December 26, 2011: Story & Photos By Vito Maggiolo

A blaze in a Northwest multiple dwelling was one of three working fires fought by DC Fire and EMS on the day after Christmas.

This fire, the last of the three, broke out shortly before 4 PM on the fifth floor of a hi-rise apartment building at 3900 16th Street.

Firefighters requested a working fire dispatch when they found a room off in one apartment. The flames were quickly extinguished, and one civilian was treated on the scene by EMS.

The other two incidents involved a vacant one story store at 332 62nd Street NE, and an apartment building at3719 2nd Street SE.

December 25, 2011: Courtesy Of www.engine15rescue3.com

Just before 0530 units with the 3rd Battalion Chief were alerted for an apartment fire at 705 Chesapeake Street S.E.

First arriving units found an apartment fire on the 3rd floor of a three-story garden apartment. Engine 15 was assigned RIT duties, Rescue 3 arrived and conducted the primary and secondary search which proved negative.

Units brought the fire under control within 15 minutes and with minor extension. Command 3 held it with 2+2.

December 25, 2011: Courtesy of Statter911.com

A fire at 6412 2nd Place, NW in Washington, DC with a report through communications of a person trapped. The Twitter feed for IAFF Local 36 reports that one occupant was treated on the scene by EMS. The official Twitter feed for the DC Fire & EMS Department reports four occupants displaced.

December 23, 2011

Brother AJ Pumilia, E-27-4, has been battling a life-threatening brain tumor since August of this year. He has under gone several surgeries. During his most recent surgery, it was discovered that, due to its location and surrounding arteries it would not be able to be fully removed. He has been in a coma since this operation on 12/14/11. He is facing a difficult and extended recovery.

There are several efforts underway to assist Brother Pumilia. The first is covering AJ's shifts, members interested can contact FF Brian Wolf, E-27-4, to sign up. Members may also donate leave directly to AJ through the District of Columbia Government's Voluntary Leave Transfer Program. Forms for this are found on the LAN. You can find more information about AJ and track his recovery at Help AJ Pumilia on Facebook and at 27ENGINE.com. Several fundraising efforts to assist the Pumilias are in the beginning stages as they are finalized, we will provide you with that information. Please keep AJ and his family in your thoughts and prayers as you spend the holidays with friends and family.

UPDATE: 12/23/11

FF AJ Pumilia E27-4 is expected to have a pretty lengthy recovery at Johns Hopkins. We would like to have a member of DCFD be at the hospital with his family and friends at all times. Visiting hours are 12-6 and 8-10. A google spreadsheet was created for members of the department to sign up for hospital duty. Anyone is allowed to access this spreadsheet. Members are asked to fill in their name and assignment in any time block. If anyone is interested and cannot access the spreadsheet, or if there are any other questions/concerns contact FF Eric Kolarick T15-3 443-221-8156.

Click below to help A.J.

Help A.J.

UPDATE : 12/26/11

My name is Dan Clark (E-30-3). Myself and Eric Kolarik(T-15-3) are running a page on facebook called Help AJ Pumilia. We are trying to help raise money for the family to pay for medical bills and other expenses that they may have. We have a PayPal account so people can donate money. The name to type in on PayPal.com is helpajpumilia@gmail.com.

December 23, 2011: By www.engine32truck16.com

The members of Engine 32 & Truck 16 pulled together today in the Spirit of Christmas and adopted two families within the community.

Santa came in the form of DC's dedicated firemen and delivered toys to the kids. The families were very appreciative, especially the children, you could see the joy in their eyes.

December 23, 2011: Story By Vito Maggiolo

A Southeast basement fire turned ugly when a mayday was sounded on Friday, December 23rd.

A box alarm was sounded shortly before 8 AM for fire in a two story duplex at 730-32 Congress Street SE. The working fire dispatch was sounded shortly afterwards when first arriving units reported smoke showing.

Heavy fire conditions were found in the basement, with heavy heat and smoke on the first floor. There was no exterior basement access, and firefighters were forced to hit the flames through an exterior window.

Interior conditions deteriorated, and fire extended to the first floor. With packrat conditions in the basement, and little progress being made, all units were ordered from the building.

As the evacuation was taking place, a mayday was sounded for three members reported missing in the basement. The Rapid Intervention Team was activated, and a second alarm was sounded.

Fortunately, all firefighters were safely removed and accounted for, with only one firefighter injury. The fire did extend to the upper floors, and required extensive opening up and overhaul.

One firefighter was transported with non life threatening injuries. All occupants of the home were accounted for.

