DECEMBER 5, 2005 - Monday at about 1830 hours Truck 12 responded to the house fire in 34's area at 7212 West Park Drive. Engine 341 found heavy fire showing from the attic of a 2 story single family dwelling. Truck 12's crew worked on the second floor to open up the ceiling for hose line access to the attic, provided ground ladders and lights, and then completed the overhaul after the investigators were finished. Units cleared after about 2.5 hours on the scene.

NOVEMBER 23, 2005 - On Wednesday at 0441, Station 12 was alerted for the tanker fire on Southbound I-95. Engine 121, Truck 12, Foam 12, and Chief 12B responded shortly there after. E412 arrived on scene to find a partially involved tractor-trailer and began evacuating the area due to the hazard of explosion. The fire eventually extended to the rest of the vehicle igniting 8700 gallons of high grade gasoline. Units from Co.12 put foam attack lines in place with assistance from Squad 14. Command eventually evacuated crews and let the tanker burn out. After it was deemed safe to enter the area units from 12, 14, and 41 mopped up and assisted Haz-mat crews. Units from Co.12 operated for three and a half hours and cleared at 0808. No injuries were sustained by any firefighters or civilians during the incident.

NOVEMBER 13, 2005 - At 1330 hours Truck 12 was dispatched as the 2nd due Truck for a reported apartment fire at 13036 Old Stagecoach Road in Company 49’s first due. RE49 arrived on the scene with heavy smoke showing. Truck 12 positioned on the Side C/D corner and worked in the fire building and Exposure “B” providing forcible entry and opening up for the engine companies as well as performing searches. The ladders crew laddered Sides C and D and worked on the roof prior to the sounding of the evacuation tones as the roof of the fire building collapsed. The fire went to a 2nd alarm. Truck 12 was held on the scene until 1637 hours to assist with the extensive overhaul required.

NOVEMBER 11, 2005 - At 1712 hours Truck 12 and Chief 12B were dispatched as the 2nd due Truck for a reported apartment fire at 3425 Toledo Terrace in Company 1's first due. A77 had just cleared a call in the area and arrived first reporting heavy smoke showing from the 3 rd floor. Truck 12's crew cut down a fence and positioned on Side Charlie. The crew of Truck 12 laddered Sides C and D of the fire building, secured utilities, performed searches of all three floors of the building and checked for extension. Chief 12B was assigned as Division 2, overseeing the operations of Truck 12. The units from Company 12 cleared at 1837 hours.

OCTOBER 20, 2005 - On Thursday, Truck 12 and Chief 12 B responded as part of the second alarm assignment to Larchdale Road for the apartment fire. The 8 person truck crew worked to position in the rear of the building and assumed the RIC with the engine crew from Maryland City (Anne Arundel Company 27). The truck worked for 20 minutes before clearing to stand by for the Terrapin football game.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2005 - The calls began coming in late Friday and they didn't stop until Sunday evening. Homecoming weekend for the Maryland Terrapins turned out to be a very eventful weekend. The Terps defeated the Cavaliers in a great game on Saturday with a score of 45-33. During the game Company 12 ran multiple calls for emergencies such as pedestrians struck and intoxicated persons and enjoyed their time at the newly revived College Park VFD tailgate. The calls continued through the night to Sunday morning when at about 0600 E121 was alerted to respond on the fire taskforce to the 5000 block of 43 rd avenue for the house fire. E121 responded with 5 along with C12B and picked up E12's line. The crew of E121 made their way to the second floor and assisted in the extensive overhaul operations finding fire in the void spaces in the walls and ceilings. E121 cleared the call and returned to service in about an hour. After a first due box which turned out to be a good intent call E121 and TK12 responded to the 5000 block of Lackawana St. for the basement fire. E121 pulled a line to side alpha to assist the crew from E112 while TK12 staged. The small fire in the basement was taken care of by E112 and units cleared in about a half hour. Finally at about 1300 hours E121 and C12 responded to the 5800 block of Chestnut Hill Rd. for the house on fire. Co. 14 units arrived on the scene with smoke showing. E121 laid in to the scene, pulled the 400' line to side Charlie and made entry to the basement. After clearing the basement E121 performed a quick search and took care of the utilities. College Park units cleared in about an hour. In total College Park ran 43 calls for the weekend and everyone returned home safely.

SEPTEMBER 4, 2005 - At 2244 hours, Truck 12 was alerted as the second due truck to 3505 Rhode Island Ave. in Co. 55's (Bunker Hill) area for smoke in the apartment building. Units from Co. 55 and Co. 9 (Bladensburg) arrived and found fire showing from side Charlie of a 2½ story house. Truck 12 arrived and split into crews with the search team assisting units from 55 and 9 with opening up the fire floor and extinguishment. The remainder of the crew threw ladders and assisted Truck 1 with opening the roof. With a quick knock on the fire by Co. 55 and Co. 9 command held units from those companies and Trucks 1 and 12. There were no civilian or firefighter injuries to report and Truck 12 cleared the incident a little after midnight.

