DECEMBER 30, 2006 – Just before dinner PSC dispatched a level three hazmat box to the intersection of Route 301 and Harbour Way reporting a vehicle into a gasoline tanker with a possible leak.  Units that arrived on scene found just this and requested to hold companies 43, 39, 18, and the hazmat units from station 30.  Shortly after returning back to Station 12 command requested that Foam 12 report back to the scene.  Once on the scene Foam 12 was utilized to stand by in case the gasoline were to flare up.  Later on in the incident it was decided that the tanker would be moved to a more neutral location so that it could be off loaded into a different tanker.  Foam 12 operated on the scene of the incident for approximately three hours. 

DECEMBER 17, 2006 – Santa came early to the children of College Park as he was escorted through the Calvert Hills section by Truck 12 and Ambulance 129 this past Sunday. After Santa had given out treats to all the boys and girls of College Park, the truck crew guided some tours of the apparatus to some future College Park firefighters.

The members of CPVFD have also gotten into the spirit of the holidays by decorating our home. Following the holiday season kickoff known as the Sackroom Holiday Party, crews utilized their down time to decorate the tree and hang lights. With finals winding down and the holidays rapidly approaching, the members of CPVFD wish everyone a happy and safe holiday.

DECEMBER 18, 2006 –At 1428 Hours on Monday, E122, A129, C12 and Squad 1 were dispatched to the intersection of University Blvd. and Adelphi Road for an overturned auto. C12 arrived first on the service road to the UMUC Parking Garage adjacent to University Blvd confirming one on its roof in a ditch with one trauma patient still in the vehicle and one lying next to the vehicle. Medic 12, Battalion Chief 4 and EMS 11 were added to the call as Rescue Squad 1 quickly extricated the patient from the vehicle for awaiting EMS crews. Two Priority 1 trauma patients were transported by EMS units, one to Children’s Hospital and the other to Medstar. Units cleared the scene at 1520 Hours.

DECEMBER 14, 2006 - Shortly after 2000 Hours on Thursday, December 14, 2006 Truck 12, Chief 12A and 12B were alerted to Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Co. 35’s first due for a report of fire in the building. First arriving units reported heavy smoke conditions on the second floor and located a fire in a second floor balcony. The crews from Truck 12 were split with one crew performing searches, one crew establishing rapid intervention, while the driver laddered the building and worked to establish ventilation. The fire was quickly knocked down and the truck was held for a little over an hour assisting with smoke removal from the large structure.

DECEMBER 10, 2006 - At 0514 hours PSC dispatched 9302 Adelphi Road for a fire in apartment 104 with possible people trapped. E341 arrived on scene and advised that they had smoke showing. Shortly after E121 arrived to pick up 34's line and went to the floor above to check for extension. T12 arrived on scene and assisted with primary searchs, laddering the building, and overhaul. Shortly after the fire was knocked command held E341, E121, T12, and T92 to assist the investigators with their investigation. The units cleared at 0632.

DECEMBER 1, 2006 - James M. Shannon, president and CEO of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), announced today the appointment of Christian Dubay as Vice President, Codes and Standards and Chief Engineer. Dubay will oversee Electrical Engineering, Fire Protection Applications & Chemical Engineering, Public Fire Protection, Building & Life Safety, and Codes & Standards Administration for the worldwide fire prevention organization.
"Christian Dubay has the reputation, the energy, and the commitment to NFPA's mission necessary to lead the NFPA engineering and technical staff and be Chief Engineer," said Shannon.

Dubay first came to NFPA in 1995 as an Associate Fire Protection Engineer. He was promoted to Fire Protection Engineer (FPE) in 1997, Senior FPE in 2002 and Principal FPE in 2006. He is a graduate of the Fire Protection Engineering program at the University of Maryland and is a registered professional engineer in the state of Connecticut.

NFPA Executive Vice President and Chief Engineer Art Cote looks back on a career dedicated to fire prevention and life safety.

Dubay is a recognized expert in the fire sprinkler field. He is former chair of the American Water Works Associations Fire Protection Committee and is a former Board Member of the International Water Mist Association. Within NFPA he was responsible for the automatic sprinkler technical committees and served as editor of The Automatic Sprinkler Systems Handbook and The Residential Sprinkler Systems Handbook.

Dubay's appointment will be effective on January 1, 2007.

NFPA has been a worldwide leader in providing fire, electrical, building, and life safety to the public since 1896. The mission of the international nonprofit organization is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating consensus codes and standards, research, training, and education.

NOVEMBER 15, 2006 – The volunteers from Station 12 were kept busy during the extended holiday weekend. During Thanksgiving many of the calls we would normally run were replaced with over twenty pounds of Turkey and numerous sides as well as desserts. On Saturday the members from College Park loaded up for the football game against Wake Forest. During this time the ambulance and engine ran several calls including an auto fire which was the result of someone leaving their grill under their car

NOVEMBER 4, 2006 – Early Saturday morning around 0400hrs, PSC struck the box for 9314 Cherry Hill Rd in Company 11’s first due bringing Truck 12 with 8 personnel as the first due truck on the box.  While approaching the scene, PSC reported that police were on the scene with a working fire and one injured.  Truck 12 arrived on side A and immediately went to work on the fire floor with the units from Company 11.  The driver and ladders team from Truck 12 identified a victim on the balcony of the fire apartment and provided access via aerial and ground ladders.  The victim (who was later discovered to be the suspect police were chasing through the building) chose not to utilize the ladders and crews available for rescue and instead jumped to the floor below and returned into the building.  Meanwhile, Truck 12 was assigned division 3 and search and ventilation crews coordinated with Company 11 on a plan of fire attack.   Since problems with the building standpipe system delayed the deployment of attack lines, Truck 12’s search crew advanced ahead to the fire apartment and began a primary search but was forced to return to the hallway as conditions deteriorated.  During this stage of the incident one of the members from Truck 12 received minor burn injuries and was later transported and released from the hospital. Once attack lines were established on the fire floor, crews from truck 12 and 14 worked together to complete searches and other truck company duties in the fire apartment and adjacent apartments.  After being checked out in rehab, Truck 12 continued to operate on the scene performing secondary searches and overhaul for the duration of the incident.

