At 2334hrs, Longmeadow was again dispatched for the Engine and Truck Companies to the trailer fire in North Haven Trailer Park. With Co. 27 already staffing a Truck transfer in Boonsboro, and several members representing the Department at a few local banquets, Truck 27 responded immediately with 4 firefighters and Engine 27-1 responded shortly thereafter with 5. With Maungansville enjoying their own banquet, Williamsport (Engine 2-1) responded as their engine company, and Clear Spring (Co. 4) staffed Rescue Squad 13. Engine 2-1 arrived with a working fire and requested the next engine bring them a supply line. Truck 27 being the next rig into the "park" laid out 900 feet of four inch supply line to Eng. 2-1. Firefighters from Longmeadow assisted with searches, fire attack, ventilation, water supply and overhaul. Engine 27-1 also supplied E2-1 with a load of 1500 gallons of water during overhaul while others picked up supply line.
Submitted by LT Byard
A special thanks to the Washington County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Photo Team for these pictures. Check out their site-www.wcvfraphototeam.org
At 0516hrs, Truck 27 was alerted on the 2nd alarm for the apartment building fire in Downtown Greencastle, PA. Truck 27 responded with four firefighters. As per command 3 (Assistant Chief Hann), the Truck positioned on the corner of the building, in the Square of Greencastle. After several ladder trucks knocked down the bulk of the fire, which had already consumed the attic area, Command requested Truck 27 to reposition. Deputy Chief Eckstine professionally maneuvered the truck in the narrow street. Due to this positioning, and the truck having its own hydrant and pump, Longmeadow continued to ladder pipe the hot spots while other crews packed up.
Truck 27 operated on the fire ground until about Noon. After going available, it was alerted to assist Greencastle Ambulance with a chest pain patient on the roof of a house under construction. The patient was on the ground when crews arrived and the Truck returned to Paramount.
Submitted by LT Byard.
Pictures courtesy of The Franklin Fire Company in Chambersburg, PA. Visit their website for more of their pictures.
On Friday, January 13th, two Longmeadow Volunteers graduated from the Loudoun County, VA Department of Fire and Rescue Services Fire Academy. Firefighters Chris Turner and Andrew Hopkins completed the 26 week academy that started way back in July of 2005. Congratulations guys.
Chris and Andrew together in The Meadow.
Courtesy of the Photo Team- www.wcvfraphototeam.org)
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Graduation Day.
At 15:47 Hours, Longmeadow was dispatched for a personal injury accident with the exact location unknown. Washington County FRC was receiving conflicting reports from callers and the Washington County Sheriff's department. The accident ended up being in Company 9's area (Leitersburg). With Rescue Engine 27-2 already responding, FRC had them continue along with the rest of the usual assignment for Little Antietam Drive and Old Forge Road. Units from Leitersburg, Smithsburg Fire (Co. 7) and Smithburg Ambulance (Co. 79) found a 2 vehicle collision with a priority 2 patient still entrapped in the vehicle. Firefighters from Companies 7 and 27 used the tools from RE 27-2 to pop the door. The Medic unit from 79 transported the patient to Washington County Hospital.
Submitted by: LT Byard
Pictures courtesy of April Thompson and the Washington County Photo Team- www.wcvfraphototeam.org
At approximately 15:01 Hours, Longmeadow was dispatched second due to assist Co. 13 (Maugansville) with the Engine and Truck for a mobile home fire. Engine 13-2 arrived first with 5 firefighters, laid a supply line and pulled an attack line to the fire. Truck 27 arrived shortly after, conducted a primary search, then pulled a 2inch attack line into the front of the trailer. Engine 27-1 completed the split-lay and hit the hydrant. Additional firefighters from Longmeadow opened the roof and assisted with extensive overhaul. Assistant Chief 27 (Hopkins) had Operations, Deputy 27 (Eckstine) had Safety and Command was Captain 13 (Burleson). Longmeadow responded with 12 firefighters and one fire policeman.
Submitted by LT. Byard
A special thanks to the Washington County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Photo Team for these pictures. Check out their site-
Photos courtesy of the WCVFRA Photo Team!
Check out www.wcvfraphototeam.org for more pictures.
At about 1800 on Saturday January 14th, Longmeadow arrived at a transfer to Morgan County, WV Company 1- Berkeley Springs. At about 1805, Longmeadow and Rescue Engine 272 were responding to the working house fire in Great Cacapon. Firefighters from Longmeadow used the hand line in the front yard provided by the first in company to work their way into the first floor and begin to knock down the fire. They then pulled that line out and took it into a second floor window to continue knocking down the fire. Meanwhile, E272 and operator Mongan proceeded several miles to establish a draft and fill tankers. Longmeadow worked on the scene for over two hours. The crew then returned to station 1 to fill bottles, clean up and prepare for the next fire. However, we were shut out the rest of the night.
