Longmeadow VFC Hiring
The Longmeadow Volunteer Fire Company will be accepting resumes for the position of Driver/Operator. This part-time position involves safely driving different types of apparatus owned by the Longmeadow VFC, operating these rigs on emergency scenes and assisting with other duties related to fire and emergency services around the station. Work days typically begin at 7am and end at 5pm. This may differ on weekends or as dictated by the Fire Chief. Minimum requirements are as follows:
1. High School Diploma or GED
2. Maryland Class B Drivers License
3. Firefighter II
4. Hazardous Materials Operations Level
5. Emergency Medical Technician- Basic
6. 3 years experience driving and operating within both an Engine and Ladder Company.
These are the basic requirements, higher preference will be given to those applicants that exceed these certifications.
To apply, send a resume to the attention of Chief Eckstine at:
The Longmeadow Volunteer Fire Company
19307 Longmeadow Road
Hagerstown, MD 21742
Resumes must be post marked no later than March 23, 2007. At that time, the hiring committee will determine a pool of eligible applicants and applications will be sent to those individuals. Please contact Chief Eckstine with any questions at 301-573-7136.
The Longmeadow Volunteer Fire Company does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or any other characteristics protected by law.
Serious PIA on Old Forge Road
At 2224 hours, Longmeadow was alerted for the Personal Injury Accident in the 20000 block of Old Forge Road. Responding on the assignment with the meadow were Engine and Utility 3 (HFD), and Rescue Squad and Medic 75 (CRS). FRC advised multiple calls on the incident, with no confirmed reports. Engine 3 arrived on scene first with one vehicle in the roadway, with a partial ejection of the driver through the passenger compartment side window. Deputy Chief Hopkins arrived on scene and assumed Old Forge Road Command, pre-alerting the Washington County Hospital of a Priority One Trauma. A rapid extrication was performed of the patient as the patient was pulled the rest of the way free of the vehicle. Company 27 assisted CRS with patient packaging and provided a driver for the medic unit. Crews contained all hazards and lit the scene for the WCSD and MSP investigation. Units cleared in a little over an hour.Hopefully we'll have photos to follow from the Photo Team...
Story by Deputy Chief Adam Hopkins
Heavy Smoke At Mack Truck
At 1309hrs, Longmeadow was alerted for a fire reported out at Mack/Volvo Powertrain on Pennsylvania Avenue. Truck 27 responded immediately with a crew of four personnel, and arrived to find a two-story industrial building, evacuated, with heavy smoke showing. Volvo staff advised that the Fire Brigade had extinguished the fire. With the size of the building, location of the fire, amount of smoke, and need for overhaul/extension check, Deputy Chief Hopkins established command and requested the working fire assignment, second truck, and rescue squad. This special call brought Rescue Engine 27-2, Engine 13-2 and Rescue Squad 13 (Maugansville), Truck 4 and Utility 3 (HFD), Unit 202 (Special Operations), Air Unit 251, and Paramedic 75-9 (CRS). The Fire Brigade was able to keep the fire contained to two oil mist collectors. Crews assisted with overhaul and checking for extension. The building was ventilated by natural means. Both oil mist collectors were a total loss and damage was estimated at $34,000. Units cleared in a little under two hours.
Story by Deputy Chief Adam Hopkins
Transfers Continue
At about 9:40am, the Engine Company was dispatched to cover for Franklin County Company 2- Waynesboro. They were assisting Blue Ridge Summit on the chimney fire with extension. Engine 27-1 responded with 3 under the direction of Sgt. Matt O'Connell. Zero calls were handled.
At about 4am Friday morning, the Truck was dispatched to again transfer to Waynesboro as they assisted Blue Ridge Summit. The Truck responded with 4 under the direction of Chief Burger. The Truck did handle one call for service while in Waynesboro. This call was to assist the transfer engine company (Leitersburg) as they had a difficult medic assist. Chief Lester Mongan of Co. 9 felt the medic assist exceeded his scope of knowledge, so he called for help from the medic assist pros. We're always glad to help, Chief.
Dual Calls
At 8:39am, Longmeadow was alerted for the PIA on Pennsylvania Ave. At 8:40am, Longmeadow was alerted to assist Co. 9 (Leitersburg VFC) with the commercial automatic fire alarm. The Rescue-Engine, Special Unit and Deputy Chief responded to the PIA, Truck 27 responded to Leitersburg.
On Penn Avenue, Community Rescue Service's Medic 75-9 advised Deputy Hopkins that a door pop would be required. This was accomplished by Operator Eby as he opened the door by the handle, and it made a "popping" sound. All patients were refusals.
