The members of local F-271 would like to offer our heartfelt condolences to the family of Dorothy Key for the loss of Sgt. Kevin D. Greico.

 

Sgt Greico was killed in the line of duty while serving in Afghanistan by a suicide bomber. Sgt. Grieco was in the Army National Guard and assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 122nd Field Artillery, based in Crestwood Illinois. He leaves behind his wife of 5 years and 2 children.

At 0917 hours on the 14th of October; AT-751 was alerted for the Rapid Intervention Dispatch to 1533 Blue Meadow Road. Crews from Rockville, Bethesda, and Kensington arrived to find a working fire in the structure. The crew from AT-751 arrived and stood-by while crews finished operating in the house. The crew on AT-751 consisted of Captain D’Ambrosio, MFF Smith, MFF Blair, and MFF Myers.

On the 6th of October at 0235 hours T-751 was alerted to respond to 8703 Cranbrook Court as the first due Truck Company for the reported garage fire. Crews arrived to find light smoke coming from a garage on side “D” of large house. Upon further investigation a small fire was found which was quickly extinguished by crews on the scene. The tower remained on the scene to ventilate the house. The crew consisted of Captain Gotthardt, MFF Smith, MFF Myers, and Tech. Gorman.

The weekend started off busy for the station with two open houses. The Tower crew kicked off the weekend and the start of Fire Prevention week showing off equipment that crews use to perform fire suppression, Haz-Mat Response, and Rescue service within the area. The crew also assisted in fielding questions about fire prevention. The next day HM-751 assisted the volunteers of Kensington Volunteer Fire Department in their open house hosted at Station 5. The crew had a great time working with the staff and interacting with the community while displaying our Haz-Mat and rescue equipment that is commonly used by our responders. AT-751 was staffed by Captain D’Ambrosio, MFF Burch, Tech. Daffron, and Tech. Stephens on the 4th. The crew of HM-751 was Captain Gotthardt, MFF Myers, MFF Smith, and Tech. Gorman on the 5th.

The IAFF Local F-271 is urging everyone to get involved and take preventive measures to secure your home and place of work from fire hazards. Some great starts are preparing a home evacuation plan and reviewing it with your family, ensuring that all smoke alarms are working properly, and keeping flammables in a safe location away from children and sources of heat. Teachers and parents should visit the NFPA website below to receive lesson plans and additional free information that may be useful in educating your children in the importance of fire safety. While you’re there don’t forget to take the online fire safety quiz to test your knowledge. Parents can also download a home safety checklist to evaluate your own home for fire safety. So let’s all jump on board and spread the word! Remember what Benjamin Franklin once said “An ounce of prevention equals a pound of cure”.

The F-271 wishes to send our sincerest condolences to the friends and family of MSP Pilot Stephen Bunker, MSP Flight Paramedic Mickey Lippy, and Waldorf VFD EMT Tonya Mallard. These three brave EMS providers gave the ultimate sacrifice providing care to two trauma patients of an automobile crash in Charles County Maryland. The F-271 showed up in support on the 4th when the final two victims were laid to rest.

 

Banner was produced by LPVRS St Mary's, MD.

AT-751 was alerted as the first due Truck Company for the reported house fire at 4305 Warner Street in Company 5’s area. A crew from E-705 along with Chief 705 arrived to find a small kitchen fire which was quickly brought under control. The tower arrived and assisted by ventilating the area then performing salvage and overhaul operations. Responding crew was Captain D’Ambrosio, MFF Kellum, Tech. White, and Tech. Thomas.

On the 27th of September members of the F-271 traveled to Station 6 in downtown Bethesda to assist staff with there open house. Crews arrived to display equipment used by the NIH Fire Department and answered any questions the community had about our involvement in community response. We would like to thank the Bethesda Fire Department for the invitation and opportunity to show support for the community surrounding the NIH. Assisting crew was Captain Forrester, MFF Blair, Tech. Boyle, and Tech. Bede.