NOVEMBER 3, 2006 - On Friday at 0719 hours, E121, Foam 12, U-12, Chief 12, Chief 12A responded to the College Park Airport along with surrounding companies for a report of a plane with landing gear problems making an emergency landing. The single engine plane landed without landing gear and came to rest along the main runway. The pilot was not injured during the incident and units cleared the incident at 0749 hours.

NOVEMBER 1, 2006 - On Wednesday at 1602 hours, Truck 12 was alerted as 2nd due truck for a reported house fire at 6322 60th Place in Co. 13’s First Due. Company 13 arrived shortly thereafter and advised of smoke showing from a 2-story single-family dwelling and command quickly advised of a working basement fire. Truck 12 arrived and laddered the house, performed searches on the 1st and 2nd Floors and provided lighting to units operating in the basement. The fire was quickly knocked down and Truck 12 was released from the fireground at 1643 hours.

OCTOBER 27, 2006 - On Friday, members from CPVFD attended the American Legion Public Safety Awards of College Park where two of our members were presented awards for their outstanding service to the College Park Community.  CPVFD would like to thank the American Legion Post 217 for a great event, awards and dinner.

Fire Marshal Megan Morales was presented the Volunteer EMT of the Year. Megan has been a volunteer FF/EMT with College Park since 2002.   She has worked as part of the fire marshal staff for the past few years teaching fire prevention messages to the organizations of the College Park area.  She has met with countless schools and fraternal organizations to provide them with the latest fire safety practices.  Megan also applied for and successfully received a grant to renovate the fire departments dated kitchen.  She led a group of designers and contractors to bring the project to fruition.  On top of all of this, Megan provides the highest quality emergency medical service to our community.

FF/EMT Josh Liebross was named Volunteer Firefighter of the Year.  Josh Liebross has been a volunteer FF/EMT with College Park since 2004.  Josh showed outstanding effort and enthusiasm coming up to speed as a volunteer at College Park.  As soon as Josh finished his entry level training and moved out of Probation, he quickly became involved with our Department Training and Membership committees, helping to pass on the torch to the next generation of volunteers.  This year, Josh went above and beyond the call of duty in his efforts to recruit new members and to establish the fourth summer training program.  Without his efforts, the Department would not be able to boast such a large, active volunteer membership that is well trained and committed to serving our community.  Josh continues to be a strong volunteer leader, continuously taking on new roles in the department including apparatus driver.  Josh also played a significant role in placing College Park’s new ambulance in service this past year.  The College Park Volunteer Fire Department depends on its young, active membership to bring pride and excellence to this demanding and dangerous job.  It is because of members like Josh that we are capable of doing so year after year.

OCTOBER 16, 2006 - At 1454 Hours on Monday, E121, A128, RS14 and Medic 12 were dispatched to Baltimore Ave. and Campus Drive for a reported overturned vehicle with one trapped. Company 12 arrived within 30 seconds of dispatch confirming the dispatch information. E121 began stabilizing the vehicle and stretched an attack line while EMS crews began assessing the trapped driver. RS14 arrived and completed stabilization prior to removing the roof and driver’s side door. The victim was extricated within minutes and transported to a local trauma center for evaluation. Units cleared the scene at 1536 hours.

OCTOBER 14, 2006 - A large gathering of FPE Alumni and friends marked the 50th anniversary of the University of Maryland’s James Clark School of Engineering’s Department of Fire Protection Engineering.  The day-long events were held on Saturday, October 14th and it started with a tour and open house at the new Fire Protection Engineering space on the third floor of the J.M. Patterson Building.  There was recognition ceremony and ribbon “burning” at the front of the building at 1100 hours.

Dr. Marino di Marzo, Professor and Chair of the Department of Fire Protection Engineering, presided over the ceremony.  The highlight during the program was the dedication of two parts of the new facility to two past faculty of the Department of Fire Protection Engineering and also Life Members of the College Park Volunteer Fire Department.

Prof. John Bryan was honored in having the fire protection classroom dedicated in his name.  The classroom is sponsored by Code Consultants, Inc.   Prof. Bryan was named to head the new fire protection curriculum in 1955.  At that time, the program occupied the third floor of the Fire Service Extension building which also housed CPVFD.  For many years, the Prof. trekked down the stairs to drive the 1954 ladder truck on calls far and wide.  At that time, Truck 12 was the first-due truck to Laurel and parts of Howard County.  After 38 years holding the reins of the program, the Prof. retired and was appointed as Professor Emeritus.  Over the years, the Prof. served in many fire protection capacities including that as the Chair of the Board of Directors of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and also as the Chair of the Standards Council.  Awards bestowed upon the Prof include the Society of Fire Protection Engineer’s (SFPE) Fire Protection Man of the Year in 1977, the NFPA’s prestigious Paul C. Lamb Award in 1986, elected as a Fellow in the SFPE in 1989, the American Fire Sprinkler Association’s Parmalee Award in 1991, and recently awarded the NFPA’s Standards Medal in 2005.  The Prof. served with the CPVFD for many years including as a Member and Secretary on the Executive Committee.  He is currently a Life Member of CPVFD.

