June 30, 2011: Story & Photos by Vito Maggiolo

DC firefighters faced a potentially challenging rescue mission at one of the city’s most visible national monuments Thursday evening, June 30th.

Rescue Squad 1 members had just sat down to their evening meal when the dispatch warble tones alerted them to a stalled elevator. However, this particular elevator was located in the Washington Monument, stalled at the 490 foot level with 16 people inside.

Arriving on the monument grounds, the squad began working with US Park Police and Park Service rangers to resolve the problem. Some members began the long climb up, while others began working in the elevator’s mechanical room.

Fortunately, firefighters were able to reactivate the elevator and bring it down to ground level, where the occupants were safely released. As this was happening, scores of people already inside the monument were forced to walk down, and an EMS unit assisted in monitoring for any medical issues associated with the long trek.

June 30, 2011: Story & Photos by Vito Maggiolo

A two car collision with one vehicle overturned injured several people in the Tenleytown neighborhood of DC on Thursday afternoon, June 30th.

A rescue assignment was dispatched to 39th Street and Alton Place NW around 3:30 PM. They found a vehicle on its roof, with all occupants self extricated.

Two adults and two children required transport to area hospitals. Two additional EMS units were called to the scene.

June 29, 2011: Story & Photos by Elliot J Goodman

Just after noon today DC Firefighters were dispatched for the report of a building fire in the 3200 block of M Street N.W., in the heart of Georgetown. Reports were being given by units not on the scene of heavy smoke visible from blocks away.

Units arriving on the scene reported heavy smoke and fire showing in the rear extending to the adjacent building. The fire originated in the rear of the Tackle Box Restaurant. Lines were rapidly advanced and a Second Alarm was requested.

The fire was declared under control in about 30 minutes. Also on the scene as pictured above was Deputy Fire Chief Ronnie Gill who will retire this Friday and we all wish him the best.

June 26, 2011: Photos by Elliot J Goodman, Story by: Sunlen Miller-WJLA

When ten-year-old Patricia Anne Wyne kissed her father goodbye forty years ago today, as she did each morning before he left for work, she didn’t know then it would be for the last time.

Her father, Tommy Turner, was among the 100 firefighters who responded to a four-alarm warehouse fire on June 26, 1971.

Turner was the only man to lose his life that day.

Today in Northwest, Washington, DC Turner’s life was celebrated and commemorated at his old firehouse – on 13th street – Engine 16, to mark the anniversary of his Line of Duty death..

The firehouse dedicated an old-fashioned emergency call box in his honor, displayed prominently on the side of the fire station in bright red, and gold. The station hopes that as people walk by they will read his name on the plaque, ask about his story, and be reminded of the daily contribution that firefighters make each time they risk their life in the line of duty.

Twenty-nine year firefighting veteran Michael Tippet was with Turner when he died, a fellow firefighter from the same company. They had fought many fires together over the years, but that fateful day would be Turner’s very last one.

“There hasn’t been a day that goes by since that happened that I haven’t thought about,” Michael Tippett said today, still emotional even years later.

A brick wall collapsed on Turner while he was fighting what seemed like a losing battle against an unwieldy curtain of flames, overpowering the majority of a multi-floor warehouse.

“its total grief, absolute grief and why. Why wasn’t this building demolished, why did this have to happen?” Tippett still wonders out loud today, noting that just weeks after Turner’s death the same empty warehouse that he had tried to save was demolished.

At the Engine 16 Firehouse today, Turner’s life was celebrated with family, friends, and his old firehouse buddies, now retired, coming out to pay tribute to his contribution to the city and to the history of their fire station.

“This story could have ended 40 years ago, Tommy could have sacrificed the way he did, been killed, they could have had a funeral and that would have been the end of it,” David Goldsmith Jr, a current firefighter in the firehouse said today, “ But it’s important to me that people remember our past. Not just the history of this Engine House, and the fire department in general but the people who were integral in making this fire house was it was.”

