42nd Annual Public Safety Awards Luncheon

Last week, MCFRS Leadership and members were honored to have attended the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce’s 42nd Annual Public Safety Awards Luncheon.

The annual event is an opportunity for the community, colleagues, families, and officials to honor first responders from the various public safety agencies that serve Montgomery County.

This year MCFRS had several outstanding individuals recognized for efforts in emergent situations as well as recognition for life long service. Those that received recognition were:

Chief Leslie B. Thompson Community Service Award: Awarded to Fire and Rescue Chief John W. Hartley, Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad, for his lifelong devotion to the fire and rescue community over the past 66 years.

Bronze Medal: Ocean City Water Rescue - Awarded to Master Fire Fighter/Rescuer Timothy Beatty of Montgomery County Fire and Rescue.

Honorable Mention: Collision on I-495 Split at I-270 - Fire Fighter Rescuer III Meghan Quinn and Fire Fighter Rescuer II Wyatt Smith of the Glen Echo Volunteer Fire Department.

To get further information on how each individual earned their award, please go here:
http://www.mcccmd.com/staging/42nd_Annual_Public_Safety_Awards.pdf

Below are some photos from the event courtesy of Ed Tenney, MCVFRA Photographer.

Keep The Luck Of The Irish Alive. Don't Drink And Drive!

Celebrating St. Patrick's Day tomorrow with an adult beverage? Make sure you plan ahead and either have a designated driver or call WRAP's SoberRide. Information below.

New Public Safety Training Academy Campus Progress

By: Michael Clemens
Assistant Chief (Ret) MCFRS

After months of hard work, the new Public Safety Training Academy is starting to look like a campus. Total completion is still several months away but we have come a long way since the ground breaking in February of 2015.

Below is a series of photos highlighting just how far we have come in the process.  

In the photo below, and to the left, siding has been put on the police shooting range building exterior. At the center, and a little green in color, is the Academic Building for both police (MCP) and fire (MCFRS). The MCFRS offices are on the second floor on the left while MCP will be on the first floor just below. A lobby area will be in the center and all classrooms are on the right of the building.

The multi-use Cityscape Structure Training area is going up in this photo. The school structure on the right is framed up. This will look great in the weeks to come.

Next up is the MCP’s Canine Training Building which is starting to take shape though the roof membrane is not installed yet. That should be happening soon. 

Below, the arch between the gym and parking garage coming from the front plaza area is up.  It will hold the rolling gate swipe card gate going to the back building and areas.

The High Bay and Fire Training Support Building is getting the interior painted. In addition, the balconies are getting installed along with lights, heating equipment and ventilation this week. The areas within the structure will be made to look like store fronts, a townhouse, and apartment building. There will also be storage and site support equipment on the other side of this building.

Siding completed on the High-Bay. Trim and doors next. 

In this photo we can see that the six story fire building (on the left) is half way up. This will be used for simulated fires and other emergencies in a high-rise building. Next to it is the single family burn structure that is almost complete.

Elevator installed in the lobby of the Academic building. It is becoming cleaner and less dusty inside. They are cleaning to make it ready for the fiber installations next month and painting. Second floor balcony location over the lobby below.

Look for another update soon! Right now, the estimate is the new training complex will be in sometime in late August for the beginning of fall classes.

Germantown Townhouse Fire Injures Eight Firefighters

At approximately 1 a.m. on Monday, March 14 MCFRS Units responded to the 19300 block of Churubusco Lane in the Germantown area of Montgomery County. First arriving units reported heavy fire and smoke showing from a middle of the row townhouse.

Firefighters engaged in firefighting operations and initial indications were all occupants of the home were safely out. A short time later, there was a concern that one occupant was missing and perhaps still in the home. Search and rescue operations were quickly initiated.

During the search and rescue operations, a partial collapse of the front of the structure occurred trapping eight firefighters and triggering a “Mayday” alert for all on scene. The “Mayday” was short lived as the firefighters either self-rescued or were quickly assisted to safety.

All eight firefighters were transported to area hospitals with a variety of non-life threatening injuries. Eventually, all eight firefighters were treated and released.

It was later learned that all occupants had successfully evacuated and were safe.

The fire reached Three Alarms and a total of approximately 120 firefighters were on the scene.

Due to the extensive damage to the home, Fire Investigators are still working to determine the cause of the fire. Resources from the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms Bureau, Montgomery County Department of Transportation, Montgomery County Police, Anne Arundel County Fire and Rescue (K9) and Annapolis City Fire Investigations Office.

Damage totals are not available at this time but the townhouse will be a total loss. There was also damage to adjoining homes which will result in a total of 20 people being displaced. Red Cross is assisting those displaced.

Townhouse Fire and Wall Collapse 19300 block of Churubusco Lane

Video of wall collapse onto firefighters from townhouse fire this morning 19300 block of Churubusco Lane.

Eight firefighters sustained non-life threatening injuries. Seven of the firefighters have been treated and released. One firefighter suffered more significant injuries (non-life threatening) and is still being evaluated and treated at this time.