DECEMBER 28, 2008 - At 0914 hours Truck 812 was alerted for a House Fire at 6419 Princess Garden Parkway. Engine and Truck 828 arrived first to find a one story single family dwelling with smoke showing from side "charlie". Truck 812's crew arrived shorly after performed secondary searches of the building.  Truck 812's crew also assisted Truck 828 with laddering the building.  Engine 828's crew was able to put a quick knock on the fire.  Truck 812 and the chief operated on the fire ground for just under sixty minutes.

DECEMBER 28, 2008 - At 0638 hours Ambulance and Medic 812 along with Engine 811, Rescue Squad 814 and units from station 841 were alerted to the personal injury accident, with report of one overturned and one trapped on the outer loop of the Capital Beltway at Baltimore Avenue.  A812 and E811 arrived on scene, just north of Baltimore Avenue with one SUV overturned, and the sole occupant trapped in the vehicle.  Squad 814 completed extrication and the EMS units from 812 evaluated the patient.  A812 transported the patient in stable condition to an area trauma center.  A812 cleared the call in just under 2 hours.  

DECEMBER 24, 2008 - December 24, 2008 - At approximately 0300 hours on Wednesday morning Company 812 was advised by PSC of a cutting on the front ramp of the firehouse.  Members located one patient sitting outside of the firehouse, with a serious laceration after an assault.  The patient was evaluated and transported by A812 to MedSTAR.  Later in the day at approximately 1300 hours Engine Company, Ambulance and Medic 812 were alerted to a pedestrian struck in the 9100 block of Baltimore Avenue.  Units arrived to find a patient struck at high speed by an SUV.  The patient was transported Priority 1 to MedSTAR by Medic and Ambulance 812.  Several hours later, A812 was alerted to 4902 Berwyn Road for the injured person after an assault.  A812 located the patient outside of Holy Redeemer Church and requested ALS to the scene bringing Medic 812 and EMS 801.  Units again transported the patient in critical condition to MedSTAR.

NOVEMBER 26, 2008 - Shortly before 1830 hours, E812 was alerted to 9309 19th Avenue (Company 834) for the apartment fire as the fourth due engine. E834 arrived on the scene with a working fire on the first floor of a three story apartment building. E812 arrived as the third due position on side Charlie with smoke showing from the upper floors. E812’s crew threw a ground ladder and stretched a line to the third floor to check for extension. With the fire running the pipe chases to the third floor a second alarm was sounded to supplement crews on the fire ground. E812 worked for the next hour extinguishing extension and opening up. E812’s crew worked just over 2 hours before being released. All three chiefs were also on the call and worked in various capacities on the fire ground.

NOVEMBER 22, 2008 - At approximately 0345 hours, units were dispatched for the personal injury accident, with report of one overturned at University Boulevard and Metzerott Road.  Engine 811 arrived on scene to find a 2 vehicle accident with one overturned and significant damage to both vehicles.  A total of 5 patients were seen, one refusing care.  Ambulances 812 and 814 along with Medic 812 transported 3 patients to MedSTAR, while Ambulance 834 took one to Suburban Trauma.  A812 cleared in just over an hour.

OCTOBER 6, 2008 - The College Park Volunteer Fire Department is saddened to learn of the passing of Past Chief Richard Houchens.

Chief Houchens was Chief of CPVFD from 1947-1956 and was an active member for 18 years.

Services are as follows:

Viewing Friday October 10th from 2-4 and 7-9 at Gasch's Funeral Home 4739 Baltimore Avenue Hyattsville, Maryland 20781

A Memorial Service will be held at 7:30 followed by a Fire Department Memorial Service at 8:00pm

