DCFD Takes First Place In 2003 Metro Rodeo

On Saturday, November 1st, members of the D.C. Fire Department competed against four other jurisdictions (P.G., Mont., Arlington, Fairfax) in the sixth Annual METRO Fire Department Rodeo, sponsored by the WMATA.

Held at Pennsy Drive in New Carrolton under ideal weather conditions, the Rodeo was a true test of skill, endurance and knowledge of the members from each team.  The teams were made up of four contestants each and the same four members had to compete through all five evolutions.

The first evolution was a rescue of trapped victims on a smoke-filled articulating METRO bus.  The second evolution was the testing of

Photos Courtesy of Brad Troy
 
 
equipment for use in checking for and alerting to third rail power (use of the Hotstick volt tester and placement of the WSAD strobe and audible alerting device).  The third event was the set-up and placement on the rails of an ETEK patient evacuation cart and a 150' run with the cart down the rails.  The fourth event was the use of METRO emergency response maps and then into the tunnel for the rescue of victims from a smoke filled car in a totally darkened smoke filled tunnel and removal of the victims with an ETEK cart.  The final evolution, reminiscent of the old muster days, was the layout from a hydrant and stretching of a 200' attack line, charing same with no water in the booster tank and the knocking over of three strategically placed traffic cones.

For the first time in the history of this event, there was a repeat winner.  The District of Columbia Fire Department RODEO Team, coached by Lt. Jimmy Seavey, Sr. (E-16-4) was the first place team and received the championship cup from Mr. Sickles of the WMATA Board of Directors at an award ceremony following the events.

The Team had three first place finishes in five events.  They won the WSAD competition with a time of 5 seconds!  They breezed through the ETEK set-up and run of the rails in 22 seconds and they cinched the layout and attack evolution in 1 minute 15 seconds.  They came in second on the Train Rescue and Third in the Bus Rescue.

Team members included:  F/F Scott Wilson (T-3-4), F/F Chris Holmes (T-3-1), F/F Richard Copeland (E-16-4) and F/F Colin St. Clair (E-10-3).  F/F Dave Williams (E-16-4) was the alternate for the Team and was used extensively for recon on other team times throughout the day.  Brad Troy (E-16-V), was our official team timer.

A great time was had by all!  WMATA provided refreshments in the morning and lunch for the teams. 

The same team members won in 2000 and the event was cancelled in 2002 due to the attacks of 9-11.  The Team competing in 2002 was from RS-3. Congratulations to Team D.C.F.D. for bringing home the cup once again, after a one-year lapse.