'Cat Stuck In A Tree' Call

By: Lieutenant Rob Furst

On September 16th, 2015, a concerned resident called Fire Station 12. They spoke with the officer in charge stating that they knew that this was an "old school" request, but they would like help getting their cat down out of a tree. 

PE712 proceeded to the address to find a distraught resident whose cat had been missing for a day. The distressed feline was located approximately 30 feet off of the ground in the bifurcated trunk of a tree. The crew of PE712 and the resident were able to persuade the cat to come down to an area that was accessible with a roof ladder. Upon returning to the ground, the cat was reunited with its grateful owner.

Although these service calls are not common, we strive to be a customer service driven organization.

Related Story: Puppy stuck in pipe for hours freed by MoCo responders

Mark Your Calendars - Upcoming Fire Department Open Houses

Open House events are free and will feature many exciting activities including tours of the station, fire safety activities, educational information/handouts, demonstrations of emergency equipment and much more. Please visit the fire station’s website or call for a complete listing of activities planned.

Germantown VFD - Saturday, September 19; from 11-3 at Station 29
20001 Crystal Rock Drive, Germantown, MD

Bethesda FD - Saturday, September 26; from Noon - 3:30pm at Station 6
6600 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, MD

Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad - Saturday, October 3; 11 am - 4 pm
5020 Battery Lane, Bethesda, MD 20814

UPDATED Burtonsville VFD - Saturday, October 17; from 12 – 3 pm at Station 15
13900 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD

CANCELED Sandy Spring VFD – Sunday, October 4 at Station 40
16911 Georgia Ave., Olney, MD

Takoma Park VFD - Sunday, October 4; from 10 am - 5 pm at Station 2
7201 Carroll Ave., Takoma Park, MD 20912

Upper Montgomery County VFD - Sunday, October 4; from 1 to 4 pm at Station 14
19801 Beallsville Road, Beallsville, MD

Chevy Chase FD - Saturday October 10; from 10am to 3pm at Station 7
8001 Connecticut Avenue, Chevy Chase, MD

Cabin John VFD – Sunday, October 11; from 10-4 at Station 10
8001 River Rd. Bethesda, MD 20817

Gaithersburg - Washington Grove VFD - Sunday October 11; from 1000 to 1600 at Station 8
801 Russell Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD

Kensington VFD - Sunday, October 11; from 12-4 at Station 5
10620 Connecticut Avenue, Kensington, MD

Glen Echo FD - Sunday, October 18; 11 am to 2 pm at Station 11
 5920 Massachusetts Avenue, Bethesda, MD

Hillandale VFD - Sunday October 18; from 12pm-4pm at Station 12  Station 24 
13216 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD

Wheaton Volunteer Rescue Squad - Sunday October 18 from 1100-1600
2400 Arcola Ave., Wheaton, MD 20902

Hose Testing Time

By: Lieutenant Robert Furst

One of the more mundane activities that we must participate in during the year is hose testing. Although it is not glamorous, hose testing is an important undertaking that we must perform yearly. During the test, all of the hose on the fire engine is removed, inspected, and filled with water. The hose is then pressurized to the correct test psi. During the test period the hose is monitored for leaks and excessive stretching. If the hose fails the test, it is removed from service. The hose that passes is repacked on the fire engine.

Unit Citations

Today, Fire Chief Goldstein had the privilege to preside over two Unit Citation presentations at Fire Station #31.

The presentations were for two separate challenging vehicular crash incidents that occurred on the same day: June 25, 2015.  Both plaques are in the photo book below describing the events and highlighting personnel who responded.

Please also find a video of the live feed we shot during the first presentation.

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.