At 0056 hrs the Rescue Squad was alerted to Rt. 50 westbound at Landover Rd. for the single vehicle accident. As the Rescue Squad was departing quarters PG Fire Communications received additional information that the car was on fire with an occupant trapped inside. With this additional information communications added Engine 331 to the call. The units from Kentland arrived, with 10 volunteers, to find an auto on fire with the driver pinned by the dash. The crew from engine 331 quickly deployed their line to protect the victim while the Rescue Squad stabilized the vehicle and went to work freeing the victim. The rescue squad removed the driver's door and then rolled the dash with a hydraulic ram thus freeing the victim from the car. The patient was then handed over to awaiting EMS crews for transport to a local Trauma center. The units from Kentland returned to service in 15 minutes from the time of dispatch. 

At approx. 1040 hours, a box alarm was struck out for the house on fire with one burned at 2404 Oak Glen Way in Ritchie, Maryland. Tower Ladder 33 responded on the run with a total of five volunteers. Engine Company 37 arrived within minutes to find a single-story home and fire showing from the basement area. A burned child was also located in the front yard. Engine Company 37 immediately stretched a line to suppress the fire and provided EMS care. Battalion Chief 803 arrived on the scene shortly after Engine Company 37 and established the "Oak Glen" Command. He next gave orders to Tower Ladder 33 to report to side "A" and perform the first due ladder company responsibilities. Tower Ladder 33 arrived a short time later, placed several portable ladders, ventilated the home and performed searches with Rescue Squad 27. The fire, involving a few rooms, was quickly extinguished via the interior stairwell. Once the fire was knocked down, the crew from 33 assisted others with opening up and checking for extension. Tower Ladder 33's crew operated for approx. two-hours before returning to service. The injured child was transported to a local burn unit in serious condition.

At 1326 hrs units were alerted for a report of a building on fire in the 3800 blk of 64th Ave in Landover Hills. Engine 331 (4th due Engine) and Rescue Squad 33 (3rd due Special Service) responded on the run with 9 volunteers. As the crews turned left out of the firehouse a column of smoke could already be seen rising from the reported area. Engine 301 (Landover Hills) arrived in the area to find a 1 story in the front 2 story in the rear storage facility with fire and smoke showing from several units. Rescue Squad 33 arrived soon after E301 and brought their RIT supplies and saws to the front of the fire building. RS33 along with Trucks 9 and 28 began work on the large number of roll up doors that needed to be opened. Engine 331 arrived 3rd and laid a line from Annapolis Rd into the complex and took a position out of the way of other units. With the initial report of a large volume of fire, Engine 331’s crew disconnected the “Detroit” bundle load and deployed the 2 ½” line below utilizing a stack tip nozzle. The crews of Rescue Squad 33 and Truck 9 worked to gain access to the many roll up doors as Truck 28 positioned ladders. Command requested a task force sounded and assigned the RIT duties to the next arriving special service, allowing Rescue Squad 33’s crew to assist with the large number of special service duties to be done on this fire. The tenants of the storage facility were getting their moneys worth as many of the involved units were stacked from floor to ceiling with materials, one even having a makeshift workshop inside. In all, fire was found in over 7 units with smoke and heat damage effecting more than 20. Crews worked for several hours to clear out debris and knock down smoldering hot spots before returning to service.        

During the mid morning hours Mini-Pumper 33 was alerted along with an EMS unit from Station 22 (Cheverly) for a report of an injured child on Mathew Henson Ave. MP33 arrived on scene to find a 3 year old child who had removed the pedal from a bicycle and had his finger lodged in the now void hole. Seeing this they made a request for Rescue Squad 33 to lead a helping hand. Once arriving, the crew deployed the “man in the machine” kit as well as the “wizzer” air powered circular saw. The child was kept calm and protected as the crew worked to remove the pedal shaft from the bike. The metal was kept cool utilizing ice packs and even some fresh snow as the “wizzer” saw cut through the heavy gauge metal. Once detached from the bike, the child and remaining portion of the pedal shaft were transported to Children’s Hospital for further extrication.   