After clearing an elevator rescue while the rest of the company was participating in a mass casualty drill, the Truck was alerted to a construction accident at the NIH gateway center located by Medical Center Metro. Truck 751 arrived on the scene to find an overturned forklift with 2 people down; one of them was unconscious and not breathing. Responding from the station was: Engine 751, Chiefs 751, 751B, 751C and M/C Battalion Chief 702 and EMS 702. Medic 723 transported a priority 1 PT; A726C transported a priority 2 PT to Suburban Hospital. Truck crew: Captain Forrester (OIC), MFF Blair (LB), Tech Boyle (RB) and Tech Daffron (DO) Engine Crew: Captain Gotthardt (OIC), MFF Pyles (DO), Tech Gorman (LB) and FF Brennan Chief 751 Jonathan Mattingly, 751B Thomas Gibson, 751C Kilinski

On Monday the 22nd of Sep the day started off with a small fire in the ceiling of 11400 Rockville pike, Co 23’s first due. Tuck 751 was dispatched with Captain Forrester (OIC), MFF Blair (LB), Tech Boyle (RB) and Tech Daffron (DO) as the second due truck. Units arrived on the scene with a small fire in the ceiling on the third floor. Truck 751 laddered the building and the crew operated on the 4th floor.

The members of the IAFF, Local 271 would like to thank the Montgomery County Division of Fire and Rescue Services for the continued use of a ladder truck while ours receives some repairs. Because of this we can continue to provide truck company service to support the NIH mission and assist the surrounding community.

The members of the Local 271 would like to mention the posting of the firefighter’s position for all interested parties to apply. Be apart 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 $60,479 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. View the attached links for additional information and the applications process. The closing date for this position is 10/09/2008 so get those applications in.

 

Public Announcement Link

 

http://jobsearch.usajobs.gov/getjob.asp?JobID=75853187&brd=3876&AVSDM=2008%2D09%2D18+00%3A03%3A01&q=firefighter&sort=rv&vw=d&Logo=0&FedPub=Y&pg=13&FedEmp=Y&ss=0&TabNum=1&rc=3

 

Federal Employee Merit Promotion Link

 

http://jobsearch.usajobs.gov/getjob.asp?JobID=75855571&AVSDM=2008%2D09%2D18+00%3A03%3A01&Logo=0&pg=13&q=firefighter&FedEmp=Y&sort=rv&vw=d&brd=3876&ss=0&FedPub=Y

At 0350 hours the crew from HM-751 was dispatched to 16701 Elmer School Road for the reported hydrochloric acid spill inside a broiler plant on the facility. Crews arrived and performed and assessment finding that 200 gallons of a 5% solution of the acid had leaked from a line used to circulate the material through the handler. The material that had already circulated had been diluted by 1500 additional gallons of water making the material easier to mitigate. E-714 assisted by providing a hand line for decon and wash down of the already diluted material into a holding tank. M-714 stood by and manned the medical sector while the crew from HM-751 split onto two crews to secure then clean the effected area. An additional 30 gallons of solution that had a pH of 2 was neutralized with soda ash due to its location within a transformer vault. Crews cleared the call after just 4 hours from the time of dispatch and managed to remove the hazardous material from the building leaving only the neutralized waste. The responding crew was Capt. D’Ambrosio, MFF Smith, MFF Myers, and Tech. Daffron.

On August 29th at 0551 hours, Tower 751 was alerted on the Task Force for the house fire with entrapment located on Gainsborough Road.  First due units found heavy fire conditions with multiple victims trapped and quickly went to work removing the occupants.  Tower 751 was assigned truck duties on Division 2.  Under the Command of Captain Joe D'Ambrosio crew members opened up and checked for extension until relieved by 703 Engine. 

Crew Members: Capt. Joe D'Ambrosio, D/O Tech. Andrew Boyle, MFF Darryl Lowery, and MFF Thomas Kellum

Photos Courtesy of Stefan Ventura

Cody Donaldson left for the war in Iraq along with his unit, Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Calvary Regiment, 1st Calvary Division.  He will be serving there for the next year.  Cody is the son of Captain Paul Donaldson IAFF-Local F-271, Group 3.  The brothers from the National Institutes of Health Fire Department want to wish Cody and his unit a safe tour of duty.  Our thoughts and prayers are with Cody, his unit and their families during this time of separation.  We thank all the troops for their dedication to our great nation and owe them all a debt of gratitude.