Rescue Squad 14, Chief 14A (McCoy) and Chief 14B(Kitchen) responded on this multi-vehicle accident on northbound Interstate 95 in the area of Sandy Spring Road. The accident occurred just as snowfall started and left a driver of on vehicle heavily pinned. The rescue squad crew removed all four doors and the roof, and lifted the dash to free the trapped occupant. Extrication was completed in under 10 minutes from the time Rescue Squad 14 arrived on scene and the patient was transported to a local trauma center.

At 1506 hours, Truck 14 was alerted on the Street Alarm (2 & 1) for the report of a shed on fire. Engine Company 11 (Branchville) arrived to find a one-story dwelling with heavy smoke showing and filled out the box. Truck 14 arrived just behind them, located a fire in quadrant B of the home, completed the primary and secondary search, and ventilated. The driver, tillerman, and laddermen on the exterior threw ladders to the roof, and ventilated vertically and horizontally. Engine Company 11 quickly extinguished the fire and the assignment scaled back to 11 and 14. Truck 14 cleared at 1650 hours.

Rescue Squad 14 removed a door at Kenilworth Avenue and Westchester Park Drive to remove a trapped occupant. The patient was transported by Ambulance 148 to a local hospital.

At this point in the manufacturing process, the aerial ladder has been mounted on the trailer, and the trailer has been connected to the tractor. BHVFD Apparatus Committee members will soon be making the trip to Clintonville, Wisconsin to conduct the final inspection at Seagrave.

Fire in the basement of a single-family dwelling. Chief 14A (McCoy) had the Command, Chief 14B (Kitchen) had the Basement Division, and Rescue Squad 14 (3rd due special service) was the Rapid Intervention Team.

As units were operating on a separate vehicle accident on southbound I-95 with one trapped in a car on fire, Rescue Squad 14 was alerted for one trapped on northbound I-95. Rescue Squad 14 arrived and found one trapped in an SUV on its side which was resting in a drainage ditch. The squad crew stabilized the vehicle by using a picket anchoring system, ratchet straps, wood cribbing and airshores. The roof of the SUV was then removed and the patient was extricated.

Rescue Squad 14 extricated two patients from this car by removing two doors. Chief 14A (McCoy) had the Command.

Here are some pictures of the progress of Berwyn Heights VFD's new Seagrave Tractor Drawn Aerial being manufactured in Clintonville, Wisconsin. The ladder truck is coming together well and should be completed in February.

Recently, PGFD Chief Eugene A. Jones presented Emergency Service Awards to members of the Berwyn Heights VFD for two separate incidents.

Making the first award presentation Fire Chief Jones stated, “On Saturday, October 17th 2009 at 0847 hrs, Prince George’s County Public Safety Communications dispatched Box Alarm 14-12 for an apartment on fire with people trapped at 5925 Cherrywood Terrace, which is located in Empirian Village Apartment complex (formerly known as Springhill Lake). The first arriving unit, Truck 814, reported heavy fire showing from the second floor and immediately asked for a second alarm to be transmitted. Due to the early morning hour of a weekend day, the Truck crew quickly encountered several residents who were trapped on balconies and in the interior stairwell of the first and second floors. Without hesitation and without the protection of a charged hand-line, the crew from Truck 814 rescued seven occupants from the fire building. Your actions are held in the highest tradition of the fire service and are commendable.”

Emergency Services Awards were presented to the following personnel:

The second award presentation to members of Berwyn Heights was for their challenging extrication of a victim trapped by his vehicle after being ejected and being partially submerged under water. While making this presentation Chief Jones stated, “A full sized SUV had traveled off a ramp from the Capitol Beltway Route 495 to Interstate 95 approximately 100’ into a 25’ deep ravine. The SUV overturned and then came to rest in approximately four feet of standing water. A teenage male patient was trapped beneath the SUV and partially submerged underwater. The patient was only visible from the neck up. Surrounding the ravine, were several trees and a dense brush which prevented initial access for all providers. Once stabilization of the vehicle was complete, a crew member entered into the water and began to work beneath the water to extricate the patient. This was a particularly difficult task. Volunteer Fire Fighter Kevin McVey, who was operating the Amkus equipment under the water, had to feel for the victim and then feel for the proper place to cut. Prior to making his cuts, he had to hold the victim away from the blades of the cutters to ensure he did not cause any further harm to the patient. The teen-aged patient was extricated and transported to a trauma center in critical condition.”