Started in 1997 to support and raise awareness for Special Olympics athletes, the MSP Polar Bear Plunge had already raised 6.6 million dollars before this years festivities kicked off. Kentland's first annual Plunge team headed East on Saturday morning with a PGPD escort, ready to dive into the frigid Chesapeake. At Sandy Point State Park, the team joined other fire department contingents from Baltimore, Washington and PG County for some refreshments before taking the 1 o'clock plunge. Thanks again to everyone who donated to support our cause, and we'll see you next year in Sandy Point. Bring thermal underwear.

During the mid morning hours, the rescue assignment was dispatched for 7601 Riverdale Road for a reported car into a building with people trapped. Rescue Squad 33 with 5 volunteers responded on the run. First arriving Engine 281 (West Lanham) reported a car overturned into an apartment building with confirmed persons trapped. Rescue Squad 33 arrived soon after to find the vehicle overturned into the stairwell of a bravo side terrace level apartment. Engine 828 placed a ladder to access the stairwell as the Rescue Squad crew lowered down equipment to stabilize the auto. After the car was initially stabilized with Paratech rescue struts the rear window was then removed to access the passenger compartment. The two occupants, a mother and her 1 year old daughter, were removed safely to awaiting EMS.

For the past 14 years the Maryland State Police has put together a fund raising benefit to support the Special Olympics.  The benefit is the MSP Polar Bear Plunge at the Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis, MD.  This year Kentland has decided to put a team together to participate in the plunge on January 30th, 2010.  Our team is reaching out and asking you for your help.  We are collecting donations for the Special Olympics and to make a donation you just need to click on the following link to support our team.  Thank you for your generosity.  If you have any questions, you can contact Tim "Spray 9" McCloskey via email tmccloskey@kentland33.com
 
http://plungemd.kintera.org/kentland33

At 1513 hours units from Kentland 46 and 33 were dispatched to a reported accident with one overturned and one trapped. Engine 461 (Kentland #2) arrived to find on car on its side infront of 65 Herrington Drive with the driver still trapped. Rescue Engine 33 arrived on the scene and immediately began stabilizing the vehicle utilizing the “same side, opposing forces” technique and providing protective measures to the victim. Once the vehicle was stabilized the crew worked to remove the roof and free the driver. The entire process took just under 10 minutes and the patient was turned over to EMS on the scene.  

At 1915 hours, the box alarm was transmitted for a house on fire at 12715 Sutters Lane in Glenn Dale. Numerous calls came into fire communications, reporting smoke from this address. Rescue Engine 33, as a Squad, along with Chief 33 responded on the run with six volunteers. Engine Company 18 was the first to arrive and report smoke showing from the reported address. As they stretched an attack line to the first floor, it was found that a few rooms were on fire in the basement. The crew opted to attack the fire by going down the interior stairwell and they began to attack the main body of fire. As this was being done, Rescue Engine and Chief 33 arrived on the scene. The Rescue Engine was put to work as the second special service, per Command. The crew went to work in the rear, placing portable ladders, ventilating the upper floors/basement and entered the first floor to begin a primary search. Chief 33 was assigned as the basement division (fire floor) supervisor and reported to that area. Once the fire was contained, all units opened-up to check for extension. Some was found in the second floor pipe chase and was confined quickly. Units completed a secondary search and began to complete overhaul. Volunteers from the Kentland Station operated for approx. one and a half hours.

