At 0638 hours, Rescue Squad 14 and Chief 14A (McCoy) were dispatched to the outerloop of the Capitol Beltway at Baltimore Avenue for one overturned with one trapped. Soon after going enroute, Maryland State Police confirmed one trapped in an overturned SUV.

Rescue Squad 14 arrived and immediately started stabilizing the vehicle. The squad crew used two struts, and ratchets straps anchored to a guard rail using a tow strap to stabilize the vehicle. Once stabilized, the windshield and posts were cut to fold down the roof in order to extricate the trapped driver. The patient was transported to a local trauma center and Rescue Squad 14 was ready for service at 0712 hours.

At 0352 hours, Rescue Squad 14 and Chief 14A (McCoy) were alerted to the 13000 block of Thompkins Lane, in Company 19’s first-due, for the house on fire. Engine Company 19 found a two-story, single family dwelling fully involved on arrival.

Rescue Squad 14 arrived and stood by as the rapid intervention team. Units operated a wagon pipe and two hand lines to bring the fire under control. The assignment was scaled back to two and one, releasing Rescue Squad 14 at 0509 hours.

After months of extensive research and meetings with apparatus manufacturers and vendors, Berwyn Heights VFD and Rescue Squad, Inc. has signed a contract with Seagrave Fire Apparatus, LLC of Clintonville, Wisconsin for the purchase of a 2008 Seagrave 100’ Tractor-Drawn Aerial. The new ladder truck will be built on a Seagrave Marauder II chassis and powered by a Cummins ISM 500 horsepower engine with an Allison 4000 EVS transmission. Other features for the new truck include a 100 foot aerial with a 250 lb. tip load, A-frame jacks, stainless steel crew cab and trailer, Harrison hydraulic generator, and an open ladder bed. The unit was sold by Dennis Warren of Interstate Truck Equipment, Inc. Stay tuned for additional updates as the specifications are finalized and production begins.

Santa came prepared this year to the Berwyn Heights VFD and delivered a 2008 Ford F-250 XLT pickup truck with an 8 foot, Line-X coated bed (pictured below). This unit will replace our current utility truck and will be designated “Utility 14”. Utility 14 has already been striped and lettered, and will be outfitted in the near future with an emergency lighting package.

Finally, after being out of service for about a month, our 2004 Seagrave/Marion Rescue Squad has returned and been placed back in service. Rescue Squad 14 was in the shop for body work and replacement of emergency lights due to damage caused by another vehicle in a recent accident. While Rescue Squad 14 was in the shop, Rescue Squad 14R (1990 Pemfab/Ranger) and Engine 93 (1992 Pierce Lance borrowed from Bladensburg VFD) responded to many extrications and fires.

Truck 14 was dispatched on the second alarm to the 3200 block of Toledo Terrace, in Company 1's (Hyattsville) area. Units on scene were working to extinguish fire on the top floor of a three story apartment building. The fire which started in a ceiling light fixture, extended into the roof.

At 2306 hours, Rescue Squad 14 was alerted to East West Highway and Toledo Terrace for the motor vehicle accident with one trapped. First arriving units confirmed the same. Rescue Squad 14 arrived soon after and started stabilizing the vehicle. Once stabilized, the squad crew removed a door to extricate the patient. Rescue Squad 14 was ready for service at 2329 hours.

This incident was the 5th extrication of the week, and the 64th cut job of the year for Rescue Squad 14. Listed below, are the date, time, location and first-due company of the 5 extrications for the week of December 7th.

Sunday, 12/7 @ 0254
Innerloop I-495 / Northbound I-95 (41)
Tuesday, 12/9 @ 2105
Kenilworth Ave / Crescent Rd (35)
Wednesday, 12/10 @ 2052
University Blvd / 23rd Ave (34)
Friday, 12/12 @ 0813
10800blk Tucker St (31)
Saturday, 12/13 @ 2306
East Wesy Hwy / Toledo Te (1)

With Truck 14 having just cleared a call in Greenbelt, the assignment for the 10800 block of Tucker Street was sounded for one trapped at 0813 hours. Rescue Squad 14 marked up quickly with a second crew and Truck 14 responded as well. Engine Co. 31 arrived first and confirmed one trapped.

Truck 14 arrived and started extrication with the hydraulic simo pump, spreader, and cutter on the truck. The squad arrived shortly after, finished the extrication within minutes of their arrival by removing the roof, and the patient was transported to a local trauma center. Company 14 was ready for service at 0836 hours.

At 2052 hours, Rescue Squad 14 was dispatched to University Boulevard and 23rd Avenue for the motor vehicle accident with one trapped. The squad arrived, stabilized the car and removed the driver’s side doors and B-post. The patient was quickly extricated and transported to a local trauma center. Rescue Squad 14 was ready for service at 2125 hours.

At 1156 hours, Truck 14 and Chief 14A (McCoy) was alerted to the 10000 block of Greenbelt Road for the apartment on fire. Units arrived on scene with heavy fire showing from a three story garden apartment.

Truck 14 with 6 volunteers arrived soon after as the second due truck. While conducting the primary search on the floor above, the crews found fire in apartment #304. Truck 14 split crews and stretched a 400' line off a nearby engine extinguishing the fire on the third floor. The truck driver, tillerman, and ladderman threw numerous ground ladders to side C of the building, and vented the roof. Chief 14A arrived and operated as the supervisor of “Division 2”.

Units worked aggressively to quickly bring the fire under control. Truck 14 was held to conduct extensive overhaul. Truck 14 was ready for service at 1510 hours.

Video 1 - Video 2

At 2105 hours, Rescue Squad 14 was alerted for the motor vehicle accident at Kenilworth Avenue and Crescent Road. The squad arrived to find one trapped and went to work removing the driver’s side doors and B-post. The patient was quickly extricated and transported to a local trauma center.

At 1017 hours, Rescue Squad 14 and Chief 14A (McCoy) were alerted to the outerloop of I-495 at the Baltimore Washington Parkway for the motor vehicle accident with one overturned. Chief 35B (Ransom) was first to arrive, reported he had one overturned with two trapped, established command, and requested a fireground channel.

The units from 14 arrived soon after and went to work. Stabilization was accomplished quickly with a box crib and struts. Next, all doors and both B-posts were removed to provide patient access. The patients were removed from the car and transported to a local trauma center. Rescue Squad 14 was ready for service at 1106 hours.