Monday, March 4, 2013 On the evening of Monday March 4th, Fire & EMS crews in Washington County were dispatched out on Box 26-5 for a reported House Fire on Harwood Road in Halfway. A neighbor next door advised he heard a smoke alarm sounding and then began smelling smoke. Units approaching the scene could see heavy smoke coming from the rear of the structure. Crews arrived to find fire showing on the Charlie side of the structure. Chief Dattilio of Halfway arrived and assumed command, requesting the working fire assignment bringing Rescue Engine 2. Upon evaluation of the incident Command found they had a working kitchen fire that had spread to the outside of the building.Crews from Halfway and Hagerstown were first crews in to attack the blaze. Firefighters were able to conduct an aggressive attack knocking the fire down within 10 minutes of their arrival on the scene. The State Fire Marshal’s Office FM26 “Ed Ernst” responded to investigate the cause of Monday evening’s fire. Crews remained on the scene for approximately an hour and a half conducting over haul operations and assisting the FM26 where ever needed.The State Fire Marshal’s Office reports that the blaze was caused by a toaster in the kitchen area. The fire started and quickly spread up the siding on the outside of the back of the house causing $20,000 in damages to the structure and approximately $5,000 in damages to the contents in the house. No one was home at the time the fire started and no injuries were reported.
Tuesday, February 26, 2013 On February 26th, Fire & EMS crews from Williamsport Fire & EMS were alerted at 14:43 hours with Halfway EMS and Washington County Special Operations 20 for a personal injury collision on Lappans Road in the area of Lock Tender Lane. Dispatchers at the Washington County E.C.C. took reports of a three vehicle accident involving a Washington County School Bus. One caller reported one occupant still in the vehicle with a large fluid spill.Crews responding were faced with some icy road conditions as sleet was falling that afternoon. Williamsport arrived on the scene to find a black Toyota Truck into the back of a Washington County School bus with a Gray Subaru into the back of the pick-up lodged up under the vehicle. Williamsport crews were able to quickly evaluate the situation to find a large fluid spill along with only two injured subjects. One occupant was confined to the pick-up truck but was quickly able to be freed from the vehicle by Williamsport firefighters.Williamsport and Halfway Fire & EMS providers worked to package both patients for transport as other firefighters contained the fluid spill awaiting the arrival of Special Operations 20. Williamsport and Halfway quickly packaged both patients classified as Priority 2 and Priority 3 Category “C” Traumas and transported both to Meritus Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries. Out of 17 students and 1 bus driver on the bus, none were reported to be injured.
Monday, February 4, 2013 Just after 0700hrs Washington County 911 Dispatch received a call reporting heavy black smoke to the rear of 110 North Conococheague Street in Williamsport. The caller advised them that her house was also filling with the smoke from outside. Crews were quickly dispatched out on Box 2-1 at 07:20 hours that morning. Williamsport Rescue Engine 2 was able to see heavy smoke showing as they approached the scene. Lieutenant Nokes of Company 2 immediately requested the Working Fire Assignment as they arrived. Crews found heavy fire on side Charlie of the structure as they began their initial attack on the blaze. Chief William Ball from Company 2 arrived and assumed Command after a quick size up and face-to-face with Lieutenant Nokes. Firefighters worked to control the fire, but the fire found its way through a cock loft area and rapidly spread to different parts of the structure. At 07:48 hours Chief Ball requested a Second Alarm struck.As heavy smoke encompassed the Williamsport area, crews continued to work diligently to gain control of the blaze. Firefighter’s main game plan at this point was to keep the fire contained to the main fire building. At 08:15 Chief Ball requested a third alarm and Level 2 Staging was established at Company 2’s quarters on Brandy Drive east of the incident. All hands continued to work to bring the blaze under control when Assistant Chief Kopp declared a May-Day after seeing a firefighter go down and become separated from his crew at 08:27 hours. RIT was immediately sent in to assist, but luckily the firefighter was able to self-extricate himself from the debris and rejoin his group quickly with no injuries. Firefighters continued on their quest to gain control as the building was deteriorating around them. After observing this, Command called for all buildings to be evacuated at 09:54 hours. It was later declared at 10:19 hours by Command that the Main Fire Building was off limits to all personnel due to the structural integrity being compromised. Around 11:00 hours, crews were seeing less smoke coming from the building showing signs that their efforts were working. It took four hours reaching a total of Five Alarms before bringing the fire under control which was reported to dispatch by Command at 11:20 hours. Firefighters remained on the scene for several hours conducting salvage and