February  Top 5 Responders: 42 Calls

1.  Capt Jason Eckstine, 37 Calls

2.  FF Nick Bonhage, 29 Calls

3.  FP Ed Woods, 27 Calls

4.  Lt Terry Martin, 26 Calls

5.  FF James Nicol, 24 Calls

On February 19th, Truck 27 transferred to HFD Truck 1 while the City of Hagerstown Fire Department had its annual awards banquet.  While transferred, Truck 27 ran two calls: the first a CO detector sounding call with a sick patient; the second a chimney fire at 309 South Potomac Street.  Engine 10-2's crew had interior operations while Truck 27 laddered the roof of the structure.  The chimney fire was extinguished without incident. 

Officer in charge:  HFD Captain 31

Units Responding:

• Truck 27
• Engine 10-2
• HFD Utility 3
• Medic 75-5

Submitted by:  Captain Jason Eckstine

Photos by:  Terry L. Sigler, Company 13

At 1025 hours, Washington County received a call for an aircraft in distress from the Hagerstown Regional Airport.  An Alert 2 was dispatched bringing bringing multiple fire, rescue and ems companies to the airport with a approximately 40 emergency personnel.  A twin-engine Cessna flew by to verify that the right main landing gear was not down.  The pilot tried to attempt a belly landing but could not get the nose gear and the left main landing gear to disengage.  The plane landed on the airports main runway keeping level for as long as possible before tipping onto its right side.  The pilot burned off / dumped most of his fuel which helped to prevent a fire from starting in the wings where the fuel is stored.  The five people onboard deplaned within moments of the aircraft coming to a full stop.  There were no injuries reported. 

Officer in charge:  Chief 35

Companies Responding

• Company 35
• Company 13
• Company 27
• Company 26
• Company 75
• Company 29

Photos by:  Terry L. Sigler, Company 13

At 1905 hours, Longmeadow was alerted for a house fire in the 14400 block of Marsh Pike.  Lieutenant Martin arrived first to find a fire on the front porch of a vacant house at 14408 Marsh Pike.  Lieutenant Martin assumed Marsh Pike Command.  The crew from Truck 27 pulled a 1.75" attack line and quickly knocked down the fire.  Command held Longmeadow units only to overhaul the porch and await the arrival of the State Fire Marshal.  Longmeadow units cleared the scene around 2030 hours.  Due to the suspicious nature of the incident, the State Fire Marshal's Office investigation is ongoing. 

Office in charge:  Lieutenant Martin

Units Responding:

• Truck 27
• Engine 27-2
• Engine 9-1
• Tanker 9
• Engine 13-1
• Rescue Squad 13
• Tanker 13
• FC Engine Tanker 3
• MD State Fire Marshal

Submitted by:  Chief John Latimer

At 1726 hours, Longmeadow was alerted for a PIA on Eastern Blvd in the area of the YMCA.  Lieutenant Martin was first on scene and reported no injuries.  Hagerstown Police Department took one person into custody for possible intoxication.  Company 27 worked with HFD Engine 3 to remove the hazards from the scene before going in service.

Officer in charge:  Lieutenant Martin

Units Responding:

• Rescue Engine 27-2
• Special Unit 27
• HFD Engine 3
• HFD Utility 3
• Rescue Squad 75
• Medic 75-3

Submitted by:  Captain Jason Eckstine

Photos by:  Terry L. Sigler, Company 13

At 1129 hours, Longmeadow's Truck 27 was alerted to assist the Hagerstown Fire Department on a working house fire at 1127 Pennsylvania Ave.  First arriving units arrived to find smoke coming from an attached garage on a single story stone rancher.  Battalion Chief 2 assumed command on arrival and requested an ambulance, rescue squad for RIT and the Washington County Emergency Air Unit.  Crews from Hagerstown contained the fire to the garage with a quick knock down.  Truck 27's crew assisted Truck 1 with laddering the building, ventilation and overhaul.  The fire was reported knocked down at 1145 hours.  After extensive salvage and overhaul operations, Battalion Chief 2 terminated command and cleared units around 1300 hours. 

Officer in charge:  Battalion Chief 2

Units Responding

• Truck 27
• HFD Engine 1
• HFD Engine 2
• HFD Engine 4
• HFD Truck 1
• Rescue Squad 13
• Medic 75
• Air Unit 25-1

Submitted by:  Chief John Latimer

Photos by:  Terry L. Sigler, Company 13

On two consecutive nights, within 5 minutes of each other, Longmeadow was dispatched to transfer an engine to cover Clear Spring Station 4 in Washington County.

At 0017 on February 7th, Engine 27-1 transferred to cover Clear Spring as they were on a house fire in their first due area.  The engine was then called to the scene to operate as a tanker.  The fire was in a large barn which had been converted into a house and two apartments.  As of two days after the fire, one resident is still unaccounted for. 

At 0012 on February 8th, Engine 27-1 was transferred to Clear Spring who was assisting Hancock on multiple house fires.  Company 5 had four separate houses on fire within 1/2 mile of each other.  Maryland State Fire Marshals are investigating the incident. 

Submitted by:  Asst Chief Matt Byard

On Monday, February 7th Longmeadow firefighters spent the evening hose testing Truck 27 and Special Unit 27.  At the same time, firefighters refreshed themselves on chimney fires as well as chimney fire tools and extinguishment techniques.  Thanks to all for their hard work and participation.

Submitted by:  Asst Chief Matt Byard

Photos by: Asst Chief Matt Byard

On the 5th of February, the members of Longmeadow gathered for their annual awards banquet.  The evening was spent reflecting on the accomplishments of the previous year and most importantly enjoying the company of our fellow members. 

President Robert Flint spoke on a few of the many great accomplishments of the past year.  Chief Latimer also commented on the highlights of 2004. 

Several awards were given out to recognize outstanding achievements throughout our organization. 

• Firefighter of the Year was awarded to Firefighter James Nicol for his exceptional growth and development within the company.
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• The Chiefs Award was given to Fire Policeman Gene Markle for his years of dedication and service. 
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• The Roche Memorial Award was given to Captain Jason Eckstine for his dedication above and beyond the call of duty.
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• Chief John Latimer was presented with a special award from all line officers having served under him during his 5 year term.  Noted were the improvements in operational policy as well as apparatus acquisition.  The members of Longmeadow all thank Chief Latimer for his hard work and leadership. 

The members of Longmeadow would like to extend a special thanks to everyone who supported them in 2004.

On Thursday February 3rd 2005, Deputy Chief Scott Ricker, his wife Mystina, and son Clay  welcomed Kaylee Paige Ricker into the world at Washington County Hospital.  Kaylee weighed in at 7lbs, 6oz. and 19 1/4 inches long.  The Ricker family is doing well.  Congratulations from everyone at Longmeadow!