Vito Maggiolo FFA |
| Alan Etter DCFD PIO |
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Apartment Fire 1713 Capital Avenue N.E. |
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November 30 , 2007 by Vito Maggiolo
1 civilian suffered smoke inhalation during a working apartment fire in the Ivy City section of D.C. on Friday evening, November 30th.
The fire involved a rear apartment on the first floor of the two story, occupied building at 1713 Capital Avenue N.E. The call was received around 8:45 P.M.
The blaze, which produced heavy smoke throughout the structure, was quickly brought under control.
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WFD 1330 N.Capitol Street NW |
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November 19 , 2007 by Vito Maggiolo
Suspicious fires in a series of two story rowhouses in Shaw caused a man to leap from one of the structures on the evening of November 19th.
Firefighters responding to 1330 North Capitol Street N.W. were informed upon dispatch that people were reported jumping.
There were two fires found burning in the interconnected dwellings, but were both put out quickly. A Working Fire Dispatch was also sounded.
The civilian who dropped down from a second story window suffered minor injuries and was treated on the scene. One firefighter was also injured. The remaining searches were negative.
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Firefighter Charlie Shyab Speaks About Experience |
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November 29 , 2007 by Alan Etter DCFD PIO
Firefighter Charlie Shyab is counting his blessings. Almost two weeks after being released from the hospital recovering from injuries he sustained in a devastating fire October 29th, Shyab spoke publicly for the first time.
At an informal press conference at Engine 4, Shyab described his injuries as “the worst pain I’ve ever had”. But he told reporters that he was confident his and his crewmates’ response to the fire was appropriate. He described entering an exposure building in the 600 block of 4th Street, Northeast and checking the first floor for fire. Finding no flames, Sgt. Mike LaCore then led his team to the second floor, where it was obvious a room was on fire. Shyab recounted flowing water and extinguishing that fire – then “everything started getting hot.”
Peering out a second floor window, Shyab says he saw flames coming from the first floor – and coming up the stairs. Then – he realized – the fire was under them, and they were trapped.
Firefighters Kenneth Humphries and Douglas Donnelly (who received minor injuries) were already in the hallway and alerted Sgt. LaCore and Shyab that the fire was spreading.
“It’s not like we had a discussion about our situation,” said Shyab. “We knew we were in trouble, and we just reacted.”
Sgt. LaCore transmitted a “mayday” message. Shyab recounted diving down the stairway, through the fire and then being assisted out of the building.
“It was as if someone dipped my arms and legs in boiling water,” said Shyab. “But I knew the other guys were hurt, too, and I was concerned for them.”
Shyab was hospitalized for 15 days with second degree burns to approximately 30 percent of his body. Firefighters Humphries and Donnelly were hospitalized for two days and remain in treatment. The most seriously injured, Sgt. LaCore, received second and third degree burns to more than 50 percent of his body. He remains hospitalized at the Washington Hospital Center in stable – but improving – condition.
“I hung out with him some today,” said Shyab. “He’s getting better every day.”
The cause of the fire has been determined to be accidental, the result of a renovation project that was being conducted on one of the rowhouses. Oily rags that were being stored in a container on the back porch self-combusted, and the fire spread to the porches and, eventually, the interior of the homes. Several propane tanks were present, and it is investigators’ determination that the fire was able to gain such force because at least one of the tanks exploded, increasing the volume and intensity of the fire that destroyed three houses.
“We all know it could have been much worse,” said Shyab. Asked if this experience has altered his determination to come back to work for DCFD, Shyab responded, “absolutely not. This is the profession I chose, and, if anything, it has made me more determined to get back to work.”
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Fatal Garage Fire in N.E. |
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November 24 , 2007 by Alan Etter DCFD PIO
DC Fire and EMS units responded about 11:30 last night for the report of a garage on fire in the 1900 block of Capital Avenue, Northeast.
First responding units found heavy smoke and fire issuing from the detatched shed or garage type building at that location. Firefighters immediately noticed that the roof had collapsed, and the building was totally involved with fire. Several minutes into the fire fight, commanders received information that someone might be trapped inside.
