At 1720 hours, Rescue Squad 14 and Chief 14A (McCoy) were alerted to southbound I-95 at the Capitol Beltway for the personal injury accident. Engine Company 41 arrived and reported they had a tractor-trailer on fire with the cargo type unknown.

Rescue Squad 14 arrived and went to work opening up the trailer to check for extension. Using a metal cutting saw, the squad crew opened up the side of the trailer and found boxes of styrofoam cups burning. Chief 14A, running the call as the 6th Battalion Chief, was assigned “Water Supply” and coordinated a primary water supply from a hydrant located above I-95 on Cherry Hill Road.

In total, three engines, one rescue squad, a special call for a tanker from Howard County, a hazardous materials assignment, and two ambulances operated on the call. The incident shut down southbound I-95 during rush hour for an extended period of time. Rescue Squad 14 was ready for service at 1844 hours.

With the Maryland State Firemen’s Convention in Ocean City, MD in full swing and many of our members attending, the dedicated Berwyn Heights Volunteers were still able to provide dedicated staffing for the truck, rescue squad and ambulance.

At 1709 hours, Truck 14, Rescue Squad 14, and Ambulance 148 responded to a reported apartment fire in the Empirium Village Apartment Complex (formerly Springhill Lake). Company 14 arrived on scene in the 9100 block of Springhill Lane with nothing showing from a three-story garden apartment. Upon further investigation, smoke was found in the basement utility room and a small fire was found next to a transformer. The fire was quickly knocked down with a water can, no extension was found, utilities were controlled, and Company 14 was held for ventilation. Units went ready at 1722 hours.

The month of June has brought 4 cut jobs and 4 working fires so far in the first 12 days. The following is a list of these incidents.

6/1 - Extrication
East West Highway / 44th Ave
6/5 - Townhouse Fire
7000blk Palamar Turn
6/7 - Extrication
University Blvd / Rhode Island Ave
6/7 - Apartment Fire
8600blk Flower Ave
6/8 - House Fire
7500blk Hopkins Ave
6/10 - Extrication
5800blk Ammendale Rd
6/10 - House Fire
4900blk 71st Ave
6/12 - Extrication
BW Parkway / Capitol Beltway

At 0257 hours, Rescue Squad 14 was dispatched to northbound Baltimore Washington Parkway at the Capitol Beltway for the personal injury accident. The squad arrived to find a car off the road into a drainage ditch with one trapped, and immediately started extrication efforts. After stabilizing the vehicle and removing glass, the driver's side doors and B-post were removed to provide patient access. The patient was loaded into an ambulance and transported to a local trauma center. Rescue Squad 14 was ready for service at 0331 hours.

At 0911 hours, Truck 14 was alerted to the 7500 block of Hopkins Avenue, in College Park, for a reported basement fire. First arriving units reported smoke showing from a two-story, Cape Cod style dwelling and reported a fire in the basement.

Truck 14 arrived and found heavy fire in the basement. The interior crew conducted a search, ventilated, and opened up for the engine companies. The exterior crew threw ground ladders, cut metal bars from numerous windows, and ventilated.

The fire was brought under control within 20 minutes with no reported injuries. Truck 14 was held for overhaul and cleared at 1110 hours.

At 0052 hours, Rescue Squad 14 was alerted to University Boulevard and Rhode Island Avenue, in front of Station 11 (Branchville), for the motor vehicle accident with multiple people trapped. Rescue Squad 14 arrived and went to work. After stabilizing the vehicle, the squad crew removed two doors and a B-post from the SUV. The patients were removed from the vehicle and transported to local trauma centers. Rescue Squad 14 was ready for service at 0121 hours.

At 2115 hours, Truck 14 was alerted as the second due truck to the 7000 block of Palamar Turn, in Company 48’s area, for a townhouse fire with people trapped. First arriving units reported they had smoke showing from an end of the row townhouse.

Truck 14 with 7 volunteers, Chief 14 (Fusco), and Chief 14A (McCoy) arrived on scene and immediately went to work. Truck 14’s crew searched, ventilated, and threw multiple ground ladders. Chief 14 was assigned “Side C”. Chief 14A was assigned “Rescue Group”. The fire was quickly knocked, contained to the kitchen, and all searches turned up negative. Truck 14 was ready for service at 2147 hours.