The following personnel were presented with Emergency Services Awards:

Rescue Squad 14 removed two doors and B-post to extricate a trapped occupant of this car involved in a motor vehicle accident that was up against a guard rail.

Congratulations to Berwyn Heights Volunteer Firefighter Dave Cooper on graduating from the District of Columbia Fire Department's Recruit School. Firefighter Cooper was in DCFD Recruit Class 360, and has been appointed to Engine Company 32 located in the Southeast quadrant of the city in the Garfield community. Many BHVFD members were on hand for the graduation.

Around noon, Truck 14 and Chief 14A (McCoy) were alerted to 6227 Springhill Court in the Empirian Village Apartment Complex (formerly known as Springhill Lake) for smoke in the building. Truck 14 found an electrical panel on fire in the basement of the three-story, garden apartment. Although the fire was quickly extinguished, many residents required temporary shelter arrangements due to the loss of electrical power. Chief 14A had the Command.

Truck 14 was alerted on the Fire Task Force (2 engines and 1 special service) at 4017 Hamilton Street (WSSC Building). Units had fire in the basement of a large commercial building.

Around 1530 hours, Rescue Squad 14 was alerted to Baltimore Avenue and Van Buren Street in Riverdale for the motor vehicle accident. Engine Company 7 arrived to find two vehicles with one subject trapped in each vehicle. Rescue Squad 14 arrived, split crews, and removed a door off each vehicle. The patients were quickly extricated and transported to a local trauma center.

Rescue Squad 14 was dispatched at 1054 hours to New Hampshire Avenue and University Boulevard for the motor vehicle accident with people trapped. The squad crew arrived, stabilized the vehicle, and removed two doors to extricate the trapped occupants. Rescue Squad 14 was ready for service at 1132 hours.

Rescue Squad 14 removed two doors and B-post to extricate trapped occupants in this car involved in a motor vehicle accident.

Rescue Squad 14 was alerted to the Baltimore Washington Parkway at the exit to NASA for the motor vehicle accident with one trapped. The squad crew extricated the patient from the car and returned to service at 0821 hours.

Rescue Squad 14 was alerted for one trapped at Kenilworth Avenue and Pontiac Street, in Company 14's first-due. One patient was extricated and transported to a local trauma center. Rescue Squad 14 was ready for service at 0144 hours.

Truck 14 specialed as an additional truck company on top of an initial box alarm (4 engines, 2 trucks, and 1 rescue squad/truck) and fire task force (2 engines and 1 rescue squad/truck) at 2343 hours. Ready for service at 0210 hours.

At 0941 hours, Truck 14 and Chief 14A (McCoy) responded to 3414 Rutgers Street for the house fire. Truck 14 arrived, threw ground ladders to side C, and conducted the primary search in the basement with negative results. The fire was quickly knocked down, the assignment was scaled back, and Truck 14 was released at 1008 hours.

At 0309 hours, Truck and Rescue Squad 14 were alerted on the third alarm to 6822 New Hampshire Avenue for the building fire. Units on scene had a large commercial retail store with heavy fire showing, and Command ordered exterior operations with master streams from the beginning. Chief 14 (Fusco) responded on the run as well, and Company 14 cleared the scene at 0631 hours.

At 1303 hours, Rescue Squad 14 was alerted to East West Highway and Taylor Street for the motor vehicle accident with one trapped. Rescue Squad 14 arrived, stabilized the vehicle, folded back the roof and removed a door from the convertible vehicle. The patient was transported to a local trauma center and Rescue Squad 14 was ready for service at 1320 hours.

At 1004 hours, Rescue Squad 14 and Ambulance 148 were alerted to Kenilworth Avenue and Pontiac Street for the personal injury accident with one trapped. Rescue Squad 14 arrived, stabilized the vehicle, and removed two doors, a B-post and the roof to extricate the driver. Ambulance 148 transported the patient to a local trauma center and Rescue Squad 14 was ready for service at 1024 hours.

Two members from the Truck Committee traveled to Seagrave Fire Apparatus, LLC in Clintonville, Wisconsin to check on the progress of the new tractor drawn ladder truck. At this point, the cab of the new truck is nearing completion and the trailer is being constructed. One final inspection is planned in the upcoming months and delivery is anticipated in January 2010.