Just after 1500 hours, the box alarm was transmitted for the home on fire in the area of 7411 Central Avenue. Initial 9-1-1 calls reported seeing smoke and flames from a rowhouse in that area. Tower Ladder 33 was assigned as the 2nd due Ladder Company on the assignment and responded with six volunteers. Engine Company 8 was the first unit to arrive in the area and reported a corrected address of 7315 Calder Drive and smoke showing. Tower Ladder 33 arrived within minutes as dispatched and went to work. The interior team check the exposures initially and then were re-assigned to the basement division once the fire was confirmed to be there. They performed searches, ventilated from the interior, opened-up and checked for extension. Meanwhile the exterior crew performed VES measures from ladders to the second floor, ventilated the upper floors and the roof from the bucket of the Tower Ladder. The fire was extinguished by taking a line from the front, first floor entrance into the basement and was confined quickly. Tower Ladder 33 operated for approx. one-hour and fifteen minutes before returning to service. Photo courtesy the Ritchie VFD, Co. 37.

Just after 0327 hrs, units from Kentland and surrounding areas were alerted for a report of smoke in the building at 3401 Dodge Park Rd. Engine 332 and Tower Ladder 33 responded on the run with 12 volunteers. As the units made the short trip from the firehouse to Dodge Park, smoke could be seen rising from the area. As the companies turned into the apartment complex fire could be seen coming from a terrace level apartment on the C-Charlie side of a 3 story in the front, 4 stories in the rear garden apartment building. Both units positioned on side A-alpha and were met with a crowd of frantic people stating that a woman was trapped in the fire apartment and that there were also oxygen bottles in the apartment. Engine 332’s crew stretched the 250’ 1 ½” attack line into the building towards the downstairs apartment as the Tower Ladder interior team headed in to force entry and initiate a rapid primary search. Crews were met with heavy smoke conditions and zero visibility as they made their way to the reported apartment. At the entrance of the fire apartment, Sgt. Scott Sturmer (lineman) and Sgt. Tim Moore (layout) were the first to locate a handicapped woman laying in the smoke filled hallway. Knowing the heavy fire conditions in the apartment and the responsibilities each had to extinguish the fire, the two passed the woman down the hallway to the interior crew of the Tower Ladder. Sgt. Matt Hall (barman) drug the large victim to the base of the stairwell where he was met by Capt. John Burns (Engine OIC) and Capt. Joe Brown (Tower OIC). The men worked feverishly to hoist the heavy victim up the interior stairwell to the upper entrance of the building and out to awaiting EMS. Knowing that forcing the apartment door would release extreme heat up the stairwell and onto the rescue efforts, Sturmer and Moore patiently held the door with their charged handline. Once the initial victim was removed to safety the interior team returned to the apartment door and entry was made. Crews encountered extreme heat conditions and zero visibility as they worked to complete the primary search in the fire apartment. While this aggressive interior attack was taking place, as a similar aggressive operation was taking place on the exterior. Firefighter Fred Caramiello, operating as the outside vent man on the Tower, was alerted by screaming coming from a third floor window. Caramiello looked up to see a father holding his 2 year old child out the window stating he wanted to drop him to bystanders. FF Carmelio with 35’ ladder already in hand shouted to the man to stay calm and not to drop the child. FF Caramiello assisted by Firefighter Don Aker (Engine Chauffeur) scaled the deployed 35’ ladder and retrieved the child from the father as smoke issued from the apartment. 3 other adults were removed via the same window as FF Tracy Coe (roof) removed 1 more adult via a 24’ ladder from an adjacent window. A similar situation was unfolding in the rear of the building as Truck Company 9 (Bladensburg) removed 6 occupants including another child dangling from their parents arms. Victims in the windows of the 4th floor were told to stand by as crews worked to ventilate the smoke and heat charged stairwell. The interior teams found fire in several rooms of the apartment and quickly knocked it down as the primary search proved negative beyond the initial victim. The Tower interior crew now turned their attention to the top floor where banking smoke was still trapping occupants. Tower 33’s roof team, vertically ventilated the stairwell releasing trapped heat and smoke. With better conditions in the stairwell than in 4th floor apartments, the Tower Ladder crew made the decision to remove the additional 6-8 occupants from the building via the interior stairwell. Truck Company 9 completed searches on the 2nd and 3rd floors along with Truck Company 28 (West Lahnam). Once the smoke cleared multiple oxygen bottles were found in the room or origin including one which had vented itself during the fire. In all, over 18 occupants were removed from the building by units operating on this fire. All crews worked quickly, efficiently and cooperatively to protect both life and property in a situation that could have truly turned tragic. Units operated for over 2 hours assisting investigators and completing overhaul. The victim removed from the fire apartment was transported to a local hospital and is listed in stable condition.     

