Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service Will Be Accepting Applications for Firefighter/Rescuer I (Recruit)

Opening Date: May 9, 2016

Closing Date: May 23, 2016

On May 9, 2016, the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS) will begin accepting applications for the position of Firefighter/Rescuer I (Recruit).  Applications will be accepted until May 23, 2016 at midnight.  MCFRS Firefighter/Rescuers receive outstanding benefits, including a 20-year retirement with no age limit, group health and life insurance, paid holidays, paid vacation and paid sick leave. This recruitment will be used to establish eligibility for a Recruit Class that will begin in December, 2016.  Applications will only be accepted on-line.

The Firefighter/Rescuer I position is an entry level position. Applicants must:

1. Be 17 ½ years of age to apply and 18 years of age at time of appointment
2. Possess a high school diploma or GED within two months from time of application
3. Be a U.S. citizen or resident alien
4. Possess a valid motor vehicle driver’s license (non-provisional at the time of appointment)

Based upon service needs, hiring preferences may be given to those applicants who possess one or more of the following at the time of application (subject to verification):

• Veterans and veterans with disabilities
• Paramedic (National Registry Paramedic)
• Residency in Montgomery County
• Multi-lingual skills (Spanish, Amharic, Chinese; French, Korean, Vietnamese, American-Sign             Language)
• Two years employment in a customer service related field
• Bachelor’s degree
• Thirty or more college credits (from an accredited college or university)

The hiring process includes a written exam, oral interview, background screening, medical exam, and the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT).  Applicants who meet the minimum requirements will be invited to take the written examination, which is tentatively scheduled for June 16, 17 and 18, 2016.

For important information regarding the hiring process, critical dates and information, prospective applicants can visit http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/MCFRS-recruiting/application.html

We strongly encourage all applicants to create an AccessMCG Extranet Account prior to the application period.  Please use the following link http://bit.ly/1qGE3HQ

Montgomery County is an equal opportunity employer committed to workforce diversity. It is the policy of Montgomery County to conduct all employment activities in a manner that will ensure equal employment opportunity for all persons without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, genetic status, or political affiliation. 

New Ambulance 715 In Service

By: Lt. Rob Furst

New Ambulance 715 (A715) was placed in service on Thursday, April 7. Firefighters Dan Fields (left) and Juan Rodriguez (right) took the unit on its first call - a medical emergency on Gracefield Road.

The ambulance is a 2016 PL Custom box mounted on a Freightliner Chassis. A715 is one of 29 EMS units that will replace a significant portion of the frontline fleet and many reserve units that are 12-16 years old and will be leaving the fleet.

Silver Spring Townhouse Fire

At approximately 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 22, MCFRS units were dispatched for a reported townhouse fire in the 1100 block of Good Hope Drive in the Silver Spring area of the county. Units arrived to find light smoke showing from a two story residential middle of the row townhouse.

Firefighters were able to quickly locate and extinguish a small fire in a second floor bedroom. 

Smoke alarms in the home did activate. An adult male and his daughter did exit the home and were out of the townhouse upon MCFRS arrival. The adult male was transported to an area hospital for a checkup. Both occupants were displaced as a result the fire and were being assisted by the Red Cross.

Fire Investigators were called to the scene to conduct a Cause and Origin investigation. Investigators determined that the fire was accidental in nature as a result of an arcing outlet located next to the bed.

There were no injuries to fire and rescue personnel. Damages were estimated to be $100,000.00 to the structure and $20,000.00 to the contents of the home.

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.

Silver Spring House Fire

Last night, February 24, a little after 8 pm MCFRS units responded to 909 McCeney Avenue for the report of smoke filling the garage. Units arrived on the scene to find a two story single family home with fire showing in the garage and extending up into the first floor and attic area.

The occupants, a husband and wife, were home at the time of the fire and escaped. Initially, the wife first noticed what she thought was steam coming from one side of the garage. She then alerted her husband who looked out another window in the home and observed fire coming from the garage.
Both evacuated the home and dialed 911 once safely outside.

Firefighters encountered heavy fire and significant extension as they went to work to extinguish the fire. It took firefighters a little over 30 minutes to bring the fire under control. Approximately 65 firefighters were on scene.

Fire Investigators conducted a cause and origin exam in the garage. Many combustible items were found in the garage as well as two vehicles. A cause of the fire could not be determined as both vehicles and the contents of the garage were severely damaged. The fire is listed as undetermined. 