Friends and family described Turner as a “family man,” the firehouse cook and a practical jokester.

His daughter hopes that today’s ceremony will serve as a reminder for all who risk and serve.

“I would hope that they would think that there are heroes out there who risk their lives every day for us, and I would hope they would have more respect for the institution,” Wyne said, “I’m very honored and very proud.”

June 23, 2011: Story & Photos by Vito Maggiolo

An overturned canoe with occupants in the Potomac River brought a DCFD water rescue assignment to the vicinity of the Chain Bridge on Thursday afternoon, June 23rd.

When firefighters arrived, one person was seen clinging to rocks in the middle of the river. The combined efforts of fire units, MPD harbor, US Park helicopter Eagle, and other boaters led to four being safely removed from the water without injuries.

June 23, 2011: Story & Photos by Vito Maggiolo

What seemed like a typical dumpster fire turned into a hazmat situation on the grounds of the McMillan Reservoir on Friday afternoon June 23rd.

Engine 12 and the hazmat were initially dispatched on the call to 2500 First Street NW, an Army Corps of Engineers facility on the reservoir grounds. They determined that chemicals were among the contents burning inside, and the call was upgraded to a triple local, along with a special alarm for a twinned agent unit.

It was eventually determined that the best course of action was to flood the dumpster with water, which was done with a stream from Engine 12’s stang nozzle. That operation took an extended period before the chemical reaction was completely neutralized.

The rehab unit was also called to the scene to rehydrate firefighters, due to the heat of the day and the length of the incident.

June 23, 2011: Story & Photos by Vito Maggiolo

DC firefighters were called to assist in an unusual occurrence in the Massachusetts underpass beneath Thomas Circle on Friday evening, June 23rd.

A flatbed tractor trailer hauling construction equipment with an articulating bomb entered the tunnel, and immediately struck the underpass ceiling. The vehicle failed to stop and made if halfway thru the tunnel before some of its tires blew.

The incident resulted in a large hydraulic spill. Engine 16, Truck 3 and the 6th Battalion were called to the scene, where they assisted in assessing the damage and mitigating the spill.

June 22, 2011: Story by Vito Maggiolo

A Capital hill landmark watering hole suffered significant damage during a working fire on Thursday morning, June 22nd.

A box alarm assignment was dispatched to the Tune Inn, located at 331 ½ Pennsylvania Avenue SE around 7:15 AM. First arriving units found heavy smoke conditions inside the 1.5 story building.

Firefighters began an interior attack and located fire in the rear kitchen that extended into the ceiling and ductwork. The age and layout of the building created difficult access issues, as well as problems opening up and exposing all areas of fire spread.

It took about twenty minutes to bring the blaze under control. There were no injuries.

Photo Courtesy Of: Sgt. Sid Polish

June 23, 2011: Story & Photos by Vito Maggiolo

Two simultaneous blazes taxed the efforts of DC firefighters and sent two of them to the hospital in the post midnight hour of Thursday, June 23rd.

The first fire erupted at 5019 Hayes Street NE, involving a vacant dwelling. As units were doing battle there, another box alarm was sounded for 1709 Bay Street SE, a two story middle row dwelling not far from RFK stadium.

A medic unit, arriving first at the Bay Street incident, reported smoke so heavy in the street that it was difficult to ascertain which home was ablaze. But that scenario rapidly changed when heavy fire was found rolling from the first floor and extending to the second.

With one dwelling heavily involved and threatening exposures, Battalion 6 sounded the second alarm. An intensive firefight requiring multiple hand lines took place, and two additional engines and trucks had to be requested to relieve exhausted firefighters.

Two firefighters were injured, one on Hayes Street and the other at the second alarm. There were no civilian injuries.

Busy 24 hours for DC Firefighters: 331 1/2 Pennsylvania Ave SE (Tune Inn) commercial building fire, 5019 Hayes St NE house fire, 1709 Bay St SE, two-alarm middle-of-the-row house fire thru the roof.