At 0843 hours, Rescue Squad 14 was alerted to the Baltimore Washington Parkway at Riverdale Road for the motor vehicle accident. Rescue Squad 14 arrived to find one trapped in a vehicle that rolled over and rested on all four wheels. The squad crew arrived, stabilized the vehicle, and removed two doors and a B-post to extricate the patient. Rescue Squad 14 was ready for service at 0903 hours.

This was the 7th extrication of the month for Rescue Squad 14.

May 2 – 9500blk Rhode Island Ave
May 7 – Baltimore Ave / Hamilton St
May 10 – 9200blk New Hampshire Ave
May 15 – I-495 / New Hampshire Ave
May 17 – BW Parkway / NASA
May 21 – I-95 / Baltimore Ave
May 31 – BW Parkway / Riverdale Rd

At 2211 hours, Truck 14 was alerted to the 7800 block of Walker Drive for the automatic fire alarm. Truck 14 arrived to find nothing showing from an office building, but was alerted by a frantic building worker that there was heavy smoke on the second floor. Truck 14 notified Communications of this information and requested the box alarm.

With the box alarm enroute, including Rescue Squad 14, Chief 14 (Fusco), Chief 14A (McCoy), and Chief 14B (Kitchen), the truck crew encountered heavy smoke on the second floor and started a search. While conducting the search, a fire was found in a computer server room and was quickly extinguished. The assignment was quickly scaled back, ventilation was completed, and Company 14 was ready for service at 2312 hours.

At 1430 hours, Rescue Squad 14 and Chief 14A (McCoy) were dispatched to the innerloop of the Capitol Beltway at Baltimore Avenue for the personal injury accident. After going enroute, Communications upgraded the assignment to one trapped, and Battalion Chief 6 arrived shortly later and reported people trapped in two separate vehicles.

Rescue Squad 14 with 8 personnel arrived, split their crew, and started extrication efforts on both cars, and Chief 14A was assigned “Extrication”. Crew #1 removed two doors and a B-post to extricate the driver of an SUV, whose vehicle had rolled over and landed on its wheels. Crew #2 removed two doors and a B-post to extricate the driver of a car that collided with a Jersey Wall. Both patients were transported to local trauma centers and Rescue Squad 14 was ready for service at 1506 hours.

Rescue Squad 14 made a trip to Andrews Air Force Base on the morning of Wednesday, May 13th to welcome home one of our members, Matthew Dwyer. Matt joined BHVFD in 1997, and joined the United States Marine Corps in 1999. Matt is now a Captain in the USMC, and also a Pilot of the V-22 Osprey which made the trip from New River, North Carolina for the air show. Members were able to get a few pictures with the V-22 Osprey when it landed.

The Berwyn Heights VFD would like to thank Andrews Air Force Base and the Andrews Air Force Fire Department for allowing us to get these shots.

At 1322 hours, Rescue Squad 14 was dispatched to northbound Baltimore-Washington Parkway at Greenbelt Road for the personal injury accident. Engine Co. 35 arrived, reported the correct location to be just south of the NASA exit, advised they had one trapped, and switched units over to an alternate channel.

Rescue Squad 14 arrived shortly later and went to work. On size up, they found a car that went off the road and struck a few trees, leaving a passenger trapped. The squad crew stabilized the vehicle and removed the glass. Next, both passenger-side doors and B-post were removed to provide patient access. The patient was packaged in a stokes basket, carried up a hill, loaded into an awaiting ambulance, and transported to a local trauma center. Chief 14A (McCoy) had the Command on his arrival. Rescue Squad 14 was ready for service at 1351 hours.

At 1103 hours, Rescue Squad 14 was alerted to Montgomery County for the personal injury accident on the outerloop of the Capitol Beltway at New Hampshire Avenue. Units from Montgomery arrived and advised they had one trapped in a vehicle that went off the road. Rescue Squad 14 arrived and removed a door to extricate the driver. The patient was transported to a local hospital and Rescue Squad 14 was ready for service at 1129 hours.

