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A Message From Chief Billy Goldfeder |
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Early this morning Company 23 (Rockville, Montgomery Co. MD) responded
for a building fire (multi-family) on Twinbrook Pkwy. The 1st due
Chief had significant fire on the 2nd and 3rd floor extending to the
attic space w/civilian rescues. Ultimately a civilian lost their life
(more than likely before FD arrival) and 3 of their fire fighters were
injured. Tower 723 engaged in rescues and Eng 723 started an
aggressive fire attack. A second alarm was requested and ultimately a
3rd w/multiple additional EMS units.
While the investigation is in its very preliminary stage, it appears early in the operation a catastrophic floor collapse occurred taking E723's three person attack crew with it. A Mayday was immediately called and all non-rescue ops were switched to a different talk group. Two crew members escaped the intense fire conditions by jumping out a second story window and the 3rd escaped through the interior. Two were flown to MedStar by Trooper 8 and Eagle 1 and the third went by Medic 725. All three suffered injuries with the fire and fall. All three were evaluated and admitted to the Burn Center. The prognosis is very good for all three. More to follow as it becomes available. We wish a rapid recovery for all involved and thank long time TSL'r Chief Tom Carr for this initial details..
Take Care-BE CAREFUL.
BillyG
The
Secret List 5-3-08 / 0630 Hours
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Update
=INJURED
FIREFIGHTERS UPDATE:
The 1st FF is
in serious condition with burns to arms, legs, face and hands,
lacerated liver and fractures to 2 or 3 vertebrae...he is in pain,
but resting comfortably. The liver is expected to heal on its own,
but he will remain in ICU until they are sure there is no additional
damage. There is no neuro deficit from the spinal injury. His
burns are clearly the most significant of the three personnel. He
will likely remain in the hospital for 7 days or longer.
The 2nd FF is in stable condition with burns to the arm and leg, and facial lacerations...and is also resting comfortably, but is obviously shaken from the experience. His burns are less serious, but still serious enough to require some longer term care. He will likely remain in the hospital through Tuesday. The 3rd FF is in good condition with burns to the leg...and his burns are the least of the three, although his exposure was longer as he was the last one pulled from the building. He will probably be released by tomorrow.
=STRUCTURAL INFORMATION: We have been advised that this was
a 1960's era wood frame, garden style, apartment building-this was
not light weight truss, but did have a common attic.
=RADIO TRAFFIC
LINK: http://www.dcfirefeed.com
=UPON
THE MAYDAY: You will hear the IC (outstanding IC) transmit
back to the MAYDAY: YOUR LUNAR!
L
Location, U Unit number, N Name,
A Assignment, R Resources.
(Where are you?,
What radio ID are you?, Who are you?, What was your assignment?,
What do you need?).
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| NOTE: Good "HEAVY" 1st alarm assignments (and rapid transmission of the 2nd alarm) once again proves their value. We recently were told of one FD considering "reducing" 1st alarm assignments to reported structure fires to save fuel and related costs. TO SAVE FUEL?! WTF?!!! | |
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There is
NO MORE IMPORTANT of the most BASIC CORE SERVICES of
any Local Government than to provide a well staffed, well trained,
well lead HEAVY 1st alarm assignment
when a citizen reports a fire. What is HEAVY? Enough
FF's, command and support officers to perform all POSSIBLE
tasks in a simultaneous, coordinated manner, based upon the
structure/occupancy type reported to be on fire by the caller (and
related pre-plan information). Anything less is blatantly scr*wing the
taxpayers...as well as the 1st due Firefighters who themselves, may
also be in need of the immediate rescue services of
that HEAVY 1st alarm assignment.
Our best wishes
and prayers to the FF's and their families in Montgomery County for a
rapid and peaceful recovery.
Take Care-BE
CAREFUL.
BillyG
The Secret List
5-3-08 / 2125 hours
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Three Montgomery County,
Maryland firefighters were injured when a catastrophic floor
collapse occurred while fighting an apartment fire that also
claimed the life of a civilian.
Firefighters from Rockville and the surrounding area were
dispatched to the 12800 block of Twinbrook Parkway shortly
before 1 a.m. Saturday and arrived with heavy fire showing from
the second and third floors of the building, extending to the
attic space with multiple civilian rescues.