An intense exterior operation extinguished the flames as quickly as possible, and firefighters conducted an exhaustive search. Unfortunately, firefighters located the obviously deceased body of an adult male. Investigators learned that the owner of the property had permitted a homeless man to stay in the garage to shelter himself from cold weather.
The name of the victim is being withheld pending notfication of his family. It was further learned by fire investigators that an exension cord was being used to supply electricity to several appliances in the garage, including a space heater. The cause of the fire has been ruled accidental, electrical in nature. Damage has been placed at at least $20,000.
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Toys For Tots 2007 Kickoff |
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November 21 , 2007 by Alan Etter DCFD PIO
DC Fire & EMS participated at Union Station in the kick-off of the annual Toys-For-Tots campaign, which is organized each year by the US Marine Corps. Each firehouse in the District and in surrounding jurisdictions will serve as collection points for toys that will be distributed to needy children across the Washington area.
Not only does the ceremony start the Toys-For-Tots charity event, it also signals the beginning of the holiday season at Union Station, with the starting of the huge model train in the West Hall, displayed by the Norwegian Embassy. Participating in the Event this year were police Chief Cathy Lanier, fire chief Dennis Rubin, congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton and a host of fire chiefs from around the region.
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British Fire and Police Members Graduate From Hazmat Training |
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November 21, 2007 By Alan Etter DCFD PIO
Graduation services were conducted for 11 firefighters and one police officer from the United Kingdom who successfully completed the DC Fire & EMS curriculum on hazardous materials response. The 2 ½ week technician course was conducted this month. Members of the Merseyside, UK Fire and Rescue Department, which includes the city of Liverpool, took up residence in several DC firehouses for the duration of their instruction. On congratulating the graduates Chief Dennis L. Rubin said, “We are proud that you have chosen us, and we are very proud of our world-class instructors who are now reaching an international audience.”
Looking to the future, DC Fire & EMS is contemplating sending a team of firefighters to the UK early next year for specialized training, and another British team may come to DC late next year to complete HazMat training. |
Burn Foundation Hosting Children's Medical Center Holiday Fundraiser November 28, 2007
Click for Details |
2nd Alarm 1728 Mass. Ave S.E. |
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November 17 , 2007 Story and Photos Vito Maggiolo
Flames leaping thru the roof greeted units arriving at a row house blaze near R.F.K. stadium in the wee hours of Saturday, November 17th.
The fire erupted around 3:30 A.M. in the second floor of the dwelling at 1728 Mass. Avenue S.E. It quickly spread to the attic and threatened the attached exposures on both sides.
A second alarm was sounded in order to bring the blaze under control. No injuries were reported.
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Car Hits Building in N.W. Additional Pictures |
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| Pictures Courtesy of Vito Maggiolo |
Car Hits Building in N.W. |
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November 14 , 2007 by Alan Etter DCFD PIO
Driver, 90, Hits Building While Trying to Park
A 90-year-old woman crashed her Pontiac Grand Am through two windows of a downtown office building yesterday, authorities said. Nobody was injured.
The crash occurred about 12:45 p.m. as the woman tried to park the car. She instead backed into an eight-story building in the 100 block of C Street NW, a block from the U.S. Capitol, said Alan Etter, D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services spokesman. No charges were filed.
© 2007 The Washington Post Company |
Tree Into House, 3306 Qesada Street N.W. |
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November 16 , 2007 by Alan Etter DCFD PIO
High winds created a very dangerous situation in upper Northwest early today. Units responded at 10:14 AM for the report of a structure collapse with a tree into a house. First arriving units found a huge tree that had fallen into a large two-story home in the 3300 block of Quesada Street, Northwest. The tree fell against power lines and pulled them down as it crashed into the building.
No one was home, and no was hurt. Squad 3 examined the structural integrity of the house and found it to have suffered no compromise. Special Operations remained on the scene until the arrival of PEPCO and the DC Department of Transportation to cut the power and then remove the tree.
