News Update

New update coming soon!!

While we are working on the update here are some calls of interest from 2009 & 2008 ...

FATAL Farm: July 11th at 1247, the Rescue Engine, Special Unit, and Deputy Chief responded for the Farm Machinery Accident with Entrapment on Blue Heron Lane.  The DC established the Command and advised all units to stage on Marsh Pike, while the Rescue proceeded back to find the incident.  After an off-road adventure in the Rescue Engine, the location was accessed and a Priority 4 patient was found in a hay baler.  Command held it with 27 and Rescue Squad 13 available on scene until the arrival of WCSD.  Units cleared with the scene turned over to WCSD and the Special Unit returned later to assist the Medical Examiner.

 

Mile-Long Yard Sale: July 4th all morning, the station once again rented out space and managed several parking lots for the Annual July 4th Mile Long Yard Sale through Long Meadow.  It was a long day, but well worth the efforts for one of our biggest fundraisers.

 

13-27 Box: July 3rd at 2131, the Engine, Truck and Chief went to 18600 block of Carolyn Street in Northhaven for the Trailer Fire.  AC13 held it with Company 13 and the Truck - Fire Contained to the living room.  The Truck crew performed ventilation, lighting, and overhaul operations.

 

First-due HOUSE: June 28th at 1435, the Truck and Lt. O'Connell responded with Engine 3 for the AFA on Jeffery Drive.  While en route, County upgraded the assignment for smoke coming from the structure - as a neighbor had called in.  Engine 3 arrived with smoke showing and stretched a line for fire attack.  The Truck and Lt. arrived with the truck placing ladders and venting, while the Lt. established command and upgraded to the Working Fire Assignment.  The fire was found in the attic and knocked quickly, the fire alarm system saved the house as crews were able to get to the fire prior to it spreading throughout the attic.  This was the second AFA in 8 days to be more than a malfunction.

 

Mutual Aid EXTRICATION: June 22nd at 1450, the Rescue Engine went Mutual Aid as a Squad to I81 at the 3MM in Franklin County.  The crew assisted with the extrication and established an LZ for the helicopter.  After services were complete, they were asked to transfer and alerted on another MVC but canceled en route by GPD.

 

First-Due HOUSE: June 20th at 1841, the Truck, Rescue Engine and Fire Chief responded to the 13800 block of Emerson Drive for the AFA.  With the blinds closed, crews were unable to see inside the house.  When the Truck Operator found an unlocked window for entry, smoke emerged and the Chief established command and filled out the Box.  Interior crews found a small kitchen fire due to baby bottles on the stove.

 

FATAL accident: June 12th at 0636, the Rescue Engine, Special Unit, and 27-7 responded to Eastern Blvd N in the area of the YMCA for the Motor Vehicle Collision.  Engine 3 arrived first and found a two-car collision with one fatality and one for check-up.  Units stayed on scene to assist with the police investigation and cleared later that morning.  This collision came a day after a newspaper report about that intersection.  Some modifications have been made.

 

 A few calls of interest in 2009...

Feb 17 at 0012 Engine Tanker 27-1 was dispatched to assist Co 5 in Hancock on the house fire with entrapment. Crews were already at the station due to being dispatched and canceled for the transfer to Co 5 at 2356.  ET 27-1 responded with four, under the direction of Chief Eckstine.  After the short and speedy ride to the scene, the crew reported to Command and assisted with the RIT crew. When it was all said and done, ET27-1 had ended up in front of the house with Chief 27 having command. 1801 had asked if the 27 crew could stay while Co 5 crews refreshed at their station. The fire claimed the lives of two teenage girls.

On the way there, the fire chief mentioned something about the hook not catching on the semi trucks that passed us.... Not sure what that was about.

 

Feb 13,  Longmeadow held their annual awards banquet. Here are a few award recipients.

John M Roche award went to Firefighter Zack Thomas

Fire chiefs award went to Lieutenant O'Connell

Top call responder went to The Man Dan Shoop

Top in station training went to The Fire Chief

Firefighter of the year went to Gary Martin

 

Feb 12 at 1809 hrs Co 27 along with Co 9 and 13 were alerted to Primrose Lane for smoke in the basement. Crews found a fire in the mulch and wall by the front porch resulting in smoke in the basement. Firefighter T. Martin took care of the wall that was on fire and crews cleared the incident.

Feb 9 after Monday night meeting at 2151 hrs, SU27 was dispatched to assist on a barn fire on Beaver Creek Rd in Funkstown. Crews responded with 5 under the guidance of the Fire Chief. Shortly later at 2210, ET27-1 was dispatched to assist with water.