Thanks to the Berkeley Springs Volunteer Fire Company for the dinner and excitement.
Submitted by LT. Byard
Arriving in Berkeley Springs
AC Hopkins talks to Morgan Co, and approaches the fire scene.
Fire before 27 began interior ops.
FF Johnson from Co. 1. Water supply.
First due pumper from Great Cacapon. Rescue Engine 272 at Co. 1.
Photos by LT. Byard
At approximately 1530 Longmeadow was dispatched, along with several mutual aid companies, to the Avalon Manor Nursing Home for a reported fire in the building. Truck 27 responded immediately with 4 firefighters. Washington County FRC advised responding units of multiple reports of fire and smoke in the building, including a report from Franklin County PA of heavy smoke coming from the building. Assistant Chief 27 (Hopkins) arrived and assumed command. The 2 engines from Co. 27 completed the lay, while units from Co. 13 (Maugansville) took the sprinkler connection. Command had the rest of the box Level 1 stage. Chief 27 (Ricker) had Safety and Deputy 27 (Eckstine) had Operations. After further investigation, units found a problem with the furnace that was pumping smoke into the building. Firefighters stabilized the problem and ventilated the structure.
While packing hose on the scene, Longmeadow was alerted for another house fire, however this turned out to be a malicious false alarm handled by FM26. On the day, Co. 27 ran 6 calls including a vehicle accident with confinement.
Officer in Charge: Assistant Chief Hopkins
Units Responding:
- Truck 27
- Rescue Engine 272
- Engine 271
- Engine 91 (Lietersburg)
- Tanker 9
- Engine 132 (Maugansville)
- Tanker 13
- Engine 31 (Franklin County- Greencastle)
- Engine-Tanker 3
- Truck 4 (Hagerstown FD)
- 2 medic units from Community Rescue.
Submitted by LT Byard
While on the transfer to Adams County, Pa, the crew operated on a serious auto accident-
Around 14:00 Adams county HQ called the Longmeadow volunteers at station 4 advising of a PI on RT. 30. As they where hitting the tones for co 4, they advised of reports of a serious accident. 271 DC 27 arrived to find a tractor and trailer verses a small pick up. The pick up had one patient heavily confined. DC 27 took command and asked for aviation. Lt. Martin began patient care which was a class 1 (Adams County term). The crew stabilized the truck, pulled a hand line from the 27 wagon and removed the glass as rescue 4 arrived to remove the roof and door. Rescue 1 from Gettysburg assisted also. The patient was extricated in about 14 min and transported to STAT12 for an air lift. Command left units go when ready. The following units responded, some numbers may not be correct, due to this being the first and probably only time we'll run with these companies- ET 271, Rescue 4 (Cashtown), Rescue 1 (Gettysburg), Rescue 6 (Biglerville), Ambulances from. Co 3, Co 6, Medic 28, STAT 12, and the landing zone was handled by Eng13.
Submitted by: Deputy Chief Eckstine
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Photos provided by AFC Eiker from the Gettysburg Fire Dept.
At approximately 0600 this morning, Longmeadow was alerted to transfer E271 as an engine tanker to Adams County, PA, Cashtown. This long distance transfer came as a result of a large fire in a stair manufacturer. Most departments in the area were already tasked on the fire ground, and other companies were unable to take the transfer, so Longmeadow handled it. The engine and crew remained on the transfer until 1600 that afternoon.
While on the transfer, the Longmeadow volunteers were treated to an "old" friend's voice on the radio. Adam's Tower 5 and Chief Schlossar were on the fire ground for several hours and the crew made a special trip to see him. Pappy always told us he'd see to it that we'd run a call in Adams County one day.
Submitted by Lt. Matt Byard
Members and family joined together at the local Pizza Hut to wish James Nicol luck. James is leaving for Air Force Basic Training and will be a member of the 167th Air National Guard in Martinsburg, WV. James accepted a full time job at the Longmeadow substation- the 167th Fire Department. James joins 4 other Longmeadow members and paid staff that already work there. About 35 members and their family joined together to send James off. Good luck James, enjoy the softball game!!!
Submitted by: Lieutenant Matt Byard
Photos by: Lieutenant Matt Byard
January 1, 2006 has brought a major change to the Longmeadow Volunteer Fire Company. John Latimer had been Chief of the LMVFC for the past 6 years. His leadership is credited with turning Longmeadow from a struggling organization into a thriving fire department. John rallied a group of dedicated officers and set goals that, 6 years ago, seemed to be unattainable. He demanded great things from his officers, while at the same time demanding so much of himself. This attitude at the top soon became contagious, filtering down through the firefighters and across to the board of directors. We may have been few in numbers, but we made up for that with hard work, dedication and a new found pride.
