At about 2130hrs, Box 269 was sounded for the townhouse fire with entrapments on Arizona Circle in Bethesda.  Engine 726 was first arriving, with Tower 751 and Ambulance 751 arriving shortly after.  Initial crews were met by heavy fire conditions and an occupant advising there were two elderly occupants trapped.  The Tower crew followed Engine 726's attack line into Side Alpha and located a Priority 4 patient.  Truck 710 made entry to the second floor and found the second Priority 4.   Local stations are familiar with this address from previous calls, and faced several obstacles on this fire.  In all, the fire went to two alarms.

At about 1300hrs, Tower 751 was alerted along with first due Bethesda units for the pedestrian struck by the Metro Train at the Bethesda Metro Station.  Arriving units found a priority 4 patient and turned the scene over to the Metro Authority.

At around 1015 Hrs, Tower 751 was alerted to respond for the house fire in Mid Town Bethesda.  The Tower arrived directly behind Engine 720 and assumed first due Truck responsibilities.  Crews found a working fire and completed their assigned tasks. 

In late December of last year, Station 51 ran a working fire on the roof of the main hospital building.  Firefighters found roofing materials involved on a section of roof about 2 stories up.  The box was filled bringing Mutual Aid from Montgomery County, but the fire was quickly extinguished.

On Saturday morning, Assistant Chief Gibson led the crews through a Mass Decon Drill. The idea was to discuss and implement the idea of deconing with only our inflatable tents.  That way, tents could possibly be positioned in advance across our campus at designated buildings. Our tents inflate in about 1 minute, and can have water flowing as soon as a supply is established.

The members of the Local 271 would like to mention the posting of the firefighter’s position for all interested parties to apply. Be a part of the most progressive federal fire department around and put yourself to the test. Gain experience in Haz-Mat and take advantage some great training opportunities. The department consists of 31 personnel mostly working a 48/72 hour rotating schedule. New hires or transfers are hired at the GS-07 (Technician) level with a promotion potential to a GS-08 (Master Firefighter). This amounts to a $63,000 starting salary for our entry level firefighter. The minimum requirements to apply are:

• Firefighter II
• Hazardous Materials Technician
• Maryland Class B License or equivalent
• Pumps
• Maryland or National Registry EMT-B  

If you meet these qualifications you’re urged to apply via www.usajobs.com. View the attached links for additional information and the applications process. The closing date for this position is 06/09/2009 so get those applications in.

• Click here for the announcement from USAJobs.com.

A little before noon, Montgomery County units were dispatched for the house fire in Potomac, MD.  First arriving units found a working fire in a 'huge' house bringing the Rapid Intervention Dispatch and soon after, the 2nd alarm.  Tower 751 responded on the 2nd alarm and was assigned the roof division.  The Tower crew threw ground ladders to access the roof and worked with other crews to open up.  The house was a modern architecture design measuring over 12,000 square feet and was estimated at a value over 2.5 million dollars. 

While the Tower crew spent several hours on this one call, remaining NIH firefighters handled a minor Hazmat on campus, several Ambulance calls and numerous service calls related to a power issue at the main hospital.  About 20 calls total were handled for the day.

Station 751 responded with the Engine, Tower, Hazmat Support Unit and Command Unit to the construction site at the Bethesda Naval Medical Center for a construction accident.  Units arrived to find a pedibone overturned with one heavily entrapped.  Command requested the Go Team to the scene to assist; however, their services were not utilized.  Extrication lasted about 90 minutes, with the patient being transported to Suburban Hospital.

Later the same day, Ambulance 751 was dispatched to assist Montgomery County units for the reported construction worker that had fallen 3 stories.  Ambulance 751 arrived first to find a worker had actually been struck by a bucket of adhesive that had fallen 3 stories. 

The long awaited and much anticipated Hose Trailer 751 finally arrived today.  The trailer is capable of carrying a mile of 5 inch hose.  It has 2 hydraulically operated reels and a compliment of appliances and adapters.  Because this is the first trailer of its kind built by its manufacturer, crews spent the afternoon learning the best ways to load the reels while also running 4 calls on and off campus.  When the bugs have been worked out, and all firefighters have been trained on the piece, it will go in service on campus and will be available to our mutual aid companies.

Tower 751 was alerted as the First Due Tower on the high rise box at #3 Pooks Hill Road for the apartment fire.  Tower 751 and Engine 720 reached the 7th floor apartment and discovered a kitchen fire believed to be out.  Crews confirmed no extension and performed overhaul and ventilation before returning to service.

At 1624hrs, Tower 751 and Ambulance 751 were dispatched as part of the Metro Box assignment to the Bethesda Center Metro Station for the derailment.  The Tower Crew reported to the train platform while the Ambulance crew reported to the triage area being set up above ground.  Metro Officials reported a minor derailment with no injuries.  Crews from Station 51 completed their assigned duties and returned to service at about 1830hrs. 

The brothers from IAFF Local F-271 would like to congratulate our new officers for fiscal year 2009.  We look forward in working with you and the management team in the betterment of the Department of Fire and Rescue Services.  The results are:

President Michael Smith

Vice President Andrew Boyle

Secretary/Treasurer John Daffron

Shop Steward Thomas Kellum

Shop Steward Wayne Allen James

Shop Steward Darryl Lowery

The F-271 would like to congratulate the two new hires of the National Institutes of Health Fire Department. Mr. Matt Byard comes to us from the West Virginia Air National Guard in Martinsburg where he worked as a firefighter. Mr. Matt Gilroy came from DC Fire and EMS where he worked as a firefighter on Engine 2. Best of luck to the both of you!

The F-271 would like to announce a new series which follows the department through average shift to give the public insight into how our department in run. Anyone wishing to view any of the latest webisodes can click on the link below. The company will also be in the area filming with NIH, DC, PG, and Kentland Fire Departments on January 20, 2009.

Site:

http://www.thebattalion.tv/webisodes/eastcoast/nihfd

Tower runs 2nd due truck to Bethesda second alarm house fire. Units arrive on scene of 7205 Oakridge Ave and found 1 house fully involved, exposure D on fire and exposure B moments away from lighting off. Crews split up and went into the exposures, with hand lines and went to work. A line was pulled from E706 and extended to the 3rd floor of the D exposure and was met with heavy fire. Another crew assisted E707 with the extinguishment of the B exposure. The Tower was repositioned and an aerial master stream was placed in service on the main fire building. The tower crew remained on the scene for 6 hours.

 

Crew: MFF Burch, MFF Gilroy, Tech Stephens MFF Wagner