A Purr-fect Rescue on Hudson Avenue By Truck 716's Crew

By: BC Mark Davis and Lt. Rob Furst

Captain David Barcenas and Tillerman Kyle Holder were able to save two cats that were trapped in an apartment fire on Saturday evening on Hudson Avenue in Takoma Park Fire Station 2's area. After 10 or so minutes of oxygen, via a non-rebreather mask, the four-legged creatures were turned over to their owner - who was elated to see the furry little faces. A job well done by Truck 716! Next up...a trip to the vet's office.

We are also pleased to report that all humans escaped the fire without injury!

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.

Unit Citation

By: BC Mark Davis 

It is very fitting that units from the 1st Battalion receive Fire Chief Steven E. Lohr's first Unit Citation for exemplary work at a townhouse fire that occurred on March 17th in Co 12's first-due response district. Crews from E712, E715, and T715 rescued a woman trapped on the second floor of a townhouse fire. An adult male had already jumped from the second floor prior to the arrival of FD units. Ambulance 712 and Medic 712 provided excellent medical care and both victims survived the event with minimal injury. BC Mark Davis was the Incident Commander.

1st Battalion units made a true difference that day!

 (L to R) Front: BC Mark Davis, FF Raymond Briscoe, MF Jude McDowell, LT James Snyder, FF Kevin Benns, FF James Proctor, MF Michael Ryman, FF Lauren Wickson. Back: Division Chief Scott Goldstein, FF Brent Sheely, FF Patrick Paradise, MF Marvin Robinson, Fire Chief Steve Lohr, FF Chad Goyette, AC Steve Jones.

Unit Citations

Yesterday, Fire Chief Bowers stopped by Fire Station #2 (Takoma Park) and Fire Station #15 (Burtonsville) to present personnel with unit citations for life saving actions taken at two fires last year.

Station 2’s crew quickly went into rescue and fire extinguishment mode when responding to a fire on Flower Avenue in Takoma Park. Due to their quick actions, a 15 year old female was rescued.

Likewise, career and volunteer personnel from Station #15 received recognition for their quick actions at a fire on Castle Boulevard that resulted in 17 people being removed/rescued from harms way.

Video and photos are below. Great job by all!

 

Fire Station #2 crew

Fire Station #15

Confined Space Rescue January 17th 2012

Thought I would share some photos from an incident who responded to the other day.  It was a confined space rescue for an injured worker in an underground 10,000 gallon heating oil tank that was being cleaned and “filled”  
Click on the photo below to be taken to a photo album from the incident.

Below Grade Rescue

At 8:52 AM units from Montgomery County Fire and Rescue responded to a call at the intersection of Mid County Highway & Washington Grove Lane for a report of a man who had fallen into a 16 foot trench. 

It took approximately 24 fire fighters a little under an hour to remove the individual from the trench.  He was transported to an area hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

A couple of photos from the scene below.

Courtesy of Capt. Oscar Garcia

Courtesy of Fire Fighter Sean Carroll