Community Connections

By: Lieutenant Robert Furst

Fire Station 19, in Montgomery Hills, is located directly next Snyder's Super Foods. The parking lots touch each other and the apparatus bay is in plain view of the customers that are patronizing the store. The constant traffic moving in and out of Snyder's affords the crew of Company 19 with many opportunities to interact with their customers - who are also our customers.

Frequently, we have the pleasure of meeting young children and their parents or guardians which proves to be a twofold win. First, we have a chance to show the children the fire apparatus (kids love fire trucks) and the station. And we take the opportunity to educate the adults about our mission and fire safety practices.

We frequently converse with the same people, and sometimes we are presented with showings of appreciation of our efforts for which we are grateful.

Lt. Dustin Poist showing off Engine 19

Norbeck Road House Fire

On Saturday, July 2 at 7:14 a.m. MCFRS units were dispatched to the 2100 block of Norbeck Road for the report of a house fire with children possibly trapped. Units arrived on scene to find a two-story single family home with heavy fire evident throughout first floor.

Firefighters quickly went to work to bring the fire under control and search for any children who were reported trapped. The initial search did not result in anyone being found.

The initial 911 call was received from a passer-by who indicated she had been driving northbound on Norbeck Road when she noticed a heavy dark colored column of smoke. As she got closer, she noticed a woman standing in the road and stopped to assist. The individual stated to the passer-by that “the kids are in the kitchen” at which point the Good Samaritan called 911 and relayed this information. It was later learned that the occupant of the home was referring to a doll collection as her “kids.”

Fire Investigators have listed this fire as accidental, the result of unattended cooking.

An equivalent of two-alarms worth of apparatus plus an EMS Task Force (due to initial report of persons trapped) resulted in roughly 85-100 fire and rescue personnel, along with approximately 40 fire and rescue units, on scene at various points.

Damages were estimated at $400,000.00 to the structure and $150,000.00 to the contents of the home. There were no reported injuries to civilian or fire and rescue personnel. One adult female has been displaced as a result of the fire.

Tradition, Pride and Integrity

By: Lieutenant Dave Anderson
       Fire Station 16 - A

Silver Spring Fire Station 16 has decided to spruce the back stairs up with some station pride. The bottom stairs boast "Tradition", "Pride" and "Integrity." The top stairs state: "you are about to become part of something greater than yourself, welcome to Co.16."

Firefighter Bill Naugle from 16B came up with the concept, was the driving force behind this project and saw it through until it was complete. Thanks to Firefighter Naugle for his total dedication!

White Oak House Fire

At approximately 4:30 a.m. this morning, MCFRS units were dispatched for a report of a house on fire in the 11700 block of Sherbrooke Woods Lane in the White Oak area of the county.

First arriving units found heavy fire showing on the first and second floors with extension into the attic space. The single occupant of the home had self-rescued though was suffering the after effects of smoke inhalation. It was not until a short time that neighbors noticed the fire and called 911.

 
Firefighters quickly initiated an interior attack to extinguish the fire. Deteriorating conditions led command to evacuate the structure and switch to a defensive (outside) mode. Shortly thereafter, a partial collapse (roof, floors, and walls) occurred. The fire was brought under control though crews continued to mop up “hot spots” for a few hours after.

Fire investigators are currently on scene conducting a cause and origin investigation. The home is a total loss with damages estimated at $500,000 to the structure and $250,000 to the contents. There was also some heat damage to a neighboring home.

The one civilian occupant of the home was transported to a local hospital for a checkup due to smoke inhalation. There were no injuries sustained by the approximately 85 MCFRS personnel who responded to the scene.

Duplex Fire In Wheaton

On Wednesday, April 20 at approximately 4 p.m., MCFRS units were dispatched for a reported house fire in the 12000 block of Berry Street in Wheaton. Multiple 911 calls were received indicating a working fire with possible explosions.

First arriving units reported heavy fire involving both units of a two-story duplex type home and a second alarm was quickly dispatched. All occupants escaped uninjured prior to arrival and were accounted for.

Firefighters initiated a transitional fire attack and the bulk of fire was knocked down. Crews spent a few hours mopping up hot spots in and around the duplex to include homes on both sides and the rear of the duplex.

Fire Investigators were called to the scene and conducted an origin and cause investigation. The origin and cause investigation determined the fire originated on the rear porch of 12028 Berry Street. At this time the cause of the fire is listed as undetermined.

A total of five residences, two sheds and fencing were damaged by flame and/or radiant heat. The two homes, 12028 and 12030, suffered significant charring and damage while three other residences suffered mostly radiant heat damage to vinyl siding on their exteriors.

Approximately 95 firefighters were on the scene of this two alarm fire. Damages are estimated at
$500,000.00 to the structures and $200,000.00 to contents. There were no injuries sustained by the residents or firefighters. A total of three adults have been displaced as a result of the fire.

Crews will be returning to the Berry Street neighborhood this evening at approximately 6:30 p.m. offering to check smoke alarms, provide safety tips and answer any questions residents might have.

Seven Year Old Makes The Right Call

A seven-year-old Silver Spring girl who recently called 911 will meet the MCFRS call taker/dispatcher who assisted with the call. The young girl made the right call and got help to her home quickly.

She and her family will hear the 911 audio tape for the first time and have an opportunity to meet the call taker/dispatcher as well as tour the MCFRS dispatch and communication area.

The youngster and her family will meet MCFRS dispatchers at the Montgomery County Public Safety Communications Center, located at 1300 Quince Orchard Boulevard in Gaithersburg at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 30.

If needed, can you make the right call? When calling 911, know what to expect. Learn more here: What to Expect When You Call 911
     
Below is an excerpt from the 911 call.

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.

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.

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.

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.

