Berwyn Heights Volunteer Fire Department

Berwyn Heights Volunteer Fire Department & Rescue Squad, Inc.
8811 60th Avenue • Berwyn Heights, MD 20740
301.474.7866 • Contact Us

Donate Your Used Vehicle to the Berwyn Heights VFD

The Berwyn Heights VFD continuously accepts donated cars for training our members in vehicle rescue. Every year, we respond to around 2000 motor vehicle accidents with many involving trapped occupants. In order to train our new members and maintain and improve the skills of our experienced members, we rely on donated vehicles to train on.

In addition to helping out a worthy cause, donating your vehicle to the Berwyn Heights VFD can have significant financial incentives. Since we are a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization and we make a "significant intervening use of the vehicle", you may be eligible to deduct the "fair market value" of the vehicle on your federal income tax documents.

14 Volunteers Participate in Rope Rescue Technician

Date:

7/29/10

To become proficient in rope rescue, recently 14 volunteers from Berwyn Heights participated in Rope Rescue Technician class. This 54-hour course covered topics such as stokes baskets, advanced anchoring, high lines, and pick-offs. This is the third technical rescue class (trench, confined space, and rope) that atleast 10 volunteers from Berwyn Heights have participated in within the last year.

Tree On Minivan Pins Two: 10000blk Rhode Island Ave

Date:

7/25/10

With severe thunderstorms hitting the DC metropolitan area, Rescue Squad 14 was alerted to the 10000 block of Rhode Island Avenue for the report of a tree on top of a vehicle with people trapped at 1546 hours. Engine Company 11 arrived and confirmed they had two trapped. Rescue Squad 14 arrived shortly later and sized up the scene. The squad crew found a large tree that had fallen across the roadway on top of a minivan with the driver and passenger pinned. With a lot of work at hand, a second rescue squad (Rescue Squad 22 from Company 41) was requested. Rescue Squad 14 immediately started stabilizing the tree. On one side of the vehicle, the tree was stabilized with four rescue struts and chain creating two bipods. On the opposite side, two box ribs were constructed under the tree. With the tree stabilized, a box crib platform was constructed and a medium pressure air bag was inflated to lift the tree off the car. Once the tree was elevated, Rescue Squad 22 winched the car back. Finally, Rescue Squad 14 removed the passenger's side doors and roof, while Rescue Squad 22 removed the driver's side doors. Both patients were extricated. Unfortunately the driver was a priority 4 and the passenger was transported as a priority 1 to a local trauma center. Rescue Squad 14 cleared the scene at 1752 hours.

Task Force on Gas Fed Fire: 6801 Chillum Manor Rd

Date:

7/24/10

With the heat index at around 110 degrees fahrenheit, units operating at a house fire at 6801 Chillum Manor Road requested a fire task force alerting Truck 14 at 1449 hours. Truck 14 arrived and was put to work to complete a secondary search of the entire house and provide additional ventilation. Fire involving a ruptured gas line kept the fire burning. The truck crew operated a handline on the second floor to hold the fire in check until the arrival of Washington Gas. Truck 14 was ready for service at 1713 hours.

Photo courtesy of PGFDFire.com

High Rise Apartment Fire: 1836 Metzerott Rd

Date:

7/20/10

Truck 14 (first due) and Rescue Squad 14 were alerted to 1836 Metzerott Road in Company 34's area for the apartment fire. Units arrived to find nothing evident from a high rise apartment building. As Truck 14 made their way into the stairwell, residents reported smoke on the 6th and 7th floors. Once on the 6th floor, Truck 14 located a fire in apartment #625, assisted occupants in apartment #623 out of their residence, and held control of the door until the arrival of the engine company. Rescue Squad 14 was put to work as well completing the primary search of the remainder of the 6th floor and later a secondary search of the fire apartment. The fire was contained to the living room of the apartment of origin and searches turned up negative.

One Trapped: Metzerott Rd / New Hampshire Ave

Date:

7/19/10

At 0039 hours, Rescue Squad 14 was alerted to Metzerott Road and New Hampshire Avenue for the motor vehicle accident with one trapped. Units arrived and confirmed the same. Rescue Squad 14 arrived, stabilized the vehicle, and removed a door from a pickup truck. The trapped patient was transported to a local trauma center and Rescue Squad 14 was ready for service at 0105 hours.

Special Thanks to the Bladensburg VFD

Date:

7/9/10

The Berwyn Heights VFD would like to extend our thanks to the Bladensburg VFD for loaning us Engine 93 for a week. With Rescue Squad 14 and Rescue Squad 14R out of service due to mechanical issues and no county reserve rescue squads, we called Bladensburg VFD who agreed to loan us a reserve engine. After loading equipment on it and placing it in service as Rescue Squad 14, it was called on multiple times to extricate trapped occupants from vehicles.