In Leitersburg, Chief 9 (Lester Mongan) had an accidental pull station trip.
Monday Night Training, and Other Action
At about 6:11pm, Truck 27 was alerted to transfer to HFD Truck 4's quarters as they were operating on an apartment fire in the West End of Hagerstown. Truck 27 responded with 5 under the direction of LT Chris Turner. While on the transfer, The Truck ran the odor of gas call with Engines from Maugansville and Smithsburg that were also covering the City.
While Truck 27 was in town, about 10 other firefighters participated in weekly training behind Station 27 on Longmeadow Road. The class focused on vehicle accidents involving tractor-trailers using a rig donated by the Paramount Feed and Supply Company. The class, taught by Deputy Chief Hopkins, covered several topics including stabilization, extrication and rescue, and concluded with cab fire evolutions.
Pictures by MA Byard.
Busy Saturday
Saturday's action began around 12:54 in the afternoon as Truck 27 was alerted to transfer to HFD Truck 1's station as they operated on the apartment building fire. The truck responded with 3 under the direction of Captain Latimer. While on the transfer, the Truck was alerted for the kitchen fire on Avon Road in Hagerstown. The Truck was cancelled as Captain Mayhue had an appliance fire out upon arrival. While the Truck was out, the Station handled the routine medic assist.
At around 5:15pm, Engine Company 27 was alerted to transfer to Maugansville while they operated on a chimney fire. That transfer was cancelled moments later as the Truck was alerted to the fire ground on Point Salem Road. Truck 27 responded with 5 on that run and operated for about 40 minutes. Upon clearing that call, the Truck headed into Hagerstown to cover for the City's trucks as the career staff attended their annual awards banquet. No calls were run in the city, and Truck 27 returned to Paramount around 9pm.
Annual Banquet...
Last year, the Longmeadow Volunteer Fire Company celebrated our 35th Anniversary. The Company decided to go a little further this year and throw a bigger celebration during our awards banquet. The Banquet Committee, led by LT Jeff Byard, worked hard to put on a great celebration. Thanks to the Committee for all of their hard work!
Some awards were as follows:
Firefighter of the Year- Zack Thomas
Fire Chief's award- Jason Eckstine (Given by Chief Ricker)
Top Responder for the Year- Jason 'Burger' Eckstine
Top Medic Assist Responder- Matt O'Connell
Top In-house Training- Gary Martin
John J. Roche Administrative Award- Given to the 3 remaining active, Charter Members-
Terry Snyder, Richard Baer and Sam Murray
Through out the evening there were several Senatorial and Congressional presentations congratulating the 3 active Charter Members as well as the Company for 35 years of service. Sheriff Douglas W. Mullendore was the emcee for the evening, and we were pleased to welcome several political and fire department guests from around the area.
Of course, the evening concluded with some dancing and singing with music provided by The Knights of the Turntable.
Thanks to all the young guys who provided transportation home from the Banquet, and to Denny's. Thanks to The Boonsboro VFC and The Rescue Hose Company of Greencastle for covering our station for the evening (of course they ran no calls...). And finally, thanks to those members that remained available to run calls overnight under the fine leadership of LT Turner. Anybody know where Zack is?
Busy Friday Evening
Friday started with the normal Medic Assist calls, but ended with a cold night on the mountain. At about 1820hrs, Engine Company 27 was alerted to transfer to Co. 9 (Leitersburg) as they operated on a house fire in Cascade, MD (Co. 7, Smithsburg's first due). Engine 27-1 responded with 4 under the direction of LT Chris Turner. While that crew was gone, the Engine Company was again alerted for the PIA at Pennsylvania Avenue and Crestwood drive. Crews arrived to find a minor accident with a major commotion. After the calm was restored, 2 minor transports were made by Co. 75 (Community Rescue Service).
As the fire progressed in Cascade and the temperatures on the mountain plummeted, Command (Deputy Chief 7) decided to call extra manpower and relieve some of the frozen firefighters from the scene. This brought 4 firefighters from Longmeadow in Utility 27, under the direction of Chief Eckstine. More medic assists were handled in Paramount by LT 27 as the crew was on the mountain. Command 7 released units around 1130pm.
At 0036hrs early Saturday morning, Co. 7 was dispatched along with Franklin County Company 4 (Blue Ridge Summit) and Franklin Tower 2 (Waynesboro) for the rekindle. Tower 2 was placed OOS after alerted, so command requested Truck 27 to the scene. The Truck responded with 5 firefighters, again under the direction of the Chief (surprise!). This time the crew was able to do some serious roof and overhaul work. During the duration of the evening, multiple crews operated on calls or remained available in the first due.