Dr. Harry Hickey was honored by having the fire suppression laboratory dedicated in his name.  This lab is sponsored by Hughes Associates.  Dr. Hickey joined the Department of Fire Protection Engineering in 1960 as the second full-time faculty member.  Dr. Hickey taught many of the water supply and fire sprinkler classes during his tenure at the University of Maryland.  After 25 years, Dr. Hickey retired in 1985 and became the Fire Chief at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab in Howard County.  After this position, he has provided numerous consulting services to fire departments, especially in Florida where he resided for a time.  He is currently a consultant to the Insurance Services Office, Inc. and is working on a number of research initiatives with the Public Fire Protection activities of ISO.  Like, Prof. Bryan, Dr. Hickey was an active member with the CPVFD and also has been awarded a Life Membership.

A large number of CPVFD members and alumni were present during the weekend celebration.  CPVFD alumni came from all over the world including Charlie Fleischmann who is the Senior Lecturer in Fire Engineering at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand.  Also attending was CPVFD alumni Bud Slye who was the first graduate of the Fire Protection program in 1962.  Other full time, part time, or adjunct faculty of the Fire Protection program that are CPVFD alumni include Bud Slye, Richard Custer, Dr. Jack Watts, Martin Hanna, Doug Walton, Dr. James Milke, Don Bathurst, and Morgan Hurley.

CPVFD congratulates and wishes the best to Prof. Bryan and Dr. Hickey for their well deserved recognition!

SEPTEMBER 14, 2006 - Shortly after 1 a.m. on Thursday, Battalion Chief 4 requested the box for a working building fire at 3204 Rhode Island Avenue in Co. 55’s 1st Due. The fire in a large, vacant liquor store quickly escalated to a 2nd Alarm and subsequent Task Force Alarm, sending E121 and C12A. E121 was utilized to fill staging but did not perform an active role on the fireground. C12A was assigned to Division 1 of the fire building. E121 was available for service at 0230 hours.

At 0146 PSC dispatched a reported house fire in the area of 5621 Jamestown Road in Co 1’s 1st Due. The assignment was greatly altered due to the fire on Rhode Island Ave and associated transfers. Station 12 quickly called PSC and advised that a crew was available for E122 and were added to the assignment. A19 and Truck 14 arrived to find an auto in the driveway of 5614 Jamestown Road with extension to the 1st and 2nd floor of the 2-story Cape Cod dwelling. The PEPCO service line to the house had also burned through and was energized in the front yard. E122 arrived with E112 shortly behind the units from 1 and 14. The crew stretched a line to the 1st floor extinguishing the extension into the residence. E122 took the hydrant at Jamestown and Kimberly (despite the best efforts of Hyattsville City PD to render the plug useless) and secured E112’s water supply in addition to supplying E911 who was operating an attack line on the 2nd floor. E122 was available for service at 0320 hours.

The extended holiday weekend brought the Maryland Terrapins’ first home football game and saw the arrival of Tropical Storm Ernesto. From Thursday evening through Monday evening units from College Park responded to a combined 71 incidents, ranging from several working incidents, numerous box alarms, several first due assignments and the usual assortment of alarm bells and ambulance calls on campus. This weekend also marked the first time that both CPVFD BLS units were placed in service simultaneously.

SEPTEMBER 3, 2006 - On Sunday, E121 was alerted to #083 Regents Drive, JM Patterson Building for alarm bells. While enroute PSC advised that the alarm was reported to be the gas detection system from Room 2225, a lab we have all come to know too well. E121 arrived and confirmed an activation of the Hydrofluoric Acid Detection System and requested the HazMat assignment for more advanced metering equipment. Personnel from HazMat 41 and 30 along with various other PGFD support personnel and UMCP Department of Environmental Safety took several air samples of the room and confirmed a false activation of the alarm. The building was turned back over to the University and units began to clear at 1740 hours. This was the 4th Level III HazMat assignment to operate in this lab in three years. This was also the first incident for the county’s new canteen unit. We extend our thanks for providing refreshments throughout the incident.  

SEPTEMBER 2, 2006 - On Saturday, Co. 11 was alerted to the American Legion Hall at 9218 Baltimore Ave. for an automatic fire alarm. PSC quickly upgraded the assignment to a reported building fire bringing E121 as 2nd due and E122 as 3rd due along with Chief 12B. E112 arrived on the scene with light smoke showing from the roof. E121 arrived immediately behind E112, secured their water supply and stretched a back-up line. The engine crew from 11 quickly knocked the fire in a storage room while E121’s crew controlled utilities and helped check for extension. E122 worked to establish a secondary water supply and assisted with a search of the adjacent areas of the building. Chief 12B was assigned safety. Co. 12 cleared at 1254 hours. The cause of the fire was attributed to a power surge from downed power lines on Side D of the building as a result of Tropical Storm Ernesto.

AUGUST 5, 2006 - At approximately 0503 Engine 122 was alerted to 1902 Erie streeet for a report of a building fire. While enroute Prince George's County PSC advised Battalion Chief 4 that they were now recieving five to six calls reporting a working fire with one still possibly trapped on the third floor. Moments later Engine 342 arrived on scene with fire showing from the first floor as well as people trapped inside the building and jumping from the third floor. Engine 122 acted as the second engine backing up Company 34's crew then proceeded to the floor above to assist Truck 14 and Squad 1 in the primary search, while the driver assisted the truck companies throw ground ladders to remove the residents from their apartments via windows. Units from Company 12 operated on the scene for just over an hour.