Burial will be Monday October 13th at 1:00 in Louisa, VA

OCTOBER 4, 2008 - On a beautiful fall afternoon, the CPVFD family gathered for the annual fall picnic.  Sackroom members, townies, probies, alumni, and guests gathered for a grilling extravaganza put on by Social Committee chair, Kelly Lipincott.  The afternoon’s true excitement and entertainment arrived during the softball game, which pitted the current Sackroom membership versus the alumni/townies.  After some questionable score keeping, the Sackroom managed to get back into the game after suffering several innings of punishment.  With a tie game after regulation play, extra innings only brought more excitement and antagonizing words from both sides.  The alumni/townies finally prevailed in the bottom of the 11th inning to beat the Sackroom by one run.  A fun day was had by all and a special thanks goes out to all those involved in making the picnic possible.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2008 - Just before 0730 hours units from the Fourth and Sixth Battalions were alerted to 7010 Greenbelt Road for a report of fire coming from the building.  As units were starting to repond PSC advised units responding that Greenbelt City PD were on the scene with a working fire.  Upon arrival Truck 812 took the assigned position of the second due truck on side "C".  After the decision was quickly made to transition to an interior attack Truck 812 worked with Engines 835, 811, 848, and Truck 814 to perform searches, check for extension, assist with positioning attack lines, and opening up the roof.  With some help of the fire wall crews were able to cut off the progress of the fire at a small hallway that seperated the main portion of the building and the cafeteria style wing that was on fire.  Truck 812's crew operated for about three hours before returning to service.  Chief 812A had the command.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2008 - Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD) and Senators Barbara Mikulski and Benjamin Cardin announced today that the College Park Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) has been awarded $140,980 in federal grant funds through the 2007 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program. The funding will be utilized to purchase new portable and mobile radios and other accessories.

With the awarded funds, every firefighter riding position and rig will be equipped with a radio to increase communication and safety on the streets.  The radios will operate on the new 700 MHz system that is currently being installed in Prince George’s County as well as the 800 MHz system used in surrounding jurisdictions such as Montgomery County.

“Every day, our first responders show up to the firehouse prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice to save the lives of others. Providing them with much needed equipment is the least we can do to show our appreciation for their heroic service,” said Congressman Hoyer. “I am pleased that funds from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program will help College Park VFD more efficiently and safely undertake their mission.”

“I know how important this funding is to Maryland communities – often it’s the difference between life and death.  First responders protect our homes and communities, and the federal government has a responsibility to protect them by providing them with the tools they need to do their jobs safer and smarter,” said Senator Mikulski.  “Every day when our first responders report for duty, they don’t know what they will face.  That’s why I fight every year for the equipment, training, and staffing our protectors and communities deserve.”

“First responders have always been on the front lines, keeping our families and our neighborhoods safe from harm.  I thank these brave men and women for their continuing service and sense of duty to our community,” said Senator Cardin.  “I am proud to support federal investment through local grants like this, which is essential to ensure our community heroes have the equipment and training they need to do their jobs safely and efficiently.”

Grant funds made available through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program are awarded to fire departments and EMS organizations across the nation to enhance their response capabilities and to more effectively protect the health and safety of the public and emergency response personnel. Since 2001, AFG has provided more than $50 million in assistance to first-responder organizations in Maryland for the purchase of personnel protective gear and response equipment and vehicles.

Ty Dickerson, Fire Chief of the College Park Volunteer Firefighter Department, stated, “First responders in College Park will soon be able to make significant strides in firefighter safety and survival.  Technology provided by this grant will enable us to provide additional portable radios for each firefighter on the emergency scene and at the same time increase interoperability with surrounding jurisdictions and other public safety partners when the need arises.”

Peter Piringer, President of the College Park Volunteer Firefighter Department, stated, “With this grant and the continued support of our entire community, particularly Senators Mikulski and Cardin and Congressman Hoyer, our members’ efforts to respond safely, quickly and with efficiency is more possible.”

As co-chair of the Congressional Fire Caucus, Rep. Hoyer took a lead role in helping establish the AFG Program and has been an annual leader in fighting against attempts to cut funding for the program in the federal budget. Last year, after the Bush Administration proposed a 55 percent cut to the AFG program for FY 2008, Congress restored funding to $570 million.  Under the leadership of Rep. Hoyer and Maryland’s senators, Congress also restored funding for the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Firefighters (SAFER) Program, which helps fire departments that are currently operating short of staff to train, hire and retain career and volunteer firefighters.  Once again this year, President Bush has proposed deep cuts to AFG and the elimination of the SAFER.

SEPTEMBER 1, 2008 - At 1517 Hours Public Safety Communications dispatched Ambulance 812 to the Paint Branch Trail near Lake Artemesia for an injured person.  Communications also called and advised the station to send units at our discretion to the trail area behind the 94th Aero Squadron to check the other end of the trail.  Engine 812 with six volunteers, Ambulance 812 and Utility 812 responded and searched the area of the trail near the College Park Airport.  Rescue Squad and Ambulance 814 along with the units from Company 812 located the patient, and loaded him onto Utility 812 for transport back from the trail.  The patient was turned over to the Ambulance crew, which transported the patient for a check-up.  Units Cleared in less than an hour.