Technical Support Unit on Low Angle Rescue: 16550 Annapolis Rd

Date:

7/9/10

At 1607 hours, Technical Support Unit 14 was alerted to 16550 Annapolis Road for a worker who had suffered a medical emergency in a 20 foot deep water canal. TSU 14 arrived on scene and assisted first arriving units in rigging the stokes basket and a 3:1 haul system to remove the patient from the canal. Technical Support 14 was ready for service at 1724 hrs.

First Due Truck on Branchville House: 4719 Nantucket Rd

Date:

7/9/10

At 1214 hours, Truck 14 was alerted for the report of a house fire at 4719 Nantucket Road in Company 11's first due. Engine Co. 11 went on scene with smoke showing from the attic. Truck 14 arrived on scene shortly after, conducted the primary, and opened up on the inside and roof. Truck 14 was ready for service at 1423 hours.

Photo courtesy of Branchville VFD

Car Into Tree: 4822 Delaware St

Date:

7/7/10

At 2100 hrs, Rescue Squad 14 was alerted for the car accident with people trapped at 4822 Delaware Street, in Company 11's first due. Company 11 arrived on scene with one into a tree with the driver trapped. Rescue Squad 14 quickly stabilized the car and removed the driver's door to extricate the patient. The squad was ready for service at 2121 hours.

One Overturned and Trapped: 11417 Cherry Hill Rd

Date:

7/7/10

At 1150 hours, Rescue Squad 14 responded to a reported car overturned with entrapment at 11417 Cherry Hill Road, in Company 41's area. Company 41 arrived on scene and confirmed one trapped. Rescue Squad 14 arrived and stabilized the car utilizing a box crib and struts. The squad crew then removed the driver's door to extricate the priority one patient. Rescue Squad 14 was ready for service at 1210 hours.

One Overturned, One Trapped: Kenilworth Ave / Rittenhouse St

Date:

7/3/10

Rescue Squad 14 found one overturned and one trapped in this vehicle located at Kenilworth Avenue and Rittenhouse Street. The squad crew removed two doors and a B-post to extricate the driver.

Adelphi House Fire: 2209 Lewisdale Dr

Date:

6/26/10

Rescue Squad 14 was assigned rapid intervention on this house fire at 2209 Lewisdale Drive in Adelphi. The squad crew controlled the utilities, removed bars from windows, ventilated, and threw multiple ground ladders.

Car Into Building: 10478 Baltimore Ave

Date:

6/25/10

Technical Support Unit 14 (Rescue Squad 14) responded to 10478 Baltimore Avenue for a car into a building. Units arrived to find a car that went through the front of a one-story strip mall. The TSU searched and evacuated the structure, controlled utilities, assessed the building for structural damage, and secured the vehicle and ensured no fluids were leaking. With no structural damage to the building and no other hazards present, the building was turned over to the county building inspector.

Photo courtesy of Branchville VFD

Heavy Fire From Beltsville House: 11417 Allview Dr

Date:

6/22/10

Truck 14 and Rescue Squad 14 operated on this house fire at 11417 Allview Drive in Beltsville. Truck 14 conducted the primary and secondary search with negative results, ventilated, and controlled utilities. Rescue Squad 14 was assigned RIT.

Photo courtesy of Beltsville VFD

One Trapped: I-495 / Kenilworth Ave

Date:

6/21/10

Rescue Squad 14 ran this motor vehicle accident on the outerloop of the Capitol Beltway at Kenilworth Avenue, involving three vehicles with one trapped. The squad crew removed the roof of the car and removed the patient out the back of the car.

Serious MVA Involving Car vs. Bus: BW Parkway / I-495

Date:

6/12/10

Rescue Squad 14 and Chief 14A (McCoy) responded to this accident on the Baltimore Washington Parkway near the Capitol Beltway with the complaintant advising "the whole back end [of a car] is gone" at 0300 hours. Rescue Squad 14 arrived to find a vehicle that had crossed the median, struck the wall, and then was hit by a bus. The squad crew quickly assessed and moved the patient to an awaiting ambulance, who rapidly transported the patient to a local trauma center.

One Overturned & Trapped in Adelphi: Riggs Rd / Ray Rd

Date:

6/11/10

Rescue Squad 14 and Chief 14, (with former Chief S. Barile riding along) responded for the motor vehicle accident with one reported overturned at 2145 hours. While enroute, Engine Co. 34 arrived on scene and confirmed that they had an overturned vehicle with the driver trapped inside. Rescue Squad 14 arrived on scene, stabilized the vehicle, removed the driver's door, B-post, and partially removed the driver's seat to gain access to and remove the driver.

Fire in the IHOP Kitchen: 5603 Kenilworth Ave

Date:

6/11/10

Squad 14 arrived on scene as the second arriving special service and was put to work completing searches and checking for extension on the first and second floors. Squad 14's driver also controlled utilities to the building.

Photo courtesy of Bladenburg VFD

One Trapped on the MD/DC Line: BW Parkway / Rt. 50

Date:

6/9/10

At 1610 hours, Rescue Squad 14 was alerted to southbound Baltimore Washington Parkway at John Hanson Highway for the motor vehicle accident with one trapped. Engine Company 22 arrived and confirmed the same. Rescue Squad 14 arrived, stabilized the vehicle, and removed two doors and a B-post to provide access to the patient. Extrication was completed in under 3 minutes and the squad was ready for service at 1631 hours.

