For over 3 months now, the members of the MVFC have stepped up to help establish duty crews for the fire side. These times throughout the day co-inside with the times of our EMS duty crews, which have been going on in Middletown for decades.

These duty crews are responsible for the getting the first out suppression piece on the street. Other Volunteers are still responsible for responding in to get the additional units out, or standing by the Station for additional runs.

For those of you that are interested, there are still spots available on each shift. Overnight spots are also available.

During the accident in New Market, units were dispatched for the vehicle accident with possible ejections on Interstate 70 near the 41 mile marker in the 8-I 70-2 Box area.

The units from 8 arrived on the scene with several serious injuries, and requested additional units. A-79 was due on the initial dispatch, and the Engine Company was added soon after.

Engine 72 responded with 3 to the Interstate, but was placed in service just as they were arriving on the scene. A-79 transported one to WCH (Washington County Hospital).

72 was back in at 02:50.

After being released from the 3-2 Box, the Chief switched from Tac 30 to Tac 40 to get information on the I-70 run. The units from 15 (Howard E-41 from FS 15), 25 (ET-254), and Carroll County 1 (Medic 17 and 18) had arrived along with Chief 15 to find a two vehicle head on crash, with serious injuries and multiple entrapment's.

Chief 15 established the I-70 Command and Lt. Shook (ET-254) took Operations. Several other units were dispatched to assist soon after, including 2 helicopters (Troopers 1 and 3).

Command advised the Rescue Squad from 7 to use caution, due to debris that was scattered along the Interstate for several hundred yards. Once confirming with Command on which vehicle to stop at, the Rescue Squad arrived to the vehicle with 3 victims still entrapped. As the Chief (Harne) did a 360, a rapid extrication was being performed on a passenger, leaving one in the rear of the vehicle, and one pinned in the drivers seat. A game plan was established, and all 4 hydraulic tools were pulled from the RS to start the extrication.

The windshield and roof were taken first to gain better access to the patients. With the assistance of the crews from RE-11 and RS-24, the rear seat passenger was removed first. After that, the crews worked on getting the driver free. The back on the drivers seat was removed, and part of the dash was also removed to get the driver out. Once out, the patient was sent to Medic 17 and then to Trooper 3.

Once both helicopters lifted off, units began to clean up, and Command released most of the units after wards.

Thanks to all that assisted on the call. Even though most of the Companies on the incident seldom work together, everyone did an outstanding job to care for the patients.

The Rescue Squad cleared at 03:32 hours.

After being at Station 3 for 10 minutes, the RE-74 along with E-221 (Lewistown) from Station 2, and Tower 735 (Montgomery County - Clarksburg) were added to the 3-2 Box to assist with additional staffing.

All 3 units arrived and personnel staged at the Command Post awaiting a assignment. Once the bulk of the fire was knocked, all units were backed out while the FM's started their investigation. With no tasks needing completed, the 3 crews dressed down and hydrated.

During this time period, ECC contacted Command with a request for a Rescue Squad to assist with a serious accident with multiple entrapment's on I-70 near Route 75 (New Market). The Rescue Engine was released by Command to assist.

After clearing the accident in Carroll Manor, the Rescue Engine was requested to fill Station 3 (Uniteds Steam) during the Multi-alarm Fire. The RE with 4 headed up New Design Raod into town, and then to Station 3.

After getting back from the Fly out, The City units were dispatched for a House for fire in the 3-2 Box area (Uniteds). Unit arrived on the scene with fire showing from a duplex, and requested the Rapid Intervention  Dispatch, and then a 2ND alarm.

With all the Rescue Squads out, Rescue Engine 74  was dispatched for the vehicle accident at 4304 Ballenger Creek Pike in the 14-6 Box area. The RE was canceled as they arrived on the scene with 4 personnel.

A-209, Medic 20, RS-14 (Driver only), and RE-74 were on the run.

Late Saturday night, units from Station 12 (Braddock Heights) along with Medic 20 were alerted for the serious injury from a fall at 6840 Holter Road. A-129 and E-122 arrived to find a 12 year old that had fallen 10-20' from a pine tree. Aviation was started, and the Engine Company from 7 was alerted to assist.

Rescue Engine 74 and Chief 7 responded with 5. While the Rescue Engine looked for a good LZ, Chief 7 arrived and established the Holter Road Command. The LZ was established right next to the scene, and after the patient was evaluated by the Paramedic from Trooper 3, the child was transported to Children Hospital in DC.

The units then picked up and went in service.

During lunch on Friday, the Box alarm assignment was alerted for the house fire at 5647 Stone Road in the 12-16 Box area. This brought the Engine Companies from 12, 20, 7, and 1, along with the rest of the normal assignment.

Company 12 arrived on the scene advising of a working fire, and both Duty 12 and E-122 established Command. Soon after, Battalion 901 arrived and assumed the Stone Road Command. Engine 72 (DFRS Lt. Kilby) with 3 responded as the 3rd due Engine, but arrived as the 2nd. As the Wagon driver set up for rural water supply operations, the crew stretched a second line and advanced it to the second floor.

