Vito Maggiolo FFA |
| Alan Etter DCFD PIO |
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| A Sincere Thanks To Alan Etter For A Job Well Done |
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Alan,
It certainly has been a pleasure working with you, the goal of this web site has always been to spotlight the #1 fire department in our great nation, DCFD.com could have never reached that goal without your help, professionalism and dedication to the good old DCFD and the support you gave this site daily.
I am sure most who work this job have seen you on the fire ground all hours of the day and night, what some may not realize is the extra mile or three you went on a regular basis to make sure we had pictures of the incident and a well groomed story to go with it for all to share. I have received stories from you that were written and e-mailed to me at 3 am, once you returned home from the fire ground, and then received your call at 7 am wanting to know why the story had not been posted yet. What a guy, thanks for all the wake up calls.
Your new position with UDC sounds promising, I wish you continued success, there is no question in my mind that UDC made a top notch decision to hire an excellent journalist such as yourself.
From all of us at DCFD.com, thanks Alan for all your help and friendship through the years, we will see you for happy hour at the Cantina friend.
Sincerely,
John Mullen
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| Alan Etter Accepts Position With UDC |
I want to share with you all a decision I've made to leave DC Fire and start a new position at the University of the District of Columbia. Working for this department has been one of the highest honors I could have ever hoped for. I have made some of the best friends of my life here. But it's time now to move on.
I wish I could be happier about making a lot more money and having manageable hours again, but this was not a decision that came easy. I have invested a great deal of myself, personally and professionally, in this fire department, and I feel a part of it, if only in a supportive role.
I was flattered to have been pursued by UDC and today I have accepted their generous offer to work in their communications office.
Thank you all for your years of friendship. I have great respect for every one of you and for this department. My last day will be July 10.
Alan Etter DCFD PIO
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| Fire Strikes Madams Organ |
June 28, 2009
by Vito Maggiolo
An Adams Morgan neighborhood institution was the scene of a working fire dispatch on Sunday night, June 28th.
Units were dispatched to Madams Organ, a bar and restaurant, for a reported fire in the rear alley of the three story commercial building at 2461 18th Street NW. They reported fire showing between two buildings, with smoke in Madams.
Despite difficult access and other obstacles, the fire was attacked and confined to a commercial air conditioning unit in an exterior airway. The establishment was safely evacuated, and there were no injuries.
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| Multiple Victims in N.W. Auto Accident |
June 28, 2009
by Vito Maggiolo
While firefighters were busy with the working fire in nearby Adams Morgan, a two car collision at 16th Street and Columbia Road NW required a large EMS response on Sunday evening, June 28th.
A fire investigator responding to the fire scene first reported the accident. Engine 17 arrived at the scene to find four patients, and requested three EMS transport units. An EMS battalion supervisor and a suppression battalion were also dispatched.
All patients were transported to several area hospitals with non life threatening injuries.
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| Basement Fire in North East |
June 23, 2009
by Vito Maggiolo
As DC firefighters were wrapping up their search and recovery efforts at the fatal metro train collision, this working fire dispatch was sounded for 2115 Fourth Street NE on Tuesday, June 23rd.
Units arrived at the mid afternoon call to find smoke on the first floor of a two story row dwelling. It was quickly determined the fire was in the basement, and it was just as quickly extinguished.
One unusual aspect to this blaze was the response of Rescue Squad 4, the reserve freightliner heavy rescue staffed full service while all other rescue resources were committed to the metro collision
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June 22, 2009
by Elliot J. Goodman
DURING THE HEIGHT OF THE RUSH HOUR 2 METRO TRAINS CRASHED CREATING ONE OF THE TOUGHEST RESCUE CHALLENGES THE DCFEMS HAS FACED IN MANY YEARS.
IT IS REPORTED THAT 9 LIVES WERE LOST AND AT LEAST 75 INJURED. A 3RD ALARM ASSIGNMENT RESPONDED WITH MANY SPECIALS, INCLUDING ALL 3 HEAVY RESCUES AS WELL AS MUTUAL AID FROM MONTGOMERY, PRINCE GEORGES, ALEXANDRIA AND OTHER COUNTIES. THE EXTRICATION OF THE VICTIMS WENT ON THROUGH THE NIGHT AND A HEAVY RAILROAD CRANE WAS BROUGHT IN TO REMOVE PARTS OF THE MANGLED TRAIN CARS TO HELP FREE THE VICTIMS.