At 1344 hours, Rescue Squad 14 was alerted to Riverdale Road and Veterans Parkway for the motor vehicle accident with one trapped and spilled diesel fuel. Rescue Squad 14 arrived, stabilized the vehicle, removed both doors and the roof, and lifted the dash to extricate the patient. The squad was held to assist Hazmat 30 and Hazmat Support Unit 41 due to a ruptured saddle tank from a tractor-trailer involved in the accident. Rescue Squad 14 was ready for service at 1513 hours.

At 1350 hours, Rescue Squad 14 was requested as the second rescue squad to Quarterhorse Drive and Fletchertown Road for the motor vehicle accident with three confirmed trapped. Since Rescue Squad 14 only had two career personnel onboard due to the ambulance being on a call, Rescue Squad 14B was added to the call with five additional personnel.

When they arrived, both rescue squads found a mini van that was bent in half over the site of a concrete drainage area. First, the crew placed air shores, built a wood box crib, and secured the front mounted winch from Rescue Squad 14 to stabilize the vehicle. Next, the roof was removed to provide patient access. The patients were removed from the vehicle and Company 14 was ready for service at 1511 hours.

At 2334 hours, Rescue Squad 14 was alerted to northbound Baltimore Washington Parkway at the Capitol Beltway for one trapped in an overturned vehicle. The squad crew arrived, stabilized the car, and removed the driver’s door to extricate the patient. Rescue Squad 14 was ready for service at 0004 hours.

Several Berwyn Heights VFD members, Rescue Squad 14, and hundreds of firemen from the DC metropolitan area attended the funeral service for Fred Perry. Fred was a life member at PGFD Company 40 (Brandywine) and Firefighter Technician at DCFD Truck Co. 13 (Trinidad). Rescue Squad 14 took part in the funeral procession to the cemetary that followed the service. The Berwyn Heights VFD would like to extend our condolences to the family and friends of Fred Perry during this difficult time.

House Fire - 10/27/09
8415 Flower Ave
RIT

Extrication - 10/29/09
Edmonston Rd / Sunnyside Ave
Extricate 1

Extrication - 11/6/09
Sandy Spring Rd / Sweitzer Ln
Extricate 1 (2nd Rescue Squad)

The Berwyn Heights VFD encourages all residents to CHANGE the batteries in their smoke alarms when they set their clocks back one-hour on November 1st. After replacing the old battery with a new one, CHECK your detector to ensure it is working by pressing the safety test button. Next, COUNT the smoke alarms in your home. In Prince George's County, you are required by law to have at least one working smoke alarm in the hallway directly adjacent to sleeping areas. Finally, CLEAN your smoke alarm by using a vacuum cleaner once a month to ensure the smoke alarm remains sensitive. If your smoke alarm has been painted over or is 10 years or older, replace the smoke alarm.

With a flood of phone calls coming into Public Safety Communications reporting an apartment fire with people trapped at 5925 Cherrywood Terrace, Company 14’s red direct line rang alerting Truck 14 to respond. Without delay, the box alarm was dispatched at 0848 hours.

Truck 14 with 8 volunteers arrived on the scene within minutes and Truck 14's OIC (Captain Kiernan) reported fire showing from the second and third floors of a three-story, garden apartment with people jumping and obvious rescues necessary. The second alarm was immediately requested. Chief 14A (McCoy) arrived seconds behind Truck 14, established Command, and requested the EMS Task Force. Chief 14 (Fusco) arrived shortly after, Command was transferred to him, and Chief 14A switched to Operations.

On their arrival, Truck 14’s laddermen immediately started rescuing occupants hanging out of windows and balconies from multiple locations due to the high heat and heavy smoke conditions that filled the building. On the third floor, a 30’ ground ladder was thrown where a women was holding an infant out of a window in apartment #301. Firefighter Heiney rescued the young child, and without hesitation, scaled the ladder twice more to rescue a female and male from the same window. Adjacent to these rescues, Firefighter Piper threw a 24’ ground ladder to the balcony of apartment #301 where another male was trapped. The man was assisted onto the ladder and rescued from the balcony. After making these rescues individually from two separate ladders, both Firefighters Heiney and Piper rescued a 400-plus pound male from apartment #201 by pulling him out a window. Finally, while Probationary Firefighter Badali did a 360° check of the building, he was alerted by citizens of trapped occupants on the balcony of apartment #204 on side Charlie. He threw a 20’ ground ladder and assisted a male and female to safety.

On the second floor, the barman and hookman forced entry into apartment #201 from the inside to conduct a search under heavy fire conditions and found two females trapped on the balcony with heavy smoke issuing from their apartment. A 12’ ladder was quickly thrown to the balcony, and both were rescued. After these rescues were made, the barman and hookman continued searching apartments.