At 0217 hrs units were alerted for a report of smoke coming from a row of businesses in the 5900 blk of MLK Ave. Engine 332 and Tower Ladder 33 responded on the run with 9 volunteers. Engine 81 (Seat Pleasant) arrived on the scene along with Tower Ladder 33 to find a one story commercial strip with light smoke showing and water running from underneath the Murrys roll up doors. A bystander on a bicycle indicated that he also believed it may be coming from the Murrys. The Tower Ladder crew worked on forcing the front roll up doors as Engine 332 took a position in the rear where Quint 22 (Cheverly) worked on the rear roll up doors. Once the roll up doors were opened crews found thick smoke conditions in the store and an activated sprinkler. Tower 33 initiated a large area search utilizing the thermal imaging camera as the Engine companies located a fire involving a refrigeration unit. The Tower outside team ventilated the building and worked to control the utilities as the primary search turned up negative results. Crews operated for just over an hour before returning to service.             

Today, just after the midnight hour, the Ritchie Volunteer Fire Department, Company 37 made history when they placed Truck Company 37 in-service. The Ritchie VFD has operated with only an Engine Company since its inception in 1964. This measure was done due to three near-by Truck Companies going out of service over the years. The Officers and Membership of the Kentland Volunteer Fire Department, Inc., Companies 33 and 46 wish the Ritchie Volunteers well with their new endeavor.

At 2307 hours, the box alarm was transmitted for a gas station on fire at 6181 Annapolis Road in Landover Hills, Maryland. The assignment consisted of Engine Companies 30, 9 and 33, Truck Company 9, 55, 22 and Rescue Engine 33 (Squad). The units from Kentland 33, including the Chief, responded with a total of 13 volunteers. First arriving Engine Company 30 radioed their layout and reported a one-story gas station with fire showing from the convenience store area. Other arriving units secured their water supply and began opening-up the fire area. Engine Company 33 arrived on the scene and secured Engine 9B's water supply. The crew stretched an attack line and extinguished spot fires on the "D" side of the building. Rescue Engine 33 arrived on the scene, opened-up the rear of the building to provide egress points and assisted on side "D" of the building with opening-up bullet proof windows. The fire was extinguished quickly and Chief 33 with the "Annapolis Road" Command continued to hold Engine Company 30, 9, Truck Company 9 and Rescue Engine 33. Those crews worked for an additional hour and a half to open-up the roof area and extinguish hot spots. Kentland Volunteers returned to service at 0145 hours.

As most people were preparing to bring in the new year, a box alarm was transmitted at 17:39 hours in the Ritchie, Maryland area for the house on fire at 1401 Iron Forge Road. Tower Ladder and Chief 33 responded on the assignment with six volunteers, leaving an additional crew in quarters. Within minutes, Engine Company 37 arrived to find a two-story, split foyer home and fire showing from the rear. Chief 33 arrived on the scene as the County Duty Chief was pulling in and was assigned as the "Division 1" supervisor. Tower Ladder 33 arrived as the first Truck Company. The outside team, consisting of the chauffeur and outside ventman, placed multiple ladders on sides "A", "B" and "D". Once this was completed, the crew ventilated the fire floor and secured utilities. The inside team, consisting of the barman, canman and OIC performed a search of Division 1, assisted Rescue Squad 8 with opening-up on Division 2 and performed a secondary search of the same areas. After approx. 15 minutes the fire was deemed under control and Command held Engine Company 37, Rescue Squad 8 and Tower Ladder 33. Kentland Volunteers returned to service at 1910 hours.