DCFD UNITS REMAINED ON THE SCENE FOR ABOUT 18 HOURS.
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June 22, 2009
by Vito Maggiolo
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June 22, 2009
by Alan Etter DCFD PIO
These are images (edited of course) of the Metro Rail crash between the Ft. Totten and Tacoma Park stations. Video shows firefighters engaged in stabilization and extrication operations on the affected trains. Federal and local authorities continue to investigate the cause of the accident. Video by Alan Etter, DC Fire & EMS PIO.
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| Tree Crashes Into North West Residence |
June 11, 2009
by Vito Maggiolo
A woman sitting in her upper Northwest home was lucky to escape with her life after a tree crashed onto the dwelling Thursday evening, June 11th.
A collapse rescue assignment was dispatched to the incident at 1749 Verbena Street NW. Firefighters arrived to find a large tree had crushed in the roof at the C/D quadrant, and found the occupant injured inside a damaged room.
The home was evacuated of all occupants and the victim was packaged and removed to a waiting medic, which transported her with non life threatening injuries
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| Additional Photos From The Holocaust Museum Tragedy |
June 10, 2009
by Vito Maggiolo
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| Attic Fire Due to Lightning Strike in Upper North West |
June 9, 2009
by Vito Maggiolo
A lightning strike from the storm that swept through the area on Tuesday, June 9th, ignited an attic in far upper northwest DC.
Heavy smoke was showing from the large 2.5 story, detached frame dwelling when firefighters first arrived to this late afternoon box alarm. A working fire dispatch was sounded.
The lone occupant, an elderly woman, was not even aware of the fire in her home, but was alerted by neighbors and safely evacuated.
Aggressive roof work and an interior attack prevented the flames from spreading beyond the area involved upon arrival.
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| South East Apartment Fire |
June 8, 2009
by Vito Maggiolo
Second Battalion units battled an apartment fire in Southeast Washington on Monday, June 8th.
The blaze involved a second floor unit at 305 37th Street SE in the late afternoon hours. All occupants were safely removed or evacuated, and the fire was quickly controlled with a box and working fire dispatch.
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| Suspicious Substance in a N.W. Alley |
June 7, 2009
by Vito Maggiolo
DC’s hazmat unit investigated a suspicious substance in an alley off 14th and T Streets on Sunday afternoon, June 7th.
Firefighters suited up and took readings and samples of the product. After testing, it was determined the material was non hazardous, and all units were released.
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| Tragedy Strikes The Holocaust Museum |
June 10, 2009
by Elliot J. Goodman
DCFEMS UNITS ASSIST AT U.S. HOLCAUST MUSEUM TRAGEDY ..
A LONE GUNMAN WALKED INTO THE HOLOCAUST MUSEUM AT ABOUT 1 PM AND IMMEDIATLY OPENED FIRE ON THE APPROACHING SECURITY PERSONEL.
UNFORTUNATLY ONE OFFICER DIED OF HIS INJURIES , BUT ONLY AFTER THE GUNMAN WAS SHOT BY THIS OFFICER AND HIS COLEAGUES.
DCFEMS UNITS RESPONDED TO HANDLE THE WOUNDED , THE POSSIBILTY OF EXPLOSIVES IN THE CAR OR BUILDING ,SET UP A COMMAND POST, AS WELL AS THE REHAB UNIT AND CANTEEN UNIT TO ASSIST ON A HOT DAY AND SERVE ALL THE VARIOUS POLICE AND FIRE UNITS THAT RESPONDED.
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| Mother Nature Strikes Again |
June 9, 2009
by Elliot J. Goodman
ANOTHER STORMY NIGHT BROUGHT MORE DESTRUCTION TO THE NATIONS CAPITOL.
AT 42 ST. AND GARRRISON ST N.W. A BOX ALARM WAS DISPATCHED FOR THIS LARGE TREE ON A HOUSE WITH A REPORT OF SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOUSE.
THERE WERE SEVERAL CALLS THROUGHOUT THE CITY FOR SIMILAR SITUATIONS.
