Frederick County Wildland Team
Team History

In 2001, a small group of fire personnel from around Frederick County were interested in forming a Wildland Team in Frederick County. With the unique area’s that incorporate Frederick County, which include several historical parks, grass and farm fields, mountainous areas, and numerous trails including the Appalachian trail, which splits parts of Frederick and Washington Counties. These areas also include the historic Catoctin Mountains, the Sugarloaf Mountain, and area’s just East of Harpers Ferry WV. They spoke with several representatives from the State as well as the County as to what was needed to do, since there has never been a team like this in the entire State. After much discussion and a lot of meetings, the team was formed as a combination effort of both Volunteers and Career staff (DFRS). Representatives from Middletown took the lead on most initial duties, and with that, they became the home Station of the Team. The purpose of the team is to assist with Operations and Command in the event of a large scale fire. With members trained in both front line duties as well as Command level classes, the Team is available to assist with many tasks.

In 2003, the Team would respond to incidents utilizing Brush 75 and Utility 7. Early in the year, a State (DNR) owned deuce and a half (530B) was donated to MVFC. Members rehabbed the unit themselves by adding compartments, emergency lights, scene lighting, and fresh paint. This unit was placed in service as Brush 76, and would respond in addition to Brush 75 on Wildland incidents, as well as the normal runs for Company 7.

In 2004, the Middletown Volunteer Fire Company purchased a trailer to haul and store all the Wildland equipment. The County and State supply the team with supplies as we need them. The trailer is equipped with enough tools, both hand and power, to outfit at least 75 personnel. Tools on the trailer include the following: Wildland coveralls, helmets, portable radios, rakes, shovels, pulaskis, bladder bags, chain saws, leaf blowers, portable pumps, 500 gallon inflatable storage tank, hose both 1 ½” and 1”, etc… The 1993 Utility truck was also outfitted to pull the trailer. When the Utility was replaced in 2008, it also became the vehicle to pull the trailer.

In 2007, the team was able to purchase a Polaris 6x6 to assist with hauling people and equipment in and out of the areas quicker and safely. The Polaris, known as ATV 7 is also equipped with a small tank that is fastened in the bed to assist with extinguishment. The unit also assists with mountain rescues in County, as well as surrounding jurisdictions. The ATV also has the capabilities to haul a stokes basket. With the addition of the trailer, and due to the need for additional space in the Station, the deuce was given back to the State.

Since the team was formed, they have been on several incidents in the State as well as assisted surrounding States with fire attack and mop-up. Here is a list of several large incidents we have assisted with:

• Jefferson County, WV.- 1000 acres
• Baltimore County, Md.- 10+ acres
• Montgomery County, Md.- X 2 – 5 to 10+ acres
• Cumberland, Md.- 50+ acres
• Flintstone, Md. - 20 to 50+ acres, the team also assisted with EMS care and air transport of another member who rolled his ATV.
• Frederick County, Md.- Several incidents over entire county
• Washington County, Md. - Several incidents over entire County. Also Washington Co. has it set up in CAD that if there is significant information from 911 callers to suspect a large incident the team is automatically dispatched (Mountain Fire Box).