AUGUST 2, 2006 - Early Wednesday morning, Ambulance 128 was alerted along with surrounding companies to the Outer Loop of I-495 at the split to NB I-95. Units arrived on the ramp to NB I-95 with a vehicle into the woods with the driver seriously injured and pinned. A-128 provided initial patient care during the extrication and then transported to UMD Shock Trauma in Baltimore (via ground) with Medic 92 on board.

JULY 30, 2006 - At 1540 Hours Sunday, the street alarm was dispatched to the 3500 block of Marlbrough Way in Co. 11’s first due for a report of several sheds on fire in the year yards sending E121 as second due engine. The column of smoke was visible from the station as units cut through campus. Units arrived to find 2 large storage sheds fully involved in the year yard. Command filled the assignment to a full box alarm sending E122 as 3rd due. E121 initiated a secondary water supply and operated a backup line. E122 secured E121’s water supply and the crew stood by.

JULY 12, 2006 - At 0057 Hours on Wednesday, E121 and Truck 12, along with Chief 12A, were alerted to 2616 Bucklodge Terrace in Co. 34's first due for a house fire. E342 was originally alerted for an auto fire in the area but the assignment was upgraded based on the supplements of an auto on fire in an attached carport. E342 arrived on scene and confirmed an auto in the carport. Truck 12 was first arriving special service and assisted E342 with checking for extension, performing searches, ventilation and lighting. E121 stood by and was released after about 20 minutes. Truck 12 cleared at 0204 hours after assisting the investigators.

At 0515 Hours, E121, E122, Chief 12 and Chief 12A, along with units from Co. 14 provided assistance to Clean Harbors and UMD's Department of Environmental Safety in the removal of a canister of crystallized ether. The Engine crews provided protective handlines while Clean Harbors made entry and removed the canister. The container was moved to Parking Lot 4I on a more remote corner of campus where it was opened and the chemical was neutralized and prepared for final transportation.

JULY 4, 2006 - The 4th started out quiet as the crews completed some housework and an early afternoon BBQ in spite of the high heat and humidity. Shortly before 1700 hours Mother Nature provided her own legal fireworks display over the station as a severe storm hit the 4th Battalion. Between 1710 Hours on the 4th and 0400 on the 5th Engines 121 and 122 combined to handle 26 incidents, ranging from box alarms, automatic alarms, wires and trees fallen onto houses/buildings. Both engine crews handled dozens of unofficial incidents assisting citizens and the City of College Park with trees and wires in between the officially dispatched calls. Fortunately the weather cleared and the calls subsided for about an hour between 2100 and 2200 hours allowing the crews to partake in the annual fireworks display on campus.

JUNE 25, 2006 - Several days of heavy rain, including nearly 10 inches of rain in a seven hour period on June 25th into June 26th, lead to major flooding throughout the region. The 4th Battalion was especially hard hit. E121 and Truck 12 were kept busy during this period running multiple calls for water rescues, flooded conditions, automatic alarms and stuck elevators due to power failures. The hard sleeves on E122 were utilized to assist the University of Maryland pump out flooded buildings and roadways. Truck 12 and Foam Co. 12 also ran a HazMat Box in Co. 35’s area for a fuel oil spill into the watershed from the excessive runoff.

JUNE 4, 2006 - At 1715 Hours on Sunday, A128 was dispatched for an injured person on the Paint Branch Trail somewhere in the area of College Ave. and Paint Branch Pkwy. A128 was directed to the parking lot of the 94th Aero Squadron and eventually found the patient roughly ¼ of a mile down the trail behind the College Park Airport. E121 and U12 for 4WD capabilities were added to the call. Additional equipment and personnel were loaded into U12 for the trek into the woods. The patient was immobilized for injuries suffered from a fall and transported back out of the woods to A128 for further treatment and transport to a local hospital.

JUNE 1, 2006 - At 1859 Hours on Thursday, Truck 12 and all 3 Chiefs were alerted to 1824 Metzerott Road for a reported apartment fire with people trapped and possibly jumping from balconies. C34A arrived shortly thereafter and advised of heavy fire showing from multiple floors of a mid-rise apartment building and of a victim on Side Alpha, requesting the 2nd Alarm and an EMS Task Force. E121 was dispatched as first engine on the second alarm. Truck 12 was the first arriving truck and positioned Side Alpha and worked on the 3rd Floor performing searches and opening up for the engine companies. E121 was deployed to the 4th floor to assist with search and overhaul operations. Chief 12B was assigned Division 4. Truck 12 cleared at 2203 hours.

MAY 28, 2006 - At 1424 Hours on Sunday Truck 12 was alerted to 7207 Long Branch Drive in Co. 48's area for a reported house fire. Another column of smoke was visible from the station. Truck 12 arrived simultaneously with E484 and Truck 28 with heavy fire conditions from the roof of a 2-story single family dwelling. The truck crews went to work laddering the house, searching and opening up for the engine companies. All of the crews on the scene worked well together overcoming numerous obstacles including radio problems on the fireground and several attack lines that burned through on the second floor and stairwell prior to the fire being knocked down. Truck 12 returned to service at 1559 hours.

MAY 28, 2006 - At 1026 Hours on Sunday Truck 12 was alerted as 2nd due truck to 1836 Metzerott Road in Co. 34’s area for smoke coming from an apartment. Engine 342 located a working fire in the kitchen and walls of Apartment 418, located in the West Tower of the 20-story apartment building. Truck 12 positioned on Side Charlie and reported to Apartments 518 and 618 to open up and check for vertical extension. Truck 12 was held on the fireground until 1149 to assist with ventilating the building. Chief 12A was assigned Division 5.