Prince George’s County Department of Parks and Recreation recently held Big Bubba’s Fishing Rodeo at Lake Artemesia in Berwyn Heights. Kids ages 5-10 along with their parents were able to fish, have fun, and learn more about nature. Deputy Chief McCoy and Firefighter Prievo attended the event on behalf of the Berwyn Heights VFD, providing first aid and transport services if needed. The weather was nice and all who participated had a great time.

At 1800 hours, Rescue Squad 14, Chief 14A (McCoy), and Chief 14B (Kitchen) responded to Baltimore Avenue and Hamilton Street for the personal injury accident with reports of one trapped. Engine Company 7 arrived first and reported they had one trapped. The units from 14 arrived and immediately went to work. Chief 14A assumed Command, and Rescue Squad 14 stabilized the vehicle and removed the driver’s door to provide patient access. The patient was quickly extricated and transported to a local trauma center. Rescue Squad 14 was ready for service at 1815 hours.

At 1230 hours, Rescue Squad 14 and Chief 14A (McCoy) along with a technical rescue assignment responded to Parkdale High School in the 6000 block of Good Luck Road for a police officer who fell into a large hole behind the school. The police officer was chasing a suspect when the ground suddenly dropped off and the officer fell into it.

On arrival, Chief 14A was assigned the “Recon Group” with Rescue Squad 14. After assessing the scene it was determined not to be a confined space, but rather a below-grade rescue. Rescue operations were started utilizing the available equipment from Rescue Squad 14. This included miscellaneous rope, equipment, and hardware. Access was obtained utilizing a 24’ extension ladder. The patient was secured to a backboard and packaged in a stokes basket. A rescue system comprised of a 3:1 mechanical advantage system, along with a tag line and safety line were utilized to safely remove the patient from the ravine. The officer was transported to a local trauma center and Rescue Squad 14 was ready for service at 1319 hours.

The Berwyn Heights VFD wishes the police officer a full and quick recovery from the injuries he sustained.

At 1344 hours, Rescue Squad 14 and Chief 14A (McCoy) were alerted to northbound Baltimore Washington Parkway at the Capitol Beltway for the personal injury accident. The units from 14 arrived and Chief 14A established Command. On size up, a minivan was found on its side with multiple patients. Command requested additional ambulances and medic units, assigned the “Triage Group” to the officer from Rescue Squad 14 (Lt. Byrd), and assigned the “Transport Group” to a member from Rescue Squad 14 (Sgt. Norris). In total, nine patients required transport to area trauma centers. Rescue Squad 14 was ready for service at 1425 hours.

At 1448 hours, Rescue Squad 14 was alerted to the 9500 block of Rhode Island Avenue for the personal injury accident with reported one trapped. Rescue Squad 14 arrived first, found a SUV head on into a tree with one trapped, and established the "Rhode Island Avenue Command". The squad crew stabilized the vehicle, and removed two doors and a B-post to extricate the driver. The patient was loaded into an awaiting ambulance and transported to a local trauma center. Rescue Squad 14 was ready for service at 1506 hours.

At 1218 hours, Rescue Squad 14 and Truck 14 (on the air at the time) were alerted for the report of one trapped at Baltimore Avenue and Greenbelt Road. Units arrived to find a Jeep Cherokee resting precariously on top of a Porsche Boxster that had its convertible roof retracted with one pinned. Rescue Squad 14 arrived and stabilized the vehicles. The squad crew used Paratech struts, built a box crib, and married the two vehicles with ratchet straps to stabilize the vehicles. Once stabilized the patient was able to safely be removed from the vehicle. Rescue Squad 14 was ready for service at 1249 hours.

At 0312 hours, Rescue Squad 14 and A/Chief 14B (Sinon) were alerted to the 8000 block of Muirkirk Road for the motor vehicle accident. Units arrived to find a single vehicle that went off the road, and struck two trees and a utility pole. The collision ejected four occupants and left two deceased on scene. Rescue Squad 14 assisted treating and packaging patients for transport to a local trauma center. A third occupent passed away at the hospital, and two others were transported in critical condition. Rescue Squad 14 cleared the scene at 0340 hours.