AUGUST 31, 2008 - At 1343 Hours on Sunday the box was sounded for 5600 Virginia Manor Road reporting a building fire. Shortly after dispatch box alarm units discovered a large outside fire involving several acres of mulch piles on Van Dusen Road near Old Gunpowder Road in Company 810’s First Due. With water supplies being limited in the area command requested three tankers and four additional engine companies to the scene brining Engine 812 and Chief 812B. Engine 812 was initially sent directly to the scene to deliver Class A Foam that was brought from the station off of Foam 812, and then assist with setting up the dump site for the arriving tankers while Chief 812B sought out a fill site. After dumping their tank water in the portable tanks at the dump site Engine 812 reported to 13820 Old Gunpowder Road to establish the fill site. Engine 812 worked for approximately 90 minutes filling tankers several times over prior to being released from the incident.

AUGUST 24, 2008 - At 1924 Hours on Sunday Engine 812 was alerted 2nd Due to 4715 Muskogee Street in Company 811’s First Due for a reported bedroom on fire in a house. Chief 812B, running as Safety Officer 801, was first on scene reporting fire showing from Side D of a 2-story single family dwelling. E812, as first arriving engine, stretched a 2” line to the second floor and made quick work of the room off. Searches were negative and command held one and one until 2142 Hours to assist with overhaul and fire investigations.

AUGUST 17, 2008 - On Sunday at 2348 Hours Engine and Ambulance 812 along with all three chiefs responded with surrounding companies to the area of 6909 Wake Forest Drive for a reported house fire. Chief 812B was first arriving at 7000 Wake Forest Drive reporting a two-story single family with basement and heavy fire showing from the garage and first floor. Engine 812 took their own hydrant on Side Alpha and stretched a 2” attack line through the front door, making access with Truck 801’s crew. Engine 811 made quick work of the fire in the basement and garage while the other companies performed searches, threw ladders, ventilated and placed back-up lines in place. Ambulance 812 established the aid station on Side Alpha. Chief 812B had the Wake Forest Command with Chief 812 at the Command Post, Chief 812A was the Interior Supervisor. Units from College Park cleared the fireground at  0252 Hours Monday morning after assisting with overhaul and the investigation.

AUGUST 16, 2008 - At 0223 hours A812 was alerted to a report of one injured after an assault on the ramp of Company 834, Chillum Adelphi.  The ambulance arrived to find members from Company 834 packaging an adult male trauma patient outside the firehouse.  Crews worked quickly to treat and ready the patient, who was taken to MedSTAR by A812 with the crew of PE844.  After a quiet morning, A812 responded with E811 to a 3 vehicle accident involving police on Baltimore Avenue.  A812 transported two patients to Children's National Medical Center, one  with a  head  injury.  Monday morning saw one more trauma, with E812, A812 and MD812 responding to the football field for one unconscious after an injury at 1159 hours, the patient was flown by MSP Trooper 2 to Baltimore for evaluation. Units from Company 12 cleared the scene in under an hour. 

JULY 26, 2008 - At 2246 hours, Truck 812 was alerted to respond to 6015 Springhill Terrace for a reported apartment fire.  Engine 812 was alerted shortly thereafter while clearing a very near-by motor vehicle collision.  Truck 814 arrived on the scene with a working fire on the second floor.  Truck 12’s crew threw many ground ladders, performed a primary search of the floor above the fire, and assisted with overhaul and ventilation.  Engine 812 arrived as the fifth engine, established a third water supply, pulled a leader line to the rear of the building, and controlled utilities.  Chief 812 had command of the incident, C812A had Division 2, and the officer from Engine 812 had Division 1.  The fire was found to be a burning air mattress in the living room of the fire apartment.  Units cleared the scene at 2358 hours.