MAY 27, 2006 - At 0639 Hours on Saturday Truck 12 was alerted to the area of 41st and Volta in Co. 55’s area for a reported house fire. A large column of smoke was visible from the station as 55 units quickly arrived at 4403 40th Ave. reporting heavy fire showing with possible extension to Exposure B. Truck 12 was assigned Rapid Intervention while enroute. The EVAC tones were sounded shortly thereafter as the 1 story home was now heavily involved. Crews knocked the bulk of the fire from outside prior to moving back in to mop up. Truck 12 was held until 0846 Hours to assist with the extensive overhaul.

MAY 24, 2006 - Shortly after 1300hrs, Truck 12 was alerted to respond to 4112 31st street in Company 55's First Due. First arriving units from 55 (Bunker Hill) reported a working fire with fire showing from side Charlie. Units arriving from Company 9 (Bladensburg) removed a elderly man from Division 1, the man was subsequently transported by Medic 55 to MedStar. Truck 12, responding with 7, as the 2nd due truck on the assignment arrived on scene and was instructed by command to work with side Charlie division and Division 1. The truck then split its crew with 3 going to Division 1 to assist 551 and 441 with opening up and primary searches. The remaining crew members worked with BC 4 conducting overhaul on side charlie. Units on scene had a difficult time extinguishing the fire due to the extensive collection of junk and debris throughout the dwelling. Truck 12 operated on scene for nearly 4 hours conducting overhaul and assisting the investigators. Truck 12 was released around 1700hrs.

MAY 23, 2006 - At 1230 hours on Tuesday, Engine 121 was alerted to the JM Patterson Building for an automatic fire alarm. Upon further investigation a chemical release was discovered in Room 2225 and the Level III Box was requested at 1247 hours. Truck 12 responded as the 1st due truck on the box. As the Engine and Truck crew performed an initial reconnaissance of the area the driver of Truck 12 (Capt. Corrigan) established the Regents Drive Command. Lab personnel presented paperwork for Tungsten HydroChloride, the substance they believed to have been released. The 2 major byproducts of this chemical reaction were Hydro-Chloric Acid and Hydro-Fluoric Acid. Interior crews were immediately withdrawn from the building once the evacuation of civilians was confirmed.

The Level III HazMat team arrived and positioned on Side Bravo of the building with Truck 12 and made extensive preparations for entry. A total of three entries were made to secure the leak and perform various monitoring tasks. Truck 12’s crew stood by as the RIC for each HazMat Team entry. At 1608 the incident was scaled back to the Level III Team and Truck 12 to perform additional monitoring and ventilation. The building was turned over to UMCP’s Department of Environmental Safety for clean-up of the contaminated areas at 1720 hours. Truck 12 cleared the incident at 1745 hours.

MAY 19, 2006 - At 2139 hours Truck 12, Chief 12, Chief 12A (as Battalion 4), and Chief 12B were alerted to 7110 25th Ave. in Company 34’s first due for a house fire. Engines 441 and 342 arrived reporting smoke showing from a 2-story split-level single family dwelling. Engine 441 reported back with a fire in the upstairs kitchen area. Truck 12, as first arriving special service, performed a primary search, overhauled the fire area, ventilated, placed numerous ground ladders and secured utilities. Company 12 cleared at 2231 hours.

MAY 19, 2006 - At 1816 hours, shortly after clearing a 41 box on Cherry Hill Road Truck 12 was alerted for fire coming from the building at 1804 Metzerott Road in Company 34’s first due. Engine 342 arrived on the scene reporting fire showing from the 3rd floor of a 6 story apartment building. Truck 12 was first arriving special service, positioning on the Side Alpha/Bravo corner. Upon arrival compressed aerosol cans on the balcony ruptured from the fire and were propelled over the crowd of onlookers onto the lawn across from the building. The three separate teams of the truck crew performed the primary search of the fire apartment and adjoining units and laddered the building. The vent team reported to the roof via Truck 12’s aerial to open the scuttles while the driver secured utilities to the structure and set up PPV. The fire was contained to the balcony of 1 apartment with minor extension into the living space of that unit. Truck 12 cleared at 1955 hours. Chief 12A as Battalion 4 had the Metzerott Road Command.

MAY 13, 2006 - At 2040 hours Truck 12, Chief 12 and Chief 12A were dispatched to 4622 Quimby Ave. in Co. 31’s first due for a reported house on fire. Chief 31 arrived on scene and reported heavy smoke showing from a 1-story single family dwelling. Truck 12 arrived shortly after as 1st special service. The fire was located in a basement utility room with extension up the interior stairs to the first floor kitchen. Truck 12’s crew forced entry for the engine companies, performed the primary search, ventilated the structure as well as placed several ground ladders. Truck 12 provided lighting and assisted the investigators with overhaul prior to being released at 2249 hours.

MAY 11, 2006 - At 1634 hours Foam Co. 12 was alerted to assist Companies 14 and 11 with an outside electrical transformer fire in the 6200 Block of Westchester Park Drive. While awaiting the arrival of PEPCO Foam 12 stretched a 2-1/2” foam line and prepared for operations while E121 stood by as Rapid Intervention. Once PEPCO arrived and secured power to the transformer the fire was quickly extinguished without the need for foam. Company 12 cleared at 1735 hours.

MAY 7, 2006 - At approximately 1845 hours the box assignment was dispatched for the intersection of Cherry Hill Rd and Baltimore Ave in Co 11’s first due. Truck 12 responded as the first due special service. E121 and A128 were in downtown college park for dinner, and responded to make up staffing on the truck. En route PSC advised units of an updated location of the Home Depot., with a fire in the garden center. C11A arrived on scene with smoke from the garden center. Truck 12 positioned side A as the first arriving ladder truck and its crew preformed a primary search, and overhaul of the fire area, which involved three tier rack storage of plastics. E121 and A128 arrived on scene to support the truck, establishing the ventilation sector, and providing ventilation for the main part of the store. C12, C12A assisted at the command post. C12B had the ventilation sector. Units operated for approximately 2 hours.

