News Archive 2004

Search RVFD

 
Fire Through the Roof In Company 28's Area - December 30, 2004 - Aerial Tower 31 was dispatched at 1452 hours for the report of fire from the roof of the house in the 7400 block of Lake Kairine Terrace, in box area 2820. Having arrived on the scene with a working fire, initial units requested the safety and task force assignment, bringing Truck 3, Rescue Engine 33, and Engine 31. The fire originating in a recessed lighting fixture extended through the ceiling and into the attic and roof.

Door Pop At Wootton Parkway -December 27, 2004 – Ambulance 339, Medic 259, Rescue Engine 33, Rescue Squad 29, and Engine 231 were dispatched for a personal injury collision between an van and a Honda CRV at Wootton Parkway and Tower Oaks Boulevard. Chief 3-1 and Ambulance 339 arrived first on the scene to find one trapped in the CRV. Engine 231 and Ambulance 339 stabilized the vehicle for extrication. Rescue Engine 33's crew extricated by removing the driver’s door. Rescue Squad 29 assisted by setting up lighting. Medic 259 transported the driver to the hospital as a priority 2 trauma.
T-Bone Collision Causes Entrapment - December 26, 2004 – At 2037 Ambulance 38, Rescue Engine 33 and Engine 311 were dispatched for a personal injury collision at the intersection of Route 28 and Shady Grove Road. Ambulance 38 arrived on scene at Darnestown Road and Shady Grove Road to correct the location and report a two car T-bone collision with entrapment. The Public Safety Communication Center automatically added Medic 39 to the dispatched and Chief 3-4 responded to take command. Engine 311 pulled a handline in order to apply foam over the substantial fuel leak from the collision and Rescue Engine 33 stabilized the vehicle. Rescue Engine 33 then performed a sidewall removal of the passenger side of the vehicle, allowing access to the patients. Both Medic 39 and Ambulance 38, with a medic onboard, transported priority 2 traumas to Suburban Hospital Trauma Center in Bethesda, Maryland.
Single Car Collision Traps Driver - December 23, 2004 - Rescue Engine 33 was dispatched this morning, at 0538 hours, to assist with one trapped at Airpark Road and Shady Grove Road, Company 28's area. Engine 281 and Ambulance 289 arrived on scene to find a single car that had run off the road, hit the guard rail, knocking over a light poll, and trapping the driver. Rescue Engine 33's crew arrived on scene and finished the side wall removal of the drivers side and removed the "B" post and rear door on the passengers side for patient access. Montgomery County police shut down Airpark Road between Shady Grove Road and Woodfield Road so that the driver of the Nissan Altima could be flown to Suburban Hospital Trauma Center by Maryland State Helicopter Trooper 8.
Townhouse Fire Sends Rockville Units To Gaithersburg - December 21, 2004 - Engine 311, Trucks 3 and Truck 31 responded, at 1840 hours, to the 19100 block of Stedwick Drive, box area 0804, for the report of smoke coming from the townhouse. Units arrived on scene to report fire showing from the rear of a middle row townhouse. Gaithersburg Engine 281 stretched a line to the first floor, finding heavy fire in the living room, while Germantown Engine 291 stretched a second line to the second floor to attack the extension. Units from Rockville assisted the other companies with extinguishing the fire, search and rescue, and salvage and overhaul. Additional Rockville units on the safety and task force dispatches included Engine 231, Rescue Engine 33, Aerial Tower 23, and Chief 3-2.
Two Trapped and Four Traumas In Aspen Hill - December 19, 2004 - At 1400 hours Rescue Engine 33 was dispatched along with numerous other Montgomery County Fire & Rescue units to the intersection of Bel Pre Road and Homecrest Road, Kensington VFD Company 25's area, for the traffic collision with one trapped. Battalion Chief 4 and Company 25 units arrived on the scene to find a three vehicle collision with two trapped, four traumas, and three priority three BLS patients. Command was established by Battalion Chief 4 and additional ALS medic units, BLS ambulances, manpower pieces, and two helicopters were requested. Wheaton Volunteer Rescue Squad 29 was the first arriving extrication unit and began extrication on the silver Honda Accord, while Rockville Volunteer Fire Department Rescue Engine 33 arrived next, taking the brown Nissan Pathfinder. Rescue Engine 33's crew removed the driver's side door of the Pathfinder, freeing the driver. The driver of the Pathfinder was transported as a priority two multi-system trauma by Rockville Medic 239 to Suburban Hospital Trauma Center in Bethesda, Maryland, while the passenger was transported as a priority two extremity trauma by Maryland State Police Helicopter Trooper 8 to Medstar Trauma Center in Washington, D.C.