JULY 15, 2008 - At 0019 Hours on Tuesday, Truck 812 was alerted as 3rd Due Truck, along with Chiefs 812 and 812B to 8661 Greenbelt Road in Company 848’s First Due for a reported fire on the second floor. Engine 848 arrived shortly after reporting fire showing from the top floor, bringing Ambulance 812 as part of the working fire dispatch. With heavy fire from the top floor rear threatening exposures a second alarm was sounded bringing Engine 812 to the scene. Truck 812 worked with Chief 812B on Side Charlie, laddering the building and providing access to the exposures for the engine companies and opening up while the Vent Crew worked on the roof. Engine 812 worked with Chief 812 on Side Alpha performing searches on the floors below the fire. Ambulance 812 maintained an aide station on Side A for the duration of the incident. The last College Park unit cleared the fireground at 0252 Hours.

JULY 10, 2008 - At 1506 Hours on Thursday, Truck 812 was alerted as 3rd Due Truck to 2011 Rittenhouse Street in Company 844’s First Due for a reported house on fire. First arriving units reported fire showing from Sides A and B of a 1-1/2 Story single family dwelling. Truck 812 was assigned the RIC upon arrival until being reassigned to relieve crews operating on Division 1 once the fire was knocked down. Chief 812B was the Side Charlie Chief prior to being reassigned to Division 1 as well. Truck 812 and Chief 812B cleared the fireground at 1712 Hours.

JULY 8, 2008 - At 1739 Hours on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 Truck 812, along with Chiefs 812A and 812B were alerted as the eventual first due truck on the box to 14700 Baltimore Avenue for a reported fire at the Burlington Coat Factory. Engine 810 had heavy smoke conditions in the store as a result of several small fires in display racks throughout the store. Chief 812B was assigned as the Vent Group Leader working with Truck 812 and Squad 814 to ventilate the large structure. Units began clearing the fireground at 1857 Hours.

JULY 4, 2008 - On Friday the box was sounded for a reported kitchen fire in Apartment 705 at 4711 Berwyn House Road, bringing Engine 812, Ambulance 812 along with all three chiefs. E812 and Chief 812B reported to the 7th Floor where they discovered a working fire in Apartment 705 being knocked by the sprinkler system. The engine crew stretched a line while beginning to open up and search, locating and removing the occupant’s cat. Fire and smoke damage were limited to the kitchen area of origin with water damage to the apartments below. Command held E812 until 1331 hours to assist in cleanup efforts and relocating displaced occupants.

JULY 4, 2008 - After the annual July 4th Station BBQ, members took the Engine and Truck , along with both ambulances, the medics and all three chiefs, up on Campus to take part in the City of College Park’s July 4th Events. Truck 812, along with Truck 834, hoisted the American Flag for the ceremony. Ambulance 128 was dedicated to the event and Ambulance 129 and Medic 812 got to see very little as they were kept busy running calls in the area, including a serious motor vehicle accident in Company 811’s 1st Due at Metzerott and University that resulted in the crew assisting with the trauma patient. The rain and the fire calls held off long enough for the suppression crews to be able to take in the fireworks display.

JUNE 29, 2008 - At 2331 hours A812 was alerted as part of the EMS Task Force to 4001 Powder Mill Road.  Engine 811 was on scene with a large number of patients exposed to an unknown irritant inside of a movie theater.  A812, A712, Medic 812 and EMS 811 responded on the task force and helped triage and obtain refusals from many patients.  Chief 812B responded and directed the evacuation, while Chief 812 assisted at the command post.  A full box alarm eventually made it to the scene, in addition to MCSU 849 and MAB 855.  More than 25 patients refused treatment after evaluation on scene.  A812  transported  two patients to an area hospital for observation, returning to service in less than two hours. 

JUNE 29, 2008 - On Sunday at 2025 hours Truck, Ambulance and Medic 812, along with all three chiefs, were alerted to College Perk Coffee House at 9028 Baltimore Avenue for a reported building fire with people trapped. Chief 811 arrived first, establishing the Baltimore Avenue Command with smoke showing. Units discovered a fire burning on the exterior of Side Bravo of the large, cut up building originating from the electric meter. There was no extension into the structure and searches were negative, and command held the units from Company 811 and 812 to await the arrival of the power company and to assist the tenants of the building.

JUNE 29, 2008 - On Sunday at 0327 hours Truck 812, Chief 812 and 812B were alerted for a reported house on fire in the area of Baltimore Avenue and Kennedy Street in Company 807’s 1st Due. While enroute Truck 812 was cancelled and rerouted to another call prior to transferring to Company 807. Ambulance 812 was alerted as part of the Working Fire Dispatch. Chief 812 worked at the command post while Chief 812B was Safety. Ambulance 812 established the aide station on Side Bravo of the house and eventually treated and transported a firefighter to Medstar for a checkup. A812 and Chief 812B cleared the incident at 0528 hours.