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| One Resident Perishes in N.E. House Fire |
June 10, 2009
by Alan Etter DCFD PIO
Dispatched at 5:52 AM for the report of a house fire, Engine 27 arrived to fire showing on the D (right) side of a two-story duplex in the 5000 block of Just St., NE.
Once inside the home, firefighters found an adult female unconscious and without respirations. She was removed from the building, and CPR was started. She was transported to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Firefighters were able to extinguish the fire quickly with no other injuries. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Two people in the adjoining duplex were displaced.
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June 8, 2009
by Elliot J. Goodman
DCFD UNITS RESPONDED TO A NASTY BASEMENT FIRE MONDAY AFTERNOON IN THE 1100 BLOCK OF 7th ST. N.E.
COMPANIES ARRIVED ON THE SCENE WITH HEAVY SMOKE SHOWING ON THE 1ST AND 2ND FLOORS. THE FIRE WAS PLACED UNDER CONTROL WITH THE BOX AND WFD ASSIGNMENT.
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| Group Home Fire Knocked Down Quickly |
June 7, 2009
by Elliot J. Goodman
6420 KANSAS AVE. NE. DC FIREFIGHTERS MADE A QUICK KNOCKDOWN OF A FIRE IN THE BASEMENT OF A GROUP HOME. ONE PERSON WAS CHECKED OUT BY EMT'S , BUT THERE WERE NO TRANSPORTS.
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| Three Alarm Fire in North East |
June 4, 2009
Photos by Elliot J. Goodman
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| Three Alarm Fire in North East |
June 4, 2009
Photos by Vito Maggiolo
Dispatched at 9:56 AM, this fire grew to three alarms and resulted in the total destruction of two homes and the serious damage of another.
Firefighters arrived to heavy fire showing from the rear of a two story single family home. It was clear the fire had spread significantly to homes on either side. It took firefighters about an hour to bring the blaze under control.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Damage is estimated in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
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| Three Alarm Fire in North East |
June 4, 2009
by Alan Etter DCFD PIO
Dispatched at 9:56 AM, this fire grew to three alarms and resulted in the total destruction of two homes and the serious damage of another.
Firefighters arrived to heavy fire showing from the rear of a two story single family home. It was clear the fire had spread significantly to homes on either side. It took firefighters about an hour to bring the blaze under control.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Damage is estimated in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
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| Busy Day Battling Mother Nature in The District |
June 3 , 2009
by Elliot J. Goodman
Strong Storms Move Into D.C. With Many Reports of People Trapped From Fallen Trees.
At approximately 1800 hours a fierce storm moved through the area bringing strong winds and very heavy rain. Many calls were being dispatched throughout the city for reports of persons trapped in cars.
Rescue Squad 1 was dispatched to the 1100 Block of Maryland Av. N.E for the report of persons trapped in a bus under a large tree. Engine 18 arrived on the scene and advised Communications that all passengers were off the bus. MPD then advised people were trapped under trees at 7th and G Streets N.E.
Squad 1 responded to that location and advised they did have persons trapped and 2 cars under the trees. All of the victims were extricated safely by Rescue Squad 1 with FF Clark and FF Alexander from Squad 3. They were assisted by Truck 4 and Engine 3.
All units did a superb job!!
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| Units Assist With Deadly Motorcycle Accident in Upper Northwest |
June 2, 2009
by Alan Etter DCFD PIO
At 10:09 AM, DCFD responded to assist Bethesda Chevy-Chase on the motorcycle accident behind Mazza Gallerie.
As District resources arrived on the scene, the adult male patient BCC was already treating went into cardiac arrest and CPR was being performed. DC personnel took over CPR as the man was transferred to a DC ambulance, awaiting the arrival of US Park Police Medevac.
Once transferred to the medevac, the man was flown to MedStar, where he was pronounced dead - the result of a high velocity crash into the wall of a parking garage.
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| Suspicious Package in South East |
June 1, 2009
by Alan Etter DCFD PIO
At 11:43, Fire & EMS responded with Special Operations and HazMat for a suspicious package at 1201 4th St., SE. Firefighters found a 14"X14" box on the second floor eminating a diesel fuel like odor. Special Ops determined there was no hazard. HazMat overpacked the item, and it was turned over to Federal Protective Services for further investigation.
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