MAY 6, 2006 - The College Park Volunteer Fire Department would like to thank the volunteers from Laural Co. 10, and Hyattsville Co.1 who provided our department with a cover crew for our 80th banquet. The fill in crew covered the station from 1730 Friday until 0700 Sunday morning, running various calls as station 12, including a high expansion foam assist to the Baltimore City Fire Department. Thanks again for your help and support.

MAY 6, 2006 - At 2330hrs, station 12 received a call from communications requesting that Foam Company 12 respond mutual aide to East Lanvale St and North Gay Street in Baltimore City to provide high-expansion foam operations for an on-going incident in the city. Due to the annual company banquet being held that evening, the cover crews from Laurel and Hyattsville loaded the high-expansion foam equipment and solution onto E121 and headed up I95 towards Baltimore along with C12A. The units from College Park arrived on the scene in Baltimore at little after midnight and reported to command. The high-challenge fire was found to be located in a small but long channel approximately 25 feet underground which was connected to an old, abandoned brewery. During communications and planning with command, the units from Baltimore City made access to the concealed space and the use of the high-expansion foam was not necessary. Command released the units from College Park shortly thereafter and E121 and C12A returned to the first due around 0200hrs.

MAY 4, 2006 - At 1712 hours, Truck 12 was alerted to respond to 10117 Towhee Ave for the reported dwelling fire. Truck 34 was first to arrive on scene and gave the report of a fire in the garage with extension into the house. Truck 12, with 8 personnel, arrived on side alpha to establish the RIT team. From there, the truck assisted the driver and tillerman from 34 with roof access and was assigned by command to relieve units operating on division 2. Once on the 2nd floor, the crew checked for extension into the attic, conducted a primary search, and started overhaul. As requested by command, Truck 12 split its crew with 3 member checking the roof, 2 members extinguishing hotspots in the garage, and the remaining 3 members finishing the overhaul on division 2. Truck 12 returned to service in approximately an hour and a half.

APRIL 29, 2006 - As a part of Maryland Day festivities, the CPVFD cleaned house and opened up the station to visitors today. Come by the station to visit us today, Saturday, April 29, to take a tour, see the engines, truck and ambulance, meet firefighters and pick up free fire safety information and goodies. We'll be open for visitors from 10am - 2pm. In the afternoon, you can stop by Taste of College Park, a small festival with food, music, and fire department displays, between 4-7pm. Taste of College Park is located at City Hall near Rt.1/Baltimore Ave and Knox Road.

APRIL 19, 2006 - With Truck 12 and Engine 121 working on the 2nd alarm fire on Toledo Terrace, College Park VFD was able to put a third crew in service. Shorting after placing the third suppression crew in service, E122 was dispatched to 7531 Greenbelt Road for smoke in the structure. E122 stood by Side Charlie ready to complete a secondary water supply if needed. With crews finding a smoldering bird's nest, the box was ready to clear. Communications alerted command of a House Fire in Company 14's first due. Units from the Greenbelt Road box cleared and responded to 5804 Seminole Street. First arriving units arrived with heavy smoke from the second floor. E122 arrived on location where the driver from E113 was working hard to secure a water source. Hydrants in the area were out of service and temporary hydrants were located further apart. E122's crew was able to reach E113 with a 4" supply line by a combination of laying out and hand jacking. E122 was able to provide E183 and E113 with water using the 4" supply line. With an incomplete box assignment, Command had E122 serve as the RIT team. Interior crews from Companies 11, 14, 18 and 28 made a good knock on the fire and were able to contain the fire to one bedroom. Engine 122 cleared after about 90 minutes on scene.

APRIL 19, 2006 - Each year, the College Park Volunteer Fire Department runs approximately 3,600 emergency fire, medical and rescue calls in our community.

In order to keep up with our growing and hard-working membership, we ask for your help in winning us a kitchen make-over.

Go online to www.maxwellhouse.com to vote for us in the Maxwell House/HGTV Spruce Up Your Firehouse contest between April 20-May 5. At that site you’ll find more photos and stories about us and our need for a new kitchen!

Thanks for your votes. Remember, vote early and vote often!

APRIL 18, 2006 - At 2003 Hours, Truck 12 and C12A were dispatched to 9302 Cherry Hill Road in Company 11’s first due for and odor of natural gas in an apartment building. E112 arrived and reported a slight odor of gas with very high readings of Carbon Monoxide in the 3 story garden apartment. Truck 12 arrived and assisted with air monitoring, searches and evacuation under the direction of C12A as Division 1. Chief 11 had the command and upgraded the assignment to a full box alarm bringing E122 and Chief 12 as Division Chief 3. E122 stood by in the rear while DC3 assisted at the command post. The source of the CO was eventually determined to be a faulty stove and units cleared at 2105 Hours after additional monitoring proved negative.

APRIL 15, 2006 - At 1914 Hours on Saturday, Truck 12, C12A, and C12B were alerted to 7981 New Riggs Road for a reported kitchen fire. E342 arrived and reported light smoke showing from the 1st Floor. Truck 12 was the first arriving special service and instructed by command to assist E342 with a kitchen fire. Truck 12’s crew threw several ladders and assisted with checking for extension. C12B was Division 1. Truck 12 cleared at 2021 Hours.