Two Cut Jobs and House Fire For The Day

Date:

6/6/10

The first of the two cut jobs was dispatched at 0031 hours for 8502 Adelphi Road in Company 34's first-due for one trapped in a vehicle who was quickly determined to be a trauma code. Rescue Squad 14 and Chief 14A (McCoy) responded and removed twoo doors and a B-post to extricate the seriously injured driver.

Next, at 0247 hours, Rescue Squad 14 and Chief 14A once again were alerted for one trapped at 11670 Baltimore Avenue, in front of the Beltsville MVA (pictured below). Company 14 removed doors, a B-post and the roof, then lifted the dash to extricate the trapped driver.

Finally, at 1550 hours, Rescue Squad 14 was alerted for fire in the house at 8015 Rhode Island Avenue in Company 12's first-due. Units arrived to find fire in the basement of a two-story, single family dwelling. Rescue Squad 14 was the first arriving special service, searched, ventilated, threw ground ladders, and controlled utilities.

Pictures from 11760 Baltimore Avenue

May 2010 Summary

Date:

5/31/10

Although we did not post too many pictures or stories in May, the volunteers from Berwyn Heights kept busy running many extrications and fires.

5/1/10 - Extrication (28) - Rt. 295 / Annapolis Rd (door pop)
5/1/10 - Extrication (31) - Sellman Rd / Woodbine Rd (extricate 1)
5/1/10 - Apartment Fire (34) - 2003 Fordham St (truck: search group, squad: RIT)
5/6/10 - Extrication (35) - Rt. 295 / Good Luck Rd (door pop)
5/9/10 - Extrication (702) - New Hampshire Ave / Piney Branch Rd (2 P1, 1 P4)
5/10/10 - Extrication (28) - I-495 / Good Luck Rd (extricate 1)
5/13/10 - House Fire (712) - 7937 Mt. Pisgah Rd (squad as RIG)
5/20/10 - House Fire (48) - 9513 Underwood St (truck and squad)
5/24/10 - Extrication (13) - Rt. 295 / Riverdale Rd (extricate 2 from car in woods)
5/25/10 - Extrication (41) - I-95 / I-495 (1 pinned, doors, roof, & dash)
5/28/10 - Extrication (31) - I-95 / Powder Mill Rd (door pop)

One Trapped at the Split: SB I-95 @ OL I-495

Date:

5/25/10

Rescue Squad 14 removed the doors and roof, and lifted the dash to extricate a patient trapped in this vehicle that traveled off the roadway into the woods. The accident occurred on southbound I-95 at the outerloop of the Capitol Beltway.

Two Trapped in the Woods: BW Parkway / Riverdale Rd

Date:

5/24/10

Rescue Squad 14 extricated two patients in this accident that occurred at northbound BW Parkway at Riverdale Road. The car traveled well off the roadway and required trees and brush to be removed. Engine Company 9 assisted with altering the landscape to provide access to the vehicle.

Photos courtesy of Bladensburg VFD

BHVFD Awards and Housing Celebration

Date:

5/15/10

On this beautiful Saturday afternoon, the Berwyn Heights VFD honored their members and celebrated into the night by housing the new Truck 14. The event started with an awards ceremony to honor the dedicated volunteers. Awards were given out to the top runners (live-in, non-live-in, and EMS) of the department. Additionally, Firefighter Mike Robinson was awarded the President's Award and Deputy Chief Danny McCoy was awarded the Chief's Award.

As members from various fire departments and citizens of the community gathered, the dedication and housing of Truck 14 began. BHVFD Chief Fusco and President Ward presented a plaque to long time member and current treasurer Paul Martein to dedicate the 2009 Seagrave Ladder Truck in his name. Also, PGFD Chief Jones said a few words and presented Firefighter John Schunk with a Medal of Valor for his actions on October 17, 2009 on a fire in Springhill Lake. To conclude the ceremony, Chief Fusco christened the ladder truck, and past and present members "pushed" the ladder truck into the firehouse.

For the remainder of the afternoon, everyone was treated to a great meal by the D.C. Fire Department Barbecue Team, volleyball and cornhole games were held, and friends of the BHVFD reminisced about old times.

Although there are too many thank you's to list, we would like to especially thank the Hyattsville VFD for providing fill-in squad and ambulance crews, the Parkside VFD for coming all the way from the suburbs of Philadelphia and bringing along their wagon for display, the Clinton VFD for bringing the previous Truck 14 which they purchased and have placed in-service, and Berwyn Heights Captain Ryan Wagner for putting in many hours coordinating this successfull event!

Truck and Squad Run Apartment Fire: 2003 Fordham St

Date:

5/1/10

Truck and Rescue Squad 14 ran this apartment fire at 2003 Fordham Street. Units had fire on the third floor of a three-story, ordinary apartment building. Truck 14 was assigned the search group and Rescue Squad 14 was assigned rapid intervention.