Feb 7 gave us a pre-alert to the NMS Healthcare on Marsh Pike. Thankfully for the residents, the fire and smoke in the kitchen was nothing to worry about. You can still read the newspaper in a smoke filled room. This was only our 9th response to that facility this year....

Jan 31 we were dispatched to a RV fire on Leitersburg Pike. Crews found a working fire with smoke visible for miles. It was found to be a primary residence for the owner.

Jan 10 Co 27 was alerted to assist with a landing zone at the Longmeadow Shopping Center for a burn patient from a house fire in Hagerstown.

January we started the year looking like a medic assist station with 6 medic assist calls and no fire calls up to Jan 8th.

 
1 November 2008

1st Due Barn Fire

At 1242hrs the dispatch many at Longmeadow had feared finally came in.  Units were dispatched for the tractor fire in the barn in the 19600 block of Leitersburg Pike.  The address was very familiar as Longmeadow has pre-planned the farm for many years.  The farm sits at the end of a narrow lane approximately a mile long, across a very shaky, little bridge, over a modest stream.  This kind of farm may be typical in a lot of areas, but what make it different here is that it is situated right in the middle of a large path of Urban Sprawl.

As Engine 27-1 responded (first out the door to this address due to pre-planning) with the Chief on board, a large column of smoke was observed.  This lead Chief Eckstine to believe the fire was now consuming the barn as well.  Chief Eckstine requested the Tanker Task Force and the Working Fire Assignment to the scene.  27-1 arrived on scene with a working fire and worked fast to limit the spread. 

In the end, Special Unit 27 drafted from the stream to supply the attack pieces.  A special thanks goes out to the Washington County Special Operations Team for their quick thinking in responding to the Working Fire Assignment with Skid Steer 20.  This John Deere Gator arriving so early in the operation made it possible for the farmer to protect his own equipment, and allowed Command to limit resources as the operation remained defensive. 

In the end, Chief Eckstine and the rest of the firefighters from Longmeadow were not surprised by the conditions of this fire thanks to pre-planning.  Over the past 13 years that I have been at Co. 27, I know that Firefighter Richard Baer has been committed to teaching new Firefighters and Officers about this particular farm, and many others that present unique hazards in our area.

 

As firefighters were cleaning up from the above fire, the assignment was dispatched to Antrim Township in Franklin County PA for the house fire with entrapment.  Rescue Engine 27-1 responded immediately with 5 and the Chief to assist.   Quick work by first responders and civilians on the scene resulted in all occupants being rescued. 

31 October 2008

Transfer to Halfway

At about 1640hrs, Longmeadow was dispatched to transfer an engine to Halfway, MD (Co. 26) as they operated on a First due house fire.  Engine 27-1 transferred, but handled no calls.   Firefighter Shoop returned to the Meadow in time to trick or treat. 

To read about the fire, click  here. 

27 October 2008

Recent Updates

Over the past few months, The Meadow has kept busy with many calls, some fundraisers and few other activities. 

Calls of Interest:

28 August- Paramount Elementary School (1st Due).  Longmeadow was dispatched for the fire, believed to be extinguished, at the elementary school.  Chief 27, Truck 27 and Engine 27-1 responded with 8 firefighters to find a heavy smoke condition from a trash can fire.  Units ventilated and remained on the scene to assist the Fire Marshall's office. 

2 September- Countryside drive (Maugansville Co.13).  The Engine and Truck were alerted to assist Company 13 with the house fire.  Units had rags on fire in a dryer with a smoke condition.  Co. 13 handled. 

17 September- Crossfield Dr. (Funkstown Co.10).  The Engine Company was alerted as the fill-site pumper on the Tanker task force.  Engine 27-1 arrived and was reassigned to provide manpower at the fire scene.

19 September- Longmeadow Rd, Paramount Feed (1st Due).  We were alerted with surrounding companies for the building fire across the street from the station.  Units had fire visible in a grain dryer.  The fire was contained quickly and Nick made it to work on time. 

29 September- Showalter Rd (Co. 13).  The Engine and Truck were alerted to assist Co. 13 with fire in the commercial building.  Command 13 held Truck 27 and members assisted with opening up and overhaul.

30 September- Truck transfer to Hagerstown City Fire Department, Truck 1.

2 October- Penn Ave, Fountainhead Plaza (1st Due).  Co. 27 was alerted for the Automatic Fire Alarm.  Units arrived, forced entry and found a smoke condition.  As command was preparing to fill the assignment, interior firefighters found the source to be an ash bucket in the kitchen area. 

4, 5, 11, 12 October- Adams County Co. 5 Arendtsville.  Once again, Longmeadow agreed to assist the Arendtsville Volunteer Fire Company while they worked a major fundraiser in their first due.     Every year, thousands upon thousands of people swarm the tiny mountain village for the annual National Apple Harvest Festival.  We have provided manpower for their station for 4 days each year.  This year, a few medic calls were handled. 