June 18, 2011: Story & Photos by Vito Maggiolo

Two workers came close to death after being overcome by Carbon Monoxide fumes in a Northwest parking garage on Saturday, June 18th.

The two were using a power washer in an unventilated area of a four story apartment building at 150 V Street NW. When firefighters responding to a report of possible CO incident arrived, the two were found unconcious on the garage ramp.

Engine 6 immediately began life support on the two patients, and the Hazmat Unit and Rescue Squad 1 began metering and searching the garage.

Extremely high levels of CO were found in multiple areas of the building, so the search was expanded and evacuations begun.

Due to the large and complex nature of the structure, two additional truck companies were requested to assist in ventilation, and the air unit was also dispatched to refill numerous expended air bottles.

The entire operation, which began around 3:30 PM, took about 5 hours to complete. The two victims, both in serious condition, were taken to a hyperbaric chamber for treatment.

June 17, 2011: Story & Photos by Vito Maggiolo

Fifth Battalion firefighters responded to a call for an accident with entrapment on Connecticut Avenue around 5pm on Friday, June 17th.

Two vehicles were found to have collided in the middle of the Avenue around Rodman Street NW. Although nobody was trapped, several injuries had to be transported to the hospital.

June 14, 2011: Story & Photos Courtesy Of www.30Engine.com

At 12:44 hrs units with the Second Battalion were alerted for a reported house on fire in the 4500 block of Grant St. NE. Engine 27 arrived to find a one story single family home with heavy fire showing and extension to the B-bravo exposure.

As Engine 27 stretched their line to the fire building Truck 17's crew laddered and quickly searched the exposure building, finding no immediate extension into the structure. Engine 30 reported to the rear and found a similar situation, stretching their line and getting water on the fire.

Very early into the incident the fire building was deemed a defensive operation and larger lines were put into service by the crews of Engine 27, 30 and Truck 17 to knock down the bulk of the fire. Truck 17 put the ladder pipe in the air but the extra water was not needed as the fire was knocked down. Crews opened up the outer walls on the exposure building and finding only minor extension the incident was scaled back.

June 13, 2011: Story & Photos by Sgt. Stan Jaworski

On Monday, June 13, 2011, a retirement luncheon was held at Phillips Flagship Restaurant for Lt Michael Malinowski. Lt Malinowski's 26 year career started on 7-8-1985, and will end on 6-18-11.

Lt Malinowski was presented with a plaque commemorating his career from the members of the Fire Investigation Unit, and he also received a Certificate of Recognition from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The ATF certificate was in recognition of his outstanding work and partnership with ATF.

June 12, 2011: Story & Photos by Elliot J. Goodman

Sunday afternoon the members of Platoon #4 at Engine 26 and Truck 15 celebrated 25 years of service by Lt. Larry Settle.

Larry was appointed in 1986 to Engine 28 and served through the ranks until finally being appointed to Truck Co.15 as Lieutenant. Best Wishes to Larry on this momentous occasion in his career, and to all his continuing years to come with the "DCFD".

June 11, 2011: Story by Vito Maggiolo

DC firefighters battled a blaze in a doctor’s office Saturday night, June 11th.

Heavy fire was blowing from the first floor when firefighters arrived at 1334 G Street SE.

An aggressive interior attack contained the blaze with only minor extension to the second floor, and none to exposures. The hazmat was called due to damage to an X-ray machine.

One MPD police officer was transported from the scene with smoke inhalation.

June 11, 2011: Story & Photos by Elliot J. Goodman

Saturday afternoon DC Firefighters responded for the report of a building on fire with propane tanks involved in the 900 block of Rhode Island Ave. N.E..

Upon arrival units reported heavy smoke showing. As units advanced lines to the building, the Old Town Trolley bus garage, it was discovered the fire involved two of their propane operated buses. Firefighters quickly contained the fire and within 15 minutes the fire was knocked down and under control with little extension to the building.