The passenger of the silver Accord was immediately removed from the vehicle and transported as a priority one multi-system trauma by Maryland State Police Helicopter 3 to Children's Hospital in Washington, D.C. After Wheaton Volunteer Rescue Squad 29 completed extrication of the silver Accord, the driver was also transported as a priority one multi-system trauma by Trooper 8 to Medstar Trauma Center. Three additional patients in a black Nissan sedan were transported by Kensington Ambulances 219 and 258 to Holy Cross Hospital Emergency Department.

Units included Rockville Volunteer Fire Department Rescue Engine 33 and Medic 239; Wheaton Volunteer Rescue Squad Rescue Chief 2- and Rescue Squad 29; Kensington Volunteer Fire Department Engine 251, Truck 25, Medic 259, and Ambulances 219 and 258, Sandy Spring Volunteer Fire Department Medic 49; Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Battalion Chief 4 and EMS1.

Car Crashes Into Metro Right of Way - December 18, 2004 - Ambulance 238, Rescue Engine 33 and Engine 31 were dispatched at 1258 hours to the intersection of N. Campus Drive and Hungerford Drive for the traffic collision. While enroute, units were advised they now had reports of two people ejected, with one on the Metrorail tracks. Company 3 units arrived on the scene to find a car that had crashed into the Metrorail right of way, with no one ejected. However, after initial evaluation the driver was determined to be a priority two trauma by mechanism. Rescue Engine 33 stabilized the car and Chief 3-3 had the tracks shutdown while personnel worked on the scene.

Click here for more pictures.

Large Gas Leak In King Farm - December 15, 2004 - At 1343 hours ,Engine 31, Rescue Engine 33, and Truck 29 were dispatched for a broken outside gas service. Upon arrival, E31 found a 2” high pressure gas main had been severed by construction crews, causing strong gas concentrations within a 1 block radius of the break. Engine 31 requested to fill the hazmat box alarm bringing a full alarm in addition to all of the Hazardous Incident Response Team units.  Gas concentrations were present in some surrounding buildings, requiring that all occupied apartments adjacent to the break be evacuated and commercial occupancies about 1 block away be monitored. It took Washington Gas Company personnel about 45 minutes to shut off the main. Buildings were again checked for gas prior to units being released.

Units from Rockville included Engines 31 and 311, Aerial Tower 23, and Ambulance 38.

Working Basement Fire In Gaithersburg - December 14, 2004 - At 2216 hours units from Rockville Volunteer Fire Department were dispatched to the 400 block of N. Frederick Ave for the report of multiple calls for heavy smoke in the building. Aerial Tower 8 arrived on the scene to find a working basement fire and requested the safety dispatch. Company 8 units were able to control the fire in the basement , while crews from Rockville checked for extentsion on the floors above and backed up Company 8 units.

Units from Rockville included Engines 311 and 31, Truck 31, Chiefs 3-1, 3-2, and 3-3.

Auto Fire Catches Blockbuster On Fire - December 11, 2004 - An auto fire caught a Blockbuster Video store on fire this afternoon. At 1519 hours, Engines 231 and 311, Truck 31, and Chiefs 3-2 and 3-3 responded to 18314 Contour Road, in box area 0812. Engine 81 arrived on scene to find a fully involved auto, extending into the shopping center. Units extinguished the auto and the extension, remaining on scene for about an hour for salvage and overhaul.

Late Afternoon Kitchen Fire - December 10, 2004 - At 1719 hours units from Rockville were dispatched to Honey Brook Lane, box area 0823, for the townhouse fire. Initially dispatched as an Automatic Home Fire Alarm, the Public Safety Communications Center received multiple additional calls reporting smoke coming from the townhouse at the same address. Engine 81 arrived on the scene to find a working fire in the first floor of a two story townhouse. Beginning in the kitchen, Company 8 was able to contain the fire to the residence of origin.

Units from Rockville included Engines 31 and 311, Truck 31, Aerial Tower 23, Medic 319 and Chief 3-1.

Basement Fire In Washington-Grove - December 8, 2004 - At 2237 hours, units were dispatched to the 300 block of Grove Road, box area 0807, for the report of smoke coming from the house under construction. Battalion Chief 5 arrived on the scene to find smoke showing from the basement. Gaithersburg Company 8 units quickly extinguished the fire, while units from Rockville checked for extension and ventilated the upper floors.