Photo courtesy of Branchville VFD

Nine BHVFD Members Awarded Medals of Valor

Date:

4/26/10

The Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department hosted their Annual Valor Awards Luncheon at Martins Crosswinds in Greenbelt, MD. Nine members from the Berwyn Heights VFD received medals of valor for their actions on two different incidents in 2009.

BRONZE MEDAL OF VALOR
Presented to Volunteer Captain James Kiernan, Jr., Volunteer Fire Fighter John Schunk, Volunteer Fire Fighter Ben Ross, Volunteer Fire Fighter David Cooper, Volunteer Fire Fighter Bryan Eldridge, Volunteer Fire Fighter William Heiney, Volunteer Fire Fighter Randy Piper, Volunteer Fire Fighter Brad Badali.

On Saturday, October 17, 2009, at about 8:45 a.m., Prince George’s County Public Safety Communications dispatched Box Alarm 14-12 for an apartment on fire with people trapped at 5925 Cherrywood Terrace, which is located in Empirian Village Apartment complex (formerly known as Springhill Lake). The first arriving unit, Berwyn Heights Truck 814, reported heavy fire showing from the second floor and immediately asked for a second alarm to be transmitted.

Due to the early morning hour of a weekend day, the Truck crew quickly encountered several residents who were trapped on balconies and in the interior stairwell of the first and second floors, as well as several injured residents lying on the ground. Without hesitation and without the protection of a charged hand-line, the crew from Truck 814 rescued seven occupants from the fire building. Numerous residents were transported to area hospitals with a variety of injuries; however, all survived. The quick actions of first arriving personnel prevented more serious and possible fatal injuries from occurring.

For unusual personal risk, judgment and zeal the BRONZE Medal of Valor is awarded to these firefighters.

BRONZE MEDAL OF VALOR
Presented to Volunteer Fire Fighter Kevin McVey

An early morning crash in September 2009 left a victim trapped underneath his SUV - with both submerged in a water filled ravine. Berwyn Heights Volunteer Fire Fighter Kevin McVey was assigned to operate the Jaws of Life to extricate the critically injured teen-age male victim from his precarious location. He began to work beneath the water to extricate the patient. This was a particularly difficult and challenging task that required a great deal of expertise and skill. McVey operated the Jaws of Life under the water while maintaining physical contact with the victim while simultaneously feeling for the proper place to cut. Prior to making his cuts, he had to hold the victim away from the blades of the cutters to ensure he did not cause any further harm to the patient. The patient was extricated within 30 minutes of the Fire/EMS Department’s arrival and was transported to a Trauma Center.

For unusual judgment and ingenuity - Volunteer Fire Fighter Kevin McVey is awarded the BRONZE Medal of Valor.

Busy April for Berwyn Heights VFD

Date:

4/21/10

In the month of April thus far, Company 14 has run 9 working fires and 3 extrications.

4/4/10 - Extrication (35) - Rt. 295 / NASA (extricate 2)
4/4/10 - House Fire (48) - 10016 Treetop Ln (fire on rear deck w/ extension to attic) 4/4/10 - House Fire (31) - 4206 Ulster Rd (fire on rear deck w/ extension to house) 4/7/10 - Extrication (38)- Addison Rd / 61st Ave (extricate 1)
4/8/10 - Townhouse Fire (35) - 7815 Jacobs Dr (two-alarm townhouse fire)
4/8/10 - Building Fire (31) - 11323 Old Baltimore Pk (two-alarm building fire)
4/10/10 - House Fire (1) - 3213 Toldeo Pl (two-alarm house fire)
4/14/10 - House Fire (48) - 6413 Seta Dr (fire in the basement)
4/15/10 - 2009 SEAGRAVE LADDER TRUCK PLACED IN-SERVICE
4/17/10 - House Fire (1) - 6217 43rd St (fire in second floor bedroom)
4/20/10 - House Fire (39) - 4011 Crydon Ln (heavy fire from single family dwelling)
4/20/10 - Extrication (35) - I/L I-495 / Rt. 295 (conversion van on it's side, 1 trapped)
4/21/10 - House Fire (34) - 8310 Rambler Dr (heavy fire from single family dwelling)

Adelphi House Fire: 8310 Rambler Dr

Date:

4/21/10

At 0041 hours, Truck 14 was dispatched to 8310 Rambler Drive, in Company 34’s area, for the house fire. Engine Company 34 arrived and reported fire showing from side charlie. Truck 14 arrived, laddered sides charlie and delta, conducted a primary search of the second floor, and opened up. Truck 14 was ready for service at 0346 hrs.

Van Overturned With One Trapped: I-495 / Rt 295

Date:

4/20/10

At 1456 hours, Rescue Squad 14 was dispatched to the innerloop of the Capital Beltway at the Baltimore-Washington Parkway for the personal injury accident. First arriving units reported a multiple passenger van overturned on its side with one patient trapped. Rescue Squad 14 arrived and worked quickly to stabilize the vehicle and extricate the patient. The patient was removed from the vehicle and transported to a local trauma center. Rescue Squad 14 was ready for service at 1545 hours.