John has taken this leadership to a new level within Washington County. He was recently appointed as the Washington County Emergency Services Coordinator. This position was made available when our newest member at Longmeadow, Joe Kroboth, left it to accept another position within Washington County. John has decided to step down as Chief at Longmeadow to prevent any conflict of interest. A step he said was easy to do given the current disposition of the organization and the ability of his successor, Scott Ricker.
The following are a few “brief” words about what we have accomplished under John’s leadership and guidance:
Old members returned and new members joined. Although we can’t boast one of the larger membership rolls in the County, our average number of firefighters per call has been a source of pride for our volunteers. Chief Latimer established a drivers training program that was overseen by Justin Mayhue and Jason Eckstine. This program was aimed at safely increasing our dwindling number of drivers, a problem created by previously relying heavily on paid drivers and a failure to promote new drivers. Through these efforts, John was able to slash the paid driver budget without putting the citizens of Longmeadow and our mutual aid companies at risk.
John will always be a business man. John used his business sense to go to community groups and solicit donations and grants. Longmeadow also received Fire Act grants to help purchase much needed equipment that had been used far too long. With John’s communication skills and business suave, he could he could tell you the world was flat, and you would believe it.
Under John’s leadership, Longmeadow was able to modernize a fleet of apparatus and do countless other updates to equipment and gear. The following is a partial list of accomplishments and new purchases of the past 6 years. Not all of these items are directly John’s responsibility or even purchased by John. Many were the ideas of a Board of Directors that was suddenly able to concentrate on administrative issues while a successful Operational side was being run.
- New Pierce ladder truck
- New Pierce rescue engine
- New Special Unit 27 (combination brush truck/EMS chase/personnel carrier/bat remover)
- LDH for all the apparatus
- New attack lines for all apparatus (and related appliances)
- New SCBA (soon to be updated with heads-up display and other modern features)
- New turnout gear (another new set arriving shortly to keep up with OSHA / NFPA standards)
- 3 Thermal Imaging cameras (We were one of the first in the county to have them)
- New / updated hand tools, power tools, saws, fans
- New Genesis Rescue system - Cutters, Spreaders, Rams
- New turnout gear washer (to keep up with OSHA/ NFPA standards)
- New storage shed to the rear of the station
- New phone system
- New RIT equipment and extensive training on how to actually use it
- Portable radios and charging systems
- New storage bags for immobilization equipment on SU27
- Remodeled lounge and meeting / office area
- New apparatus bay for SU27
- Leadership / teamwork building functions
The above list is only a portion of the success enjoyed by Longmeadow in the past 6 years. John has ensured that all of our Officers would meet the new Washington County Officer standards, and we exceed them. So, under our new leader, Scott Ricker, and revamped officers, we are prepared to continue our success and provide the best service to our community and our mutual aid companies.
Submitted by: Lieutenant Matt Byard
The Longmeadow Volunteer Fire Company held its yearly elections in December, and the following members assumed their elected positions on January 1st:
Operations-
- Fire Chief - Scott Ricker
- Deputy Fire Chief - Jason Eckstine
- Assistant Fire Chief - Adam Hopkins
Administrative-
- President - Robert Flint
- Vice President - Sam Murry
- Secretary - Jack Latimer
- Recording Secretary - Lucinda Eckstine
- Member at Large - Jeff Byard
- Treasurer - Pat Weneck
- Chief Engineer - Richard Baer
- Chaplain - Alan Kipe
Congratulations to those elected. And a special "thank you" to John Latimer for his time as Chief. Check back soon for an update on John's success as Chief and his future endeavor!
Submitted by: Lieutenant Matt Byard
On Sunday, January 1st, Longmeadow was alerted for the chimney fire on Orchard Terrace Rd. Truck 27 and Captain Latimer responded immediately with 5 firefighters. HQ advised they believed units would have a working fire. Upon their arrival, smoke and fire were visible from the top of the chimney. The Truck laid out 600 feet of 4 inch supply line, and Rescue Engine 27-2, staffed with 6 firefighters, picked up the hydrant. Engine 27-1 arrived shortly after staffed with 5 firefighters. Captain Latimer assumed command and units began laddering the roof, checking the interior for extension and preparing the firebox for chimney fire operations. The fire was contained to the chimney and quickly extinguished. Command was terminated and the units cleared the scene. 6 firefighters remained on station to cover any other calls during this incident.
Officer In Charge: Captain Latimer
Units Responding:
- Engine 27-1
Rescue Engine 27-2
- Truck 27
- Unit 27-0
Submitted by: Lieutenant Matt Byard