SEPTEMBER 4, 2005 - At 1858 hours Engine 121 and Ambulance 128 were alerted to the Jerry's Subs and Pizza across the street from the firehouse for one stabbed. Units from Co. 12 arrived on scene to find a male stabbed in the rear parking lot. Units from Co. 12 packaged and evaluated the patient along with Medic 12. Medic 12 transported the patient to a local trauma center and units from Co.12 cleared within a half hour.

AUGUST 31, 2005 - At 1412, E121 was dispatched as the 2nd due engine on the box assignment for fire coming from the roof of 4713 Mangum St. E112 initially went on scene and reported nothing evident. Upon a walk around of the building, the officer of E112 reported smoke and fire coming from the roof in the rear of the building. E121 went to work and assisted E112 with the interior attack. The engine crew advanced E112’s 200’ 1 ¾” attack line to the attic of the house to extinguish the small fire that resulted from a short in a ventilation fan. E121 operated on the fire-ground for approximately 40 minutes in assisting with extinguishment and overhaul.

AUGUST 19, 2005 - At approximately 0100 hours on Friday morning, Truck 12 along with Chief 12B were alerted to the 9300 block of Lynmont Road for the house next door on fire. Engine 342 split laid and went on the scene with a fire in a garage with possible extension to the house. Upon arrival all the service wires coming to the house were exposed to fire and all operations were stopped until that problem was taken care of. Once the wires fell away from the house Engine companies 11, 34, and 44 knocked the bulk of the fire. Truck 12 search team and crews from Truck 14 began to open up the attic and check for extension from the inside while the vent and ladders team laddered the building, went to the roof to open up and secured the utilities. Overhaul was prolonged because the area where the fire occurred had three roofs. There was minimal extension and the units from Co. 12 cleared in about 2 hours.

AUGUST 5, 2005 - At approximately 1633, Engine 121 was dispatched to 7104 Hanover Parkway for a report of an apartment on fire with someone still inside. As the units were approaching the scene Engine 484 reported that they had fire and smoke showing from the 2nd floor of a 3-story garden style apartment. Being the 4th due, E121 reported to side Charlie and picked up E112’s line. The crew from E121 advanced the 400’ line up the aerial from Truck 28 and through the adjacent apartment and relieved crews on the initial attack line. All searches proved negative and the crew from E121 operated for approximately one and a half hours.

AUGUST 3, 2005 - At approximately 1215, Truck 12 was dispatched as third due special service to the 5400-block of 55th place in Riverdale Heights for the house on fire. E131 arrived on scene with fire showing from the 1st floor of a one-story single family dwelling and made an aggressive interior attack. Truck 12 arrived on scene and established the RIT team side alpha. Command (Battalion Chief 4) quickly scaled the incident back holding 13, 7, and 9 for overhaul. Truck 12 returned to service in about 30 minutes.

JULY 19, 2005 - Engine 121 was dispatched to the Energy Research Bldg, 223 Paint Branch Drive for an investigation of alarm bells. Upon arrival lab researchers met the engine crew at the front entrance and advised of a fire in Lab 0206 involving molten sodium metal. The Level III Hazmat box was immediately requested and the engine crew began their investigation. The building was evacuated and a spill and fire were confirmed in the reported room. The crew worked with other units to quickly extinguish the fire using Class D extinguishing agent. PGFD Hazmat Personnel worked to further mitigate the hazard and expedite cleanup operations. Many thanks to the Anne Arundel County Second Alarmers Association and Shuttle UM who provided rehab areas in the high heat and humidity.

JULY 18, 2005 - At 2044 hours Engine 121 (Sgt. Venditti OIC) was alerted to respond to the outer loop of the capitol beltway north of Kenilworth Avenue for a motor vehicle accident with one ejected. Engine 121's crew arrived after Engine 352 and assisted units on the scene treating and packaging the three patients and securing the vehicles involved. The engine crew was on the scene for a half hour. All three patients were transported to various area hospitals.

JULY 11, 2005 - It was 0353 hours on Monday morning when E122 was dispatched to 9500 block of Riggs Road for the deck on fire. E342 went on the scene with smoke and fire showing from side Charlie and level 1 operations for two and one. E122 laid dual lines to the scene and E921 picked up the lines. E122 was then assigned to check the attic of the house for extension. The crew from E122 pulled a line from E341 and cleared the attic. E122 finally cleared the scene in a little over an hour.

JULY 8, 2005 - At 1554 hours on Friday, E121 was alerted for a house fire in the 6300 block of Taylor Street in Riverdale. The engine from company 7 went on the scene with smoke showing from the second floor. E121 laid a supply line from Sheridan and Taylor to side Bravo of the fire building and pulled a 2” 250’ attack line. The engine from 7 advised they had a room off on the second floor and the fire was knocked. E121 staged in the front yard and cleared within the hour.

