Engine-Tanker on Leitersburg 2-Alarmer

At about 0131hrs, Engine 27-1 was alerted as the Engine-Tanker to assist Co. 9 (Leitersburg VFC) with their 2 alarm fire.  Chief Mongan (Command 9) arrived on the scene with 2 houses well off, a third house involved and a fourth in immediate danger.  Lester was also faced with a fast spreading woods fire and a live wire down in the street splitting the scene into two separate incidents.  ET 27-1 responded with 6 firefighters and made several trips up and down the mountain while the crew assisted with fire attack.  Special Unit 27 also responded with four firefighters to assist with the woods fire. 

Check out The Washington County Photo Team website for pictures and more information.

Another Transfer...

At about 1700Hrs, the Southern part of Washington County was alerted for a barn fire in Fairplay.  The area was thin on tankers, so FRC alerted Longmeadow Engine (Tanker) 27-1 to transfer to Fairplay VFC (Co. 12).  Engine 27-1 and the Fire Chief transferred with 4 firefighters.  The crew ran no calls and returned about 5 hours later.

                       

Photos/story by LT Byard

Slow Week, Still Plenty to Do

Its been a slow week as calls go, just the usual medic locals (as is usually the case during LT Byard's duty week).  However, there was plenty of "action".  On Wednesday night, the live-ins noticed a plumbing problem.  Dirty water was coming out of places and drains that it shouldn't have been coming out of.  When the normal plumbing methods didn't work (hand-line down the drain and into the toilet), the Roto-Rooter man was called in.  The problem was soon fixed, and the station decontaminated.

                          

                          

Pictures by LT Byard

First Due Shed Fire

At 0658Hrs, Longmeadow was dispatched along with HFD Engine 3, Co. 10 (Funkstown), and Co. 75 (Community Rescue Service) for the shed fire.  Engine 3 and Lieutenant 27 (Byard) arrived at the same time with a brush fire just getting into the 8x8, metal shed.  Firefighters from HFD Utility 3 put a knock on the fire, while crews from 27 and Rescue Squad 75 assisted with overhaul.  Command held the units for approximately 30 minutes. 

Submitted by LT Byard

Longmeadow Money Bonanza!

April 1st- Click here for details

Longmeadow will be holding its Money Bonanza on Saturday, April 1.  The doors open at 4:30pm, dinner is served at 6pm followed by the money drawing.  Tip jars, 50-50's and carnival style games will be ongoing throughout the evening.  The night concludes with music by the Knights of the Turntable.  The Bonanza is held at the Leitersburg Activity Center on the Leitersburg Pike.  Tickets are $30.  This ticket admits 2 adults and includes dinner (provided by Mountain Gate Family Restaurant), sodas and adult beverages.  The ticket also is your entry into the drawing.  In the drawing, the first and every 10th ticket is a $30 winner, the 100th ticket is a $100 winner and the last ticket (only 150 tickets are sold) is $1000. 

This evening provides a good chance to eat some good food, win some money, support your local volunteers and see some firefighters dance.  See a member for a ticket or call the station at 301-797-5504, Ext. 305.  Thank you in advance for your support.

Submitted By LT Byard

Steady Week Brings Transfers, Mountain Fire

On Sunday, Longmeadow sent 3 firefighters to Frederick County, MD to assist the Guardian Hose Company of Thurmont with a mountain fire.  Crews teamed up with firefighters from Sharpsburg VFD (Washington County Co. 1) to work their way into the woods and hit hot spots.

Wednesday evening was busy for FRC and several County companies.  This resulted in a brief transfer to Company 2 (Williamsport) who was operating on a first due commercial building fire, and a longer transfer to Company 10 (Funkstown VFD) who was operating on the same fire.

PIA- Eastern and Jefferson

At 1308Hrs Longmeadow was alerted with HFD Engine 3 and CRS for a PIA at Eastern and Jefferson.  Rescue Engine 27-2 and AC 27 (Hopkins) responded immediately with 6.  Crews had 2 patients still in the vehicle, no entrapments.  Firefighters from 27 assisted with vehicle stabilization, patient packaging and traffic control.  Special Unit 27 responded additionally with 2, along with 2 Co. 27 Fire Police. 