The fire quickly extended to the cockloft despite an aggressive interior attack from the engine companies. The truck driver and tillerman extended the 106’ aerial and cut two trench cuts to prevent fire extension to the remainder of the apartment building. Additionally, the roof team operated a hose line to limit fire spread.

For a short period of time, Operations ordered an evacuation to account for all firefighters. Companies soon reentered and the fire was knocked down without ever switching to master stream operations. The fire was contained to apartments #201, #202, #301, and #302, and placed under control around the 45 minute mark.

In total, two full alarms operated while an additional alarm staged. Nine citizens were transported to the hospital with two in serious condition from burns sustained in the fire. Additionally, one firefighter was transported to the hospital with minor burns.

Truck 14 was held to assist with the investigation, overhaul, and salvage, and cleared the scene at 1353 hours.

At 2320 hours, Company 1 (Hyattsville) was alerted to a crash at East West Highway and Toledo Terrace. When they arrived on scene, they found two cars approximately 200 feet apart from each other with both drivers pinned. Company 1's officer requested two rescue squads to the scene, which alerted Rescue Squads 14 and 22 (Cheverly).

Rescue Squad 14 arrived on the scene and began extricating victim one, who was in the most serious condition. The squad crew removed four doors and the roof, and rolled the dash to free the victim. At this time, Rescue Squad 22 arrived on the scene and began to work on the second car. Rescue Squad 14 then assisted Rescue Squad 22 with the second extrication. Both victims were extricated within 15 minutes and Rescue Squad 14 cleared at 0010. Chief 14A (McCoy) had "Extrication".

Just after clearing a motor vehicle accident on the Baltimore Washington Parkway at Powder Mill Road, Rescue Squad 14 was alerted to the 4600 block of Naples Avenue, in Beltsville, for the house fire. Engine Company 31 arrived to find fire showing from the first and second floor of a single family dwelling. Rescue Squad 14 arrived soon after and threw five ground ladders, conducted the primary search of the basement and first floor, and opened up. The fire was quickly placed under control. One firefighter received minor burns, and was treated and released from the hospital. Rescue Squad 14 was ready for service at 0645 hours.

Truck 14 was alerted at 1159 hours as the first-due truck to 3400 block of University Boulevard for the house fire with people trapped. The truck crew found fire in the basement, conducted the primary search with negative results, threw multiple ground ladders, and ventilated. The fire was quickly knocked and Truck 14 was ready for service at 1314 hours.

Rescue Squad 14 was alerted at 0535 hours to University Boulevard and Stadium Drive for the car into a pole. Rescue Squad 14 removed the doors and roof to extricate the patient. Rescue Squad 14 was ready for service at 0603 hours.

Truck 14 and Chief 14 (Fusco) were alerted for the house fire in the 5100 block of Lackawanna Street at 0033 hours. Truck 14, dispatched as the first-due truck, found fire in the bathroom, threw ground ladders, and ventilated. The fire was quickly knocked and Truck 14 was ready for service at 0212 hours.

Rescue Squad 14 and Chief 14 (Fusco) were alerted at 0117 hours to the motor vehicle accident with one trapped in the 9800 block of Cherryhill Road. Rescue Squad 14 removed the doors and roof, and pushed the dash to free the trapped occupant. Rescue Squad 14 was ready for service at 0145 hours.

Engine Company 35 was alerted for the local alarm at 7401 Greenbelt Road, the Jaspers restaurant, for the fire alarm. They arrived on scene with fire showing from the roof and filled out the box at 0510 hours. Truck 14 arrived and found fire in the kitchen with extension to roof. Chief 14A (McCoy) had Command. Truck 14 was ready for service at 0709 hours.

Truck 14 was alerted at 1706 as the first due truck for fire in the basement of a house at 7900 block of 18th Avenue. The truck crew conducted the primary search, threw ground ladders, and ventilated. Truck 14 was ready for service at 1853 hours.

Just after clearing the accident on Rhode Island Avenue, Rescue Squad 14 and Chief 14 (Fusco) were alerted to the area of Dover Lane and Elbrook Road for the house fire at 2110 hours. While units were enroute, Communications provided a correct address of 7504 Dover Lane. Engine Company 13 arrived and reported fire showing from the attic. Rescue Squad 14 arrived and was assigned Rapid Intervention. To aid in the safety of firefighters operating on the interior, the squad crew threw five ground ladders, cleared out numerous windows, and controlled the gas service at the meter. The fire was quickly knocked and Rescue Squad 14 was ready for service at 2203 hours.