JUNE 21, 2008 - At 2119 hours Medic 812 was alerted to the report of a pedestrian struck on Baltimore Avenue at Delaware Street.  Ambulance 811 and Medic 812 along with EMS 811 and Chief 811A responded to find one pedestrian struck in the roadway and two patients in the striking vehicle, with significant damage to the windshield and moon roof of the car.  Engine 812 with 5 volunteers and Ambulance 812 were alerted to the call.  Engine 812 provided barrier protection, helped package the patient and provided a driver for the medic unit, while Ambulance 812 packaged and transported the two patients from the vehicle to an area hospital for a check up.  The Medics transported to MedSTAR, clearing the call in a little over one hour.     

JUNE 14, 2008 - On Saturday just after clearing a property damage accident at Knox Road and Baltimore Avenue, Engine 812 was alerted to a report of an apartment on fire at 1804 Metzerott Road.  Engine 812 was listed as the third due Engine Company on the box. The engine responded with 4, and arrived on scene moments later picking up Engine 712’s line.  Engine 812’s crew was ordered to start at the basement floor and work their way up checking each floor.  Once on the 4th floor Engine 812 held division 4 and checked for extension.  Chief 812A had division 5 and Chief 812 had Safety.  The fire was contained to 2 bedrooms and a closet on the 5th floor.  Engine 812 eventually went to the fire apartment to check for extension and do overhaul.  Units operated on scene for approximately one hour before returning to service.

JUNE 7, 2008 - Just as a severe line of storms were clearing out the DC Metropolitan area Engine 831 was dispatched to 10707 Hanna St. for a fire alarm.  As the crew from Engine 831 approached the building they noticed smoke was evident from the exterior and requested the box.  This brought Truck 812 with 7 volunteers to the call.  Upon arrival Truck 812 operated as the first due truck company performing searches, throwing ladders, and checking for extension.  Upon further investigation Engine 831's crew found a small fire in the warehouse that was kept in check by the sprinkler system.  Truck 812, Chief 12A, and Chief 12 remained on the scene for just over ninety minutes assisting the investigator.   

MAY 12, 2008 - At 2042 hours, Company 12 was dispatched as the second due truck company to 6111 Kenilworth Avenue for the building fire.  Truck 812 (with 8 volunteers) arrived soon after the first due engine and truck companies, taking a position at the Alpha/Delta corner of a single story auto shop with fire showing. The OIC (Sgt. Platt) and search crew forced several doors on sides Charlie and Delta and assisted the crews from Companies 1 and 9 in the fire room with checking for extension and utilities.  While the truck chauffeur (Lt. Liebross) and ladders team threw ladders to the Charlie and Delta sides of the building, the vent crew (led by Sgt. Travers) ascended to the roof, opening up and checking for extension.  Chief 812B (as Safety Officer 801) responded while returning from a house fire in Company 8's area and assisted Command.  Units from College Park cleared the fireground after operating for about an hour.

MAY 8, 2008 - As TK812 was clearing a box alarm, units were alerted for a report of a pedestrian struck on Stadium Drive.  TK812, E811, MD812 and A812  responded, finding one bicyclist struck by a vehicle on the corrected address of Union Lane.  The patient, a head trauma, was packaged by crews and transported Priority 2 to MedSTAR by A812.  As A812 was returning to our first due area, it was flagged down by a passing vehicle which reported a pregnant woman in the back seat was having an asthma attack.  The vehicles pulled over and MD812 was alerted to the call.  The patient was treated and transported by A812 with the Medics on board.   While A812 and MD812 were out at Washington Adventist, a patient walked into the station also experiencing an asthma attack.  A second ambulance crew was called in to PSC and A812B worked quickly to load and go, transporting Priority 2 to the Adventist. 

