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.

On Monday afternoon, PG County Communications began dispatching multiple units for a reported brush fire across the street from the Allentown Road Volunteer Fire Department. This brought BX-24 to the scene with 2 volunteers. Upon arrival command directed them to a location off of Allentown Road. Once they arrived they followed the fire into a subdivision where the fire was threatening several houses. Because of rough terrain the BX could not make entry into the woods. The crew quickly decided that since no back-up was available they would have to create a fire line to defend the houses. They used brush rakes to clear an area to prevent the fire from spreading toward the houses. Once the line was completed an engine from company 17, with 2 volunteers, arrived to assist. A 500 foot attack line was extended into the woods to extinguish the fire in the immediate area. Units from the Department of Natural Resources arrived with a bulldozer to create a more effective fire line around the entire area. In all, DNR advised that approximately 10 acres had burned along with 2 sheds. 7 houses were deemed to be in imminent threat of fire, but because of swift action by command and all firefighters no houses were lost or damaged. The BX returned home by 1930.

Effective Wednesday February 18, the new officers of the Accokeek Volunteer Fire Department took effect. They are as follows:

• Chief: Kathryn Fortgang
• Asst. Chief: Chris Hill
• Deputy Chief: Floyd Gillis
• 1st Captain: Carroll Diven
• 2nd Captain: Timmy Donais
• 1st Lieutenant: Steven Hainey
• 2nd Lieutenant: Josh Carlson
• Sergeant: Sara Russell
• Rescue Captain: Brooke Sherman
• Rescue Lieutenant: Crystal Jones
• Rescue Sergeant: Faith Gillis

• President: Glenn Sherman
• Vice President: Gene Jordan
• Treasurer: Darlene Grimsley
• Secretary: Julie Hill
• Board of Directors: Carroll Diven (Chair)
•                                    Lisa Jordan
•                                    Glenn Sherman
•                                    Kathryn Fortgang
•                                    Chris Hill
•                                    Floyd Gillis
•                                    Jeff Cox
•                                    Richard Labanowski

On Friday afternoon Charles County Communications dispatched a working house fire assignment to Double R Road in Waldorf. As Engine 824 responded with 2 volunteers a large smoke column could be scene from B&J carry-out. Engine 121 and Chief 12-A arrived on the scene with a single story house fully involved with fire. Engine 824 arrived immediately behind to pick up the supply line and establish the water supply. Two attack lines were deployed from 121 and a quick exterior attack was started to knock the bulk of the fire. Once the fire was knocked down crews began to move inside. However, some members from Truck 3 found themselves overcome by intense heat and forced out. As the truck crew came out, one firefighter was on fire. Firefighters from 24, 12 and 3 worked to remove the burning gear from the firefighter and assist EMS. Command then ordered an evacuation of the structure and deployed master streams. The injured firefighter was evaluated and determined that a medevac would be required to transport him to an area burn unit. Trooper 2 arrived on the scene and flew the firefighter to MedStar burn unit with 1st, 2nd and 3rd degree burns to the face, back and hands. Once the bulk of the fire had been knocked down, crews re-entered the house to extinguish the remainder of the fire. A second firefighter from 12 was transported to a local hospital with a shoulder injury after a roof truss fell down on him. The engine cleared the scene just after 1800.

The Accokeek Volunteers wish both Waldorf firefighters a healthy and speedy recovery.