June 9, 2011: Story & Photos by Alan Etter

Nearly 140 years worth of DCFD experience were celebrated Thursday night June 9th as five members of the department were honored on their retirements.

Al Jeffery, Rusty Anderson, Wayne Benson, Steve Rison and William Flint all endured gentle ribbing from JJ Burger and others in front of the packed Marlton Volunteer firehouse. It was especially good to see Chuck Ryan and Lt. Alvarado, injured in the second alarm on 48th Place, NE April 8th.

June 7, 2011: Story & Photos by Vito Maggiolo

A report of smoke in a NOMA (North of Mass Ave) neighborhood supermarket led to a hazmat incident on Tuesday, June 7th.

A box alarm was dispatched to the Harris Teeter store, located on the first floor of a hi-rise mixed occupancy building, around mid afternoon.

First arriving firefighters found a haze inside, but quickly determined that it was something other than smoke, and requested the hazmat.

Further investigation found that there was a significant refrigerant leak. The Hazmat and Rescue Squad 1 mitigated the problem, and other companies ventilated the structure.

There were no injuries reported.

June 6, 2011: Story & Photos by Vito Maggiolo

Eight passengers suffered injuries and were transported to area hospitals after two metro buses rear-ended in Anacostia on Monday, June 6th.

The accident took place around 3 PM at King Avenue and W Street SE. Units on the original local upgraded the incident after determining the number of patients. A mass casualty incident was than declared, bringing the South Mass Casualty Task force, including Engine 33, a medical bus, and mass casualty support unit.

Ambulances transported the first three victims, and the MCI bus took the remaining patients. None of the victims suffered life threatening injuries.

June 5, 2011: Story & Photos by Vito Maggiolo

One civilian was rescued and a firefighter suffered burns during a two alarm blaze on Sunday night, June 5th.

The fire erupted around 9:15 PM in an apartment at 5105 F Street SE, a three story building. Initial calls also indicated occupants trapped in several apartments.

First arriving units found heavy fire in a lower level apartment. A working fire dispatch was followed by the second alarm, due to the potential life hazard.

Firefighters removed one occupant with smoke inhalation while the flames were being quickly knocked down. It took about 15 minutes to control the incident.

The firefighter who was burned was transported to an area hospital.

June 1, 2011: By Dave Statter www.STATter911.com

In Northeast Washington, the office building at 2120 Bladensburg Road owned by IAFF Local 36 officially became the Kenneth M. Cox Building yesterday. I say officially, because I have thought of it as the Kenneth M. Cox Building for quite a few decades. In my 25 years as a TV reporter it is probably the location I visited most often and the place where I found some of the richest and most interesting stories. And Kenny Cox is largely responsible for that. I would go as far to say that STATter911.com probably would not exist without Kenny. That in itself is an interesting comment considering Kenny usually can't even find the on button to his computer without help.

My friend Kenny Cox is full of such interesting contradictions. As the person who served as an elected official of IAFF Local 36 longer than anyone else (37 years) Kenny has been an extremely important player in the work of the union. But while Kenny's fingerprints were everywhere, he stayed out of the spotlight.

Kenny's ideas and words have been heard by many in speeches and during hearings in the District Building and on Capitol Hill. But those words rarely came out of Kenny's mouth.

For more on this story and video, go to www.STATter911.com

Click for Slideshow

June 1, 2011: Story & Photos By: Joe Papariello

On June 1st, Rescue 1 hosted a dinner in honor of Chief Kane's last tour.

Chief Kane was appointed to Engine 28 on October 30, 1983 and retires as the Special Operations Battalion Chief on platoon #1. On behalf of the battalion and the city you served, I would like to wish you a long and happy retirement.

Special thanks to the retired members for coming and to Squad 1 for hosting/cooking the event so the entire battalion could come by and eat together.