MAY 5, 2008 - Just after 2300 hours, Truck 812 was alerted to 1167 University Blvd. at the Takoma/Langley Crossroads for the laundromat on fire in a strip mall.  While responding past the University of Maryland campus, the crew of Truck 812 observed a huge cloud of smoke ahead, and quickly arrived and took a position on Side Charlie.  While the OIC (Sgt. Platt) and search crew entered through Side Charlie, the ladders team threw ladders to the roof and the driver (Sgt. Travers) and vent crew ascended to the roof via the aerial.  While the roof crew opened up, the interior crew assisted with forced entry on a rear security door, performed a search of the store in limited visibility, assisted the engine company with extinguishment of the fire and performed overhaul.  Chief 812B (Corrigan) operated on the roof with the crew from Truck 812, Chief 812 (Dickerson) assisted on Side Charlie, and Company 812 units returned to service at approximately 0100 hours.

MAY 4, 2008 - 2008-In addition to two working fires for the suppression crews, the month of May has kept the ambulance crew from Company 12 extremely busy.  The volunteers have run non-stop calls, including a fatal shooting, a Priority 2 head trauma to MedSTAR, and numerous other traumas, assaults, and sick persons from the University of Maryland and surrounding area.  As the weather gets nicer and the semester comes to a close, the CPVFD urges all to use caution and be safe so that we all can enjoy the summer ahead.

MAY 3, 2008 - At approximately 0800 hours, Engine 812 was alerted as second due engine to 5301 Edgewood Rd. in Company 811's first due for the building fire.  Engine 811 arrived on scene with heavy smoke showing from a school.  Engine 812 picked up 811's line and pulled a backup line into the fire room.  While the crew assisted with extinguishment and checking for extension, the engine chauffeur (Engineer Kuebeck) encountered a dead hydrant and quickly repositioned to lay out from a secondary hydrant to supply Engine 811.  The fire was contained to a cooking appliance and a pool of grease below, which was quickly knocked by several dry-chemical extinguishers.  Chief 812A had the Edgewood Rd. Command while Chief 812 assisted at the command post.  Units were held for approximately one hour before being released.

MAY 1, 2008 - Just after 0900 hours, Truck 812 and Engine 809 were alerted as first due truck and engine for the apartment fire at 2629 Nicholson Street, while transferred to Company 801.  Truck 812 responded with 6 (4 career and 2 volunteers), arriving as the first due truck with heavy smoke pushing from Side Alpha and fire showing from the second floor on Side Charlie.  The driver and vent man laddered and ventilated all windows to the fire apartment and exposures on Side Alpha, while the remainder of the crew worked in the fire apartment to perform searches, ventilate and open up for the engine company.  Truck 812 was held until approximately 1100 hours to assist investigators and complete overhaul.

APRIL 20, 2008 - At 2346 Hours on Sunday Truck 812 was alerted as 1st Due Truck to a reported fire on the roof of the Chevy’s Restaurant at 7511 Greenbelt Road in Company 35’s 1st Due. Engine 835 arrived shortly after with smoke showing from the roof area. One crew from Truck 812 made access to the roof using a ladder built into the building while the outside crews placed several ground ladders and positioned the aerial to the fire area. Truck 812’s crew located a fire in the parapet wall and began opening up and extinguishing the fire with two water cans while the crew from E835 stretched a line up the aerial to the roof to mop up the remaining extension. Truck 812 also secured the building utilities. Truck 812 cleared the fireground at 0057 Hours.

APRIL 20, 2008 - Around 0615 on Sunday morning six members mounted up on E123 and headed to Co.25 to provide coverage while they attended a water supply drill. The six members provided coverage for the engine, truck, and ambulance while in Clinton for the next 9 hours. The members were kept busy running the normal ambulance and engine calls with a couple box alarms mixed in. The members also were treated to excellent lunch by Co.25 before leaving for the day. CPVFD appreciated the hospitality from the Clinton VFD and would be more than willing to come back anytime. On a side note, while E123 was in Clinton the crews back at the station maintained multiple crews and were kept busy from thunderstorms moving through the area.

APRIL 16, 2008 - Just before 0700 hours PSC struck the box for a report of an apartment fire at 11342 Cherry Hill Road.  Just after all the units had marked up on the air PSC gave supplemental information informing the units on the box that the call could now see smoke and fire from the third floor.  Within minutes Engine and Truck 712 arrived on scene to find a three story garden style apartment with smoke showing from side charlie.  Upon further investigation it was found that there was a fire in the HVAC closet, balcony area, and some extension into the roof.  Once Truck 812 arrived on scene and gained access to side charlie the crew performed primary searches, checked for extension, handled ventilation on the roof, and threw over one hundred feet of ground ladders.  Chiefs 812A and 812B completed various tasks for command.  The units from Company 12 operated on the scene for just over an hour.