December 20, 2011: Story & Photos By Vito Maggiolo

Fourth Battalion firefighters battled a pre-dawn blaze off the 16th Street corridor on Tuesday morning, December 20th.

Flames were erupting from a second floor window at 1658 Euclid Street NW when the first units on a box alarm assignment arrived shortly after 3 AM.

A working fire dispatch was sounded. Despite the amount of fire showing, the blaze was confined to the unit of origin and quickly extinguished. All searches were negative.

December 20, 2011: Story By Vito Maggiolo

Photos Courtesy Of: www.engine2rescue1.com, www.10engine.com

The morning rush hour on busy New York Avenue NE cane to a screeching halt on Wednesday, December 14th, as DC firefighters battled a blaze in a vacant commercial building.

It was shortly after 7 AM when a box alarm was sounded for the 1900 block of New York Avenue NE. Units arrived to find smoke pushing from a one and a half story, frame 30x75 structure at 1943 New York Avenue.

A working fire dispatch was sounded as an interior attack encountered flames in the rear of the building. Arching electric equipment also added to adverse conditions.

The main body of fire was quickly knocked down, and firefighters maintained a defensive stance until Pepco could cut the power. There were no injuries.

December 2011: Story & Photos By Elliot J. Goodman

The members of Engine 2 , Rescue Squad 1, the DFC's office as well as dozens of his friends, co-workers and relatives celebrated 29 years of true dedication and service to the DCFD.

Appointed to Truck 9 in 1982 , Eubie also served as wagon driver at Engine 9. His final assignment was his promotion to Aide to the Deputy Fire Chief, a position he served until his retirement. From all his co-workers and friends, we all wish Sergeant Robert Eubanks a very happy retirement.

December 15, 2011: Story & Photos By Vito Maggiolo

Five people were injured and required assistance from DC Fire and EMS in a two car wreck Thursday night, December 15th.

The accident took place at 5th & I Streets NW. Engine 16 and four EMS transport units, under the command of BFC 6 and EMS 6, operated on scene. All five patients were transported with non life threatening injuries.

December 13, 2011: Story & Photos By Vito Maggiolo

Firefighters made quick work of an apartment fire near the Southwest waterfront Tuesday afternoon, December 13th.

Units were dispatched to 1425 4th Street SW shortly after 3:30 PM for a fire on the second floor. They arrived to find flames in an apartment kitchen in the ten story building.

There was heavy smoke in the apartment, and a working fire dispatch was sounded, but the blaze was rapidly brought under control.

No injuries were reported.

December 11, 2011: Story & Photos By Elliot J. Goodman

Sunday evening, December 11th, Engine 13 was dispatched for a motor vehicle accident at 12th Street and Independence Avenue S.W.

Engine 13 arrived and requested the rescue assignment. The trapped victim was freed by members of Rescue Squad 1, assisted by E13, T10, BFC 6 and EMS units.

December 10, 2011: By Elliot J. Goodman

For the past several years Engine 18 has had the privilege of chauffeuring Santa Claus through the streets surrounding Capitol Hill for all to know Christmas is near.

This year was no exception, the members of platoon #1 had the honor of showing Santa the way. The kids seemed to have the best of both worlds, Santa Claus and a real live fire truck which they all told Santa they wanted for Xmas.

December 10, 2011: By Elliot J. Goodman

As previously mentioned, Rescue Squad 1 recently placed in service a new Squad Wagon. The unit is a 2011 Pierce equipped with the Amkus Ultimate Rescue System capable of running 4 tools at the same time, Winch's on 3 sides, front, rear and side. Has a Harrison 2500KW generator and the Vanair Air Compressor system which is capable of running large scale tools such as pavement breakers.

The unit is also well equipped with a vast array of tools that can certainly complete any rescue job that a large city would ever be faced with.

December 5, 2011: By Vito Maggiolo

Two DC firefighters and several civilians suffered injuries after a morning collision on Monday, December 5th.

Engine 1 was responding to a box alarm when the collision took place with an SUV at the intersection of 18th and L Sts NW around 7:40 AM

The SUV was struck on the drivers side, and a rescue squad was requested for extrication. Four EMS units were called to the scene to transported the injured, all of which were non life threatening.

December 4, 2011: By Vito Maggiolo

DC firefighters battled a basement fire in a Northwest row house on Sunday morning December 4th.

A box alarm was sounded shortly after 10a for 508 Irving Street NW. First arrving companies found fire in the basement of a two story, middle row dwelling, and a working fire dispatch was requested.

The blaze was contained to the original fire building, with some extension above the basement. There were no injuries.