May 2012: Story and Photos by Elliot J Goodman

It was another beautiful day in Winchester, Virginia at the Winchester Apple Blossom Festivals Firefighters parade. The parade one of the largest in the world, and aprrox. 300 Fire Fighting Units this year got a special treat with the appearance of the 911 Memorial Flag.

Our own Emerald Society Pipe Band escorted the flag, carried by Frederick County, Virginia Firefighters and Gainesborough, Virginia's Mack Tower Ladder that was at the WTC on 911. The band did a spectacular performance and as always sounded magnificent, you could tell by the thousands of applause's. The parade gives dozens of awards to the very best units at the parade, this year they out did everyone by getting the Judges Award, the Grand Prize for being the most outstanding unit in the entire parade.

The award was presented Monday to the band on the day they recorded there upcoming CD, By Elliot Goodman, Judges committee of the Apple Blossom Festival.

May 11, 2012: Story and Photos by Vito Maggiolo

Approximately 17 people were taken by DC Fire and EMS to area hospitals after a metrobus accident in front of Engine 18’s Capital Hill quarters Friday morning, May 11th.

The fully loaded bus was sideswiped and forced to slam on its brakes in the 400 block of 8th Street SE around 9:45 AM.

As a result, most of the passengers suffered a variety of injuries. Engine 18 requested several EMS units and the call was eventually upgraded to a mass casualty event, bringing the South MCI Task Force.

The ambulance bus took 7 injured, with various ambulances transporting the rest.

May 10, 2012: Story and Photos by Vito Maggiolo

One man suffered serious burn injuries to the face following a cooking accident at the National Building Museum Thursday evening, May 10.

An initial medical local to the building at 401 F Street NW was upgraded to a hazmat box after additional reports indicated a possible explosion.

Firefighters arrived to find no fire at the massive, ornate structure, but did find a butane fueled cooking device being used at a party there malfunctioned, either exploding or flashing fire. The result was burn injuries to one of the kitchen staff.

Partygoers went on with their festivities as fire and EMS personnel treated and removed the injured employee, and further investigated the nature and cause of the accident.

The victim was transported to the burn unit at the Washington Hospital Center.

May 10, 2012: Story and Photos by Vito Maggiolo

A box alarm at a Columbia Heights paint store evolved into a hazmat incident on Thursday night, May 10th.

There was a light smoke condition when units first arrived at 2511 14th Street NW. Forcing entry, firefighters found a small fire in the rear of the loading dock, which they quickly extinguished.

Further investigation revealed that stored paints and chemicals were involved, and the hazmat was assigned to take readings and secure and pack the affected materials.

A quick decontamination area also had to be established as several sets of turnout gear were fouled by the products.

May 5, 2012: Story and Photos by Vito Maggiolo

First Battalion firefighters made quick work of a basement fire in Shaw early Saturday afternoon, May 5th.

The blaze erupted in a middle of the row dwelling at 1838 North Capital Street NW.

An aggresive interior attack confined the flames to the area of origin. Box alarm companies were assisted by a working fire dispatch assignment.

There were no reported injuries.

May 4, 2012: Story and Photos by Vito Maggiolo & Other Sources

The house of a well known DC activist was destroyed in a spectacular late afternoon Columbia Heights neighborhood blaze on Friday, May 4th.

Firefighters arrived Shortly after 4:30 PM to find flames raging from the second and third floors of the large, three story detached dwelling, which was over 100 years old.

An initial interior attack had to be quickly abandoned due to the tremendous volume of fire and decaying condition of the building. A second alarm was sounded as master streams were brought into play.

The blaze continued to rage despite being hit by a wagon pipe, two ladder pipes and Tower 3, as well as large hand lines. As the battle continued, the dwelling suffered a sudden, major collapse, but all firefighters were well clear of the danger zone. When the structure fell, it tore open a large gas line, further complicating the situation.

The tremendous efforts of firefighters kept the flames from extended to the B and D exposures, which were severely threatened.

One firefighter was transported with burns to the leg. The owner also had to be taken to the hospital with blood pressure issues.