

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service and local fire and rescue departments will again be collecting toys for needy families and underprivileged children during the 2012 holiday season starting on December 5, 2012. For many years various Montgomery County volunteer fire and rescue stations have worked with local community groups, civic organizations and government agencies to make the holiday season a little better for area families.

All Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Stations will serve as drop off sites for new unwrapped toys, including those toys to be used for existing annual local volunteer fire department initiatives supporting neighborhood and local community holiday programs, as well as, the regional 2012 Toys for Tots Campaign in conjunction with the United States Marines.

Fire Departments throughout the metro region, including those in Montgomery County will be collecting toys for children during the 2012 holiday season. Toys may be dropped off until December 18, 2012

The 2nd Annual High Point BBQ Battle To Benefit The Muscular Dystrophy Association

Please plan on coming out to High Point Farm on October 12 - 13 for the 2nd Annual High Point BBQ Battle to help raise funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

High Point Catering, in cooperation with the Montgomery County Career Firefighters Association, the Montgomery County Career Officers Association, and the Muscular Dystrophy Association, is sponsoring this fun filled two-day fundraising event. 

For more information, please go here: 2^nd Annual High Point Farm BBQ Battle

Event Flyer for Kids 2012-10-04