THANK YOU to all the men and women of our Armed Services who so vigilantly stand guard, with Dignity and Honor; who so valiantly place their life in harms way to protect that independence, the very freedom so, so many take for granted.

YOU... man or women, be it Army, Navy, Air Force or Marines; National Guard or Coast Guard who risk all for the benefit of many thousands you will never know, are our, True American Heroes.

We Pray that God watch over each and every one of you, each and every day, to walk with you and protect you as you stand ready to protect this Great Nation and our freedom.

A slow start to a long weekend, taking in 16 calls since 1700 hours on Thursday July 3, 2008.

Friday morning, just after clearing a medic local on the engine we heard Quint 822 advise Public Safety Communications to Fill the Box. The men knew they would be going to work as Quint 822 updated their location at 4823 Frolic Lane with an approximate 150 X 200, two story warehouse with heavy smoke conditions.

At 0542 the truck marked on scene, positioned close to the A/B corner in front of Quint 822 and went to work. Interior Attack Group reported heavy smoke with fire believed contained to a large vehicle. Truck 809s Officer (Jones) reported the primary search of 1st and 2nd levels to be negative while the D/O laddered the roof and removed 6 skylights, providing much needed relief to the interior crews.

The fire, a large cube van type lunch wagon truck containing numerous LP gas cylinders and surrounding area was quickly contained by 22s attack group and later was removed from the building. Little remained except smoke removal, supporting investigations and clean up.

The IC, Battalion Chief 801, requested the second alarm early in the incident as a precaution based on visible conditions but quickly released them with exception of E808 and Squad 814. Truck 809 cleared the scene at 0722 hours.

The men were quick to hit the street for the "7 Box", reporting a house on fire in the vicinity of Kennedy Street and Baltimore Avenue at about 0326 hours today.

Just seconds after Engine 807 reported on scene, with heavy fire on the first floor of a large 2.5 story house and rapid extension throughout the remainder of the structure, Engine 809 was charging the supply line while the truck crew entered alongside Engine 807s crew to open up and perform the searches. Engine 809s crew placed a backup line in service off of Engine 807.

Upon arrival of Engine 801 additional lines were placed in service and Truck 801, along with 809 completed primary and secondary searches on all three floors and the basement.

Battalion Chief 804 held the command and requested additional engine and truck to the scene to enable rotating crews due to the hot and humid weather conditions. The bulk of the fire was quickly knocked down and crews began checking for extension with the help of crews from Engine 834 and Truck 828.
Company 9 units cleared the scene at 0456 hours.

Members of Bladensburg & West Newton Fire Departments

Saturday June 28th, 2008 marked a sad day for the members of company 9, both past and present, as TELESQURT 9 marked the end of its 20 year career in Prince George’s County.

Today, around noon, the proud new owners from West Newton Fire Department, in a town just south/east of Pittsburgh PA set out for their journey home with our, now their pride and joy.

Members of West Newton made the trip down on Friday to finalize all the necessary paperwork and familiarization for the Telesqurt. A good time was had by all but it was difficult to watch her pull out and go down the road knowing she won’t be back.

We wish the members of West Newton much great success with their new purchase; we know she will serve you well as she has us for the past 20 years.

The Officers and Members of Bladensburg extend our sincerest condolences to the members of Beltsville VFD, Prince George’s County Police Department and family of Corporal Richard Findley.

Corporal Findleys life was abruptly taken today in the Line of Duty while serving to protect our citizens as a Police Officer. Many of us at 9 have known Rich for a number of years and to say this loss is of indescribable magnitude is simply an understatement. Rich, Rest in Peace!

After a quiet start to the morning in Bladensburg, the crew had a surprise visit from Retired Redskin Hall of Famer Dexter Manley and Bladensburg Mayor Walter Lee James. Manley and the Mayor came by to congratulate the Bladensburg Volunteers on a job well done after 4 years of going 100% Volunteer. He also was very impressed that the Bladensburg Volunteers are the only company in the county to successfully run and staff a 100% Volunteer Fire Department with an ambulance. Mr. Manley introduced himself to the 9 men staffing the station and was given a tour of the house and shown the apparatus. Manley enjoyed his visit but was deeply saddened when he learned his all-time favorite wagon in PG County (TeleSquirt 9) was leaving the house in less than 3 days. Dexter Manley played for the Washington Redskins from 1981 until 1989. Manley was named Defensive Lineman of the Year in 1986 and won Super Bowls XXII and XVII with the Skins. The Men of Bladensburg would like to thank Mr. Manley and the Mayor for coming by and extending their support.

The Volunteers from Company 9 wish to congratulate our Brothers on a "Grab & Save" while relaxing during beach week for the MSFA Convention in Ocean City. This is yet another fine example that "Volunteers take no time off" as we are always ready to spring into action.

These two men, Shea Jefferson and Bryan Munford are being credited with saving the life of a young boy from drowning. While pool side, relaxing and enjoying good company Jefferson noticed a young boy remove his flotation devices to try swimming without them. The child was obviously struggling to stay afloat and rapidly loosing, as he went under. Jefferson, without any hesitation, dove in, scooped the child up in his arms, bringing him back up, and swam to the side where Munford assisted the two out of the pool and ensured the child was breathing. Read more on the Boulevard Heights website at www.bhvfd17.com

Shea and Bryan, you make us all proud to be Volunteers as you exemplify not only yourselves but your department and the brotherhood. Again, Congratulations!