Units from Rockville included Engines 31 and 311, Rescue Engine 33, Aerial Tower 3, Truck 31, and Chiefs 3-2 and 3-4.

One Trapped On Wootton Pkwy - December 7, 2004 - Medic 239, Rescue Engine 33 and Engine 31 were dispatched for a personal injury collision between an SUV and a small sedan at Wootton Parkway and Tower Oaks Boulevard. Arriving first, the on-duty DFRS safety captain - Safety 1, reported one trapped and requested a second ambulance. Chief 3 and Ambulance 88 responded. Rescue Engine 33's crew extricated by removing the B post and popping the door. The passenger of the sedan was transported to Suburban Hospital Trauma Center as a priority 2 multi-system trauma. The driver of the sedan had minor injuries and was also transported to Suburban Hospital by Ambulance 88. The driver of the SUV was not injured.

Germantown Townhouse Fire - December 7, 2004 - Rockville units were dispatched at 1218 hours to the 19900 block of Choctaw Court, in box area 2922, for the townhouse fire. Company 29 units arrived on scene reporting heavy smoke showing and immediately called for the safety and task force assignments. The fire originating in the kitchen, burned a hole in the second floor, and then extended into the roof. One firefighter from Company 29 was injured and transported by Medic 319 after falling through a hole in the second floor. Although no people were inside the townhouse, a resident made a failed attempt to enter the structure and rescue the two dogs still trapped inside.

Units from Rockville included Engine 311 and 31, Rescue Engine 33, Truck 31, Aerial Towers 3 and 23, Medic 319, Hose Tender 3, and Chief 3-3.

Saturday Trash Fire Stinks - December 4, 2004 - At 1355 hours units responded to 16101 Frederick Road, in box area 0322, for reported fire at the Montgomery County Waste Transfer Station. Chief 3-1 arrived on scene to report smoke showing from the main transfer building. Upon entering the structure units found fire on the tipping floor that had extended to a trailer. the fire on the floor was quickly controlled, while the trailer was pulled out of the structure and extinguished by Aerial Tower 23. Fire & Rescue personnel were on scene for a little over an hour.

Units from Rockville included Rescue Engine 33, Aerial Tower 23, Chief 3, Chief 3-1, and Chief 3-2.

Leaking Propane Tank Causes Three Alarm Fire - December 3, 2004 - A leaking propane tank and a series of explosions caused a three alarm fire today in Rockville Company 23's area. At 0912 hours units were dispatched to 11710 Parklawn Drive, box area 2302, for the report of the cabinet shop on fire after multiple explosions. Engine 231 arrived on scene and reported heavy fire showing. Due to a number of propane-powered explosions upon arrival of fire and rescue personnel, a defensive operation was immediately established. In total three alarms were called to the warehouse to extinguish the blaze.

No one was hurt in the fire at the North Bethesda Industrial Center; everyone managed to escape on their own. There were no workers at the business where the explosion occurred, and people at adjacent firms were able to safely evacuate. The businesses inside the warehouse included the Asian American Arts Center, STW Millwork and Design, and a furniture store. At this time the blaze is not considered to be suspicious in nature. Damages are estimated to be at least $4 million.

Units from Rockville included Engines 231, 31, 331; Rescue Engine 33, Aerial Tower 23, Hose Tender 3, Utility 31, Canteen 3, Chief 3 and Chief 3-4.

See this story featured on Firehouse.com

Upper Montgomery VFD Firefighter Killed in Iraq - December 1, 2004 - Rockville Volunteer Fire Department would like send its condolences to the family and friends of Corporal Kirk Bosselmann of Sniper Battalion 1/8 Marines USMC who was killed in Fallujah, Iraq on November 29, 2004. Kirk joined the Upper Montgomery Volunteer Fire Department in December of 2000.

Busy Day Begins With Fatal Parking Garage Collapse- November 29, 2004 - Units from Rockville had a busy day today. Between responding to a parking garage collapse, a serious collision and the additional smells, bells, and EMS calls, Rockville personnel did not get a break.

•At 0903 hours personnel from the Montgomery County Urban Search and Rescue Team, as well as other Montgomery County units, were dispatched to the National Institute of Health for the report of the parking garage collapse. Rockville Station 31, home of the USAR Team, and numerous other units from Rockville responded to the 9000 block of Rockville Pike, where a six story parking garage under construction collapsed, pinning one worker. USAR dogs, trailers, and apparatus were brought to the scene to help sift through the debris. Several people were rescued earlier by firefighters, however the worker pinned was found dead hours after the collapse by USAR Team members. Construction of the garage began in September of 2003 and was supposed to finish in March.. In addition, all off duty USAR personnel were called back and consolidated at the Public Safety Training Academy, while volunteer personnel back filled the voids left by the activated USAR team.

