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.