There were no injuries reported to fire and rescue personnel or civilians. Smoke Alarms were present and did activate. Damages were estimated to be:

$400,000.00 - Structure
$150,000.00 - Vehicles
$125,000.00 - Contents

The two occupants of the home were displaced and are currently staying with a neighbor. Firefighters will be returning to the neighborhood around 3 pm today (February 25) to go door to door (After the Fire Outreach) offering to check smoke alarms and provide safety tips for interested residents.

Photos and videos below.

County Executive to Highlight Success of the Fire Department’s Home Safety Initiatives for Seniors

IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 19, 2015

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

11:30 a.m.

Holiday Park Senior Center 

3950 Ferrara Drive 

Wheaton, Maryland 20906

Montgomery County, MD - - - County Executive Isiah Leggett and Acting Fire Chief Scott Goldstein will be highlighting several fire department initiatives aimed at keeping seniors in the County safe while reminding residents of the life-saving benefits of working smoke alarms.

The fire department recently launched a “Home Safety Check” program for seniors in the County. Initial results from the program indicate that over 90% of smoke alarms checked during recent home visits to seniors were found to be inoperable due to dead or missing batteries, past the 10-year life span for smoke alarms or not present in homes.

To request a free home safety evaluation and smoke alarm check-up, the Fire Department’s “Senior Hotline” is 240-777-2430. Additionally, all County residents are urged to take advantage of the department’s free home safety evaluation program and can call 311 for additional information.

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Give A Space Heater Space (VIDEO)

From our friends at MyMCMedia, MCFRS Spokesperson Pete Piringer says it is important to give space heaters space. Take a look and listen:

Media Advisory: Fire Causes Significant Damage to Potomac Home

IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  February 27, 2013

      Fire Causes Significant Damage to Potomac Home

        Fire Displaces Family of Four 

                                                        

Montgomery County, MD - - -  A Potomac home suffered over $600,000 in damages after a fire Monday afternoon. Firefighters were dispatched shortly after 4:00 p.m. to the 12400 block of Willow Green Court in Potomac for the report of a house fire. First arriving units described heavy fire and smoke conditions and requested additional resources.  

Photos courtesy of Rockville Volunteer Fire Department 

Two teenagers were home at the time of the fire and were able to safely escape after an alert neighbor walking her dog smelled smoke and went to investigate to locate the source. The neighbor saw flames to the rear of a home and quickly called 9-1-1, secured her dog to a nearby mailbox and ran to the home and began to pound on the front door of the home in an attempt to alert any occupants inside that the home was on fire. The teens inside narrowly escaped the blaze and officials are crediting the alert neighbor’s quick actions in helping the occupants escape safely.   

Fire and Explosive Investigators conducted a detailed investigation and have determined that the fire was accidental in nature and believe that cooking materials placed outside to cool sparked the fire. Investigators noted that, due to extensive fire damage to the home, they were unable to determine whether the home was equipped with smoke alarms.   

One firefighter was injured and was transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries and has been released. Approximately 80 fire rescue personnel responded and were on the scene at the height of firefighting operations and the American Red Cross was assisting the displaced family.

Fire department officials remind all residents that smoke alarms are one of the most important safety features to have in your home and, with many units available for under twenty dollars, they are worth every penny. 

More photos below and HERE. 

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Photos courtesy of Rockville Volunteer Fire Department 

Photos courtesy of Rockville Volunteer Fire Department 

MCFRS Significant Fire & EMS Incidents From April 25 through May 1

Battalion 1 Incidents

• BUILDING FIRE in the 900 block of Cannon Rd (CANNON ROAD ES) – Fire Units dispatched for a generator on fire outside of the school. No extension to the school.

• Pedestrian Struck Rt 193 @ Rt 29 - 1 adult male standing on the side walk struck by an out of control auto. Patient sustained traumatic injuries and was transported to a local hospital priority one by Medic Unit.

Battalion 2 Incidents

No significant incidents

Battalion 3 Incidents

• Vehicle Collision at North Bound 270 under Gude Drive – Fire Units dispatched for a collision involving a motorcycle with one trapped in the car. Both patients transported to area hospitals.

• Gas Leak in the 12600 block of Wisteria Dr - Fire Units responded to a reported gas leak in the restaurant. Fire Fighters arrived on scene and found open front door w/major gas leak. Units mitigated the leak & coordinated w/Office of Code Enforcement & Fire Explosive Investigation.

