Mutual Aid to Anne Arundel County, 3 Trapped with One Vehicle Overturned

Photos courtesy of Tiffany Philips

On Monday the 30th of March Squad 49, Ambulances 499 and 498, and Chiefs 49 (Morgan) and 49A (Arsenault) responded to Fort Mead Road and Russet Green East for a report of people trapped following a motor vehicle crash. Engine 781 (Anne Arundel county engine 271) arrived on the scene first and found one SUV overturned with 1 patient trapped inside and another car up on the median strip with 2 people trapped. Units from 49 were requested after first arriving units discovered the extent of the crash.
Squad 49 concentrated their efforts on the overturned SUV while Engine 781, equipped with rescue tools, worked on the car that was on the median strip. Two of the four patients were transported to a local trauma center via Maryland State Trooper due to their serious injuries. All patients were extricated within 20 minutes of Squad 49's arrival to the scene. The units from 49 cleared in about 40 minutes.

Prince George's County Fire Lt. "Dino" Mahaffey was released from the Washington Hospital Center Friday evening, March 26, 2004. In what was a surprise to everyone except to Dino and his doctors, release papers were signed just after 4:00 PM and plans for "Dino" to complete the call he was on when he incurred his injuries were made. This is considered a significant step in the recovery of injuries sustained in a row house fire on February 22, 2004; he needs to return to the hospital three times a week for check-ups and rehabilitation. Fire Chief Ronald D. Blackwell wheeled "Dino" out of the Washington Hospital Center. Once reaching the street, "Dino" walked about 100' to Quint 21. Lt. Mahaffey was the officer in charge of Quint 21 the night he was injured and in a symbolic sign of ending the call; he rode the officer in charge position back to Oxon Hill Fire/EMS Station 21 from the hospital on the same unit. Just after 6:00 PM Quint 21 returned to quarters with Lt. Mahaffey riding his customary "front seat" position. Upon reaching the fire station, Lt. Mahaffey radioed in that Quint 21 was back in quarters, a symbolic gesture signifying the call was now complete. Dino's wife, Dania, and crewmembers from Fire/EMS Station 21 were also onboard for the trip home. Firefighters, paramedics, families, friends and well wishers congregated at the Oxon Hill Fire Station and gave "Dino" rousing applause and cheers as he disembarked the apparatus.

"Dino" Mahaffey and family continue to praise the staff at the Washington Hospital Center for the excellent care provided to him. They also acknowledged the kind words and prayers from firefighters across the world from e-mails and the numerous visits from personnel throughout the metropolitan area. Upon leaving the hospital room and making his way down to the exit several citizens stopped and offered their wishes and prayers for continued recovery, an act members of the Prince George's County Fire Department have experienced numerous times since "Dino" was hospitalized. The Mahaffey family is making plans on attending a
fundraiser at the Oxon Hill Fire/EMS Station on Sunday, March 28, 2004.

For additional information contact Mark Brady, Chief Spokesperson, at 240-508-7930.

Afternoon Townhouse Fire in Laurel

Photo courtesy Spike49

March 25, 2004, Rescue Squad 49 was alerted for a townhouse fire at 15033 Courtland Place. Engine Company 10 arrived on the scene first and encountered smoke showing from the first floor of a two story mid-row townhouse. Squad 49 arrived on the scene shortly thereafter and began to conduct a primary and secondary search of the building. Engine Company 10 extinguished the fire in the kitchen that had also extended into the living/dining room. Squad 49 was held for salvage and overhaul and for ventilation along with the crew from Tower 31 (Beltsville). No injuries were reported and Squad 49 cleared in 2 hours.

Early Morning Basement Fire Brings Crews from 49 to South Laurel

On Tuesday March 23 2004, at 0140 AM, Squad 49, Ambulance 499 and Chief 49 (Morgan) were summoned to 10108 Goose Pond Court for a basement fire. Rescue Squad 49 arrived on the scene first and found a two story residential house with smoke showing. C49 (Morgan) arrived right behind Squad 49 and established the Goose Pond Court command. Squad 49 (staffed with 8 personnel) split up their crew and conducted a primary search of both floors, discovered and isolated the basement fire, shut off utilities and began to ventilate the basement. The fire was extinguished by the crew from Engine Company 10 and command held units from Laurel and Bowie (191) to conduct salvage and overhaul, and to check for extension. No injuries were reported and the units from 49 cleared in 2 hours.

