May 20, 2013: Story & Photos by Elliot J Goodman

Monday evening DCFD Communications dispatched Engine 16 and an EMS unit for trouble breathing at the National Press building, 529 14th Street N.W.

Upon arrival they found 10 victims in the front of the building with difficulty breathing. After evaluating the patients, it was determined they were suffering from high levels of CO as a result of machinery they were working with in the building. At that point the Haz-Mat Task Force was dispatched.

As more victims were found the incident was upgraded to a Haz-Mat Box with the Northside Mass Casualty Task Force. A total of 27 people were evaluated with 9 being transported. The incident lasted about 2 1/2 hours.

May 20, 2013: Story by Vito Maggiolo

DC firefighters came to the aid of a person who fell onto the metro tracks Monday evening, May 20th.

A metro rescue alarm was dispatched to the Anacostia station, 1101 Howard Road SE, at 9:31 PM.

Units encountered an injured individual down on the tracks. Rescue Squad 3 packaged the victim and removed them to the platform, where they were handed over to EMS personnel.

May 18, 2013: Story & Photo by Vito Maggiolo

Once again, DC fireboat John Glenn led the way for the annual "Blessing of the Fleet" in the Washington Channel.

Scores of mariners joined the parade with their vessels. The event marks the beginning of the boating season.

May 18, 2013: Story & Photos By Vito Maggiolo & DCFD.com Staff

Fire thru the roof greeted box alarm units arriving at a house fire in upper Northwest on Saturday morning, May 18th.

The dawn blaze was reported around 5:30 AM at 3818 Harrison Street NW, a large 2.5 story occupied detached frame house. With heavy fire showing and an initial report of people trapped, the 5th Battalion quickly requested a working fire dispatch, than a second alarm.

Despite the conditions, companies mounted an aggressive interior attack, knocking down the flames in relatively short order. All searches of the home proved negative.

May 16, 2013: Story by Vito Maggiolo

It now appears that the former quarters of Engine 12 on North Capitol Street will finally be reborn as a restaurant.

Latest reports say that the station, which had its exterior cleaned and is sporting new doors, will open as an eatery later this year.

Old engine 12 is the latest former DC fire station to get a second lease on life. The previous quarters of Engine 9 and Engine 6 both serve as clubs and restaurants.

May 15, 2013: Story & Photos By Vito Maggiolo

A building that had long housed an establishment of dubious distinction was the scene of a fire late Thursday afternoon, March 15th.

The club in question is the Louis Rogue go-go club, a strip joint that occupied the corner of 5th and K Streets NW for many years. As the neighborhood changed, the club closed and the four story building it occupied is now under renovation.

Fire and smoke was seen from the roof of the structure around 5:45 PM in the evening, and a box alarm was sounded, followed by a working fire dispatch.

When firefighters reached the roof, they found a small section ablaze, apparently the result of roofing work earlier in the day.

The blaze was quickly brought under control without injuries.

May 11, 2013: Story by Vito Maggiolo

DC firefighters were called to the president's home after smoke was detected in the west wing of the White House on Saturday morning, May 11th.

The call was received around 7:15 AM, bringing a full box assignment to the Executive Mansion. Staffers and media working in that portion of the building, which includes the Oval Office and press room, were evacuated as fire units searched for the source.

The smoke was eventually traced to a piece of overheated equipment in an electrical room, and the incident was quickly placed under control.

May 8, 2013: Story by Vito Maggiolo

A vehicle into a tree brought a rescue assignment to the scene in Southeast Washington on Wednesday morning, May 8th.

The initial call was received at 11:50 AM for 34th Street and Massachusetts Avenue SE, and was upgraded when further calls indicated possible entrapment.

Firefighters arrived to find a pickup truck into a tree. However, the occupant was not trapped and was removed from the vehicle and transported to an area hospital.

May 6, 2013: Story by Vito Maggiolo

DC fire special operations units joined forces with the US Capital police to investigate a suspicious package at the offices of the Republican National Committee on Capital Hill.

The call was received around 1:45 PM for the incident at 310 First Street SE. Members of the hazmat team suited up and took readings to determine if there were any dangerous materials involved.

All readings proved negative, the incident was handed over to law enforcement.

May, 2013: Story & Photos by Elliot J Goodman

This fine evening, many friends both retired and active, enjoyed a superb dinner hosted by the members of Engine Company 3, Platoon 4, Mark's last firefighting assignment.

Mark joined the department in 1985 and was assigned to one of the cities very busiest, Truck Company 13 in Trinidad. in those days, I can tell you they were really busy, mostly fires. He served 27 years of dedicated service to the residents and visitors of our Nations Capital in an exemplary fashion as one of DCFD's Best.

We all wish Mark the very best in the many years to come. A very special thanks goes out to Engine 3 Wagon Master Margie Dickey for her hard work in preparing such a superb meal.

May 5, 2013: Story by Vito Maggiolo

The quiet of a pre-dawn Sunday morning was shattered as firefighters encountered flames erupting from the second floor of a Northeast DC home on May 5th.

The call for the blaze at 912 Massachusetts Avenue was received not long after 4 AM. Fire in the end row, two story dwelling extended from the 2nd floor into the roof area before being declared under control.