                                           

                                           

Pictures by Terry Sigler and the Washington County Photo Team

During the incident, Utility 27 handled the usual Medic Local with 2 firefighters.

Submitted By AC Hopkins

Inside Investigation

At 0859hrs, Longmeadow was dispatched for an inside investigation at the Rest Haven Funeral Home.  Truck 27 and Rescue Engine 27-2 responded with 9 firefighters.  Crews investigated a stubborn odor, finding a problem with the HVAC system.  The building was ventilated and units cleared after approximately 90 minutes. 

                 

                 

Story and photos by LT Byard

Crews Handle 2 First Due Fires in 2 Days

Old Gold's Gym (13 March 2006)-

At 1651Hrs, Longmeadow was alerted for a water flow alarm at the old Gold's Gym.  Truck 27, Engine 271 responded immediately with 7 firefighters .  While enroute, FRC received a call advising heavy smoke coming from the rear doors of the building.  Deputy Chief 27 (Eckstine) had the box filled bringing Engines from 13 (Maugansville), 9 (Leitersburg) and the Rescue Squad from 13.  Truck 27 forced entry for the engine crew on side Alpha, while Engine 27-1 laid out and put the 300ft attack line in service.  Engine 13-2 brought their own water supply and picked up the sprinkler connection.  Other responding units staged and supplied manpower, these units included the Funkstown VFD, and the Washington County Air Unit. In all, 25 firefighters responded from Longmeadow, bringing all apparatus except the Utility.  Thanks again to Engine 3-1 from Greencastle, PA for covering our station during the incident. 

                                                

                                                

                                                 Pictures by Tammie Patrick and the Washington County Photo Team

The cause of the fire has been declared arson by the Maryland State Fire Marshal's Office.  The building had been vandalized and then several fires were set.  If you have any information about the fire or about the juveniles that have been seen in the area, contact the Fire Marshal's Office 1-800-492-7529.

House (14 March 2006)-

At about 1750Hrs, Longmeadow was alerted for the house fire in the area of Paradise Drive.  LT 27 (Martin) arrived with a house under construction with light smoke showing.  Truck 27 laid about 600ft of LDH supply line and Rescue Engine 27-2 picked it up at the hydrant.  Crews from 27 advanced the attack line a short distance into the house and made quick work of the fire.  Co. 13 (Maugansville) had the RIT while the remainder of the assignment staged.  16 firefighters responded from Longmeadow, again dumping the station.  Co. 27 was also assisted by Leitersburg VFD, HFD Engine 3, The Washington County Air Unit and an ambulance from CRS (Community Rescue Service). 

                      

                      

                      

Yet Another Transfer

Longmeadow was asked to cover the Engine Company for Co. 9 (Leitersburg) as they celebrated their 50th Anniversary Banquet.  Engine 27-1 transferred for about 6 hours running 1 call.  Several volunteers and the Career Driver staffed Station 27 while the crew was in Leitersburg.  These crews ran 2 calls while 27-1 was on the transfer.

Michael T., Chief 27 and Senior FF Adams

Submitted by Josh Harris

Another Transfer

With several brush fires working in Franklin County, PA, Longmeadow was alerted for the Engine transfer to Company 3, Greencastle.  Engine 27-1 covered Company 3 for approximately 3 hours, being alerted for one call in Antrim Township.  While 27-1 was away, Co. 27 was alerted for a vehicle accident on North Point Drive.  Longmeadow was assisted by the Rescue Squad from Maugansville, who also had personnel operating in Franklin County, PA.  CRS transported one priority 3 patient.

Submitted by LT Byard, Picture by AC Hopkins

Outside Investigation...

At about 1100hrs, FRC requested duty 27 contact their office in reference to a controlled burn on Reidtown Road.  Assistant Chief Adam Hopkins had FRC alert Longmeadow for the outside investigation.  AC 27 found a 40 X 40 foundation of an old barn with heavy fire coming from it and several other structures possibly exposed.  It was determined that the fire had to be extinguished due to various trash and rubbish items being involved.  AC Hopkins established Reidtown Road command and requested 2 additional tankers.  Engine 27-1 set up for wagon pipe operations while SU27 put 3 hand lines in-service for exposures and mop-up.  Truck 27 was available on the scene.  Longmeadow was assisted by tankers from 9 (Leitersburg) and 13 (Maugansville). Units operated for about 90 minutes.