JUNE 30, 2005 - At 1123 hours on Thursday, the Level III Hazmat Box was dispatched to the Chemistry Building, 091 Regents Drive for a fire in a lab involving Sodium Hydride. Company 12 responded with E121, Foam Unit 12, A128, Utility 12, and Chief 12. Company 12 units positioned on Side Alpha and began to investigate and assist in building evacuation. At this time University of Maryland personnel advised command that there was a small quantity of the material burning and was contained to the fume hood system of Room 3344. PGFD Hazmat team members assisted University personnel in neutralizing the material so it could be safely removed from the structure. The incident was mitigated in 2 hours with no firefighter or civilian injuries. Chief 12 had the College Park Command.

JUNE 20, 2005 - At 2252, E121 was dispatched as 3rd engine on the box alarm at 6905 Elbrook Road in company 48’s first due for the house on fire. E484 went on the scene side Alpha with smoke showing from the attic. E121 laid out 3” supply line from the intersection of Elbrook Rd. and Newberry Rd. E12 closely followed to pick up the line. E121 arrived on scene and nosed up to E484. A 2” line was stretched to the rear of the house where the crew stood by. E121’s driver stretched a 3” supply line to help secure a water supply for E484. E121’s crew operated on the scene for about 45 minutes.

JUNE 17, 2005 - At 1714 hours, TK12 was dispatched as 3rd special service on the box alarm to 5711 38th Ave in Co. 1’s first dues for the house on fire. E12 arrived on scene to report fire showing from side Alpha. TK12 arrived on scene and established the RIC team. While the officer did a survey of the house, the remainder of the crew gathered their equipment and a dedicated hoseline and set up on side alpha. Crew members worked on removing some bars on side Delta and assisted with ladders on side Charlie. After the fire was extinguished, the crew assisted with overhaul and assisted the investigators. TK12 cleared the scene in just under 2 hours.

JUNE 13, 2005 - At 1842 hrs units from College Park and the surrounding area were dispatched to the Engineering Building on the University of Maryland Campus for a small chemical explosion with one person injured. This brought E122, A128, C12A, and C12B with twelve personnel. As E122 arrived they were flagged down and advised that a student was covered in chemicals and burning. Upon investigating further the crew from E122 made sure the chemical spill and area was isolated, removed the injured person from the building, and began evacuating several buildings to establish a hot zone for the incident. The patient was decontaminated and transported to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The county hazardous materials team made entry and neutralized the spill. The incident was mitigated and the scene turned over to the University of Maryland after five hours of operating. One firefighter from E122 was treated for heat exhaustion on the scene. C12A had the command.

Other units assisting on scene: Squad 1, E112, Haz-Mat 22 and 30, PGFD Haz-Mat Team (53), A469, MD12, MD55.

JUNE 13, 2005 - At 1342 hours, Truck 12 was dispatched to 6211 Springhill Drive as the 1st Due Truck for the reported fire in the building. E112 was the first unit to arrive at the corrected address of 6217 Springhill Court, and reported fire showing. A128 arrived on the scene shortly after E112 to set up the Aide Station on side Alpha. As 1st due special service Truck 12 worked inside the main fire building completing primary searches of the fire floor and assisting with primary fire attack. At 1420, the 2nd alarm was struck bringing E121 to staging at Station 14. Shortly after arriving in staging, E121 and E941 were requested to respond to the fireground. Upon checking in with command, E121’s crew was advised to assist E331’s crew on the 3rd floor of 6215 Springhill Ct, Bravo Exposure, to find heavy fire conditions in the cockloft. Moments after going to work on the 3rd floor, evacuation tones were sounded bringing everyone back out of the structure. While E121’s crew was at work, E121 laid a 4” supply line from Springhill Drive to Side Alpha of the Exposure Building. Upon reentering the building, a 2 ½” attack line was stretched to aid the fire attack on the 3rd floor. E121’s crew continued to work on the 3rd floor to help extinguish the remainder of the fire in the cockloft and assist with overhaul and checking for extension. After a long day of work, E121 cleared the scene at 1705. TK12 remained on the scene assisting with extensive overhaul and assisting the investigators in the original fire building. TK12 cleared at 1909.

JUNE 7, 2005 - E121 was dispatched as the second due engine to the 9500 block of 49th Pl. for smoke coming from the house. The Engine from 11 went on the scene with smoke showing. E121 laid dual lines from 49th Pl. and Hollywood Road. E121’s crew stretched the 400 ft. line to the front door and served as a back up line for Co. 11. The fire was knocked and overhaul completed. Units cleared in about 2 hours.

