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

Find the Pedestrian! Where?

Exactly! It's almost rush hour and it's going to especially be challenging for pedestrians. Snow piles can make navigating streets and intersections dangerous for both pedestrians and drivers. Many pedestrians may be difficult to see and crosswalks challenging to navigate. Drivers should take extra care when turning corners with snow piles that may limit visibility.  

Be especially careful around bus stops and transit centers where there is increased pedestrian traffic. 

Post blizzard conditions can mean increased risk for pedestrians. Hats, hoods, earmuffs and scarves can interfere with the ability to see and hear traffic. Make sure your peripheral vision is clear and pay attention and don't be distracted by cell phones. 

Pedestrians should wear brightly colored clothing so drivers can see you, especially in times of poor visibility, and use reflective clothing or stickers for maximum visibility.

While many sidewalks are still not cleared, we remind all pedestrians to do their best to stay off plowed roadways.

If you must walk in the street, walk against the flow of traffic and as close to the curb as you can. Before you step off the curb, make sure oncoming cars and trucks have come to a complete stop. Due to poor road conditions, motorists may have difficulty stopping at traffic signals or slowing down for pedestrians who have the right of way. 


Always be on the lookout for vehicles that may have lost traction and are slipping toward you. Be aware that approaching vehicles may not be able to stop at crosswalks or traffic signals. Streets and parking lots may be temporarily blocked for snow removal operations. Drivers and pedestrians need to yield to snow removal equipment and staying off your phone and focused on the roads could just save your life. 

We made it this far --- let's all work together and make sure everyone gets where they are going safely! 

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!

9 Tips to Keep Your Pets Safe in the Winter

You’re probably already aware of the risks posed by warm weather and leaving pets in hot cars, but did you know that cold weather also poses serious threats to your pet’s health? As activities resume following the blizzard, below are some tips to keep your pets safe during cold weather:

1. Stay inside. Dogs and cats should be kept inside during extremely cold weather. Many people

believe that dogs and cats are resistant to cold weather because of their fur but that’s not the case. Like people, dogs and cats are susceptible to frostbite and hypothermia and should be kept inside. Longer-haired and thick-coated dog breeds, such as huskies and other dogs bred for colder climates, are more tolerant of cold weather; however no pet should be left outside for long periods of time in below-freezing weather.

2. Wear a jacket. If you plan on being outside for longer periods with your dog, be sure that he can handle the cold. Some dog breeds have thick coats that are made for cold weather. If your dog has a thinner coat, consider buying them a sweater or jacket.

3. Check paws. Wipe off paws after coming inside. Whether your dog’s paws have collected salt, sand, or clumps of snow, it’s important to clean them immediately when coming inside. Some salts or de-icing chemicals can burn your dog’s paws.

4. No Frozen Dinners. Fresh water is vital for maintaining your pet's health. Keep an eye on food and water bowls and make sure any outdoor bowls haven’t frozen.

5. Avoid ice. When walking your dog, stay away from frozen ponds, lakes and other water and always keep a leash on your dog. If your dog breaks through the ice it could be deadly. And if this happens and you instinctively try to save your dog, both of your lives could be in jeopardy.

6. Keep an ID tag on your pets. It is easier for pets to become lost during the winter months when snow and ice cover up scent trails that they use to find their way home.

7. Road Hazards. Keep a close eye on your pets when they head outside. Pets are naturally curious and this can be especially dangerous when there are harmful chemicals outside. Antifreeze is one of the most common toxicities that affect dogs and outdoor cats. If ingested, antifreeze can be deadly.

8. Pet-estrian Safety. Many sidewalks are still snow covered. Take extra care when walking your best friend and keep all dogs on leashes to ensure their safety.

9. Emergency Preparedness. Just as you plan for your family’s emergency/disaster supply kit, be sure to include your pet’s needs. This kit should include your pet’s medical records, water, food, medications and a fully stocked pet first aid kit.

Promotions

MCFRS is pleased to announce the following promotions.  

The following personnel have been promoted to the rank of Battalion Chief:

• Erik R. Couse

The following personnel have been promoted to the rank of Captain:

• Samuel E. Villani

The following personnel have been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant:

• Eric P. Wengryn

The following personnel have been promoted to the rank of Master Firefighter:

• Andrea C. Sudjapun
• Joseph J. Chronowski 
• Joshua I. Kurland
• Yann Le Renard

Congratulations and be safe in your new assignments!