over haul operations working to extinguish the remainder of the fire. Meanwhile the State Fire Marshal’s Office was on site working an investigation into what caused the blaze that destroyed this historical building. State FM26 Ed Ernst later announced that the cause was traced back to a furnace located in an outbuilding on side Charlie of the structure. The oil furnace malfunctioned sparking a fire in the attached out building which quickly spread to the main structure. Some Williamsport Residents were devastated by the loss of the building. The building itself dated back to the 1800’s pre-civil war era. Housing multiple businesses and hotels over the years, the building is best known as “Wolfe’s On The Square” currently housing a Liquor Store at 1 West Potomac Street and apartments on the North Conococheague Street side of the structure. The initial caller was the only occupant in the building at the time of the fire, and she was safely able to evacuate the structure prior to fire departments arrival. The American Red Cross was called out to the scene and was able to assist her since she lost everything in the fire. The building is believed to be a total loss with damages estimated to be around $500,000.Story by William King 1st Responder News
Monday, January 21, 2013 0234 WILLIAMSPORT FIREFIGHTERS RESPONDED ALONG WITH BEDINGTON FIRE CO AND HEDGESVILLE FIRE CO FOR A CAMPER FIRE IN THE 100 BLK OF BROAD LANE IN THE SPORTSMAN PARADISE SUBDIVISION IN FALLING WATERS, WV.ENGINE 2-4 & ENGINE TANKER 2 RESPONDED WITH A CREW OF 7. BEDINGTON ATTACK 40 ARRIVED ON SCENE DRIVER ONLY WITH A FULLY INVOLVED VACANT CAMPER, ATTACK 40 ESTABLISHED COMMAND 40 ADVISING THE NEXT IN UNIT TO PICK UP HIS SUPPLY LINE. ENGINE TANKER 2 ARRIVED TO SUPPLY ATTACK 40 WITH THE CREWS FROM CO.2 TO PERFORM FIRE SUPPRESSION AND OVERHAUL.OPERATIONS WERE COMPLETED AT 0409 HRS WITH ALL WILLIAMSPORT UNITS INSERVICE AND PAR.
Tuesday, January 15, 2013 Just before 0130hrs in the morning Engine and Rescue Company 26 were alerted to Halfway Blvd in the area of AC&T for the PIC. While units were en route, ECC reported WCSD on scene with a two vehicle head-on accident with one patient confined. With that report ECC alerted Rescue Engine 2. With a crew of 6 the Rescue Engine arrived on scene and went to work. Command reported that the vehicle was already stabilized and requested the drivers side be removed. The extrication was reported as complete 9 minutes after the arrival of the Rescue Engine on the scene. Crews assisted with patient packaging prior to returning to service.
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Saturday, December 8, 2012 At 1940 hours Engine Company 2 was alerted mutual aid to Berkeley County for the reported house trailer on fire. Engine Tanker 2 responded with 4 volunteers along with Berkeley County units from Bedington(40) and Hedgesville(30). Engine Tanker 2 was the first arriving unit to find a fully involved trailer fire. Crews stretched multiple handlines and initiated the defensive attack. Once fire was knocked down, crews began an extensive overhaul operation and finished extinguishing any hot spots. The Engine Tanker operated for approximately 3 hours before returning to service.
Saturday, December 8, 2012 At 0728 hours Engine Company 1, Engine Tanker 1 and Truck 2 were alerted for the the reported chimney fire. Just as units began to mark up, ECC filled the 12-1 box for the now reported chimney fire with extension bring Engine Company 2 along with other county units. Initial units arrived to find fire in the walls and floors in the 2 story single family house. Crews utilized saws and other various hand tools to open up and extinguish the fire. After operating for just over 2 hours command reported fire was out and units began to return to service.
Friday, November 16, 2012 Just after 0800 hrs Washington County ECC sounded box 2-1 for the reported apartment fire. Paramedic 2-8 arrived on scene just after dispatch with a 2 story apartment building with smoke showing from the eaves, establishing command. Truck 2 arrived shortly after positioning on the alpha side with their own water supply, taking the first due engine assignment. Due to reports from neighbors, crews stretched the initial 1 3/4" attack line to the charlie side and after forcing entry, made access to the fire apartment. The fire was quickly located in the living room and was extending into the kitchen. Crews knocked down the fire and performed a primary search to confirm neighbors report. As additional units arrived ventilation and overhaul were initiated. Once fire was confirmed to be held to the fire apartment, the assignment was reduced while MD State Fire Marshall conducted their investigation. Once investigation was completed, crews wrapped up and returned to service after operating approximately 2 hours.
Thursday, November 1, 2012 Don't forget to turn your clocks back one hour! With Daylight Savings Time ending, it's a good idea to replace the batteries in your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors. If you require any assistance please contact the fire station @ 301-223-9112 press 0 for on duty personnel to assist you.
Site designed and maintained by
© 2013 FireCompanies.com & Williamsport Volunteer Fire and EMS | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Member Login