JUNE 4, 2005 - At 0925 hours Co. 12 was dispatched to Guilford Rd. and Harvard Road for the house fire. Co. 12 responded with E121, C12, C12A, and A128. E121 arrived on the scene and reported smoke showing. E121’s crew pulled an 1¾” line and a 2” line. The 2” line was advanced to the 2nd floor while the 1¾” line remained on the 1st floor. The 2nd floor had light smoke conditions, but there was no heat or fire present. E121 was then advised that it was a basement fire and relocated the 2” line to the basement. The fire in the basement was extinguished and fire was now reported through the roof on side Charlie. The engine from Co. 1 contained the fire in the attic. Over haul was completed and the units cleared in about 2 hours.

JUNE 3, 2005 - At 0127 hours on Friday morning E121 was dispatched to 6903 Preinkert Drive for the fire in the building. E121 arrived on the scene with nothing evident. After an update from PSC that advised a fire in room 5400 E121’s crew made their way up to the fourth floor to find water and a smoke condition in the hallway. The door was popped and the crew encountered moderate smoke conditions. The crew found a mattress fire knocked by the sprinkler with no extension. The crews from E121, TK12, and Tower 7 operated for just over an hour before clearing.

MAY 27, 2005 - Truck 12 was dispatched to the 1200 block of Farmindale Ave. for a reported house on fire with people trapped. Engine 384 (Chapel Oaks) and Chief 38 went on scene with heavy fire showing. Truck 12 was dispatched as an extra special service on the assignment due to understaffing and units being unavailable on another structure fire. The Six man truck crew initially established the RIC, assisted with patient care, and worked to control the fire in the rear of the building.

MAY 19, 2005 - The day started with a small fire at the Stamp Student Union Building on campus. Welders caused a small smoldering fire inside the walls and ductwork. E122 responded with five personnel and cleared the scene in about half an hour.

At around 1215 hrs units from Laurel and the surrounding area were dispatched to 14200 Oxford Dr. for the reported townhouse on fire. First arriving units had fire showing from the end of the row townhouse on the second floor. Command soon requested the second alarm, bringing Truck 12 and Engine 122 with a total of 10 personnel. Truck 12 went to the scene and was assigned to a secondary search of the fire building. Searches on both floors were negative and the crews worked in the fire building extinguishing fire and working on extensive overhaul. E122 assisted with overhaul and extinguishment on division one of the fire building. Units from College Park cleared after an hour and a half of work.

MAY 16, 2005 - At approximately 0130 units were dispatched to 1905 Charleston Place for a report of a house fire with an elderly female still inside. Truck 12 responded with a crew of 5 personnel. Engine 341 went on the scene with nothing evident from the street, but had reports from neighbors that there was still someone inside. Soon after E341 advised of a working fire. Truck 12 was second arriving special service and quickly went to work. The interior crew conducted searches of the basement and fire floor, and checked for extension in the attic, while the exterior crew laddered the rear of the house and provided scene lighting at the front door. A victim was located, but unfortunately she had already succumbed to her injuries. Truck 12 remained on the scene with engine 341 and assisted the investigators with lighting and overhaul.

MAY 14, 2005 - At 2351 hours Truck 12, Ambulance 128, Chief 12, Chief 12A, and Chief 12B responded with 12 personnel to the area of Hanover Drive and Hanover Parkway for the reported apartment building on fire. Engine 352 went on the scene with the corrected address of 7310 Lake Park Drive and heavy fire showing from the roof. The search crew from Truck 12 entered the 3rd floor of the structure through a ground ladder on side Bravo, and conducted a primary search of the floor. The remaining members of the crew threw ladders and vented sides Bravo, Charlie and Delta before beginning to set up for a defensive attack. After a partial roof collapse occurred and a “Mayday” was sounded the crew from Truck 12 operating on Division 3 assisted in the removal of an unconscious firefighter. Shortly after the downed firefighter was removed from the building Command sounded the evacuation tones, and once all firefighters were confirmed clear of the structure shifted to defensive operations. Units from College Park operated for approximately 3 hours performing overhaul and exterior operations.

MAY 14, 2005 - At around 0230 hrs Telesquirt 9 went on the scene of a dumpster fire with extension to the building and requested the box alarm for 4625 Tanglewood Dr. This brought Truck 12 with 7 personnel to the scene. Truck 12 arrived and established the RIC on Side Alpha. Truck 12 also assisted with throwing several ladders and removing obstructions from means of egress. Units made an aggressive stop on the fire to minimize extension. Truck 12 remained on the scene for about an hour.

MAY 12, 2005 - At about 2300 hrs Company 48 and surrounding units were dispatched to 8533 Greenbelt Rd. for the apartment fire. Units arrived on the scene with fire showing from several floors and requested the second alarm. This brought E121 and C12 with a total of 10 personnel. E121 assumed the staging sector while chief 12 went to the scene and was assigned the safety sector. Units from College Park cleared in just under an hour.