As an Engine and Tower crew were making an aggressive interior fire attack, a second and third alarm were sounded bringing units from throughout the county. Numerous EMS units were on the scene.
The floor collapse occurred within about ten minutes of the first units arriving, spokesman Pete Piringer said in a statement. Two of the three crew members were dropped from the third floor into the seat and origin of the fire on the second level.
A Mayday was immediately called and all efforts not already focused on civilian rescues were switched to rapid intervention and rescue of the trapped firefighters from the first arriving engine crew from Company 723. Two members of the crew escaped the intense blaze by jumping out of a second story window to the ground below, sustaining serious injuries.
Command immediately requested a helicopter for Medevac. The Captain from the engine company, one of the two to jump from the second floor, advised other crews that the whereabouts of the third firefighter were still unknown and he was still possibly inside.
Rapid intervention crews went to work immediately. Within a few minutes, he was located and assisted in exiting the building via the interior. Accountability checks at that time revealed all crews whereabouts were known.
At about the same time rescues were being made by other crews who located a victim in a second floor apartment, near the front door. He was removed, but succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead on the scene. He is being identified as Timothy Moran, age 50. Mr. Moran was the single occupant of the second floor apartment. Fire and Explosive Investigators believe this is where the fire originated. One other resident was rescued and transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. A total of four residents were rescued by firefighters.
Fire Captain/Paramedic R. Dwayne Dutrow, age 38, a 17-year veteran, was flown to the MedStar Burn Unit at Washington Hospital Center. His injuries are serious, but not life threatening. Firefighter James Heikka, age 31, an 8-year veteran was also flown to the MedStar Burn Unit. His injuries are serious, but not life threatening. Both are being admitted. Firefighters Mark Mechlin, is in his 20’s and has been with the MCFRS for about one year,was transported by a medic unit to the MedStar Burn Unit. His injuries were less serious and he is expected to be treated and released.
Related Links:
Man Dead, 3 Firefighters Injured In Blaze
DCFireFeed.com: Audio of the Incident (WAV Format)
Firefighters from Rockville and the surrounding area were
dispatched to the 12800 block of Twinbrook Parkway shortly
before 1 a.m. Saturday and arrived with heavy fire showing from
the second and third floors of the building, extending to the
attic space with multiple civilian rescues.As an Engine and Tower crew were making an aggressive interior fire attack, a second and third alarm were sounded bringing units from throughout the county. Numerous EMS units were on the scene.
The floor collapse occurred within about ten minutes of the first units arriving, spokesman Pete Piringer said in a statement. Two of the three crew members were dropped from the third floor into the seat and origin of the fire on the second level.
A Mayday was immediately called and all efforts not already focused on civilian rescues were switched to rapid intervention and rescue of the trapped firefighters from the first arriving engine crew from Company 723. Two members of the crew escaped the intense blaze by jumping out of a second story window to the ground below, sustaining serious injuries.
Command immediately requested a helicopter for Medevac. The Captain from the engine company, one of the two to jump from the second floor, advised other crews that the whereabouts of the third firefighter were still unknown and he was still possibly inside.
Rapid intervention crews went to work immediately. Within a few minutes, he was located and assisted in exiting the building via the interior. Accountability checks at that time revealed all crews whereabouts were known.
At about the same time rescues were being made by other crews who located a victim in a second floor apartment, near the front door. He was removed, but succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead on the scene. He is being identified as Timothy Moran, age 50. Mr. Moran was the single occupant of the second floor apartment. Fire and Explosive Investigators believe this is where the fire originated. One other resident was rescued and transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. A total of four residents were rescued by firefighters.
Fire Captain/Paramedic R. Dwayne Dutrow, age 38, a 17-year veteran, was flown to the MedStar Burn Unit at Washington Hospital Center. His injuries are serious, but not life threatening. Firefighter James Heikka, age 31, an 8-year veteran was also flown to the MedStar Burn Unit. His injuries are serious, but not life threatening. Both are being admitted. Firefighters Mark Mechlin, is in his 20’s and has been with the MCFRS for about one year,was transported by a medic unit to the MedStar Burn Unit. His injuries were less serious and he is expected to be treated and released.
Related Links:
Man Dead, 3 Firefighters Injured In Blaze
DCFireFeed.com: Audio of the Incident (WAV Format)
TheWatchDesk.com: Incident Rundown and Discussion
WUSA: Video from the Scene