APRIL 16, 2006 - At 1627 Hours on Sunday, E121 was alerted to the Chemistry Building for alarm bells. Upon arrival the crew discovered a high-pressure steam leak in Wing 3 that had activated several sprinkler heads. The engine crew worked with UMCP personnel to secure the leak and isolate the sprinkler system. Shortly after clearing E121 and A128 were dispatched back to the same location as a UMCP employee working on the leak had fallen approximately 20 feet. Both crews work to package the Priority 2 multi-system trauma patient and transport him to Medstar for further evaluation.

APRIL 15, 2006 - On Saturday, several CPVFD members took Truck 12 to the old Landover Mall to conduct a drill on roof ventilation. The old building is being demolished and is currently being used for beneficial hands-on training. Members spent nearly 4 hours sizing up large commercial structures and practicing techniques for performing vertical ventilation.

APRIL 14, 2006 - On Friday afternoon, members traveled up Route 1 to the College Park Home Depot to receive a generous donation of 100 9-volt batteries. The batteries will be distributed to residents within the College Park area who need to replace a dead or missing battery in their home smoke detector. CPVFD members will be teaming up with University of Maryland students, City of College Park officials and University officials in the coming week to go door-to-door spreading the word about the importance of off-campus fire safety.

APRIL 10, 2006 - Shortly after 1500, TK12 was alerted as the 2nd due truck for the house on fire in the 5300 block of Annapolis Road. Shortly after the dispatch, PG Communications advised that PGPD were on scene with a heavy involved house with explosions. The column of smoke could easily be seen from the College Park area. While responding, command advised TK12 to set up for master stream operations on side Alpha of the house in front of TK9. After setting up for mater streams, TK12’s crews were quickly put to work throwing ground ladders and beginning the primary searches for the 1st and 2nd floors. While heading up to the 2nd second floor, the crew from TK12 was given the primary attack line for the 2nd floor. The crews quickly went to work continuing the primary searches as well as operating the primary attack line. The crew from TK12 operated on the 1st and 2nd floors to complete extinguishment and overhaul until they were released shortly after 1700.

APRIL 7, 2006 - Around 2:30pm Friday, PSC alerted E122 and TK12, along with units from the surrounding area for a reported house on fire in the area of Peru Rd. and Baltimore Ave. E122 and TK12 responded with a total of 12 personnel, and as units were responding C11A arrived in the area and advised he had a house on fire and to have all units stage until access points could be determined. After it was determined that the house was about a mile from the road, up a narrow dirt driveway in the woods C11A advised of a fully involved vacant house and that this would be exterior operations. TK12 was than told to proceed up the driveway behind E113 to support them with exterior operations. E122 than proceeded to lay 1000ft of 4" hose up the drive way and hand jack 3" the rest of the way up the drive way to complete E113's water supply. Crews worked on extinguishing the house that was a total loss and extinguishing brush fires that were caused because of the original house fire. Crews remained on the scene for over three hours before returning to service.

APRIL 8, 2006 - At 1134 Hours on Saturday, Truck 12 and E122, along with Chief 12 and Chief 12B were alerted for smoke coming from the house at 9630 Narragansett Pkwy. in Company 11’s 1st due. Chief 11 arrived on the scene and reported heavy smoke showing from the eaves. Truck 12 arrived as 2nd due special service and was initially instructed to split crews, with one half establishing RIC duties while the other half performed a 360 size-up and secured utilities. Truck 12 was quickly reassigned to the roof as the interior advised of a working attic fire. Truck 12’s crew laddered the structure, performed vertical ventilation, secured utilities and performed the secondary search. E122 stood by with a back-up line. Truck 12 was released at 1224 hours.

APRIL 8, 2006 - At 0109 Hours on Saturday, Truck 12 along with all three chiefs were alerted to a possible building fire in the area of Old Baltimore Pike in Company 31’s 1st due. Engine 312 arrived in the area of Linden Lane and Lincoln Avenue reporting a large outside fire. Truck 12 assisted Engine 312 and Engine 411 with overhauling the large pile of trash, debris and abandoned autos. Foam Unit 12 was later added to the call to assist with extinguishing the deep seated fire. Truck 12 cleared at 0259 hours and Foam Unit 12 cleared at 0424 hours.

APRIL 4, 2006 - At 2117 Hours on Tuesday, Truck 12 and Chief 12A were dispatched to 10788 Tucker St. in Company 31’s 1st due for a confirmed commercial building fire. Engine 312 was originally dispatched for an automatic fire alarm and arrived to find a working fire in a 1 and 2 story commercial plexiglass and lexan manufacturing facility and filled the box alarm. Truck 12 positioned on Side B of the building and worked with Truck 14 to force entry for the engine companies, perform searches, ventilate, control utilities and overhaul the fire. The fire was contained to a large fabricating machine and was held in check by the activation of several sprinkler heads. Truck 12 remained on the scene until 2313 Hours.

Company 12 would like to thank the owners of the facility for donating several large sheets of lexan for members to use for training purposes.

While Truck 12 was operating on Tucker St. Engine 122 was alerted to 4250 Knox Road for an automatic alarm. As E122 was arriving PSC advised they were filling the box for reports of smoke on the 3rd Floor. E122 located a kitchen fire on the 3rd Floor that was knocked by the sprinkler system. E122 remained on the scene to await the arrival of the University of Maryland Fire Marshal’s Office.