MAY 7, 2005 - At approximately 2300 hrs units from College Park and the surrounding area were dispatched to the rear of the Chesapeake Bldg. for a house on fire. E121, TK12, A128, C12, C12A, and C12B responded with a total of 22 personnel. Units checked the area and initially investigated the University Blvd. Area. After further investigation TK14 and TK12 arrived at the correct location up a dirt driveway in the 8300 blk. of Azelea Ln with a 1 ½ story house with fire showing from the front half. C12B established the command while E112 laid supply line up the driveway. E121 completed the water supply. The crews from both trucks completed a size-up and performed initial truck company operations, while crews from companies 12, 11, 7, and 34 got lines in place. The bulk of the fire was knocked down in 15 minutes and E121, E112, TK12, and TK14 were held to finish up with extinguishment and overhaul. There were no firefighter injuries and units cleared around 0200 hrs.

MAY 4, 2005 - At 1223 hours, Truck 12 was alerted to respond to 2201 University Boulevard for the reported apartment on fire. Engine 341 (Chillum-Adelphi) arrived on scene and reported fire showing with the corrected address of 2201 Guilford Road. Truck 12 completed the primary search and vented the fire floor as Engine 341’s crew quickly knocked down the fire. Units from College Park worked for approximately 45 minutes before returning to service.

APRIL 30, 2005 - At 0420 hours, Engine 121 was dispatched to the intersection of Princeton Avenue and College Avenue for the report of a house on fire. As E121 approached the scene, the address was updated to 7507 Princeton Avenue, which was obvious as the crew rounded the corner. E121 dropped a 4-inch supply line and positioned on side alpha of the fully involved 2½ story dwelling. Half of the crew advanced a 2½ inch attack line to the front of the structure while the other half advanced a 2 inch line to protect the exposure on side bravo. As E121’s officer (Captain Kerber) was starting a size-up, he was met by a severely burned victim who had jumped from a second floor window onto the roof of a vehicle. The victim was quickly assessed and transported by Ambulance 128 and Medic 12.

The engine crew began knocking down the fire in the front porch as Branchville's engine was picking up the hydrant and pulling a backup line. As the 360 degree size-up was completed by E121’s officer, he saw that the bulk of the fire was primarily in the front half of the house and an interior attack could be attempted. Chief 12 (Welsh) arrived and assumed command. E121's crew coordinated an attack with the crew from E112 once the supply line was charged. E121 advanced through the first floor extinguishing the fire while E112 advanced to the second floor to attack the fire there. E121 followed E112 up the steps and continued attacking the fire on the second floor while E112 made their way up to the third floor loft.

Chief 12A (Ruffini) was assigned to the interior, splitting the responsibility with Chief 1A (Hang). Chief 12B (Dickerson) was assigned accountability and assisted with command post operations. A victim was located in a back bedroom on the second floor and was removed to the front of the house. The CPVFD was sad to learn that this patient was later pronounced dead at the hospital. Companies 12, 7, 11, 14, 1, 13 and 55 continued to work to completely extinguish the fire until approximately 0500 hours. Units from 12, 7, and 55 remained on the scene to assist investigators and complete overhaul until approximately 1000 hrs.

APRIL 11, 2005 - Truck 12 was dispatched to the 4600 hundred block of Quimby Ave. for smoke coming from the house. Engine 312 went on the scene with smoke showing. Truck 12 was dispatched as the 3rd due special service and assumed RIC responsibilities. The 5 person truck crew assembled on side alpha with RIC tools and equipment. Truck 12 remained on scene for approximately 40 minutes.

APRIL 10, 2005 - At approximately 1013 hours, Truck 12 and Chief 12 A (Ruffini) were dispatched along with Engine 312, ambulance 319 and medic 12 for a person having trouble breathing after coming into contact with a pool chemical. Upon further investigation units became aware of gaseous chemicals being released into the structure. Chief 11B (Bailey) assumed command and requested the Box assignment along with the Hazardous Materials Units. Truck 12’s crew was utilized to evacuate the lower levels of the hotel structure and later completed ventilation of the building. Units from 53 and 22 were utilized to handle the Hazardous Materials. Truck 12’s crew operated for approximately 3 hours before being released.

APRIL 6, 2005 - At approximately 1147 hrs units from College Park and the surrounding area were alerted for smoke coming from the roof of the building at the University of Maryland Health and Human Performance Building. Engine 121, Engine 122, Truck 12, Utility 12, and Ambulance 128 responded on the call with a total of 15 personnel. Units from College Park arrived to find light smoke showing from the roof on side Charlie and quickly searched the roof for any smoke or fire. It was determined by E121 and E72 (Riverdale) that the fire was in the lower floors of building. Truck 12 located the fire in an industrial laundry room on the basement floor. E122 stretched an attack line and extinguished the fire. Units were held for approximately two hours to complete overhaul and extensive smoke removal in the building.