•At 1243 Medic 39 and Rescue Engine 33 responded to the intersection of Midcounty Highway and Shady Grove Road for a Personnel Injury Collision with one unconscious. Company 28 units arrived on scene to find a five vehicle collision involving a trash truck, with one priority one trauma trapped in her vehicle. Rescue Engine 33 quickly extricated the patient, who was then flown by Maryland State Police Helicopter 3 to an area trauma center.
Back to Back Trap Jobs For Rescue Engine 33 - November 24, 2004 - At 1756 hours, Medic 239, Rescue Engine 33, Engine 231, and Chief 3 responded to 1327 Rockville Pike for one trapped in front of the Sunshine Square Shopping Center. Rescue Engine 33 arrived on the scene and removed the front door of the vehicle, allowing EMS crew access to the patient. Just after popping the door and removing the patient, Engine 311 and Medic 319 arrived on the scene at Darnestown Road and Great Seneca Highway to find one trapped. Rescue Engine 33 quickly packed its tools and went enroute to the other trap job at 1811 hours. Chief 3 and Rescue Engine 33 arrived on the scene to assist Company 31 units with a side wall removal. Extrication was performed quickly and the patient was removed from the vehicle.
Small Chimney and Roof Fire Occupies the Afternoon- November 21, 2004 - At 1302 hours, units were dispatched to the 11800 block of Beekman Place, in box area 3307, for a house fire with the report of the chimney and roof on fire. Ambulance 339 arrived on scene to find the chimney on fire with extension into the roof. Truck 3 was able to make it up the narrow driveway to the house and ladder the roof, allowing crews to control the fire easily with a handline up the ladder. Units from Rockville included Engine 31, Truck 3, Ambulance 339, and Chief 3-2.
Rush Hour Traffic Traps One - November 18, 2004 - A rush hour T-bone collision trapped one and sent a total of two people to the hospital. At 1832 hours, Medic 39, Rescue Engine 33, Engine 31, and Chief 3-4 responded to the intersection of Edmonston Drive and Grandin Ave for the report of one trapped. Units arrived to indeed find one trapped after a T-bone collision. Rescue Engine 33 pulled the striking vehicle from the one needing extrication, the passenger-side door was removed and both patients were extricated from the vehicle and transported to an area hospital by Medic 39.
Pumping Gas Can Be Hazardous to Your Health - November 15, 2004 - At 1908 hours, units were dispatched for the report of a pedestrian struck at the Sunoco Gas Station at 790 Hungerford Drive, in company 3's area. Ambulance 38 and Rescue Engine 33 arrived on scene to find a priority 1 male after being hit by his car as it was backing up. Personnel conducted a rapid trauma assessment and immobilized the patient while waiting for Medic 239 to arrive. The patient was transported to Suburban Hospital Trauma Center in Bethesda, MD and later flown by medivac helicopter to Shock Trauma in Baltimore, MD.
Evening Apartment Fire in Gaithersburg - November 14, 2004 - At 2047 hours, Engine 31, Rescue Engine 33 and Truck 31were dispatched to the 7900 block of Spiceberry Circle, in box area 2811. Gaithersburg Engine 281 arrive on the scene and reported fire showing from the first floor apartment. The safety dispatch was immediately sounded, bring Engine 311 to the scene as well. The fire was contained to the room of origin and was extinguished quickly. Rockville units remained on scene for about an hour.
Friday Evening Collision Traps One; Sends Three to Hospital - November 12, 2004 - Moderate rain and wet leaves provided the right equation for busy night in Rockville. At 2006 hours, Units were dispatched to the intersection of E. Gude Drive and Norbeck Road, company 3's area, for the report of a personal injury collision with entrapment and three unconscious. Chief 3-1 arrived to find a single car wrapped around a pole with three semiconscious patients, one of which was trapped. Rescue Engine 33 stabilized the car and extricated the driver through a side wall removal. EMS units evaluated the three patients and down graded all from priority 2 to priority 3. All occupants of the vehicle were transported to Shady Grove Hospital. Units from Rockville included Engines 31 and 231, Rescue Engine 33, Medic 39, and Chiefs 3-1 and 3-2.