Truck 14 Runs Bowie House Fire: 4011 Crydon Ln

Date:

4/20/10

At 0135 hours, Truck 14 was specialed to 4011 Crydon Lane in Company 39’s area for the working house fire. Upon arrival, Truck 14 was assigned the RIT. The Truck worked to open up from the exterior and secured the utilities. Truck 14 was ready for service at 0304.

Photo courtesy of ABC 7 News

First Fire For New Truck: 6217 43rd Ave

Date:

4/17/10

At 1921 hours, Truck 14 was alerted to Company 1’s area for the house on fire at 6217 43rd Avenue. Units arrived to find a bedroom fire on the second floor. Truck 14 arrived and conducted the primary search on Division 1, laddered the building, and secured the utilities. Truck 14 was ready for service at 1957 hrs.

Photos courtesy of Bladensburg VFD

New Truck 14 Placed In Service

Date:

4/15/10

At 1900 hours, the new Truck 14 was placed in service. For the next 12 hours, Company 14 maintained four crews; Truck 14 (2009 Seagrave TDA), Truck 14R (1991 Pemfab/LTI TDA), Rescue Squad 14 (2004 Seagrave/Marion), and Rescue Squad 14R (1990 Pemfab/Ranger).

Many more pictures and details of the new truck will be provided in a future update.

Two-Alarm Apartment Fire in Hyattsville: 3213 Toledo Pl

Date:

4/10/10

At 1906 hours, Truck 14 was dispatched on the second alarm to 3213 Toledo Place in Hyattsvilla. Upon arrival, Truck 14 was assigned the RIT, but was quickly reassigned to open up and check for extension. Truck 14 was ready for service at 2002 hours.

Photos courtesy of FirehouseGuy

Two-Alarm, Beltsville Building Fire: 11323 Old Baltimore Pike

Date:

4/8/10

At 1349 hours, Truck 14 (1st due) was alerted for the building fire at 11323 Old Baltimore Pike. Units arrived to find smoke showing from a one-story, commercial building. Truck 14 arrived and was confronted with heavy smoke conditions as they entered the building to complete a search. With fire extending through the roof and large amounts of stored ammunition exploding, the evacuation tones were sounded and the second alarm was requested.

Rescue Squad 14 was alerted on the second alarm and immediately requested to the scene. Truck 14 repositioned, setup their ladder pipe, and was supplied water by Engine Company 41. The squad and truck crew completed multiple fireground tasks by operating hose lines, throwing ground ladders, and controlling utilities. After multiple aerial master streams and numerous handheld and remote lines were utilized, the fire was able to be brought under control.

Photos courtesy of FirehouseGuy

Two-Alarm, Greenbelt Townhouse Fire: 7815 Jacobs Dr

Date:

4/8/10

At 0145 hours, Truck 14 and Chief 14A (McCoy) responded to 7815 Jacobs Drive for the townhouse fire. Units arrived to find fire showing from a end of the row, two-story townhouse. Truck 14 (1st Due) arrived, threw multiple ground ladders, ventilated, and searched. With fire extending to the cockloft, Truck 14 cut a trench cut to limit fire spread. The evacuation tones were sounded because of the pending and eventual collapse of the townhome. It took about an hour to bring the fire under control.

One of the attached townhouses that was damaged in the fire belongs to a long time member and past fire chief of the Berwyn Heights VFD. Truck 14 remained on scene for an extended period of time to assist with extensive salvage and overhaul, and cleared the scene at 0612 hours.

Photos courtesy of FirehouseGuy

Beltsville House Fire: 4206 Ulster Rd

Date:

4/4/10

At 1904 hours, Truck 14 was alerted to the house fire at 4206 Ulster Lane. Engine Company 31 arrived to find fire showing from the rear of a two-story, single family dwelling. Truck 14 arrived as the first-due truck, threw multiple ground ladders to all sides of the building, ventilated, completed the primary search, and opened up to check for extension. With an aggressive attack, the fire was able to be contained to the rear of the house. Truck 14 cleared the scene at 2035 hours.

Photos courtesy of Beltsville VFD

Lanham House Fire: 10016 Treetop Ln

Date:

4/4/10

Rescue Squad 14 was alerted at 1628 hours to 10016 Treetop Lane for the house fire. As the rapid intervention team, the squad crew threw multiple ground ladders to provide additional points of egress and controlled the utilities. Rescue Squad 14 was released at 1713 hours.

Double Fatal MVA: BW Parkway / NASA

Date:

4/4/10

Rescue Squad 14 was alerted to southbound Baltimore Washington Parkway at NASA for the motor vehicle accident at 0235 hours. Units arrived to find a serious collision with two trapped in a vehicle. The squad crew quickly extricated both patients. Unfortunately, both patients succumbed to the injuries they sustained in the crash. Rescue Squad 14 was ready for service at 0319 hours.