MARCH 24, 2005 - At approximately 0430 hours units were dispatched to Knox Rd and Baltimore Ave for fire coming from a building. Engine 121, Truck 12, Ambulance 128, Chief 12, and Chief 12B responded and found fire coming from the R.J. Bentley's Restaurant in the 7300 block of Baltimore Ave. The fire appeared to have started in the grill area of the kitchen and had extended to the roof by way of the restaurant's ventilation system. A task-force alarm was sounded. Units contained the fire to the original address and were on the scene for approximately 2 hours. While operating as part of Truck 12's vent team, former Captain Ari Schloss suffered injuries when he fell from a ground ladder. Ari is in stable condition and awaiting further treatment at PG General Hospital. He appreciates all of the phone calls and support that everyone has shown. The department will provide more information as we get it.

Update: As of 3/30/05 Ari is healing well. He went to the hand speciast today to check up on the surgery and plate that was inserted into his wrist. He was informed that things look very good and a full recovery can be expected in about three months. Ari’s other injuries included a broken toe, two lacerations to his face, and several broken bones in his face; all of which are healing and moving him towards a full recovery. Thank you to everyone who has shown their support for Ari.

MARCH 23, 2005 - At around 0920 hours units were dispatched to the area of Baltimore Ave. and Guilford Rd. for a report of fire coming from the building. Engine 121 and E122 responded with 12 personnel. E121 arrived on the scene to find fire showing from the roof of a large, one story, multi-use building. E121 stretched a line into the building and opened up the ceiling to expose the fire. E122 threw two ladders to the roof and stretched two lines to the roof where they extinguished all visible fire in less than five minutes. After about a half hour of work command held E121, E122, TK34, and TK9 for extensive overhaul that lasted about an hour. Units cleared the scene after about two hours of work.

MARCH 23, 2005 - In the early morning hours units were dispatched to the 8100 blk. of Baltimore Ave. for a building fire. Engine 121, Engine 122, and Chief 12B responded with a total of 14 personnel. Engine 122 arrived to find a small fire in the strip mall, in a middle of the row restaurant. Engine 121 secured the water supply for E122. E122 quickly forced entry and knocked the fire, while E121 stretched a line and opened up. Trucks 14 and 28 arrived and assisted with searches, overhaul, and ventilation. Command held E121, E122, and Truck 28 to finish up. Units cleared in just under an hour.

MARCH 13, 2005 - On Sunday, Chillum-Adelphi Volunteers joined members from College Park at the Maryland Fire Rescue Institute for some live fire training. Over 40 volunteer members completed three evolutions – a basement fire, a standpipe evolution, and an evolution that had fire on two floors and wound up with a simulated “mayday” to practice rapid intervention / save-your-own tactics. The companies were at the training academy for almost five hours. The training exercise was a great opportunity to allow members of two fourth battalion companies to train together, share knowledge, and help foster relationships off the fire ground.

MARCH 13, 2005 - Foam Unit 12 was dispatched to Howard County just after midnight for an industrial fire in the 8200 block of Patuxant Range Road. Engine 121 ran the call with additional personnel and supplies to assist with foam operations. Howard County units had contained the fire to a large asphalt filtration platform but could not extinguish the remaining fire. Upon arriving at the scene both College Park units worked together to set up and begin high expansion foam operations. The foam blanket generated by Company 12's units immediately smothered the fire. Foam 12 and Engine 121 returned to service in a little over an hour.

MARCH 12, 2005 - Units were dispatched to 5410 Kenilworth Ave for the reported apartment on fire at 0119 hours on Saturday. Company 9 units were trying to advise communications that the dispatched address did not exist when Engine Co. 7 went on the scene at 5410 Kenilworth Terrace with fire showing from a three story apartment building. Chief 9 (Kuenzli) established command and immediately requested the fire task force which was eventually upgraded to a full second alarm. Chief 12A (Ruffini) was in the area, arrived quickly and was assigned Division 2. Engine Co. 7 and Truck 9 made an aggressive interior attack containing the fire to apartment of origin on Division 3. Truck 12 was dispatched as the third due special service and handled the Rapid Intervention assignment. The eight-member crew conducted a 360° size-up of the building and provided egress on sides Charlie and Delta via ground ladders (169 feet in total). E121 was dispatched on the fire task force and staged. Company 12 units cleared in just over an hour.

MARCH 2, 2005 - At about 1000 hrs. units were dispatched to the 9100 blk. of Baltimore Ave. for a motor vehicle accident with numerous injuries. Engine 122 and Ambulance 128 arrived with C11B to find a two car accident with five patients. Engine 122 secured the vehicles and assisted with patient packaging. Sq. 1 was used to cut the roof off of the one car involved due to two patients in the back seat of the two door car who needed to be immobilized due to the nature of their injuries. All patients were extricated and sent to local hospitals with non-life threatening injuries. Units cleared in just over an hour.