                                      

                                      

Pictures and story by AC Hopkins

Monday Night Training

Longmeadow held its weekly, Monday night training at the training house on Leitersburg Pike.  Firefighters practiced techniques for using the aerial to remove victims from windows utilizing a stokes basket.  This type of patient extrication is not only for aerial devices with a bucket at the end.  Firefighters also practiced basic ropes and knots.

                

                

                                                                   

Pictures/Story Submitted by LT Byard

Truck 27 Runs Vehicle Accident This Time

At about Noon, Longmeadow was dispatched along with Rescue Squad 13 (Maugansville) and Medic 75-9 (CRS) for a vehicle accident on Pennsylvania Ave.  Truck 27, on the air already with a crew of four for lunch, responded immediately.  Rescue Engine 27-2 responded with four firefighters from Station 27.  Assistant Chief 27 (Adam Hopkins) had no entrapments and placed the Squad available.  Crews stabilized the vehicles and assisted with the packaging of one priority 3 patient.  2 Longmeadow fire police also assisted on the scene.  Units cleared the scene in about 35 minutes.

                  

                 

                 

Pictures/Story Submitted by LT Byard

Truck 27 Goes Mutual Aid Multiple Times

At about 0342hrs, Truck 27 was alerted to transfer to Franklin County Company 2 (Waynesboro) who was operating on a large, vacant apartment building fire in their first due.  Due to the fire being close to the Potomac Street Station, Truck 27 eventually found their way to the Mechanics Fire Station on Virginia Ave. 

The Truck was only on the transfer for a few minutes when they were requested on the fire ground.  The crew set up on the corner of sides Alpha and Delta and ladder-piped along with Truck 17 from New Franklin and Tower 2 from Waynesboro.  The Truck was supplied by Engine 9-1 also called up from the transfer to Waynesboro.  Truck 27 returned to Paramount around 0800hrs.

                        

                        

                         Photos submitted by Tom Smith

At about 1500hrs, the Truck was again alerted for the mutual aid, this time to Company 9 (Leitersburg) for the chimney fire.  Truck 27 arrived shortly after Company 9 and ambulance 79-2 (Smithsburg EMS).  The crew laddered the roof and Firefighters O'Connell and Kroboth accessed the 'chimley'.  Units cleared the scene in about 45 minutes.   Captain 9 (Hawbaker) had the Ringgold Command.

                                                  

                                                  

                                                          Pictures by Sue Mongan, Leitersburg VFD

Submitted by LT Byard and FF G. Martin

Engine, Truck on Smoke in the Building, Co13

At 1254hrs, Longmeadow was dispatched for the Engine and Truck to assist Company 13 (Maugansville) with the smoke in the building call at the U-haul Rental store.  Truck 27 and the Assistant Chief (Adam Hopkins) responded immediately with five firefighters.  The engine responded shortly after with 4.  Engine 13-2 arrived on scene with normal conditions.  The Truck staged until directed to assist with locating the source of the odor and smoke inside the structure.  The crew from Engine 27-1 took the Truck responsibilities and laddered the roof.  The crews inside found a furnace on the second floor with burnt wiring causing the unpleasant situation.  The Truck ventilated and units cleared shortly thereafter.  Total time on scene was about 45 minutes.

                 

Congratulations Nicol Brothers

Its a little late, but Longmeadow would like to congratulate Jason and James Nicol for graduating from Air Force Basic Training in San Antonio, TX.  Both are members of the West Virginia Air National Guard, assigned to the 167th AW out of Martinsburg, WV.  Jason remains in San Antonio attending training to become a Security Forces Airman, while James is in San Angelo, TX attending the Louis F. Garland Fire Academy to be an Air Force firefighter.  We look forward to seeing them both back on the rigs when they return.

Submitted by LT Byard