9 October-  Transfer to Morgan County WV.  Around Noon, Rescue-Engine 272 was special called to cover the Town of Berkeley Springs WV while they operated on a large dwelling fire.  The unit was requested because the area was stripped of both Pumpers and Rescue Squads.

14 October- Leitersburg Pike (Leitersburg Co. 9)- Longmeadow was requested to assist with the fast moving field fire.  Engine 27-1 and Special Unit 27 responded with 6 and assisted with extinguishment.

19 October- Marsh Pike, former Avalon Manor (1st Due)- Units were alerted for smoke in the building.  Firefighters found smoke on several levels and  locations through out the building.  Command was established and further investigation found a furnace fire.  Fire was extinguished and the building ventilated.

22 October- Stateline Road (Greencastle PA Co.30).  Units were alerted to assist with the combine fire that had spread to the field.  Engine 27-1 (as a tanker) and Special Unit 27 responded and assisted with extinguishment.

Other Activities:

For Fire Prevention Week, Longmeadow did several public education events through out the first due area including the elementary school and several daycares.  Deputy Chief Hopkins wishes to thank all the firefighters that assisted with these activities.

On 18 October, Longmeadow hosted its semi-annual Money Bonanza. 

On 25 October, Chief Eckstine lead the station in a Waxing Party for all the rigs.

 
08/22/08

What else could we run?

With the Rescue Engine enjoying their sleepover in Hancock, the members that stayed back started their day with an Automatic Fire Alarm at the North Village Shopping Center. Shortly after that, Engine 27-1, Truck 27, and Deputy Chief 27 responded Mutual Aid to Franklin County, Franklin Box 3-13, for a trailer fire. Units from 3 arrived to find a homeowner that was burning trash, which subsequently set the trailer on fire. Command 3 held units from 3 and 13, and the Long Meadow units returned home. At 1322, Engine 27-1 responded to Jefferson Blvd for the vehicle collision.  While getting ready to clear the scene, Headquarters dispatched Box 27-4 was transmitted for a house fire at 850 Northern Avenue. Engine 27-1, Truck 27, and Capt. Turner in 27-0 responded on the assignment. Firefighter Matt Byard, who was in the area, called Headquarters and advised them it was a working fire with fire showing from a 2 story single family dwelling. Capt. Turner arrived on the scene and established command. Engine 27-1 arrived and stretched lines to Division 1 and 2. Truck 27 arrived and placed the aerial in service, laddered the roof, and opened up for crews on the inside. Command requested the 2nd alarm transmitted because of the amount of fire and the high temperatures. The crew from Rescue Engine 27-2, not wanting to feel left out, received permission from Chief 5 and were released from the transfer, and responded to the scene. Over 50 firefighters responded on the box staffing over 16 pieces of apparatus were on the call. Thanks to all those who worked diligently to save the house from total destruction. In total, Company 27 ran 10 calls in 24 hours.
08/21/08

Transfer

With units operating on an extended barricade situation in Hancock, Chief 5 contacted Chief 27 and requested an engine transfer to his station for the night. Rescue Engine 27-2 was loaded up for a slumber party and headed to Company 5. While there, Rescue Engine 27-2 took in a grass fire, but enjoyed an otherwise relaxing transfer. Well, that is until the 2nd alarm fire in our first due.

08/16/08

Truck 27 Handles First Due Box

At approximately 1420 hours,  Truck Company 27 was special requested to help Henry Scheck celebrate his 4th birthday. The truck arrived on Side Alpha with lights and sirens going to the amazement of Henry and all of his guests. The aerial was placed in service and the roof was laddered to help ventilate the smoke from all of Henry's birthday candles. Henry even helped put the ladder back in its cradle after giving everyone a demonstration as to how the ladder operates. Henry's guests and relatives were given the opportunity to tour the ladder truck and see all the equipment we carry and how it operates. Everyone had fun, especially Henry. He was able to maintain his bright smile even after being exhausted from enjoying his special day. Henry, we thank you for the special invite to help you celebrate your big day. Feel free to stop by the fire station anytime to see all the other equipment we have. We look forward to helping you celebrate your birthday next year when you turn 5!!!

                                                                                       

                   Henry getting ready to drive!                                                           Big sister Anna, Henry, Mom Tara, Sophie, and Dad Bryan
08/15/08

Franklin County Building Fire

At approximately 1955 hrs, Engine 27-1 was dispatched to 721 Buchanan Trail East, Franklin Box 3-2, for a building fire at McDonalds. Units arrived and found the employee's had extinguished a fire under the deep fryer. After checking for extension and finding none, Engine 27-1 was placed in service.

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