7+ Calls For Tuesday
Tuesday began around 7am with the PIA assignment for Cherry Tree Circle and Longmeadow Road. Rescue-Engine 27-2 and Special Unit 27 responded under the direction of Captain Latimer. Crews handled the routine PIA. Three Medic Assist calls followed through out the morning.
At about 1600hrs, the assignment was alerted for smoke in the building at the Avalon Manor Nursing Home. In all, Truck 27, Engine 27-1, Rescue-Engine 27-2 and Lieutenant Jeff Byard responded with 15 firefighters. Longmeadow was assisted by units from Maugansville, Greencastle (PA), Waynesboro (PA), Community Rescue Service and Leitersburg. Crews had a mild smoke condition, and found the cause to be electrical in nature.
The Manor call was followed by 2 more medic calls for the evening. During the day, the Truck managed to assist a local organization with the lighting of their giant Christmas tree.
Pictures by DC Eckstine, but not with his new camera.
First Due Smoke In The House
At 0835hrs, Longmeadow was dispatched along with Maugansville and Leitersburg VFC's for the smoke in the basement. Truck 27 responded and arrived on scene first under the direction of Deputy Chief Eckstine. Crews determined the cause of the smoke to be a faulty air handler in the basement. In all, the Truck, both engines and the Special Unit responded on the call from Longmeadow.
Truck 27 Leaves Its Mark
After the Santa Detail, Truck 27 headed across the tracks to assist the Maugansville Goodwill Volunteer Fire Company reinstall their house siren. The siren was recently overhauled and Co. 13 brought in a crane to place it back on its perch. Jack of all trades, Ian Swisher of Co. 13 used the Truck to access the siren to make the necessary connections to get it wailing again. Ian said he used to have 3 sirens like it in his garage. While the siren was still on the ground, one of our Slime-lime "Property Of Longmeadow VFC" stickers happened to accidentally become affixed to the top of the siren. Burger's not sure how that happened...
Santa Claus Parade
On Black Friday, Longmeadow gathered with HFD Engine 3, the local American Legion and the Longmeadow Shopping Center Merchants to bring Santa to town. This has been an ongoing tradition for many years. Crews paraded around the parking lot to the delight of the crowd. We managed to snake our way around all those cars in the parking lot from that grocery store that didn't come 8 years ago when our carnival ended.
Pictures by MA Byard.
5 Calls For Thanksgiving
On Thanksgiving, many of our Volunteers were either off visiting family or working at their career stations. However, under the leadership of Deputy Chief Eckstine and Sgt. Chris Turner, Longmeadow managed to cover five calls for the day. Only 2 of which were Medic Assist!
Passing Of A Life Member
On November 14th, William Arthur "Bill" Twombly died at his home at the age of 72. Bill was a charter Member of the Longmeadow Volunteer Fire Company. As a young fire department (organized in 1971) we are lucky enough to still have founding members of our department around to keep our history and tradition alive. Bill was one of those founding members that saw a need for fire protection in Paramount and made the commitment to the organization and his community. Bill and his wife owned and operated Paramount Nursery for 30 years. Along with the Baers and the Burkholders, Bill was from an era when local business owners would close up shop when the fire whistle blew. Bill served Longmeadow as a Lieutenant for several years along with other duties he handled around the station.
Outside of Longmeadow, Bill was a veteran of the Korean War, serving as a Navy hospital corpsman and then as a Marine helicopter pilot. He was also a member of The Morris Frock Post 42 American Legion.
A celebration of his life will be held Saturday, Nov. 25, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Morris Frock Post 42 American Legion, Hagerstown.
Busy Day In Paramount
Tuesday was a steady day in Longmeadow. Four calls were handled, only 2 of which were Medic Assist. Crews ran a several-vehicle PIA on Eastern Blvd, a medical emergency in the streets of Foxleigh Meadows and the normal trip to Avalon Manor. Although it seemed like the routine trip to Avalon, Operator Mongan was overheard telling his crew afterwards, "This is the type of call that makes me glad I'm an EMT. After helping that person, I know that I'm doing a good thing. I only wish I could run one of those calls to Avalon Manor each shift!!" We never knew Kirk was so sentimental.
Pictures from the PIA-
Pictures courtesy of Terry Sigler and The Washington County Photo Team!!
At 2030hrs, Co. 27 was dispatched on the working fire assignment to assist Co. 13 (Maugansville). Co. 13 firefighters were working a stubborn chimney fire in a log cabin dwelling that had extended into the walls. The extensive overhaul required additional tools and manpower. Rescue Engine 27-2 responded with 5 firefighters under the direction of Deputy Chief Eckstine. An additional 12 firefighters were at the station to bring The Truck if needed.
Again, thanks to Terry Sigler and The Washington County Photo Team for the pictures!!
Minor Wreck With "Entrapment"
At about 1030hrs, Longmeadow was dispatched for the vehicle rollover at the popular intersection of Eastern and Jefferson Blvd. Longmeadow was assisted by HFD Engine 3, CRS and Funkstown Squad 10. Units arrived to find one vehicle on its side with the driver entrapped. Sgt. Chris Turner assumed command and requested Squad 10 due to Rescue Squad 75 failing to respond.
Rescue Engine 27-2 began extrication with the help of HFD firefighters. The driver's injuries were minor, and the extrication took about 10 minutes. This was the first time the Kodiak Rescue Struts were used on a call. This system was donated by the Ladies Auxiliary of the Longmeadow VFC. Traffic was controlled with the help of the Hagerstown Division 1 Fire Police and Co. 27 Fire Police.
Pictures courtesy of the Washington County Photo Team. Thanks for sending them along so fast!!
Second Night, Second Crash
For the second night in a row, the assignment was dispatched for the PIA on the East Side of our first due around 2am. Friday night was the vehicle over turned, Saturday night was the wreck with entrapment. On both occasions, it appeared the drivers had been frequenting some local establishments. No transports were made by EMS on either occasion, however the Maryland State Police made the transport Friday night and the Washington County Sheriff's Department handled Saturday's driver.
Team Building Exercise...
On Saturday morning, about 20 Longmeadow firefighters joined together for the second annual team building/leadership exercise. The day's activities focused on both tactics and strategies, working together as a team, and trying to inflict some pain on the Nicol Brothers. The day of paintball was a success, with only a few minor flesh wounds. It was noted that the Guard Seals performed above and beyond the soldiers that normally only chase unarmed animals through the woods.
RIT Training
As Washington County works to develop a RIT Standard, Longmeadow firefighters have been keeping up our "Saving Our Own" skills. Over the past few Monday night trainings, we have been working with RIT exercises to include effecting rescues in our training house and working with the RIT pack in zero visibility situations. The County is leaning towards making the 3rd due engine the RIT piece. On this note, the Chief Officers have been working hard to equip the Rescue-Engine and to train firefighters to assume this role.
Brush Fire
At about 1130hrs, Co. 27 was alerted along with HFD Engine 3 for the brush fire along Eastern Blvd. Rescue-Engine 27-2, Special Unit 27 and Deputy Chief Ekstine responded with 7 firefighters. This was a timely call as several members of Longmeadow have just completed a National Wild Land Firefighting course and will be going for their Red Card Certification in the Spring. Chief Ricker was overheard saying, "We were lucky today, the RH was high." Chief Ricker also wanted to thank Matt Dillon for all the knowledge he passed along to him during class.