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Heavy Fire Showing, 835 Kennedy Street N.E. |
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November 10 , 2007 Story and Photos Vito Maggiolo
Fourth Battalion firefighters were confronted with a fully involved home on Saturday evening, November 10th.
Box Alarm units arrived at 835 Kennedy Street N.E. at around 7 P.M. to find heavy fire showing from both front and rear of a detached, one story frame dwelling.
Several handlines had to be brought into play to subdue the fierce blaze, which gutted the house. Although there was a report of a missing child, all searches proved negative.
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Box Alarm 5208 3rd Street N.W. |
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November 10 , 2007 Story and Photos by Elliot J. Goodman
BOX ALARM AT 5208 3rd ST N.W. at approximately 1930 hours. The fire involved 1 apartment. 1 person was rescued but due to the serious nature of the injuries, died at the hospital. |
Additional Pics From The Train Accident |
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| Pictures Courtesy of Elliot J. Goodman |
Additional Pics From O Street Southeast |
Elderly Man Rescued From S.E. House Fire |
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November 9 , 2007 Story and Photos by Alan Etter DCFD PIO
Fire Picture By P. Garner
Dispatched at 12:36 PM on November 9th, first responders encountered heavy fire issuing from virtually the entire side ‘A’ of the two story single family home. Quickly knocking down the flames in front, firefighters were able to move to the interior, where they found even more fire and overwhelming smoke inside.
An aggressive truck operation effected proper ventilation, and a smothering attack inside extinguished the fire within 30 minutes. It was learned that the elderly man who lives at this house had apparently been trying to make a fire in his fireplace. He did not, however, open the flue, and that caused smoke to accumulate in his home and the fire soon spread to his living room.
Two employees of the DC Department of Transportation happened to be a block away at the time of the fire, saw the smoke, and drove to the house. Ms. Alberta Paul apparently knew the 88-year-old resident and tried to get his attention from outside the home, where fire had begun to spread to the outside porch. After several attempts to get the man to leave his home, Mr. Reginald Arno pushed in the front door, rushed inside and physically carried the man out of the house to safety.
The man was evaluated by EMS at the scene and found to be unhurt.
Investigators have determined the cause of the fire was accidental, and damage has been placed at $250,000. |
Rail Cars Fall From Bridge Into Anacostia River |
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By Jonathan Mummolo and Joshua Zumbrun
Washington Post Staff Writers
Saturday, November 10, 2007; B03
Part of an 89-car freight train carrying coal left the tracks on a bridge over the Anacostia River yesterday, sending several cars into the water, authorities said.
The bridge is one of two adjacent spans across the river near RFK Stadium and had not been in use since last November, sources said. It was not clear last night why the train was on the bridge.
Part of the span apparently buckled and collapsed near the site of the derailment, but it was not clear whether the collapse occurred before the cars fell from the bridge, said Bob Sullivan, a spokesman for CSX Transportation, which operates the bridge. He said that the incident is under investigation.
No injuries were reported in the incident, which occurred about 3 p.m., said Alan Etter, a spokesman for the D.C. Fire and Emergency Services Department.
Sullivan said the CSX train was being moved in what he described as rail yard operations.
Sullivan said that both bridges were closed last year. CSX officials said then that they were closing at least one for repairs after structural problems were found during routine inspections.
Sullivan said last night that one span had reopened.
Repairs on the bridge involved in yesterday's incident had apparently not begun and full use had not resumed, sources said.
Etter said authorities think the train was not moving when cars began tumbling from the span.
Etter said that the coal probably did not pose a significant environmental threat. Minimal amounts of petroleum and hydraulic fluid that leaked were contained, he said.