• HOUSE FIRE in the 13600 block of Straw Bale La. Fire Units arrived with nothing evident but a report of heavy smoke in the basement. Units found a freon leak from the HVAC unit in the basement. Freon was quickly evactuated and the structure ventilated until Freon detector showed the area to be safe. No loss or injuries.

• HOUSE FIRE in the 13500 block of Niagara Falls Ct – Fire Units arrived on the scene in front of the house no smoke or fire evident. Investigation in the back found that smoke was coming from the rear of the house. Fire Fighters worked to extinguish a fire in the void space between floors 1 and 2. Fire Explosive Investigation found fire started with an electrical short in a fan. Fire loss of $125K with no injuries but residents displaced.

Battalion 4 Incidents

• Fall From Window in the 14100 block of Grand Pre Rd. – Fire Units dispatched for a 4 year old male who fell from a four story window. Patient sustained traumatic injuries and flown by helicopter (Tropper2) to an area Hospital

• House Fire in the 3500 block of Pear Tree Court. Fire Units arrived on scene and found a fire in a bedroom of the home. Fire loss was $500K for the structure and $100K for the contents. There were no injuries and the cause is still under investigation.

Battalion 5 Incidents

• Vehicle Collision Redland Rd & Muncaster Mill Rd – Fire Units arrived on scene and found a two vehicle collision with one person trapped. Person extricated and both patients transported to a local hospital.

• Vehicle Collision on Airpark Rd 1/ 4 mile east of Muncaster Mill Rd – Fire Units arrived on scene and found a single vehicle into a light pole. One adult male trauma code transported to a local hospital.

• Fire Extinguished by Residential Fire Sprinkler in the 9 block of George St - Fire Units arrived on scene and found kitchen fire on the stove & extension to microwave w/ fire sprinkler activation. Fire loss $0 for the Structure and $500 for contents.

• Shooting in the 400 block of N. Summit Ave – Fire Units arrived on scene and found two persons who had been shot. One patient DOA and one adult female with life threatening injuries transported to a local hospital.

• House Fire in the 17700 block of Amity Drive – Fire Units dispatched for a report of a townhouse fire. Fire Fighters found a fire out on a mattress on 2nd floor. Loss of $2K to the structure and $500 to contents. There were no injuries.

News Advisory: House Fire in Potomac Claims a Life

IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 24, 2011

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS) personnel were called at 0435 hours for a house fire to the rear of 10416 Gainsborough Road in the Falls Road area of Potomac. Units arrived on the scene of a working fire at 8509 Scarboro Court in a large 2 story single family home. Heavy fire was found in the kitchen area on the first floor of the house. An unconscious, elderly male was located in a second floor bedroom and removed from the structure. Advanced Life Support treatment was initiated immediately and he was transported to Suburban Hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later. A second elderly male was located outside the house and he also was treated and transported to Suburban Hospital for evaluation of smoke inhalation.

The fire originated in the kitchen on the stove top. A heavily damaged sauce pan was located on the burner of the stove top where the survivor stated they were cooking. It appears the fire burned for some time before being seen by the neighbor after it vented through the kitchen window.

An estimated 65 fire and rescue personnel responded to the scene and it took 25 minutes to bring the fire under control. There were no fire and rescue injuries. The name of the deceased is not being released pending notification of family.

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News Advisory: Local Firefighters Assist in Search and Rescue Efforts in North Carolina

Powerful and Deadly Storms Tear Through the South

Local Firefighters Assist in Search and Rescue Efforts in North Carolina

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS) personnel were called at 5:30 p.m. to assist in the aftermath of tornado damage in the Sanford, North Carolina area. Five MCFRS personnel and one Howard County Fire Department (HCFD) representative were attending a scheduled training class in the North Carolina area and quickly answered the call for assistance and mobilized, joining the Sanford Fire Department, in conducting seach and rescue efforts in the storm-ravaged area.

Numerous homes and businesses were damaged as tornadoes touched down and the powerful line of storms moved through North Carolina. The storm system toppled a Lowes Home Improvement store close to the location where the training class was being conducted. The MCFRS and HCFD crew assisted in rescuing a resident trapped under debris at the home improvement complex, using specialized equipment retrieved from their training class, and successfully pulling her to safety.

The team, led by MCFRS Captain Mike Green, has been demobilized at this time and replaced by State search and rescue resources that have arrived in the area. The team is expected to return home Sunday evening.

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Fire and Explosive Investigators Seek Information

Brush Investigator Tip Line 2011