Door Pop: Kenilworth Ave / Crescent Rd

Date:

3/28/10

Rescue Squad 14 was alerted at 0232 hours to Kenilworth Avenue and Crescent Road for the motor vehicle accident. The squad crew removed a door to extricate the trapped occupant. Rescue Squad 14 cleared at 0305 hours.

First-Due Apartment Fire: 6206 Breezewood Dr

Date:

3/22/10

At 2030 hours, Box 14-09 was sounded for 6206 Breezewood Drive for the apartment fire. Truck 14 arrived to find a three-story, garden apartment with smoke showing from the second floor. Chief 14A (McCoy) arrived and established command, and assigned Chief 14B (Kitchen) "Division 2". Truck 14 located a kitchen on fire in apartment #202 and limited fire spread by closing the apartment door. Once a line was in place, the fire was quickly knocked down and crews checked for extension. Searches turned up negative and the fire was contained to the kitchen with minor extension to the rest of the apartment. Company 14 was ready for service at 2210 hours.

Photos 1 & 2 courtesy of PGFDFire.com

Greenbelt House Fire: 4 Maplewood Ct

Date:

3/20/10

Truck 14 operated on this house fire at 4 Maplewood Court in Greenbelt. Units found fire involving solar panels on the roof. The truck crew secured utilities and checked for extension into the attic.

Photo courtesy of PGFDFire.com

Fatal MVA: Northbound BW Parkway at Greenbelt Rd

Date:

3/17/10

At 0344 hours, Rescue Squad 14 and Ambulance 148 were alerted to northbound Baltimore Washington Parkway at Greenbelt Road for the motor vehicle accident. Rescue Squad 14 arrived to find a single vehicle accident with one patient partially ejected and trapped, established the "Parkway Command", and requested a medic unit. The squad crew extricated the driver who had one foot pinned under the dash. The patient was pronounced a Priority-4 on scene and Rescue Squad 14 returned to service at 0424 hours.

Truck and Squad on Beltsville House Fire: 11612 Cedar Ln

Date:

3/11/10

Truck and Rescue Squad 14 ran this house fire at 11612 Cedar Lane. Units had fire showing from one-story, single family home. Truck 14 (2nd due) searched and ventilated, and Rescue Squad 14 was assigned RIT. The fire was contained to the carport with limited extension into the home.

Photos courtesy of Beltsville VFD (1 & 3) and PGFD PIO Mark Brady (2)

Two Police Officers Trapped: 5000blk Edmonston Rd

Date:

3/11/10

Around 1500 hours, Rescue Squad 14 and Chief 14A (McCoy) was alerted for the motor vehicle accident with possible entrapment in the 5000 block of Edmonston Road. Company 9 (Bladensburg) arrived to find an accident involving a Bladensburg Police Department cruiser with two officers trapped. Rescue Squad 14 arrived, stabilized the vehicle, and removed all four doors, both B-posts, and the roof to extricate the officers. Both were transported to a local trauma center.

The Berwyn Heights Volunteer Fire Department extends our thoughts to the family and friends of the injured Bladensburg Police Department officers, and wishes both a speedy recovery.

Photo courtesy of Bladensburg VFD

Branchville House Fire: 4905 Nantucket Rd

Date:

3/10/10

At 1818 hours, Rescue Squad 14 responded to 4905 Nantucket Road for the house fire. Units found a small fire in the basement which was quickly extinguished. Rescue Squad 14 searched, ventilated, and controlled utilities. Company 14 was ready for service at 1955 hours.

2nd First-Due Fire of the Day: 5801 Cherrywood Te

Date:

3/9/10

At 1901 hours, Truck and Rescue Squad 14 were alerted to 5801 Cherrywood Terrace for the apartment fire. Crews from 14 arrived to find a three-story, garden apartment with heavy smoke in the basement. The fire was quickly located and confined to a pile of clothes in the basement utility room, and the assignment was scaled back quickly. Company 14 was ready for service at 1950 hours.

First-Due Fire in 10th Floor Apartment: 6100 Westchester Park Dr

Date:

3/9/10

At 1514 hours, the box alarm was sounded to 6100 Westchester Park Drive for the apartment fire. Truck 14, Rescue Squad 14, and Chief 14A (McCoy) arrived on scene of the 18-story, residential high rise with nothing showing, and Chief 14A established command. Upon entering, crews were informed of a possible fire in apartment #1017. After climbing 10 stories and reporting to the reported apartment, crews forced entry and found heavy smoke in apartment #1017 with fire in a back room. The fire was quickly knocked down, and the truck and squad completed searches on the fire floor with negative results, ventilated, and controlled utilities. After about 30 minutes, the assignment was scaled back to Companies 14, 35, and 9. Company 14 was ready for service at 1725 hours.

