Spring Is In The Air And A Firefighter’s Fancy Turns To - Training!

By: Captain Rick Triplett
       Fire Station 23/A-Shift

When winter sets in, it makes it almost impossible to get out under practical conditions to prepare our personnel to become fire apparatus drivers. This is critical as all personnel must undergo a rigorous training program and testing process in order to be allowed to drive fire trucks in MCFRS.

We have two firefighters on the shift training to be an engine driver and two training to become aerial tower drivers. So when it’s 60 degrees on a Sunday all the personnel from Rockville Station 23/A-Shift took advantage of the warm weather to train.

All 11 personnel of the shift went out to pull hose lines and flow water between the engine and aerial tower to assist in the training of these future fire apparatus drivers. As well, we also took the opportunity to practice scaling buildings with the aerial tower ladder.

A great training opportunity for some to learn new skills and others to brush up on their current skill sets.

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.

Fatal Collision on River Road

A little before 7 p.m. on Saturday, February 27 MCFRS Units were dispatched for a report of a motor vehicle collision with entrapment at the intersection of River Road and Pyle Drive, in Bethesda. First arriving units found a two vehicle collision, one of which was off the roadway in a ditch, with several people trapped in one vehicle. 

Several others were injured including passerby good Samaritans who were injured attempting a rescue prior to MCFRS arrival. Initially there were at least 5 injuries.

An EMS task force was quickly requested and responded to the scene. This brought a total of 12 fire and rescue units to the scene.

It was determined that three of the trapped occupants, two adults and one teenager, had succumbed to their injuries on scene. The fourth, believed to be a teenage female, was extricated and transported to a local trauma center with life threatening injuries. Several others were transported with non-life threatening injuries. 

The Montgomery County Police Collision Reconstruction Unit was called to the scene to conduct an investigation.

MCFRS Units that were on the scene; C741, BC702, EMS701, E710, T710, RS741, A710, A741B, M741, M741D, M730, PE706.

Photos from the scene below. Montgomery County Police have put out a Press Release with an update: Fatal Collision on River Road Investigated

Training To Save Our Own

By: Captain Pedro Meneses
       Fire Station #15 A-Shift

This past Thursday (February 25) units from Company 15 (Burtonsville) trained on "Saving your own", forcible entry and hoseline management. They performed as they would in a real emergency and executed drills that were as realistic as we could get by with out actually burning.

Everyone did a great job and demonstrated a high level of proficiency while executing the drills.

Photos and video below.

MCFRS And MCP Partner On New Command Unit

By: Steve Lamphier
      Manager, Fleet Section

The County received an Urban Area Security Initiative grant for a “command post” that will be jointly operated by the MCFRS and the Montgomery County Police Department (MCP).  A team of MCFRS and MCP worked with the vendor, Frontline Communications, to design and manufacture a vehicle that incorporates current technologies related to ground radio, satellite, and cellular communications and allows for incident command of the both mundane and unique emergencies faced by today’s first responders.

The team completed a ”mid-point” inspection this week.  It allowed the team to check progress, ensure the vehicle was being built to the County’s requirements, and check the quality of the manufactured vehicle.  The inspection also allowed the team to visualize the unit for purposes of creating a training plan.

The vehicle will be completed in early April and receive a final inspection.  The team will receive operational training at that time also.  It will be delivered to the County shortly thereafter.

Check out below to see the progress!

New Command Post