FEBRUARY 28, 2005 - At 1745hrs, Truck 12 was rerouted from an assignment in 55’s area (Bunker Hill) to respond to the 7500 blk. of Dover Lane for the house fire. The assignment brought Engine companies 48, 28, 13 and 30, Truck 14, Tower 33 and Truck 12. Truck 12, Chief 12 (Welsh) and Chief 12B (Dickerson) arrived on scene to find a single-family house with heavy fire still in the basement. The truck crew quickly assembled on Side Alpha with the Rapid Intervention Assignment. The 8-person crew stretched a dedicated RIC hose line and worked on the exterior of the building to perform proactive RIC duties. After the fire was under control the crew performed overhaul. Units from College Park operated for approximately an hour and a half.

FEBRUARY 23, 2005 - Around 1100hrs. on Wednesday, units were dispatched to the 8200 block of Greenspire Terrace in Co. 34’s first due for a house on fire with a report of children possibly still inside. Engine 112 and Truck 34 arrived to find a middle of the row townhouse with smoke showing from the second floor. Engine 112 made an aggressive attack on the fire while Truck 34 searched and opened up. Engine 122 arrived on the scene as the third due engine and stretched the 400’ line off of Eng. 112 to side Charlie and into the B exposure. After forcing entry and checking for extension in the exposure, Engine 122 cleared in just over half an hour. All searches proved negative. Command held Truck 34 and Engine 112 to finish up.

FEBRUARY 20, 2005 - The weekend of February 20th was a busy one for the members of Company 12. The weekend started off as a normal Friday night with a station clean-up, apparatus checks and a drill. The members spent the rest of the weekend running over 30 calls. The calls ranged from the usual ambulance calls, an auto fire, and 14 box assignments that included two first due boxes. At 1146hrs. Truck 12 and Chief 12A were alerted to the 5000 block of Herzel Place in Company 31's first due for smoke coming from the building. Units from 31 arrived to find a small fire on the second floor and made quick work of it. Truck 12 completed the primary search on the second floor and laddered the rear, and cleared within a half hour. At 1303hrs. Truck 12 and Chief 12A were again alerted for an apartment fire in the 5300 block of Hamilton Street in Co. 9's first due. Unit's from 9 arrived to find a room off on the second floor. Truck 12 arrived and was quickly released after command held the units from 9. Later that same afternoon, Engine 121, Truck 12, and Chief 12A were alerted for a house fire in Company 31's first due. (See Story and Pictures Below)

FEBRUARY 20, 2005 - At 1623hrs. the box assignment was dispatched in the 4700 block of Cedar Ct. in Co. 31's first due for the House Fire. This brought Engine Co.'s 31, 41, 11, 12, Trucks 12 and 14, and Squad 93 to the scene. Engine 312 arrived on the scene and reported smoke showing from the rear. Upon further investigation it was found that they had a deck fire with minor extension to the house. Engine Co.'s 31 and 41 quickly extinguished the fire while Truck 12 opened up the deck area and the rear of the house. Command held Co.'s 31 and 41 and Truck 12 to finish up some minor overhaul. Truck 12 cleared the scene within an hour.

FEBRUARY 14, 2005 - Engine 122 and Truck 12 were alerted at 0501hrs. to respond to the 8900 block of Trapper Lane for a reported house on fire. Engine 342 arrived on scene with fire showing. Units from College Park arrived on the scene to find heavy fire in the basement, extending into the first floor. Chief 12 (Welsh) arrived on scene and assumed command of the incident. The 7 person truck crew completed the primary search of the first floor, vented and laddered the building and secured utilities. The engine's crew pulled the 400 foot line to the rear of the house. Units operated for approximately one hour, while units from Montgomery County (E941 and T91) stood by at the station.

FEBRUARY 12, 2005 - On Saturday, the University of Maryland Men’s Basketball team defeated Duke by a score of 99-92 in overtime at the Comcast Arena. Following the game at around 2300hrs. students and fans celebrating the win moved into the area of downtown College Park, causing a civil disturbance. The College Park Volunteer Fire Department staffed Engines 121 and 122, Truck 12, and Ambulance 128. These units responded to numerous dumpster fires and outside fires, as well as many ambulance calls related to the disturbance. Units assisting CPVFD were MP 55, BX 31, Ambulances 487, 496, and 559, and numerous law enforcement agencies. After two hours the crowds were dispersed by law enforcement agencies and all units returned shortly after 100hrs.

FEBRUARY 6, 2005 - At 1033hrs, Truck 12 was alerted to respond along with Engine 342, Engine 441, Engine 12, Engine 112, Truck 14 and Tower 7 to the 7100 block of 24th Place in Adelphi for a reported house on fire. Engine 342 arrived on scene holding all units. Truck 12 positioned on side Alpha and went to work opening up as the first due special service. Truck 12 operated on the scene for approximately 20 minutes.