Photos courtesy of PGFD PIO Mark Brady (1), Billy Goldfeder (2), and Jim Davis (3 & 4)

Delivery of Truck 14

Date:

3/2/10

This afternoon, the new Truck 14 was delivered to 8811 60th Avenue. From here, placement of equipment must be completed before it goes back out for fabrication of custom mounts and brackets. Additionally, the new truck will be lettered since all it has at this time is a reflective stripe. Finally, the PGFD must inspect and approve it. Driver's training for current drivers and tillermen will also take place. Sometime in April it should go in service.

3-Alarm Apartment Fire in Laurel: 13009 Mistletoe Spring Rd

Date:

2/22/10

Truck 14 and Chief 14A (McCoy) were alerted on the second alarm to 13009 Mistletoe Spring Road. Units were on scene with heavy fire in a three-story garden apartment that was running the cockloft. Upon arrival, Truck 14 was ordered to respond directly to the scene and operate in the Bravo exposure, and Chief 14A was assigned the Exposure Group Leader. In an effort to save the Bravo exposure, the truck crew pulled ceiling and operated a hose line to prevent extension. After about an hour, the bulk of the fire was knocked down and the fire was contained to the building of origin.

Final Inspection of Truck 14

Date:

2/19/10

Members from the Truck 14 Apparatus Committee traveled to Seagrave Fire Apparatus in Clintonville, Wisconsin to complete the final inspection of the new ladder truck. From here, the truck will be driven to Maryland where equipment mounting will be completed before it finds it's final home at 8811 60th Avenue.

Truck 14 Added to Nursing Home Fire: 3120 Powder Mill Rd

Date:

2/18/10

Truck 14 was added to the assignment at 3120 Powder Mill Road (Paint Branch Home). Units were on scene with fire showing from the rear deck of an assisted living facility with reports of people trapped. Truck 14 was assigned RIT. One resident of the facility was transported to the hospital suffering from undetermined illness/injury.

First-Due Truck: 9606 Underwood Street

Date:

2/11/10

Crews found fire on the second floor and attic of a two-story, single family dwelling. Truck 14 (1st due) threw multiple ground ladders, searched, and ventilated.

Back to Back Snow Storms

Date:

2/6/10 &
2/10/10

On February 6th, Berwyn Heights and the surrounding area were covered with around thirty inches of snow. On February 10th, ten more inches and heavy winds causing white out conditions greeted the region. During both storms, dedicated truck, rescue squad, and ambulance crews were maintained for the majority of the time to respond to motor vehicle accidents, collapse investigations, medical emergencies, and many other calls for assistance.

One Pinned: NB I-95 / Sandy Spring Rd

Date:

2/5/10

Rescue Squad 14, Chief 14A (McCoy) and Chief 14B(Kitchen) responded on this multi-vehicle accident on northbound Interstate 95 in the area of Sandy Spring Road. The accident occurred just as snowfall started and left a driver of on vehicle heavily pinned. The rescue squad crew removed all four doors and the roof, and lifted the dash to free the trapped occupant. Extrication was completed in under 10 minutes from the time Rescue Squad 14 arrived on scene and the patient was transported to a local trauma center.

First-Due Truck on House Fire: 9635 52nd Ave

Date:

2/4/10

At 1506 hours, Truck 14 was alerted on the Street Alarm (2 & 1) for the report of a shed on fire. Engine Company 11 (Branchville) arrived to find a one-story dwelling with heavy smoke showing and filled out the box. Truck 14 arrived just behind them, located a fire in quadrant B of the home, completed the primary and secondary search, and ventilated. The driver, tillerman, and laddermen on the exterior threw ladders to the roof, and ventilated vertically and horizontally. Engine Company 11 quickly extinguished the fire and the assignment scaled back to 11 and 14. Truck 14 cleared at 1650 hours.

First-Due, One Trapped: Kenilworth Ave / Westchester Park Dr

Date:

1/29/10

Rescue Squad 14 removed a door at Kenilworth Avenue and Westchester Park Drive to remove a trapped occupant. The patient was transported by Ambulance 148 to a local hospital.

New Truck 14 Update

Date:

1/28/10

At this point in the manufacturing process, the aerial ladder has been mounted on the trailer, and the trailer has been connected to the tractor. BHVFD Apparatus Committee members will soon be making the trip to Clintonville, Wisconsin to conduct the final inspection at Seagrave.

Basement Fire: 5413 Gallatin St

Date:

1/26/10

Fire in the basement of a single-family dwelling. Chief 14A (McCoy) had the Command, Chief 14B (Kitchen) had the Basement Division, and Rescue Squad 14 (3rd due special service) was the Rapid Intervention Team.

One Overturned, One Trapped: NB I-95 / Sandy Spring Rd

Date:

1/24/10

As units were operating on a separate vehicle accident on southbound I-95 with one trapped in a car on fire, Rescue Squad 14 was alerted for one trapped on northbound I-95. Rescue Squad 14 arrived and found one trapped in an SUV on its side which was resting in a drainage ditch. The squad crew stabilized the vehicle by using a picket anchoring system, ratchet straps, wood cribbing and airshores. The roof of the SUV was then removed and the patient was extricated.

