Around 0100 hours on the morning of May 3, 2008, County Dispatchers filled box 23-05 for the apartment on fire in the 12800 block of Twinbrook Parkway. Rockville and Kensington units responded to the initial dispatch. Company 23 arrived on scene and reported they had heavy fire showing from multiple units on the second and third floor of the apartment complex with multiple civilians trapped. As crews went to work the rapid intervention dispatch and task force were called for bringing Wheaton's Rescue Squad 742 to the scene. As RS742 arrived on scene, several companies were operating inside of the structure confining and extinguishing the fire to make rescues by the other crews possible.
As the rapid intervention group (RIG) comprised of RS742 and Truck 25 assembled in the yard, a floor collapse inside of the structure sent three firefighters from the initial attack company missing in the fire apartment and a mayday went out over the radio. Under the direction of BC Gallo, RS742 and Truck 25 made entry into the building to attempt to locate the downed crew. Fortunately due to their own heroic efforts the missing crew self-extricated, two by jumping from a second story window and one by finding an interior exit. With the missing firefighters safely outside, RS742's crew was reassigned to look for a trapped occupant in an apartment on the third floor. Once the search of the apartment was complete and negative, the squad crew resumed their duties as part of the RIG. Company 3 units made multiple civilian rescues from the complex. Unfortunately, one civilian died on scene as a result of injuries sustained in the fire.
The three injured firefighters were transported to the burn center
at Washington Hospital Center in DC with burns and injuries from their fall. The
injuries sustained by the firefighters are serious, but not considered
life threatening. The thoughts and prayers of the Wheaton Volunteer
Rescue Squad are with those three brave firefighters and their
families. We wish our brothers a speedy recovery. For more
information visit the Rockville Volunteer Fire Department website.
RS742 crew: Capt. Todd Sniffin, Lt. Jon Hollen, FFIII Karla Martinez,
FFIII Daniel Goltz, FFII Andrew Young, Observer Mark Reddish
Audio from the fire courtesy of DCFireFeed
News Coverage: Washington Post, NBC4, WJLA, Gazette
Around 2300 on the evening of April 26, 2008 county dispatchers alerted the Wheaton Volunteer Rescue Squad for a PIC with one trapped on Connecticut Avenue at Knowles Avenue. Chief 742, M742C and RS742 staffed with 9 volunteers responded with Kensington units to the call. E705 arrived on scene and advised they had a one vehicle collision with one patient trapped. RS742 arrived on scene, confirmed one trapped and began setting up for the extrication. After stabilizing the vehicle, the crew utilized the hydraulic spreaders and cutters to open the driver's door. Patient care was then transferred to waiting Wheaton Medic crew who subsequently transported to a local trauma center. The squad was back in service by 0000 hours.
C742: Chief Allan Platky
RS742 crew: D/C Jacob Deglopper, Capt. Nick Hrabak, FFII David Marx, FFII Tarek Saad, FFII Brian Johnston
Medic 742C: PMIC Doug Russell, EMT Mike Wallace, EMTP Sako Narita, EMTP Jason Kim
At the conclusion of the weekly pickup soccer game at Rescue 2, M742C was dispatched with Kensington Company 5 units for the ALS head trauma at Einstein High School. Rescue 2 quickly responded with M742C and C742C. Upon arriving on scene, M742C found a 17 year old male whom had struck his head playing lacrosse, causing him to lose consciousness and have a seizure. A helicopter was dispatched for aeromedical transport to a level one trauma center. Further history was gathered while the patient was cared for and prepared for the flight aboard Maryland State Police's helicopter, Trooper 8. Care was transferred and Trooper 8 was airborne for a short flight to a local trauma center.
M742C Crew: PMIC Suzanna Strasburg, PM Jason Buc, EMT Dae-Sung Batoff, EMT Mike Mathis
C742C: D/C Jacob DeGlopper