Staff writers Lena H. Sun and Martin Weil contributed to this report |
National Fire Service Seatbelt Pledge Kicks Off in DC |
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November 8 , 2007 Pictures and Story by Alan Etter DCFD PIO
(Washington, DC) – DC Fire & EMS Chief Dennis L. Rubin joined Home Safety Council President Meri-K Appy and US Fire Administration Deputy Assistant Administrator Charlie Dickinson Thursday, November 8th to begin the National Fire Service Seatbelt Pledge.
This program was created because vehicle crashes are the second leading cause of firefighter Line of Duty Deaths, and not wearing seat belts is the number one safety concern in the fire service. These two facts have resulted in 12 firefighter line-of-duty-deaths in 2007 so far. This seat belt campaign supports the Everyone Goes Home firefighter life safety initiatives (www.everyonegoeshome.com).
More than 40,000 firefighters nationwide have taken the pledge, and more than 80 fire departments have achieved 100% participation and will receive a national certificate sponsored by the US Fire Administration, International Association of Fire Chiefs, National Volunteer Fire Council, National Fire Protection Association, and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.
Dickinson presented Chief Rubin with a check for $376,000 – a FEMA grant to help the department enhance its driver simulation program. |
Changing Light Bulbs Can Be Dangerous |
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November 8, 2007 by Alan Etter DCFD PIO
Dispatched just after 9am with Battalion 6, firefighters found this 33-year-old maintenance worker trapped in a man lift inside St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. The man was changing light bulbs in the church’s 35-foot ceilings when the lift tipped over, trapping him in the basket, pressed up against stained glass windows.
Firefighters from Squads 1 and 2 braced the lift while Squad 1 driver Eddie Burton scaled a 40-foot ground ladder up to where the man was trapped. Burton helped the man out of the basket and onto the ladder, where he climbed to safety. The man was evaluated by EMS and found to be in good health. He was not transported to the hospital. Luck was on his side as the platform landed just left of the windows instead of smashing directly into them. |
Fire On Board of the Capital Elite |
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November 7, 2007 Pictures by Elliot J. Goodman
A fire late Wednesday caused damage on board of the Capital Elite Boat anchored in the docks in the 700 Block of Water Street S.W. A Fire in the galley extended into some cabinets before being extinguished by units on the scene. Fire Boat was on the scene. |
Additional Pics From Otis Place N.W. |
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November 2 , 2007 Photos by Elliot J. Goodman |
Additional Pics From Otis Place N.W. |
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November 2 , 2007 Photos by J.C. Carrol |
MVC With Car Into a Building in N.W. |
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November 6 , 2007 Pictures and Story by Alan Etter DCFD PIO
Units responded with Battalion 5 at 9:23 AM for the report of a motor vehicle accident with a person trapped in the 3500 block of Ordway Street, Northwest. Communications also indicated the car had impacted a building and was on fire.
Firefighters first on the scene found a late model sedan that had apparently backed through a car port and smashed through a rear masonry wall. It was not on fire, but the impact threw bricks and cinder blocks into an adjoining house. The driver of the car, a 43-year-old woman said to be the housekeeper, was not trapped, but she was in need of emergency medical intervention. She was removed from the vehicle, secured to a backboard for treatment on the scene, and transported to GW for further evaluation.
Squad 2 examined the garage and found it to have suffered severe structural damage. A collapse zone was established, and the scene was turned over to Metropolitan Police, who were investigating the cause of the accident. |
DCFD Team Wins Metro Rodeo for 4th Time |
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November 3, 2007 Pictures by Sgt. Chris Holmes
Cheverly, MD - The DCFEMSD has done it again! Setting another record that will obviously stand for some time to come. Team D.C. crushed the surrounding jurisdictions by over 5 minutes total time in all seven events to take the First Place Trophy in the 2007 WMATA METRO Fire Department Rodeo!
This makes the DCFEMSD the only four-time champions of the event. Actually, Arlington is the next closest with two victories over the years. More significant is the fact that the same veteran team, now aging, bested their previous times in many of the events.
Team D.C. smoked all seven events, including: The Train Rollover Rescue, The Bus Rescue, The Train Tunnel Rescue, The WSAD Set-up, The ETEK Cart Run, The Elevator Rescue and The Layout/Attack Line Evolution. Team D.C.'s collective time for the events was nine minutes with the second place team having a total time of just over fourteen minutes.