After a fairly quiet night mixed with some EMS runs the men from Company 9 were alerted to a collapse investigation at 3001 Hospital Drive. Upon arrival, the Officer (Sgt. Cole) reported one vehicle inside the building at 2900 Mercy Lane, a long term critical nursing facility. Upon interior investigation one patient was found still in the vehicle but not trapped. EMS packaged for transport 500 yards to the hospital while the Technical Rescue Team from 22 checked and cleared the building for integrity. All units cleared within the hour.

The weekend starts off with a Mass Casualty MVA at Route 295 Southbound (BW Parkway) onto Route 50/New York Avenue. For unknown reasons the driver of a bus similar to a school bus went off the road and down over an embankment into the woods. There were several adults and a number of children on the bus, although none suffered major injury. There were approximately 8 people transported for checkup of minor complaints. Crews from Engine 809 and Rescue Squad 822 triaged the patients and prepared them for transport by EMS units.

After 24 weeks of hell starting January 7th 2008, Fireman Brian Johnson has completed the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commissions Academy, located in Sykesville Maryland. Brian kept his head up and finished near the top of his class. Brian’s first day as an official Police man starts Monday June 23rd with the Bladensburg Police Department. The members of the Bladensburg Fire Department wish you the best of luck with your new career.

Shortly before midnight, Engine and Truck 9 were alerted to 6701 Greenland Street for the house on fire. With 6 Volunteers on each, a column of smoke could be seen on Annapolis Road. Engine 30 arrived on the scene with fire showing. Engine 93 arrived on the scene picking up 30’s line and establishing command. Truck Companies 9 and 28 started a primary search and opened up for 30’s and 9’s line crews. Crews encountered fire on the entire first floor and the attic area. With the two lines working, it took 15 minutes to bring the fire under control. Command held the units from companies 30,9 and 28 for overhaul. Companies were released from the scene around 0300 hours.
The line man from Engine Company 30 was transported to the burn unit with a minor burn on his leg. Company 9 wishes the firefighter a speedy recovery.

The Men on the Attack

Just after midnight crews were alerted to the 5300 block of 46th Avenue for a dumpster fire. On arrival they discovered the well involved remnants of what was once a vehicle. The location and position of the auto would seem to indicate it wasn’t your ordinary accidental car fire.

Shortly after 1500 hours, crews were outside doing a little yard work, when another round of storms entered the area. Engines 92 and 93 were alerted to 2900 52nd Avenue (Air Products) for the building fire. Units arrived on the scene with a 15x30 trailer that was hit by lightning. While checking for extension, workers came up to the crew stating another building was on fire. An additional box alarm was sounded to assist with the additional building. Engine 92 and Quint 22 handled the fire at the first location while Engine 93 went to the other structure to investigate. Engine 93 and Truck Company 1 (Hyattsville) found a generator on fire in the rear. Both incidents were brought under control with-in thirty minutes.
With most of the Companies in the County running calls, Engine 92 made it to District Heights for a box alarm and Silver Hill for an fire alarm. Engine 93 responded as second due engine to Glen Dale for a reported house fire. After the rain stopped crews were trying to clean up and ran a box alarm in Bunker Hill and a car into the building on Newton Street. A total of 27 runs were logged in by the Volunteers today.

Shortly before 1500 hours, units were alerted to 6028 67th Place (Riverdale Heights) for the house fire. Engine 92 which was clearing a crash on the Parkway was the first arriving unit with smoke showing from a one and a half story single family. Engine 92 and Truck 28 advanced through the interior stair case and found a room off in the basement. Crews made quick work of the fire while Truck 9 opened up and completed the searches. Crew members from 9 and 30 assisted in the removal of two dogs from the house. After a couple minutes of fresh oxygen they were back to normal. Company 9 cleared the scene at 1545 hours.

After cleaning up from the 13 house, Engine and Truck Company 9 were alerted to 1804 Metzerott Road (Chillum Adelphi) for the apartment fire. With majority of the closest units tied up in Montgomery, Company 9 had a little ride in front of them. Units arrived on the scene with nothing showing. Shortly after, Command noticed smoke pushing from the 5th floor. Interior crews found a room off and went to work. Engine and Truck 9 arrived on the scene and established the RIC group on the 3rd floor. After the fire was knocked, both crews assisted Engine 34 with ventilation. Company cleared the scene at 1800 hours. So far for the day Company has run 19 calls and the night is still young.

Shortly after 1600hrs, Engine 92, Truck 9, and the Chief with 13 men were sent to 4302 31st Street for the house fire in the Old Section of Mt. Rainier. Battalion 4 arrived on scene with smoke showing from the roof area. Truck 9 arrived on scene on Side A. The interior crew began a primary search, opening up, and ventilation while the exterior crew handled utilities, sticked the roof, and ground ladders to sides B, C, and D. Engine 855 and Truck 9 located a fire in the kitchen with some extention to the cabinets and ceiling. A quick knock allowed command to hold Engine 855 and Truck 9 to finish up. Engine 92 arrived on scene and assumed their position and stood by per command.