At 2045 hours, Rescue Squad 14 was alerted to Rhode Island Avenue and Fox Street for the motor vehicle accident with reports of one trapped. Engine Company 11 arrived first and confirmed they had one trapped on the service road adjacent to Rhode Island Avenue. Rescue Squad 14 arrived moments later and started stabilizing the vehicle. Next, the driver’s side doors, B-post, and the roof were removed to provide patient access. The driver was removed from the vehicle and transported to a local trauma center. Rescue Squad 14 was ready for service at 2108 hours.

Truck 14 was dispatched to the 5800 block of Baltimore Avenue for the building fire at 1755 hours. Units went on scene with smoke showing from a large vacant auto body shop. Fire was found in the building, and after an initial interior attack, Command ordered units switch to exterior operations. Truck 14 was assigned the RIT and was ready for service at 1953 hours. Photo courtesy of FirehouseGuy.

At 1640 hours, Truck 14 and Chief 14B (Kitchen) was alerted on the Street Alarm to the 6700 block of Village Park Drive for the report of someone pouring gasoline around his house. While enroute, Communications upgraded the assignment to a Box Alarm for the report of smoke coming from the residence. First arriving units went on the scene with smoke showing from the garage. Truck 14 arrived, threw ground ladders to side C of the townhouse, ventilated, and checked for extension. The fire was quickly knocked and placed under control. Chief 14B had "Interior". Truck 14 was ready for service at 1734 hours. Photo courtesy of PGFDFire.com.

Just before 3 AM on Saturday morning, Rescue Squad 14B, Chief 14 (Fusco), and Chief 14A (McCoy) were alerted to the innerloop of the Capital Beltway in the area of northbound I-95 for the motor vehicle accident. First arriving units advised they had one car off the roadway and one pinned under the vehicle. As Rescue Squad 14B arrived, they found an SUV, 20-30 yards down an embankment in a drainage ditch, overturned, and on its side. The two passengers had both been ejected from the vehicle, however, the SUV had rolled over pinning one patient under the vehicle in 2-3 feet of standing water.

Rescue Squad 14B faced many challenges stabilizing the vehicle. Wood cribbing was used but repeatedly became dislodged because of the water. Struts were placed on the clean side of the car to keep the SUV from moving further. However, again the water made stabilization difficult since the bases of the struts were on unstable ground under water.

With Rescue Squad 14 transferred to Company 8 (Seat Pleasant) and clearing a call on the Beltway, Chief 14A advised Communications to start them to the scene for the use of their winch. Rescue Squad 14 arrived on the scene in 10 minutes, and was able to position to use the front winch to assist in vehicle stabilization.

With the patient pinned under the SUV and submerged with only his head above water, crews had to make several difficult cuts to the roof and A-post of the vehicle with the hydraulic tools completely submerged under water. After making these difficult cuts, pressure was relieved off the patient’s chest, and the trapped subject was removed from under the vehicle. Extrication took 32 minutes from the time Rescue Squad 14R arrived on scene, and the patient was flown by Maryland State Police Trooper 2 to Shock Trauma in Baltimore, MD in critical condition. Rescue Squad 14B, Rescue Squad 14, Chief 14, and Chief 14A cleared the scene at 0427 hours.

With two donated cars available and many new members yet to complete their in-house training, 15 volunteers headed over to the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute (MFRI) in College Park, MD to take part in three scenarios. Scenario 1 involved a basic evolution with removing the doors and roof, and pushing the dash of a car on all four wheels. Scenario 2 involved a car resting on the hood of another car. Finally, Scenario 3 was an advanced evolution with a light pole resting on the roof of a car. Both rescue squads were brought to MFRI for the training, and Rescue Squad 14R remained in-service and ran two calls during the training.

After running two small fires earlier in the day, Rescue Squad 14 was alerted to Kenilworth Avenue and Decatur Street for the personal injury accident at 1838 hours. Engine Co. 7 (Riverdale) was already on scene and reported they had one trapped. Rescue Squad 14 with 8 volunteers arrived and started stabilizing the vehicle. With the front passenger in the car trapped and no access to that side due to the position of another vehicle, the driver’s side doors and B-post were cut and the roof was removed to provide patient access. The patient was removed from the car and transported to a local trauma center. Rescue Squad 14 was ready for service at 1902 hours.