Congratulations once again go to our veteran METRO Rodeo Team of: Sgt. Chris Holmes (HMU #2), F/F Scott Wilson (FPD - Canine), F/F James Pennington (T-2-4), F/F Mike White (T-6-3), F/F Pete Dziubla (E-17-2) and Coaches Lt. Jimmy Seavey, Sr. (E-17-2) and Lt. Richard Copeland (E-11-3)!
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How to Donate to the DC Firefighters Burn Foundation |
Visit the DC Firefighters Burn Foundation Website to Donate through Paypal Link
www.dcffburnfoundation.org
The D.C. Firefighters Burn Foundation is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization and with your help we can continue to fund the many programs we support. We rely on individuals like you to provide ongoing financial support to help us meet our mission. Donations, large and small, are greatly appreciated. All donations are fully tax deductable.
Please make all checks payable to the D.C. Firefighters Burn Foundation and kindly mail to the address below.
D.C. Firefighter's Burn Foundation
P.O. Box 71056
Washington, DC 20024 |
Four Firefighters Injured Battling Blaze |
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October 29, 2007 Pictures and Story by Alan Etter DCFD PIO
Units responded at 3:17 PM for the report of the house on fire in the 600 block of 4th Street, Northeast. First responders arrived within five minutes to find heavy smoke and heavy fire in the rear of the building. Firefighters mounted an aggressive interior attack. A sudden rush of fire on the second floor trapped four firefighters. A Mayday was sounded as a second alarm was quickly called. A fast and heroic effort to rescue the stranded firefighters was effective. All four were able to get out of the involved area, and treatment was begun on the scene.
All four firefighters from Engine 4 were transported to MedStar and hospitalized. One firefighter remained in critical and unstable condition. A second was hospitalized in critical but stable condition. Two other firefighters were in what was described as good condition. All suffered burn injuries. The most seriously injured suffered burns to approximately 50% of his body.
The preliminary cause of the fire is accidental...but remains under investigation. Oily rags is one possibility...but not the exact cause yet. The fire caused propane tanks nearby to vent and explode, catching the rear porch on fire. The blaze then crawled up the rear of the affected house and spread to porches on either side of the rowhouse. There were no reported civilian injuries, and the damage estimate was still being calculated. |
2nd Alarm 1344 Otis Place N.W. |
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November 2 , 2007 by Vito Maggiolo
The second multiple alarm in D.C. this week damaged several homes in the Columbia Heights section on Thursday evening, November 1st.
Engine 11 was first to spot smoke while on the air, and discovered heavy fire in the rear of a two story, vacant row dwelling at 1344 Otis Place N.W. They immediately requested a box alarm.
As firefighters swung into action, the flames had already extended into Exposure B, a similar structure, and smoke was pumping from the cocklofts of several additional houses. Command than requested the second alarm.
An aggressive interior attack was able to prevent any further fire spread. All searches were negative and no injuries were reported. |
2nd Alarm 1344 Otis Place N.W. |
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November 2 , 2007 by Alan Etter DCFD PIO
Responding at 2:15 PM for the house fire, first arriving firefighters to 2015 R Street, Northwest found smoke showing from the basement of a four-story townhouse/office building. Further investigation found a small fire that was extinguished quickly with no extension or injuries. The cause remains under investigation. |
Mass Casualty Incident in N.W. |
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November 1, 2007 by Alan Etter DCFD PIO
At 10:30 AM on October 29th, a HazMat response was sent to 1538 15th Street, Northwest. Engine 11 arrived quickly to find that several people at La Clinica del Puebo were complaining of general respiratory distress. Special Operations began an investigation as EMS units began arriving to transport potential victims. It was discovered that earlier in the morning, an effort to remove graffiti from the alley north of the clinic. In all, 62 people were evaluated; nine were transported for observation. |
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