WASHINGTON - BALTIMORE AREA

I was scheduled to be at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, MD from November 27th through December 3rd, 2011, but the class got rescheduled. That could only mean one thing, Buff Trip! So, I made the journey to the Washington – Baltimore Area to visit with some old friends, and chase a few (as it turned out, very few) fires. I hope you enjoy the photos from the trip.

The Gettysburg Fire Department maintains a small collection of historical artifacts at their Station, located at 35 North Stratton Street. The room is maintained and operated by members of the department who serve on the museum committee. These volunteers work to preserve the rich history of Gettysburg's fire service.

The collection is housed on the north side of the Gettysburg Fire Station, and the room was built as part of the structure in 1992. The highlight of the collection is their 1886 Silsby Steamer, “The General Meade.” The facility itself boasts the red rotator light from the old firehouse, and various display cases. Currently, tours of the collection are available upon request by contacting the station in Gettysburg.

On November 30th, 2011 a DCFD confined space assignment was dispatched to the intersection of Martin Luther King Avenue and Pomeroy Road, SE for a report of a house collapse with a dog inside the structure. While in-route the Special Operations Battalion Chief requested the department’s Search K-9 be added to the assignment.

The initial size-up indicated that the house was unoccupied, and the utilities were disconnected. Engine 25 also reported they could hear a dog inside the home. The Special Operations BFC formed a Rescue Group, had the Haz-Mat Unit check the exterior of the property for leaking gas, and requested animal control respond to the scene. Units discovered a partial interior collapse had occurred and the dog was successfully released from the structure.

Here are a few shots of the new Foam Unit #2 and Truck Company 10 located at their firehouse at 450 6th Street, SW.

On December 1st, 2011 Elliot Goodman and I made a trip to Ronald Regan Washington National Airport to visit the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Fire Station 301. Thanks to Safety & Training Battalion Chief Steven Gervis for the tour of the facility.

After clearing from the airport, Elliot Goodman was also kind enough to get me into the Fireboat Station. I was also lucky enough to get on-board Fire Boat #1, The John H. Glenn, Jr. The Glenn served the New York City Fire Department for her first fifteen years, before being sold to the District of Columbia Fire Department in 1977.

On October 24, 1997, John M. Carter, a DCFD Sergeant assigned to the 1st Battalion, died from injuries suffered after falling through the first floor at 4th & Kennedy Streets N.W. At the time of his death he was detailed to Engine Co. 14. The fire went to three alarms. The DCFD dedicated a Fire Alarm Box at the corner of 5th & Kennedy Streets, NW in memory of Sergeant Carter.

The cover shot from the January 1998 issue of Firehouse Magazine is from that incident. DCFD Chief Donald Edwards hugs firefighters minutes after the body was removed from the fire building. It had been 13 years since a DCFD firefighter had died in the line of duty.

If you happen to be a big fan of broken-down and recently taken out-of-service fire apparatus, the DCFD Apparatus Division is a gold mine. Most of “L” Street, SW is filled with rigs that are on their way to parts unknown.

On December 2nd, 2011 a 3rd Alarm fire in Northwest Baltimore caused city firefighters to evacuate about 100 people from the Heather Ridge apartment complex. The fire was reported at 22:48 hours and flames had broken through the roof of the four-story structure at 6350 Red Cedar Place by the time firefighters reached the scene. The initial size-up reported a working fire, with a Second Alarm transmitted around 22:56 hours.

A partial collapse of the mid-section of the roof caused Firefighters operating on the 4th floor to be evacuated. The Third Alarm was struck at approximately 23:16 hours, with a request for addition EMS units. The fire destroyed two large condos on the upper floors. The fire was placed under control at 00:15 hours.

My thanks, once again, to Elliot Goodman and Chris Oliphant for taking time out of their busy schedules to guide me around the District.