First-Due MVA: Cherrywood Ln / Greenbelt Metro Dr

Date:

1/12/10

Rescue Squad 14 extricated two patients from this car by removing two doors. Chief 14A (McCoy) had the Command.

New Truck 14 Update

Date:

1/10/10

Here are some pictures of the progress of Berwyn Heights VFD's new Seagrave Tractor Drawn Aerial being manufactured in Clintonville, Wisconsin. The ladder truck is coming together well and should be completed in February.

Berwyn Heights Volunteers Awarded Emergency Service Awards

Date:

1/8/10

Recently, PGFD Chief Eugene A. Jones presented Emergency Service Awards to members of the Berwyn Heights VFD for two separate incidents.

Making the first award presentation Fire Chief Jones stated, “On Saturday, October 17th 2009 at 0847 hrs, Prince George’s County Public Safety Communications dispatched Box Alarm 14-12 for an apartment on fire with people trapped at 5925 Cherrywood Terrace, which is located in Empirian Village Apartment complex (formerly known as Springhill Lake). The first arriving unit, Truck 814, reported heavy fire showing from the second floor and immediately asked for a second alarm to be transmitted. Due to the early morning hour of a weekend day, the Truck crew quickly encountered several residents who were trapped on balconies and in the interior stairwell of the first and second floors. Without hesitation and without the protection of a charged hand-line, the crew from Truck 814 rescued seven occupants from the fire building. Your actions are held in the highest tradition of the fire service and are commendable.”

Emergency Services Awards were presented to the following personnel:

Volunteer Chief Charles Fusco

Volunteer Deputy Chief Danny McCoy

Volunteer Captain James Kiernan Jr.

Volunteer Fire Fighter John Schunk

Volunteer Fire Fighter Ben Ross

Volunteer Fire Fighter David Cooper

Volunteer Fire Fighter Brian Eldridge

Volunteer Fire Fighter William Heiney

Volunteer Fire Fighter Randy Piper

Volunteer Fire Fighter Brad Badali

The second award presentation to members of Berwyn Heights was for their challenging extrication of a victim trapped by his vehicle after being ejected and being partially submerged under water. While making this presentation Chief Jones stated, “A full sized SUV had traveled off a ramp from the Capitol Beltway Route 495 to Interstate 95 approximately 100’ into a 25’ deep ravine. The SUV overturned and then came to rest in approximately four feet of standing water. A teenage male patient was trapped beneath the SUV and partially submerged underwater. The patient was only visible from the neck up. Surrounding the ravine, were several trees and a dense brush which prevented initial access for all providers. Once stabilization of the vehicle was complete, a crew member entered into the water and began to work beneath the water to extricate the patient. This was a particularly difficult task. Volunteer Fire Fighter Kevin McVey, who was operating the Amkus equipment under the water, had to feel for the victim and then feel for the proper place to cut. Prior to making his cuts, he had to hold the victim away from the blades of the cutters to ensure he did not cause any further harm to the patient. The teen-aged patient was extricated and transported to a trauma center in critical condition.”

The following personnel were presented with Emergency Services Awards:

Volunteer Chief Charles Fusco

Volunteer Deputy Chief Danny McCoy

Volunteer Captain James Kiernan

Volunteer Captain Sean Dwyer

Volunteer Lieutenant Christopher Wipprecht

Volunteer Fire Fighter Kevin McVey

Volunteer Fire Fighter John Schunk

Volunteer Fire Fighter Joseph Dirusso

Volunteer Fire Fighter Brandon Hool

Volunteer Fire Fighter Paul Burley

Volunteer Fire Fighter Brandt Woodhouse

Volunteer Fire Fighter Milton Harrod

Volunteer Fire Fighter Billy Robertson

Volunteer Fire Fighter Anthony Medlock

Volunteer Fire Fighter Brandon Hool

Photo courtesy of PGFD PIO Mark Brady

One Trapped on the Beltway: Innerloop I-495 @ Greenbelt Rd

Date:

1/8/10

Rescue Squad 14 removed two doors and B-post to extricate a trapped occupant of this car involved in a motor vehicle accident that was up against a guard rail.

Congratulations

Date:

1/7/10

Congratulations to Berwyn Heights Volunteer Firefighter Dave Cooper on graduating from the District of Columbia Fire Department's Recruit School. Firefighter Cooper was in DCFD Recruit Class 360, and has been appointed to Engine Company 32 located in the Southeast quadrant of the city in the Garfield community. Many BHVFD members were on hand for the graduation.

Photo courtesy of Raising Ladders Photography

First-Due Fire: 6227 Springhill Ct

Date:

1/2/10

Around noon, Truck 14 and Chief 14A (McCoy) were alerted to 6227 Springhill Court in the Empirian Village Apartment Complex (formerly known as Springhill Lake) for smoke in the building. Truck 14 found an electrical panel on fire in the basement of the three-story, garden apartment. Although the fire was quickly extinguished, many residents required temporary shelter arrangements due to the loss of electrical power. Chief 14A had the Command.