APRIL 15, 2008 - At 1534 Hours on Tuesday, Engine 812 along with Chiefs 812A and 812B were alerted to a reported house fire at 4907 Tuckerman Street in Company 7’s First Due. Engine 807 arrived initially with nothing evident but heavy smoke began issuing from the two-story single family dwelling once the front door was forced. Engine 807 worked to extinguish the fire in the basement while Engine 812 stretched a line to Division 1 and checked for extension. Chief 812B was assigned to the Basement Division and Chief 812A was Division 1. Units cleared the fireground at 1635 Hours.

APRIL 9, 2008 - At 0634 Hours on Wednesday, Engine 812 and Chief 812B were alerted as the 4th Due Engine for a reported apartment fire at 2008 Erie Street in Company 834’s First Due. Engine 834 arrived on the scene with light smoke showing and then advised of a working fire in the basement. Engine 812 established a water supply to Side Charlie and stretched a line into the building through a basement level apartment and stood by. Chief 812B was assigned the Basement Division. The fire was contained to a small storage room in the basement and Engine 812 cleared the scene at 0735 Hours.

APRIL 8, 2008 - At 1715 Hours on Tuesday, Foam Company 812 was alerted as part of the HazMat Box to #5 Tiros Road at the NASA Goddard Space Center for a reported chemical spill and cloud with people unaccounted for. The crew from Company 812 was assigned to work with the HazMat Group and split into two crews. The first crew with Chief 812B was assigned as the HazMat RIC Team and the second crew with Engineer Kuebeck was assigned to set up Decon and perform this task as entry crews exited the structure. Once entry was made it was determined that the source of the cloud was condensation from HVAC equipment and crews began to demobilize. Foam Company 812 cleared the scene at 2029 Hours.

MARCH 17, 2008 - While Engine 812 was operating on a house fire in Co. 7’s First Due, Truck 812 was alerted as the 2nd Due Truck to 2000 Erie St. for a reported apartment fire. TK812 arrived just behind PE 844 with nothing evident. As the engine was stretching a line it was discovered that there was a fire in the terrace level apartment and residents were advising of a child trapped in the bedroom. TK812 entered the apartment and located a fire in the rear bedroom and started the primary search. As the crew from PE 844 was extinguishing the fire they located an unconscious victim, who was removed by PE 844 and TK812. While crews were removing the first victim, FF Sines and Sgt. Zalenski continued searching the apartment and located an unconscious child. The child was removed from the apartment and resuscitative efforts started. Crews worked feverously to revive both victims, who were quickly transported to local hospitals. TK812 worked on scene for just over 2 hours, assisting the investigators. Unfortunately the child had succumbed to injuries sustained from the fire.

MARCH 17, 2008 - At 0554 Hours on Monday Engine 812 and Chief 812B were alerted as the 4th Due Engine to the area of Kenilworth Avenue and East West Highway in Company 13’s First Due for a reported house fire. Units arrived in the 5400 Block of Riverdale Road in Company 7’s First Due a few blocks from the initial reporting address with heavy fire showing from several floors of a very large, very vacant house that has burned numerous times before, as recently as Saturday morning. Chief 812B arrived and established the Riverdale Road Command and ordered exterior operations only with master streams. Numerous ladder pipes and deluge sets operated for several hours as fire eventually consumed all four levels of the structure. The bulk of the visible fire was extinguished by 0900 but units continued to flow heavy duty streams for quite some time for hydraulic overhaul purposes. Unit remained on the scene until shortly after noon to pack up thousands of feet of hose. Ambulance 812 was part of the Working Fire Dispatch and cleared the fireground at 0930 Hours.

MARCH 14, 2008 - At 0501 Hours on Friday Truck 812, Chief 812 and 812B were alerted to 4216 Oglethorpe Street in Company 1’s First Due for smoke in a house. Truck 801 arrived reporting smoke showing from the attic. Truck 812 as the Third Due Special Service established the RIC on Side Alpha. Engines 801 and 807 along with Truck 801 made quick work of a small fire in the knee wall on the second floor. Chief 812B was Interior and Chief 812 worked at the Command Post. Truck 812 cleared at 0520 Hours.

