Om Thursday the 24th at 1738 hrs, units were dispatched for the reported woods fire in the area of 5604 Mountaindale Rd, in the 22-7 Box Area (Lewistown Co. 22). This fire was a few miles away from the woods fire last week.

As units from 22 and 1 (Independent Hose) checked the area, a large amount of smoke was visible, but units were unable to locate the fire. Chief 1 arrived and established Mountaindale Command and asked that a helicopter be dispatched to assist. Once the fire was located by Trooper 3, units converged to that area.

Command then bagan to bring in additional resources to help, including the Wildland Team from Middletown. The Utlity, Wildland trailer, Brush 75, and the Chief (Harne) responded with 7 to assist.

When the team arrived, they went in and assited DNR Western 35 and numerous other units with getting and fire line in place. Several trees were also brought down to protect the line. Once this was completed, units picked up and headed down to get refreshments at Canteen 1. Units then went in service.

The Team from Middletown went in service at 21:19 hrs.

I am very happy to announce that 6 of our Members received awards at the Frederick County Awards night, which was held at the Walkersville Volunteer Fire Company #11.

The following are the awards and Middletown recipients.

James H. Stavely III Fire Prevention Award - Paul Musser
Louise Lenhart Auxiliary Encouragement Award - Debbie Smith
Robert L. Renner Department Service Award - Debbie Loveless
Everett Gavor Award - Wayne Smith
Charles "Mutt" Deater Apprentice of the Year Award - Steven Caho
Robert Mumma Outstanding Service Award - Jon Bernhard

These members should be very proud of their accomplishments, as they were well deserved. A special thanks to the MVFC Awards Committee for another great year for Middletown.

Chief Brent Harne

On Saturday, A brush fire assignment was dispatched for in the area of 6135 Mountaindale Road in the 22-19 Box Area (Lewistown Co. 22). As this call grew, another large woods fire was disptched in the Emmittsburg area near the PA line.

On the Lewistown fire, after numerous units were dispatched to assist with the woods fire, Middletown was alerted to transfer a Engine to Station 22. Engine 72 went with 4 on the transfer.

Soon after backing into Station 22, the Wagon was alerted along with ET-172, ET-154, and E-162 to assist with the fire. The Wildland team was also alerted to assist.

After communicating with Command, E-72 and the Chief reported to the area in which the Team was to assemble and deploy. ET-134 (Rocky Ridge) was also at this location establishing a water supply for Brush units. Once the Utility and Trailer arrived, the team of 11 suited up, and loaded up their gear on the 6X6, Washington County B-9, Brush 136, and B-105, which to them to the fire.

Chief 7 (Harne) was assigned the Wildland Group for the incident. The crew split into 2 crews and worked the fire line in both directions, along with Western 35 (DNR).

Once the fire line was completed, and the fire was contained, the asisgnment was scaled back. The units from 7 returned at 1925 hrs.

Thanks to all the personnel on the scene that assisted us.

BC-901 had the command.

As numerous units worked a Church fire on Box Alarm 11-1 (Walkersville Co. 11), ECC began to back fill Stations in the City and County. Station 7 was alerted to transfer a Engine to Station 2 (Juniors Co. 2) in the City.

The Rescue Engine went in with 4. While in route to Station 2, a Third Alarm was sounded on the Church Fire. RE-74 responded and after arriving, staged for Approx. 15 minutes before being released and sent back to Middletown.

Early Tuesday morning, units were dispatched for the possible chimney fire at 2602 Old National Pike.

Engine 72, Tanker 7, Ambulance 78, and the Chief (Harne) responded with 11 personnel. Chief 7 arrived first reporting nothing evident for a two story single family. After talking with the home owner, it was confirmed that it was a chimney fire, and Command was established. E-72 arrived and the crew of 6 split to help with interior and roof ops.

Once Truck 6 arrived, they then took the roof to assist. After investigating, it was found that the fire was out, and that there was no extension. Command was terminated and the units picked up and went in service.

Units on the scene - E-72, T-7, A-78, Chief 7, RE-83 (Myersville), Truck 6, and ET-63 (Boonsboro). Chief 7 had the Old National Pike Command.

U-7 and Wildland Trailer

Last month, the new Utility 7 was placed in service. The new Utility is a 2007 Ford F350 Diesel, with a 6’ bed and Utility cap. This unit also has a snow plow, and is used for various types of duties including.....

Transporting members to classes, utilized on many fund raisers, responds to Emergency/Non Emergency incidents with additional staffing, and is used to pull the Wildland trailer to incidents in Frederick County, as well as incidents all over the State. It carries EMS supplies and other needed items.

Utility 7 has a combination Strobe/LED lighting package, and replaced a 1993 Ford F350. This Utility was bought with funds through the Tax District.

The Members of the Middletown Volunteer Fire Company would like to wish the three members of Company 14 a speedy recovery after their accident on Saturday.

ET-143 was involved in a accident while responding to a vehicle fire, and three members of their Company were set to local hospitals. All three members were released and are back home.

Late Saturday evening, the New Market District Company 15 was alerted for the woods fire near 9707 Woodlake Place in Lake Linganore. Duty 15 (Lawson) arrived and soon asked for numerous other apparatus including the Wildland Team out of Middletown to be dispatched.

The Utility (with Trailer), Brush 75, and the Chief went with 11 to the incident. As the units from Middletown pulled up, Command advised ECC that the fire was contained. Two members of the Team were sent in to recon the area, and reported back that the edges were good, and after a few hot spots were hit, units could pick up.

The Team cleared at 2355 hrs.

On Wednesday Evening at 1847 hrs, Structure Assignment 12-6 was sounded for the Mobile home on fire at 4889 Black Spruce Lane.

Engine 72, Rescue Engine 74, Tanker 7, and the Chief (Harne) responded with a total of 16. E-122 (Braddock Heights) arrived with smoke showing. Chief 7 arrived soon after and established Black Spruce Command. As 122’s crew made entry, 72 established the water supply as the crew split with 2 on the back up, and 3 in for the primary (all searches negative).

Command had Rescue Engine 74 (First Due Special Service), Tower 1 (Second Due Special Service) and A-209 (Jefferson) come into the scene, and the rest of the assignment staged. Once the fire was knocked, the assignment was scaled back to the units at the scene plus A-79, and Rescue Squad 20 (Air Unit).

Red Cross, the State and County FM’s, the Sheriffs Office, and the Power Company were all notified. Middletown units cleared at 2001 hrs. One civilian was transported via A-209 to FMH.

Engine Tanker 63 (Boonsboro) transferred to Station 7.

Several members from Middletown assisted the Maryland Department of Natural Resources on Wednesday with several controlled burns.

During certain times of the year, DNR is able to "burn off" fields and other area’s when land owners request help. Several fields in Middletowns first due were completed on Wednesday, with others in the County to be completed in the near future (weather permiting).

Team members utilize equipment off of the Wildland Trailer. Thanks to Braddock Heights for the use of their Utility while ours was in the shop.