Early Morning Room and Contents Fire Awakens Crews

Photo courtesy laurelvfd.org

On March 17, 2004 Squad 49 was alerted for a box alarm at 8806 Barnsley Court for smoke in the building. First arriving crews arrived on the scene with nothing evident. Engine Company 10 began their investigation of the building and found the source of the smoke coming from a first story apartment. Once crews gained entry to the apartment, a small fire in the dining room/ living room area was discovered. A quick knock of the fire was achieved, and the crew from Squad 49, as well as the crew
from Engine 412 (Calverton/ Beltsville), conducted a primary and secondary search of the building. Both crews combined assisted 4 citizens out of the apartment and outside to safety. C49B (Globerman) had the safety sector. No injuries were reported and Squad 49 cleared in about 2 hours.

Weekend Kicks off with Evening Door Pop

On Friday the 19th of March, Squad 49, Ambulance 498, Medic 49 and C49B (Globerman) were alerted for a crash on the corner of Cherry Lane and Fourth Street. C49B (Globerman) arrived on the scene and found an SUV that had rolled over several times and landed upright in the road. One patient was trapped. Squad 49 extricated the patient and the EMS crew took over patient care. The patient was transported to a local hospital due to the injuries sustained during the roll over. Squad 49 cleared the scene in 20 minutes.

2003 Awards
Marilou Mersh - Member of the Year	Rafael Gibson - Top Runner (1250)
On March 13 Laurel Volunteer Rescue held its annual awards banquet. Click here to see more award winners.

Early Morning Fatal on the Parkway

On Saturday the 6th of March 2004 at 0334 AM, Squad 49 responded to a crash on the Baltimore Washington Parkway at Laurel Bowie Road. Chief 49 (Morgan) arrived on the scene first and found one priority 4 patient trapped in the car. Chief 49 (Morgan) returned the all of the units and held Squad 49. After a 4 hour investigation by the United States Park Police the crew from Squad 49 extracted the patient. The cause of the crash is still under investigation. The station maintained 2 additional crews during the incident.

Engine Approved to Run as Squad 49

On March 4th 2004, the Prince Georges Fire and EMS Department gave the go ahead for Laurel Rescue to use Rescue Engine 491 as a Squad. Currently the original squad is out of service for repairs. Engine 491 began to run calls at 1700 hours. At 1706 Rescue Engine 491 (as Squad 49) ran its first call on the Baltimore Parkway. Squad 49 returned to quarters at 1747.

Rescue Engine 491 Training Steps into High Gear

March 3rd was a busy day for the crews at Laurel Rescue responding to a gas explosion, multiple ambulance calls and car crashes. Training and proficient Rescue and fire skills are very important and crews took time to continue to drill their extraction tactics. Members used the new frontline piece to practice auto extraction and familiarizing themselves with the new apparatus.

Look for Rescue Engine 491- it will be on the street very soon.

Gas Explosion Sends 2 To The Hospital

On Thursday March 3, 2004 Squad 49, Ambulance 498, Medic 49, Chiefs 49A (Arsenault) and 49B (Globerman) responded to 7419 Van Dusen Road for an explosion inside the building. First arriving units arrived on the scene, found nothing evident and began to investigate. Engine Company 10 then encountered 2 patients that had 1st and 2nd degree burns to 15-20 percent of their bodies. Engine Company 10 requested a helicopter and EMS units come to side Alpha for the 2 patients. Squad 49 shut off the gas to the row of businesses and conducted a primary search of the building. Chief 49B (Globerman) had the safety sector and both patients were flown to an area burn unit due to their burns. The cause of the explosion is under investigation. No fire department injuries were reported.