Ambulance 38 Assists With Multi Vehicle Accident - November 8 , 2004- On Monday afternoon, at 1510 hours, Ambulance 38 was dispatched to the 2600 block of Norbeck Road for a multi-vehicle collision with entrapment. In all, four vehicles were involved, including a pickup truck carrying five construction workers, a flat bed tractor trailer and two other automobiles. Seven of the eight individuals in the vehcicles were injured and transported to area hospitals. Assisting with air transport of the three traumas were US Park Police Eagle 1 and Maryland State Police Trooper 2. Ambulance 38 transported one to Montgomery General Hospital for a routine check up after the collision.

Photo Courtesy of KVFD

Companies 23 and 33 Run Fire In North Bethesda - November 3, 2004 - At 1525 hours, Engine 231 and Medic 239, as well as other Montgomery County Fire Rescue units, were dispatched to the 5700 block of Luxenburg Street for the report of carpet on fire in the apartment (Box area 2606). First arriving units arrived on scene to report fire in the master bedroom of apartment 401. Engine 231 established command until the arrival of Chief 200. Additional Rockville units included Chief 3-1 and Engine 331 on the safety dispatch.
Two Pedestrians Struck - November 1, 2004 - At 1521 Rockville units were dispatched to the intersection of Monroe Street and Mount Vernon Place for two pedestrians struck. Battalion Chief 5 and Company 3 units arrived on scene to find two teenage males struck by a car after being involved in a personal injury collision with another vehicle. Both teenagers were flown as priority two multi-system traumas to Children's Hospital in Washington, DC by Maryland State Police Helicopter Trooper 8. A third patient, the driver of the sedan, was treated for minor injuries, but refused transport to the hospital.
U.S. Marshall Shoots Navy Seaman - October 28, 2004 - At 2034 hours Ambulance 238, Medic 39, and Engine 231 were dispatched to the Mid Pike Plaza shopping center at 11800 Rockville Pike for the report of one shoot. After the scene was secured by police, Company 23 arrived on scene to find a car into the shopping center with a priority 1 adult male after being shoot. Medic 39 transported the patient to Suburban Hospital Trauma Center, where he was declared dead upon arrival.
Gaithersburg Basement Fire - October 21, 2004 - A house filled to the top with belongings provided a challenge for Montgomery County firefighters. At 0800 hours, units from Rockville responded to the basement fire at the 18900 block of Blue Heron Lane, in box area 0808. Battalion Chief 5 and Gaithersburg Company 8 units arrived on the scene to report a two story single family home with smoke showing. Units were able to extinguished the fire, which had originated in the laundry room, and keep the extension from the basement to a minimum. Unfortunately due to the wall to wall storage of personal belongings, an extensive overhaul operation was required. Units from Rockville included Engines 31 and 231, Rescue Engine 33, Aerial Tower 3, Truck 31, and Medic 319.

Bethesda House Fire - October 12, 2004 - At 0735 hours, Engine 231 and Aerial Tower 23 were dispatched for the house fire in the 4900 block of Cloister Drive, in box area 2001. Bethesda Fire Department Engine 201 arrived on the scene to report fire in the second floor bedroom. Engine 201 extinguished the fire quickly and Company 23 units went in service after about a hour.

Two Alarm Fire Causes $3.5 Million In Damages - October 10, 2004 - A second alarm fire kept Rockville firefighters busy for over four hours on Sunday morning. At 1104 hours, units from Rockville and Kensington were dispatched to Randolph Medical Building at 4701 Randolph Road, in box area 2101. Engine 211 arrived onscene to report smoke showing from three rooms on the top floor. Aerial Tower 18 immediately went to the top floor and confirmed a working fire with extension into the roof. After an aggressive attack, dealing with heavy smoke conditions, a partial roof collapse, and the unusual construction of the building, firefighters were able to fully extinguish the fire. The building's significant void spaces and multi-layered roof allowed for considerable extension and a sizable overhaul operation. Fire investigators determined the fire was accidentally caused by a fan in a third floor restroom. The structural damages are estimated at $1.5 million, with $2 million in content damages. Units From Rockville included Engines 231 and 31, Rescue Engine 33, Aerial Tower 23, Trucks 3 and 31, Medic 239, and Chief 3-1.
Car Fire Extends Into House - October 8, 2004 - At 1647, units were dispatched to the 12500 block of St. James Rd, in box area 3310, for the automobile on fire in the carport. Engine 331 arrived on scene to report heavy smoke showing with extension into the two story home. E331 was able extinguished the auto and the bulk of the extension. Units from Rockville were Engine 331, 31, and 311, Rescue Engine 33, Trucks 3 and 31, Ambulance 339, Medic 319, Utilities 3 and 31, and Chief 3-1.