Although a little late, Accokeek would like to congratulate our Fire Chief, Kathryn Fortgang, for her promotion to Captain at the Naval District of Washington Fire Department.  You are an excellent chief to all at Accokeek, and we all know you will be an excellent asset as Captain at the NDW Fire Department.  Congratulations Chief!! 

At 1802 hours Tower 24 was alerted to a house fire in the 3000 block of Delancey Street in company 25's first due. Tower 24, and Chief 24 responded with a total of 6 personnel. The Engine from 25 went on the scene with smoke showing from the rear of the residence, upon further investigation the engine crew found fire on the second floor in one of the back bedrooms with slight extension to the outside and the attic of the house. Tower 24 arrived as the 2nd due truck and was assigned with opening up the second floor bedroom and an adjoining room, as well as securing the utilities.  Chief 24 was assigned interior operations. After minor overhaul and checking for extension, both Tower 24 and the chief cleared the scene in just over an hour.  

The Accokeek Volunteer Fire Department and Ladies Auxiliary would like to congratulate Mr. and Mrs. David Jordan on there new born daughter Hope Elizabeth Jordan.  Hope was born on June 26th 2009, at 2138 hrs.  weighing in at 8lbs 12.7 ounces, and 20.6 inches long.  We all know that you will be great parents and if you need anything all you have to do is ask.  Mother and baby are doing excellent.

The members of the Accokeek Volunteer Fire Department would like to congratulate the newest member of the District of Columbia Fire Department, Jeremiah Ball. Jeremiah has been a member of the Accokeek Volunteer Fire Department for 5 years. During that time he has served as an officer in several positions. But today marked the culmination of many months of training and dedication as he officially graduated from the academy and joined the ranks of the DCFD. Jeremiah has been assigned to 2 Engine, located in Northwest DC, on #1 Platoon. We know that his loyalty and dedication to the fire service will be a great asset to the residence of the District of Columbia. Congratulations Jeremiah!!

On Thursday evening as crews were preparing to work another fund raiser, PSC dispatched the Engine and Ambulance to Indian Head Highway and Farmington Road for an MVA. Engine 824 and Ambulance 824 responded with 6 volunteers. As the crews arrived on the scene they found a 2 vehicle T-bone accident with one occupant trapped in each car. An attack line was advanced to provide for fire protection while EMS care was started on both patients. Just as Squad 847 arrived on the scene, the engine crew was able to force entry into one vehicle which allowed the Squad to concentrate all efforts on the second vehicle. The Squad removed both doors from the driver's side along with the "B" post. This allowed for the safe removal of the patient from the car. One patient was transported to a local trauma center by Medic 847, while the second patient was taken to a local hospital by Charles Ambulance 11.

Beginning Saturday, the members of the Accokeek Volunteer Fire Department began showing their support for our country's service men and women. On Saturday afternoon Tower 24 reported to the DC Ramblers Club in Fort Washington to set up the American Flag for their annual memorial weekend luncheon. In attendance was the one and only Rat Bike Milo (http://www.ratbikemilo.com/2009/Journals/J-0523.html). He was presented a company patch from one of the most junior members of our department, Brenden. (Click on the link provided to read Milo's account of the event.) Then Sunday afternoon, Tower 24 reported to the Fort Washington Harley Davidson shop to set up the American flag with Indian Head's Tower 9. The Accokeek Volunteers have continually supported the local Harley shop for many years. The members love to show their support for our country and those who serve it.

On Tuesday afternoon, Engine Company 24 was alerted for a vehicle fire at Friendly Auto Parts on Accolawn Road. As Engine 824 and Chief 24-A were preparing to leave the station an employee from the junkyard came to the station and advised that they had a building and several vehicles on fire and that it was spreading. Chief 24-A immediately called for a street assignment which brought Engine 824-B (clearing from a medic local) and Chief 24. As the units arrived on the scene they found a large garage fully involved with fire. Chief 24-A established the command and requested a full box alarm with a hazmat assignment, water supply task force, and a foam unit from the Naval District of Washington Fire Department. As the wagon crew began to advance an attack line several chemical containers within the structure began to explode which forced the crew to withdraw to a safer area. Once re-positioned a portable deck gun was set up to help control the fire and protect the exposures until the foam unit arrived. Once Foam 73 arrived they were able to quickly shoot through the debris and reach the seat of the fire. Crews operated for 3 hours to ensure that all of the hot spots were extinguished and PG County Hazmat controlled all product run off. The Accokeek Ladies Auxiliary set-up the rehab area and provided for the crews as they were rotated out. Special thank you to Hedges Towing for the use of the flat bed to transport the supply line back to the station for decon.

 
Units Onscene:
Engines: 824, 824-B, 832, 11, 7
Trucks: 3, 9       Squad: 847
Specialty: Foam 73, Water Supply 825, Tanker 11, Tanker 12, Hazmat 830, Hazmat 845, Canteen 801
Chiefs: 24, 24-A, 25, 40-A, 3-B, B/C 73, B/C 805, B/C 807

Early Wednesday morning, Accokeek's Engine was dispatched for a townhouse fire in Indian Head at the Riverwatch Subdivision. Due to volunteers leaving the station to work their regular jobs, Engine 824 responded only with 2 volunteer firefighters. As they were leaving the station, Chief 7-B advised that he was on the scene with a middle of the row 4 story townhouse with fire showing from all floors in the rear. Initial crews advanced an attack line and began conducting a primary search of the fire building. Once Engine 824 arrived on the scene, as the 4th due engine company, they supplied a secondary water supply. The officer was then assigned initially to work with Squad 7, but was they re-directed to the bravo exposure to open up and check for extension. Due to the large size and limited access of the structure, command was able to coordinate all fire tactics by maintaining constant communication with all sector officers. After approximately 30 minutes the fire was extinguished with no interior damage done to either of the exposure buildings. One firefighter from the Potomac Heights Fire Department was transported to MedStar Burn Unit with burns to the back. The Accokeek Volunteers wish him a healthy and speedy recovery.

The members of the Accokeek Volunteer Fire Department and Ladies Auxiliary send our best wishes to injured PG County Firefighter Daniel McGown. FF McGown was burned while operating at a fire in the Kettering area of PG. He is currently in critical condition at Washington Hospital Center. We ask everyone to keep him and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

At 1336, PSC dispatched Tower 24 to Applecross Drive in 25's area for a reported house fire. Tower 24 and Chief 24 responded with a total of 7 personnel. Initial arriving units found a 2 story house with smoke showing from the roof. Once the Tower arrived, they were directed to open up the walls of the attached garage. Fire crews found fire in the walls and the ceiling area between the house and garage. The fire was quickly extinguished and units cleared just after 1500.

Later that night, Tower 24 responded with 4 volunteers as the first due truck for a working building fire at the Fort Washington Auto Center on Livingston Road (47's area). Once the Tower arrived on the scene they were directed to force entry through several metal doors that were blocking access to the fire. Once entry was made engine crews began advancing attack lines. However, do to very poor visibility and high heat, crews could not locate the seat of the fire. The Tower was then directed to start venting the roof. However, just as they were beginning to work on the roof, crews noticed that the exterior walls were cracking and beginning to expand outward. Command immediately ordered an evacuation to re-group and begin exterior firefighting. Since the fire had not vented through the roof, portable deck guns were positioned in the doors to extinguish the fire. After a short time the fire was knocked down. A search of the interior found that several cars inside of the mechanic's bay had been burning, some on the floor and one on a lift. As a precaution, command had requested a task force alarm. The Tower returned to quarters just before 2330.