FEBRUARY 6, 2005 - Early Sunday morning, Engine 121 was dispatched for a house fire in Company 14’s first due. At approximately 0800hrs. Truck 14 arrived on scene in the 5600 blk. of Goucher Drive with smoke showing and ordered Level One Operations for all units. Engine 121 picked up Engine 113’s supply line at the corner of 58th Ave and Goucher Dr. Engine 121’s crew then stretched a secondary line from Engine 113 around to Side C and through the basement. After clearing the basement, the crew advanced the line up the stairs to meet the units from 11, 14, and 35 on the first floor. The crew began opening up the ceiling to gain access to the fire in the attic. Before the crew could gain entry through the attic stairs, the fire engulfed the attic and command removed all units to regroup. After a short break, crews again made an interior attack and were able extinguish the blaze. All units were held for extensive overhaul. Engine 121, Chief 12A, and Chief 12B returned to service around 1000hrs.

JANUARY 18, 2005 - Engine 122 was dispatched 3rd due to a house fire on Baylor Ave in the Yarrow Subdivision of College Park at 1255hrs. First arriving units reported on the scene with smoke showing. The fire appears to have originated in outside trash along the side of an attached wood-frame garage on the “B” side of a 1½-story wood-frame single family dwelling. The fire spread into the structure and gained control of the attic over the garage and in the roof space over the main section of the dwelling.

Ambulance 128 responded with 2 members and set up the aid station on the “A” side. The crew from E122 stretched and operated an attack line from E131 on the 2nd floor of the dwelling. The crews also assisted in opening up. The box assignment consisted of E131, E71, E122, E351, T14, T9, and RS1. Breathing Air Unit 44 was special called to the scene.

The fire resulted in an estimated loss of $30,000. The occupants of the house were not home at the time of the fire. The cause of the fire is under investigation. E122 and A128 were back in service at 1400 Hours.

JANUARY 15, 2005 - At 1942 hours units were alerted to the 9300blk of Davidson Street in College Park Woods for a reported house fire. E112 arrived on the scene with fire showing from side Charlie of a single story ranch and began an aggressive fire attack. E122 completed E112’s split lay while Truck 12 took positioning on side Delta. E122’s crew pulled a 2” backup line from E112 and went to work in the dining/kitchen area as well as the basement. Truck 12 forced entry into side Bravo as well as to the basement. A primary search was done on the basement level and a secondary was completed on the first floor with negative results. The fire was contained to the back bedroom with some extension into the hallway and attic area. Units cleared in just over and hour.

JANUARY 8, 2005 - An apparent suspicious fire provided some work for the crew of Truck 12 on Saturday morning. At 0852 Hours, Truck 12 was dispatched on Box 34-10 to the 1800 block of Metzerott Rd along with E341, E921, E112, E941, T92, and RSQ14. Truck 12 responded with 8 personnel along with Chief 12 running as Battalion Chief 4 and Chief 12A. Engine 341 reported on the scene with nothing evident but when the crew worked their way into the building they encountered smoke conditions in the hallway and determined they had a fire in an apartment facing the “C” side. The fire involved a utility closet in an apartment on the second level in a 6-story brick apartment building and some fire was visible through the brick exterior latticework.

Truck 12, the second due truck, positioned on side “A” as there was no vehicle access to side “C.” Part of the crew took ground ladders to side “C” including two 35’, two 28’, one 18’, and one 20’ ladders. The other part of the crew reported to the floor above the fire completing a primary search and checked the apartment above the fire for any extension. No extension was found. The crew then assisted in ventilation efforts.

Witnesses reported seeing a person climbing down the exterior brick latticework from the fire area immediately prior to seeing the fire. Fire investigators responded to the scene to investigate the fire which was in a vacant apartment. Chief 12 set up the command in his vehicle and assigned Montgomery Battalion Chief 791 to the fire floor and Chief 14A to the floor above. Chief 12A was assigned as Division “A.” Truck 12 cleared and was in service at 0947 Hours.

NOVEMBER 29, 2004 - E121 and Truck 12 arrived in the 9100 block of Baltimore Avenue to find smoke and fire showing from the rear. This fast moving fire, assisted by a broken gas line, quickly engulfed the building in flames. Truck 12’s crew assisted in ventilation and attempted to search until the evacuation tones were hit and operations became exterior only. E121 also placed a 2 ½ inch line in service and made entry to the second floor only to be overcome by the fire. Units remained on the scene for a few hours hitting some hot spots and cleaning up.

NOVEMBER 29, 2004 - At approximately 600 Hours, Truck 12 was alerted for a building fire at 9202 Baltimore Avenue the Comfort Inn. This was a conflicting address but Truck 12 arrived on the scene in the 8600 block of Baltimore Avenue to find fire showing from the first floor extending to the second floor corridor of the Best Western. Truck 12’s crew threw ground ladders to the second floor, performed searches, and assisted several occupants off of the roof. While cleaning up to return home another column of smoke was noticed up the street, resulting in another building fire in the 9100 block of Baltimore Avenue.