TBT - Train Crash in Silver Spring February 16, 1996

This week we have been remembering the 20 year anniversary of the tragic fiery collision between an Amtrak passenger train and a MARC commuter train in Silver Spring. 11 people died and dozens more were injured.

The first video below is from the archives of our old DFRS Today show and contains several minutes of on scene video.

 

In the video below, NBC4 interviewed two of our retiree's who were there that fateful night and recall what they experienced.

WTOP also interviewed the same retired firefighters. You can read that here: Retired Md. firefighters remember fatal Amtrak crash in Silver Spring, 20 years ago

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!

Garage Fire 3600 Block of Tarkington Lane

At approximately 8:30 AM this morning (Jan. 22), MCFRS Units were dispatched for a reported auto fire in the garage in the 3600 block of Tarkington Lane in the Leisure World community.

First arriving units found heavy fire showing from the garage of a one-story duplex home (see video below).  Firefighters quickly brought the fire under control.

Two occupants of the home exited safely and sustained no injuries.

The garage and auto were a total loss.  There was some minor water damage to the home but the occupants were not displaced as a result.

One firefighter did sustain a minor injury.

Damage estimates to the car, garage and contents were more than $50K total.  At this time the cause of the fire is undetermined.

   

11th Annual Alfaro Memorial Blood Drive

Please help us honor two of our own, father and son, who left us way too early.

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.

Leisure World Apartment Fire

On September 15, 2015 at approximately 3:15 pm, MCFRS units were dispatched for a reported apartment fire in the 3600 block of Gleneagles Dr. within the Leisure World community.  Truck 725 arrived on the scene and reported fire showing from the 1st floor along with heavy smoke conditions.  Additional units were requested immediately.

Prior to fire department arrival a few nearby workers upstairs felt the heat, smelled the smoke and, after calling 911, assisted a 90 year old occupant safely from the apartment where the fire started.  Additionally, residents alerted neighbors of the fire on the first floor ensuring everybody got out unscathed prior to the arrival of MCFRS units. 

Firefighters worked quickly in containing and extinguishing the bulk of the fire while at the same time evacuating several residents from the adjoining buildings.  In addition, one dog was located inside the structure unconscious, rescued, and subsequently revived.  A cat in the fire apartment was located but had succumbed to its injuries.

During operations two (2) firefighters sustained, and were treated for, minor injuries.  There were no injuries to residents.  Approximately seventy-five (75) firefighters responded to the fire.

Approximately eleven (11) residents were displaced from ten (10) apartments. Damage was estimated at $700k to the structure and $300k to the contents. The fire is believed to be accidental and likely electrical in nature.

Firefighters will be returning to the Leisure World community today at 1 pm to conduct “After the Fire” outreach activities that include speaking with residents as well as checking their smoke alarms.

Radio Communication Drill

By: Battalion Chief Mark Davis

Units in the lower part of the 1st Battalion got in a little radio communications drill yesterday (3/2/15) afternoon at the Forest Glen Metro Station. Fire Stations 1, 2, and 19 along with Truck 716, Battalion Chief (BC) 702, and BC701 ran three exercises at the underground Metro station simulating a failure of the normal radio communications system - thus having to resort to a "radio-relay" system using portable radios. The Forest Glen Station is located in Fire Station 19's (Montgomery Hills) response district and is one of the deepest stations in the United States.

Today's radio relay drill sent companies on a "scavenger hunt" for information in the station that had to be relayed via radio back to the command post located in the Metro Station's parking lot. While some might find this training not as exciting as stretching hose lines or cutting up cars - it is very important training because the radio relay could be the last line of communications in a major incident in the Metro system.

Many thanks to Captain Blinkhorn (Fire Station 1-A Shift) for coordinating the event. Many thanks also to WMATA for providing an emergency management representative on site to help out as well.

Silver Spring House Fire

Montgomery County, MD - - -  At approximately 9:05 AM on Sunday, January 11 fire and rescue units from MCFRS were dispatched for a house fire at 9711 Admiralty Drive, Silver Spring. First arriving units reported fire and smoke showing from the basement windows of a one story single family home.

As the fire appeared to be well advanced, due to portions of the first floor having already been burned through, Incident Command requested that a Rapid Intervention and Task Force assignment be dispatched bringing additional units and personnel to the scene. Approximately 75 firefighters total responded to the scene.

Fire Investigators proceeded to conduct an origin and cause investigation that determined the fire originated in the ceiling void space of the basement. This continuous void space in the ceiling area allowed for extensive fire spread prior to the fire being discovered by a neighbor, as the occupants were not home, who noticed smoke coming from the house.

The cause of the fire is listed as accidental. Three adults were displaced as a result of the fire which caused $200K of damage to the structure and $50K to the contents. Two cats were missing an unaccounted for.

Photos of fire can be found HERE

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A Close Call

By: Lt. Robert Furst

On Friday, December 26 at approximately 1 PM, MCFRS Firefighters were dispatched to a report of a house on fire.  Units arrived on scene and found a fence on fire - which we quickly extinguished before it reached the house.

Improper disposal of fireplace ashes caused this homeowner's fence to burn. The fire nearly spread to their house.

Please remember to discard your ashes in a metal container and store that container on a non-combustible surface.  A few related safety tips here: Fireplace and Wood Burning Safety.  See below for an example of a metal container.

Firefighter making sure fire is out

An example of a good metal container.

Santa's Little Helpers

By: Battalion Chief Mark Davis

Firefighters from Fire Station 19 (Montgomery Hills) C-Shift helped deliver Santa Saturday to some very excited children at the Calvert Baptist Church. Many Fire Departments throughout the Country help out Santa through the holiday season by delivering him to many special places - MCFRS is no different. Some good work in the community 19 - C!