MARCH 9, 2008 - At 1250 Hours on Sunday Truck 812 along with Chief 812 and 812B were alerted as 2nd Due Truck for a reported kitchen fire at 2065D University Blvd in Company 34’s First Due. E834 arrived to find smoke showing from the roof of a one-story strip mall. As crews entered the structure they confirmed a working fire in the commercial kitchen of a restaurant. Truck 812 positioned on Side Bravo and assisted with vertical ventilation and checking for extension. The fire was quickly knocked down with minimal extension out of the kitchen area. Chief 812B was Interior and Chief 812 worked with the Command Post. Truck 812 was held on the fireground until 1516 Hours to assist with extensive overhaul and ventilation.

FEBRUARY 29, 2008 - The College Park Volunteer Fire Department is proud announce Matt Machala as the member of the month for February 2008.  Matt started with the department in 2006 and has not looked back since.  Matt has steadily been working to become an engine driver and also has been a huge help to the engineering staff on projects such as placing Engine 123 into service.  Matt currently is attending the University of Maryland University College to earn a bachelors degree in Fire Science while also being a top responder within the station.  Please join the CPVFD in congratulating Matt on a job well done. 

FEBRUARY 27, 2008 - At 2135 Hours on Wednesday February 27, 2008 Engine 812 was alerted as the 2nd Due Engine for a report of smoke coming from a house in the area of 7300 Wells Blvd in Company 1’s First Due. Engine and Truck 801 arrived at the corrected address of 7302 Wells Blvd with heavy smoke showing from a one-story single family dwelling. Engine 801 secured their own water supply so Engine 812 established a secondary water supply and stretched a back-up line. Crews encountered fire in a utility closet with some extension to surrounding rooms as well as a large hole burned through the floor. Engine 812 assisted with opening up, performed hydraulic ventilation and extinguished hot spots in the crawl space area as well as the first floor. Chief 812 established the Wells Blvd Command and Chief 812B was the Interior Officer. Units cleared the fireground at 2248 Hours.

FEBRUARY 27, 2008 - At 0948 Hours on Wednesday February 27, 2008 E812 was alerted to the rear of 5100 College Avenue for a vehicle fire. Despite the valiant efforts of the crew from the fire extinguisher vendor across the street the engine arrived to find a tow truck well involved extending to the car it was towing. The fire had compromised both the hydraulic fluid reservoir and diesel fuel tank prior to the engine’s arrival making complete extinguishment of the fire more time consuming and a lot messier. Engine 812 cleared at 1052 Hours and the cause of the fire was a mechanical failure.

FEBRUARY 26, 2008 - Shortly before midnight on Tuesday February 26, 2007 Engine 807 was alerted for wires down at 4903 Queensbury Road. At 0001 Hours on the 27th, as Engine 807 was pulling up PSC advised the assignment was being upgrading for a house fire bringing Truck 812 and Chief 812B. Chief 807 established Command and advised of a fire in the basement. The fallen power line had caused a power surge in the residence starting several small fires in the basement. These fires were quickly extinguished as crews from Engines 807 and 801, along with Truck 801, checked for further extension in the home. Truck 812 was assigned the RIC and Chief 812B was assigned to the Basement Division. Truck 812 cleared at 0048 Hours.

FEBRUARY 20, 2008 - At 1152 Hours on Wednesday, E812, Truck 812 and Ambulance 812, along with Chief 812B responded on the Street Alarm for a reported odor of smoke on the first floor of Hagerstown Hall. Units arrived shortly after to find nothing evident and the 8-story Dormitory being evacuated. Truck 812 gained access to the lobby and quickly reported smoke conditions on the first floor with a sprinkler activation. A fire was located in Room 1120 that had been fully extinguished by the automatic sprinkler system. Engine 812 stretched a line as a precaution while the Truck crew completed a search, secured utilities and began ventilation. Fire damage was contained to the room of origin with some water damage to surrounding areas. Chief 812B had the Hagerstown Hall Command. The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation by the University of Maryland Fire Marshal’s Office.

Ambulance 812 and Ambulance 812B responded back to the scene shortly after clearing the original incident to treat and transport two civilians that had sustained minor injuries during the incident and during the subsequent cleanup activities.