DISTRICT of COLUMBIA FIRE DEPARTMENT

I traveled to Washington, DC to attend the Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner and Seminars hosted by the Congressional Fire Services Institute. This presented the opportunity to do some fire buffing in our Nation’s Capital, and I am again indebted to Elliot Goodman and Chris Oliphant for taking time out of their busy schedules to guide me around the City.

On the evening of April 5th, 2011, Elliot and I were visiting Engine 2/Squad 1’s firehouse when a voice came over the intercom system that stated there was a fire on the apparatus floor. As we looked quizzically at each other, we walked out of the kitchen to find smoke issuing from under the cab of the Rescue’s apparatus. The brothers made quick work of extinguishing the fire that occurred in the engine compartment. The unit was stripped of its equipment as a reserve unit was bought out of storage and put into service. The now out-of-service apparatus was towed off to the shops.

That same night at approximately 2300 hours, while touring the District with Chris, a Working Fire Dispatch was sounded for smoke in the building at the PIAF Salon and Day Spa at 1023 15th Street, NW. The Spa, located on the first floor of a High Rise building, had a fire in a dryer that had smoked up the first few floors of the building. The fire was extinguished without incident, as other companies checked the area for extension.

Just before 0700 hours on the morning of April 7th, 2011, a car fire was reported in front of 2101 New York Avenue, NE. Since this was right down the street from my hotel, I decided to take it in. Engine Company 26 had the fire under control shortly after arriving on scene, and I managed to make it back to the hotel despite traffic being snarled in the area.

Shortly after midnight on April 8th, 2011 I was listening to one Working Fire Dispatch when a Box Alarm was sounded for the house fire at 813 48th Place, NE. Command had called for a Working Fire Dispatch for this location as well. As I was debating getting out of bed, radio traffic had started to escalate and I heard the words that no one wants to hear in the fireground, MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY! As I was throwing on clothes, Command struck the 2nd Alarm.

“Within minutes firefighters arrived on the scene at 813 48th Place, NE and encountered fire showing from a one-story, wood-frame single family house. It was reported that the building was being evacuated.”

“Moments later additional crews arrived on the scene, including Rescue Squad 3 whose crew began a systematic search for other occupants. While the first arriving engine crew made an aggressive attack on the fire, another engine crew protected a nearby exposure building. Within minutes a flashover occurred enveloping the search crew in flames. Another crew from Truck 13 recognized this and called for assistance. Firefighters activated an emergency call followed by a ‘Mayday’.”

“Two of these firefighters self-rescued and the third was assisted by the ‘rapid intervention team.’ A forth firefighter was injured during the rescue and fire suppression.”

“Emergency medical services personnel treated the injured firefighters. One firefighter was listed as Priority One, serious and life-threatening, while the other three were considered Priority Two, serious and non-life threatening. All have burns of varying degrees. All were transported to the Washington Hospital Center, MedStar Burn Unit. The most seriously inured firefighter is in critical condition, three others are being admitted to the Burn Unit with varying degrees of burns, while another was treated and released.”

“The building was evacuated and defensive fire attack was initiated. Once all firefighters were accounted for an offensive fire attack was implemented and the fire was “knocked down” within 10 to 15 minutes.”

I did make a short trek to New Jersey and went to the 21st Annual Firematic Flea Market and Expo on April 10th, 2011 put on by the Rifle Camp Fire Company #3 in Woodland Park, NJ. I tried my best not to purchase any new stuff, but can you say “Helmet Cam!”

Upon my return to DC, I hooked up with Elliot at Engine 3’s firehouse at 439 New Jersey Avenue, North West. Just a “stone’s throw” from the US Capitol, this remains one of my favorite firehouses. Engine 3 (Columbia) was established in 1804 and their current home was built in 1916. The firehouse also houses the DC Fire & EMS Museum.

In typical fashion, no incidents of significance occurred that night. The only photos I shot were of this Haz-Mat incident at 14th & Euclid, NW that occurred around 1700 hours. A Rental Truck ran into a fuel pump at the gas station on this corner.

A big thanks once again to my friends at DCFD and the hospitality extended during my visit!