First Due Working Fire

 
By Deputy EMS Chief J.T. Hutchinson
July 16, 2008
 

On July 13th, 2008 at 23:33 hours Charles County Communications alerted Station 5 and surrounding companies for the working house fire in the area of the Charles County Animal Shelter. Engine 5-3, Tanker 5, and Ambulance 5-8 responded with a total of 10 personnel. After receiving supplemental information the location was confirmed to be at 16740 Prince Frederick Rd. Engine 2-3 arrived first and dropped the line at the street. Sgt 2 advised Charles County they were on the scene with a one story single family house with heavy fire showing. Tanker 2 arrived and picked up Engine 2-3's line. Engine 5-3 arrived and pulled a back up line into the structure. Ambulance 5-8 arrived, positioned their apparatus across the street in the parking lot of Allen's Acres, and brought there equipment to a staging area on the scene. Sgt 2 assumed the Prince Frederick Rd. command until the arrival of Chief 5. Chief 5 arrived and assumed the command, giving the OIC from Engine 5-3(Lieutenant 5) interior, and the OIC from Ambulance 5-8(EMS C5B) accountability. After determing the structure was a rather small house the incident was scaled back placing the majority of the working fire dispatch units available. The incident was then further scaled back to units from Hughesville and Benedict, placing all others in-service. Units cleared the scene at 0133 hours. Job well done to everyone involved.

 
Units: Chief 5, Engine 5-3, Rescue Engine 5-2, Tanker 5, Ambulance 5-8,and Command 5
 
Mutual Aid: Hughesville Engine 2-3, Tanker 2, Squad 2, and PA Amb 2-8. Prince Frederick Engine 22, Tower 2. Mechanicsville Squad 2 and Tanker 2. Calvert Engine 62, Waldorf Engine 33, Truck 3, and Command 3.