At 1131 hours, Rescue Squad 14 was alerted to the 8400 block of Adelphi Road for the motor vehicle accident. Units arrived to find one trapped. Rescue Squad 14 arrived, stabilized the vehicle, and removed the doors and roof to extricate the patient. Rescue Squad 14 was ready for service at 1204 hours.

At 2118 hours, Box 14-09 was sounded for the apartment fire in the 6100 block of Springhill Terrace, located in the recently renamed and revitalized Empirian Village Apartment complex (formerly Springhill Lake). Rescue Squad 14, Chief 14 (Fusco), and Chief 14A (McCoy) marked on scene shortly later with a three-story garden apartment with nothing showing. Upon entering the building, the squad crew found smoke coming from apartment #301, forced entry, and located fire in a bedroom. Chief 14 established Command and Chief 14A was assigned Division 3.

As the engine companies advanced their lines, Rescue Squad 14 completed the primary search of the third floor with negative results and held the fire in check with a water can. The fire was completely extinguished a short time later, a primary and secondary of the entire building was completed by the squad with negative results, and the assignment was scaled back to 2 and 2 within 15 minutes. Rescue Squad 14 was ready for service at 2219 hours.

At 1334 hours, Rescue Squad 14 and Chief 14A (McCoy) were alerted to Landover Road and John Hanson Highway for the motor vehicle accident. Units arrived to find an SUV that rolled down an embankment with seven people still inside.

Rescue Squad 14 arrived and immediately started extrication efforts, while Chief 14A was assigned “Rescue” by Command. After stabilizing the SUV, the squad crew removed four doors and the roof with Rescue Squad 33. All patients were transported to local trauma centers and Rescue Squad 14 was ready for service at 1440 hours.

In the past two nights, Rescue Squad 14 has responded to two fatal vehicle accidents. The first one occurred at 0146 hours on April 5th when Rescue Squad 14 was alerted to Baltimore Avenue and Sheridan Street. Units arrived to find a serious collision involving an SUV that struck two different utility poles, rolled over, and impacted a concrete wall with wires down on the vehicle. The driver of the vehicle was found ejected and determined to be DOA. Rescue Squad 14 remained on scene for the electric company to secure the power lines, provided scene lighting during the police investigation, and cleared the scene at 0349 hours.

The second accident occurred at April 6th at 0246 hours when Rescue Squad 14 and Chief 14A (McCoy) responded to the innerloop of the Capitol Beltway at Baltimore Avenue. Units arrived to find an SUV overturned with no entrapment, but multiple patients injured in the accident. One patient was determined to be a trauma code, transported to a local trauma center, and later died at the hospital. Four others were transported to a local trauma center with various injuries. Chief 14A had “Command” and Rescue Squad 14’s officer was in charge of the “Rescue Group”. The units from 14 cleared the scene at 0341 hours.

At 1416 hours, Rescue Squad 14 was alerted to Kenilworth Avenue and Crescent Road for the personal injury accident. Ambulance 359 (Greenbelt) was on scene reporting they had one trapped in an accident they came upon.

With Truck 14 in the area doing drivers training, they were added to the call. The squad and truck arrived and started stabilizing the vehicle. Once stabilized, all doors and the roof were removed. With the driver’s legs still pinned, the spreaders were used to lift the dash. The patient was removed from the vehicle, loaded into an awaiting ambulance, and transported to a local trauma center. Rescue Squad and Truck 14 were ready for service at 1433 hours.

At 1030 hours, Rescue Squad 14 and Chief 14A (McCoy) responded to southbound I-95 at the Capitol Beltway for the vehicle accident with one trapped. While enroute, Chief 11A (Smith) advised he had one trapped on the outerloop of the Capitol Beltway at Cherry Hill Road.

Rescue Squad 14 arrived on scene and immediately went to work. After stabilizing the vehicle, the squad crew removed two doors, a B-post, and the roof to provide patient access. The driver was loaded into an awaiting ambulance and transported to a local trauma center. Rescue Squad 14 cleared the scene at 1041 hours.