At about this time the Maryland Women’s Basketball Team was finishing their overtime victory over Duke to capture their first ever National Championship. Then the celebrations began. A128 and Medic 12 were alerted for a pedestrian struck at Knox Road and Route 1, the common gathering place for post victory celebrations. Truck 12, having cleared the fireground in Beltsville, was added to the call. The EMS units packaged and quickly transported the trauma patient to Washington Hospital Center while the Truck Crew worked with limited police presence at the time for crowd control. Official police and fire command posts were set up throughout downtown College Park and the usual task force assignments handled numerous small outside fires in the area. The incident was scaled back at 0115 hours on Wednesday April 6 although Engine Company 12 continued to handle small outside rubbish fires and alarm bells calls until roughly 0500 hours.

Congratulations again to the Maryland Women on their first ever National Championship.

MARCH 21, 2006 - At 1547, Truck 12 was alerted to respond to 5122 Kenilworth Avenue for the reported apartment fire. Units from Company 9 arrived to find fire showing from the third floor on side Charlie with a corrected address of 5114 Kenilworth Ave. Truck 12 arrived with six personnel as second due truck and took a position on side Charlie. The crew from 12 threw ladders to assist 55's engine crew with deploying a back-up line, conducted the primary and secondary searches on the first and second floors, and helped check for extension in the fire apartment. Command assigned Truck 12 to the roof division, where they checked for extention in the cockloft and along the roof line. Truck 12 operated on the scene for a little over an hour.

MARCH 13, 2006 - On Monday morning, Chief 55 pulled up on a working house fire at 4017 33rd Street and requested the box alarm. Truck 12 was dispatched at 0804 as the third special service on the initial alarm. Upon arrival, Truck 12 set up as the R.I.T. on side alpha of the fire building. Later in the incident, Truck 12's crews were put to work. The initial assignment was to check for possible extension of the Delta Exposure, which turned out to be negative. As most of the units were clearing the fire ground, Truck 12 remained on scene to assist the investigators and finish up with overhaul. Truck 12 cleared the fire ground at 1045.

MARCH 5, 2006 - On Sunday at 0133 hours E122 was alerted as 4th Due Engine on the box alarm to 7140 Hanover Pkwy in Co. 48's first due for a reported fuse box on fire in terrace level apartment. Initially units reported nothing evident but after further investigation found fire in the ceiling and void spaces extending horizontally and vertically throughout the building. A Task Force Alarm was requested at 0146 hours bringing E121 as the 1st Due Engine. E122 worked on Division 3 checking for extension and mopping up hot spots. E121 worked in the attached D Exposures checking for extension and mopping up hot spots. C12A and C12B also responded and worked as part of several divisions. The fire eventually escalated to a 2 nd Alarm. The units from Co. 12 cleared the fireground at 0329 hours.

After running several local alarms and a gas leak assignment in Co. 11's first due, E121 was again alerted as 4 th Due Engine to Hanover Pkwy at 0828 hours. The assignment to 7032 Hanover Pkwy was altered due to two other working fires in progress on the North Side of the County. First arriving units reported smoke showing. E121 was instructed to report to Side Charlie and check the floor above prior to being released at 0905 hours. First arriving units quickly extinguished several small fires in the living room of a first floor apartment.

MARCH 1, 2006 - College Park received its first new ambulance ever on March 1st. The vehicle is a 2006 Chevrolet 4500 chassis with a Horton box. FESCO Emergency Sales delivered the vehicle with Chuck Simpson being the sales representative.

Members of CPVFD were given an overview of the vehicle by Chuck Simpson. All members were very impressed with the fit and finish of the vehicle as well as the design and layout. CPVFD’s New Ambulance Technical Committee under Chair Carl Cimino put a lot of hard work in the specifications for this vehicle and it paid off. Additional items such as the lettering and striping, mounting some equipment and stocking the unit with supplies will be completed in the next couple of weeks. Driver Training Chair Ryan Gregory has put together a plan to qualify existing and new ambulance drivers.

We will have more information and photos after the vehicle is lettered in the near future.

FEBRUARY 13, 2006 - The home Terps/Duke basketball game coupled with this weekend’s snowstorm led to a busy weekend for the members of College Park. From 1500 hours on Friday February 10th through 0700 hours Monday February 13th, Company 12 responded on 49 total incidents. These calls ranged from service calls for downed wires and alarm bells to motor vehicle accidents and box alarms. E122 was 4th due on the 2nd Alarm to Washington Adventist Hospital in Company 91’s first due but was not utilized although the entire command staff present was affiliated with College Park. Company 12 maintained 2 Engine Crews for the entire weekend. A second BLS unit was also placed in service in anticipation of a higher than usual call volume during the Duke game. Thanks to the crews from Station 39 who provided the BX unit and Station 55 who provided the mini-pumper for the Duke game stand-by.

FEBRUARY 11, 2006 - A second alarm fire at the Washington Adventist Hospital brought the response of Engine 122 with 6 personnel on the second alarm assignment at 0218 Hours along with a number of CPVFD members and alumni.  The fire at 7600 Carroll Ave in Takoma Park was located in the ceiling space on the second floor in the psych ward.  The fire was promptly extinguished but smoke removal, water removal, and patient movement necessitated the call for additional apparatus above the first alarm.  Along with Engine 122 which was on its way to Station 34 for a transfer, CPVFD Chief Fred Welsh responded as the Division Chief.  Past Chief Fred Brower made his way to the scene to assist as needed.

The incident commander was Montgomery County Battalion Chief 1, Jim Lesnick.  The second Montgomery County Command Officer was Battalion Chief 4, Rusty Rothenhoefer who had Division 2.  PG Battalion Chief 4, Steve Hess also responded on the second alarm.  All of these officers are alumni members of CPVFD and all served in officer capacities when active with CPVFD.  Rounding out the College Park presence was Montgomery County PIO Pete Piringer.  It was truly a CPVFD night or early morning.