WASHINGTON, DC & BALTIMORE, MD

I had picked up a bid to do some teaching at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, MD and as most of you know, that allows me do some buffing in one of my favorite areas, Washington, DC. Big thanks to Elliot Goodman, Chris Oliphant, and Vito Maggiolo for making sure all of my needs were taken care of during my stay. I also got to catch up with former DCFD Chief Dennis Rubin while I was up at the academy.

On March 1st, 2012 I flew into Baltimore-Washington International Airport, picked up a car, got all of the radios and GPS hooked up, and was off to meet Chris Oliphant to celebrate his birthday. After a fine meal, we were off to see what was happening in our Nation’s Capital. Just as we were passing Engine Company 3’s Quarters on New Jersey Avenue a Box Alarm was struck for a house fire.

On March 1st, 2012 at 22:28 hours firefighters from DCFD’s 1st Battalion were dispatched to 1838 North Capitol Street, NW for a report of a house fire. Units arrived and reported smoke showing from the basement level. Further investigation revealed that fire was contained to the outside basement stairwell on the “A” side of the building. The incident was brought under control shortly after arrival.

On the evening of March 2nd, Chris and I were out again and were in just about the same location as the night before, passing Engine 3’s Quarters and another Box Alarm starts coming in. We looked at each other and noted that it was kind of eerie, and were off to the North East for another house fire.

DCFD’s Second Battalion kept up its busy pace with a Working Fire Dispatch on March 2nd, 2012 shortly before 22:00 hours. Firefighters arrived at 836 21st Street, NE to find fire on the second floor of a two story dwelling. The blaze was contained to one bedroom, and was extinguished without injuries to firefighters or civilians.

On March 3rd, 2012, Chris and I were out getting ready to take some photos of DCFD’s Foam Unit #2 when Engine 13 got dispatched to a Medical Local. I combined that short video with another of clip of Engine 32 and Truck 16 heading out to a reported gas leak on March 18th, 2012.

Foam Unit #2 is a 2011 Oshkosh Striker 1500 with a 2000 gallon per minute pump, 1500 gallons of water on board, as well as 210 gallons of foam and 1000 pounds of Purple K powder. This unit along with Foam Unit #1 and the Twin Agent Unit (TAU) are located at the quarters of Engine Company 13 and Truck 10 (650 6th Street, SW) these the units are staffed and detailed to the While House for landings and take-offs of Marine One. Marine One is the call sign of the United States Marine Corps helicopter carrying the President of the United States. DCFD has had foam capabilities since 1929 (an exact date is not known) when the first foam unit was placed in service (known as the "AMDYCO" truck). The original piece was an old Ford truck with an AMDYCO foam generator and powder.

It was up to the Baltimore area that evening for the Baltimore City Fire Department Emerald Society’s Annual Bull & Oyster Roast. Chris and I went up that afternoon and got hooked up with Charlie Lewis from Baltimore County’s Central Alarmers Rehab Group for a tour of some old Baltimore City Firehouses that are now out of service. I am a big fan of old firehouse architectural designs found in most of the major cities in the United States. We found a few gems in “Charm City” and have posted them here. The first photos are of the firehouse that was used in the movie, “Ladder 49.”

On St. Patrick’s Day Chris and I shot a few photos and a quick video of DCFD 5th Battalion units arriving at a vehicle accident that occurred at River Road & Western Avenue, NW. The accident occurred on March 17th, 2011 at around 11:00 hours.

Fire activity in the District had been a little more than slow, so that evening Chris, Elliot, and I made the trip back to Baltimore City with the hopes of catching a job or two up there. True to form, a Working Fire Dispatch was transmitted for a fire in DC while we were out of town. We managed to make it back to that incident for a few post knock-down shots.

For the second time in recent months, a potentially major fire in the Florida Avenue wholesale market complex was defeated by very aggressive firefighting tactics. This fire erupted around 21:45 hours on March 17th, 2012 in a large, two story warehouse style building at 1259 4th Street, NE, which contained several wholesale businesses. First arriving units found fire showing from the roof area.

A Working Fire Dispatch was sounded as firefighters fought to gain entry into the tightly secured building. Once inside, DCFD personnel found flames engulfing a novelty store with a very high fire load. Despite heavy smoke and other severe conditions, hand lines moved in and were able to contain and control the blaze. Once that was accomplished, it took a major effort to clear the heavy smoke from the building. All searches were negative, and there were no reported injuries.

And thus ended another buffing adventure! I again express my heartfelt thanks to my friends from DFCD’s Friendship Fire Association for a great time hanging out and chasing fires.