The fire, which had started in the first floor kitchen, had extended into the second floor. As crews began to control the fire, the Truck Companies began search and rescue efforts on the families missing animals. Unfortunately, several dogs perished in the fire.

A Tanker Task Force and Rapid Intervention Task Force was also sent to assist with the incident. After the fire was deemed "under control", the assignment was scaled back. The Wagon was released a few hours later.

Just after 4 am, Box alarm 5-3 was alerted for the reported house fire at 3302 Carlisle Drive. Units from South County, as well as units from Loudoun County Va were alerted on the call.

First arriving units advised of a working fire in a 1 story single family residence. Engine Company 7 was alerted to replace non-responding units, and the Rescue Company was added later on to Replace the Rescue Squad on the Box.

Initial crews made quick work of the fire, and the assignment was scaled back soon after. E-72 and the Chief (Harne) staged for a short period before returning in service.

Late Saturday night, Company 12, Rescue Engine 74, Medic 20 and the EMS Duty Officer were alerted for the reported serious vehicle accident at the Maryland Ave and the Pike.

Before units marked up, ECC dispatched 2 additional Ambulances, 2 additional Medic's and a helicopter with reports of several patients being ejected. Company 12 and Chief 12 arrived with one vehicle involved, with 3 priority patients in the roadway. With no entrapment, the Rescue Engine (with 4) arrived and took a position to light up the scene. The crew assisted with patient care until the other units arrived. Both A-78 and A-79 arrived and each got a patient.

In all, 2 of the patients were flown by helicopters to Shock Trauma, and A-78 transports the 3rd to Washington County Hospital. Trooper 3 and Life Star 3 transported the patients.

Rescue Squad 20, Engine 201, RE-11, and Medic 8 also responded extra to assist.

Chief 12 had the Old National Pike Command.

Just after Midnight, the Engine Company was dispatched for the AAF to the Zion Lutheran Church at 107 West Main Street n Middletown. E-72 with 3 arrived on side C with nothing evident. Upon making entry, a haze and odor was found, and the assignment was upgraded.

This brought the Rescue Engine, Ambulance, Chief and Duty Officer, along with E-121 and Tower 1. Chief 7 arrived and assumed the West Main St Command with the Captain taking the interior division.

Crews search through the entire structure, and the problem was found to be a bad HVAC unit above the sanctuary. Once the power was secured, Command was terminated and the units were placed in service.

On Sunday evening, units were dispatched on the 23-2 Box for the townhouses on fire at 3537 Winthrop Lane. At 22:19 hours, the Rescue Engine was dispatched to transfer to City Station 3 (Both RS-2 and RS-3 were on the fire). The RE and Chief (Harne) went in with 6, leaving additional crews back at Station 7.

While in route to Station 3, a 3rd Alarm was struck sending most of the transfer units down to Urbana. The Rescue Engine arrived and staged with units from Frederick, Carroll, Montgomery and Howard Counties. At 23:38 hours, most of the 3rd Alarm assignment was released.

On Tuesday morning, Box Alarm 16-1 was sounded for the building fire at 625 South Main Street. Units arrived on the scene with a working fire, and proceeded to ask for a 2ND Alarm, and two (2) Tanker Task Force assignments.

Engine Company 7 was dispatched at 06:28 hours to transfer in to Independent Hose Station 1. The Rescue Engine (DFRS Lt. Morgan) went in with 3.

At 06:37 hours, the Tanker was dispatched as part of the 2ND Tanker Task Force. After arriving, the Tanker shuttled 2 loads of water, and pumped off the third. After the bulk of the fire was knocked down, Command held Tankers 17, 1, 7 and CC 14 (all large capacity Tank Wagons). The Tanker returned at 09:22 hours.

On Wednesday night during the carnival, Box alarm 8-11 was alerted for the house fire at 9816 Harmony Road. The units from Middletown along with the Chief responded with a total of 16, with many more back at the Carnival Grounds.

E-82 and Duty 8 arrived on the scene with nothing evident from a 2 story single family farm house. After making entry, a haze of smoke was found. Chief 7 arrived next and established the Harmony Road Command. While units investigated, 72's crew pulled a second line, RE-74 took care of utilities, and the Tanker stood by on Harmony Road for Water Supply.

The Assignment was scaled back to 2 Engine's after the cause of the smoke was a malfunctioning electrical outlet. Command was terminated soon after, and the units cleared.

Early Tuesday morning, Washington County ECC asked for Engine Company 7 to transfer to 10 Hose in Funkstown. Engine 72 responded on the call with 3. A transfer was needed due to a multi-alarm fire in Funkstown's first due.

While 72 was a Station 10, one Medical Local was ran.

Buck, It was nice to see some red in with all that other color!

Pictures of the House fire are also attached to this story.