Sunday, May 5, 2013 The officers and members of the Sandy Spring Vol. Fire Dept. offer our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and fellow members of fallen Reisterstown Vol. Fire Company Firefighter Gene Kirchner. According to news sources, Firefighter Kirchner succumbed to injuries he sustained at a three alarm fire in Baltimore County, Maryland on Wednesday April 24, 2013. For more information, please visit http://rvfc.org/
Friday, April 12, 2013 In the early evening hours Engine 740 was dispatched for a transformer fire on Hedgegrove Terrace. At the same time county police units were dispatched to the same address for a 911 hang up call. County police officers arrived to their call first and were subsequently advised that the hang up call was related to the fire rescue call. Officers found the homeowner already outside with smoke showing from the 2 story house. County police advised fire communications to upgrade the assignment and there was a hydrant across the street. Engine 740 arrived, established their own water supply and stretched the 300 ft line to the front door. Truck 740 arrived and joined up with Engine 740 to open up the walls to cut off the fire spread. Additional crews from Companies 4, 25, 17, 3 and 21 assisted.
Thursday, April 4, 2013 On 4-4-13 at approximately 0230 hrs ECC began receiving calls for a house fire in the 18000 blk of Queen Elizabeth Drive in Company 40's first due. Callers advised there were flames coming from the house. The house assignment was dispatched and Engine 740 arrived a short time later with heavy fire showing from a single family structure. The fire was placed under control in about 20 minutes by Command. Crews from Kensington, Laytonsville and Rockville assisted.
Sunday, March 3, 2013 The annual Greater Olney Civic Association (GOCA) Awards were presented Sunday afternoon at Longwood Recreation Center. Sandy Spring Volunteer Fire Department Life Member Alden English was given a Special President's Award for his many years of service to the community and to SSVFD, with particular mention of his negotiating the land donation for Fire Station 40's future expansion. Alden joined SSVFD in April 1971. He served as President from 1976-78, and 1980-83. He served on the Board in various positions, including Vice President. He was a Sergeant in 1978-79. He has won various awards during his time with SSVFD, and recently received the Spencer J.H. Brown, Sr., Outstanding Service Award in 2012, and the President's Award in 2011-2012. Please click on a photo for more photos, courtesy of Deputy Chief M. Kelley. Click HERE for the Gazette article.
Thursday, February 21, 2013 Probationary member Justin Stine recently obtained the rank of Eagle scout within the Boy Scouts organization. Justin received special recognition for his restoration work of the Riggs family cemetery in Brookeville. Justin and other members of his troop did an extensive cleanup of the cemetery only to have it vandalized a short time after. Justin did not let the vandals deter him and he led a subsequent effort which resulted in the cemetery being restored a second time. The members of SSVFD congratulate Justin on his accomplishments.http://www.gazette.net/article/20130220/NEWS/130229980/1095/brookeville-eagle-scout-honored-for-restoring-historic-cemetery&template=gazette
Life member Lea Gilpin with the Fones Family
Wednesday, February 20, 2013 Family and Friends gathered on February 10, 2013 to celebrate the life of Frank Fones who joined the Sandy Spring Vol fire department in 1964 and rose up the ranks to deputy chief. He was very active within the department until the 1990s and then continued to be involved, regularly attending meetings and events. He served in the U.S. Army in Japan during World War II and also served in the Korean War. He retired after 34 years from Army Map Service. Please continue to keep the Fones family in your thoughts and prayers.
Sunday, February 17, 2013 Sandy Spring volunteers who are members of the county’s River Rescue And Tactical Services Team took advantage of the cold February temperatures and headed to Deep Creek Lake in Western, MD. Their mission… Ice Rescue Training with other RRATS team members from MCFRS and the Cabin John Park VFD. Members faced single digit temperatures that dipped below zero after adding the 15-35 MPH wind chill factor on and around the lake. While there, personnel trained on shore based, and airboat based rescue techniques, hypothermia, and the various types and stages that ice forms on bodies of water. To accomplish some of these scenarios RRATS members were actually placed into the water to simulate a victim who has fallen through the ice. However, as you will see in the photos, our personnel were well protected from the effects of the freezing air and water temps by wearing their dry suits, coupled with lots of thermal layers, and their Personal Floatation Devices (PFD), or by wearing specially designed Ice Rescue suits. The trip to Deep Creek has become somewhat of a tradition, as well as a reward for team members who train all year long above and beyond their regular duties to provide this extra service to our citizens and neighbors. The trip provides an excellent opportunity to train in an environment that is sometimes difficult to control on our local waters. This prepares us to be ready to effectively and safely operate should the worst occur here at home. Accommodations for Sandy Spring’s members were provided by a very generous local business owner to whom we wish to send a very warm, and heartfelt THANK YOU!!! SSVFD would like to remind folks that frozen bodies of water are extremely dangerous! Serious injury or worse could occur from falls on or through the ice, as well as hypothermia. Parents, PLEASE remind your children of the hazards of playing on the ice. Let’s keep everyone safe, and hope these techniques remain training topics, and never have to be put to use!Photo by Tim Beatty.
Wednesday, February 6, 2013 Sandy Spring VFD wants to remind all of our homeowners of a couple of tips to avoid water damage to your home. If you are going to be away for any period of time, especially during the winter months, consider turning the water off to your home and keep the heat set high enough to help avoid frozen pipes. Our crews have had multiple calls over the past few weeks in which homes have suffered significant damage as a result of frozen pipes that have broken.
Friday, February 1, 2013 1637 Engine companies from 40 and 28(medic) and EMS units from 25 and 21 responded for a PIC in the 16600 blk of Batchellors Forest. Engine 740 arrived to find a single vehicle into a tree with one ejected( priority 4), driver pinned and a passenger trying to self extricate through the rear hatch of the vehicle. Units quickly extricated the passenger and upon arrival of squad 703 extrication efforts began on the driver. Extrication was completed in approximately 15 minutes and both patients were transported as traumas to Suburban.
Heavy rains moved through the area Wednesday Jan. 30th causing many streams and rivers to crest their banks. Strike Team-740 responded to the following incidents… Route 355 and Newcut Rd. for a report of two stranded in a vehicle in rising flood waters, however the occupants were able to self rescue prior to our arrival. Goldmine Rd. and Chandlee Mill Rd. for a report of one stranded on the roof of their vehicle, Strike Team-740 arrived on scene to find the water level rising quite rapidly, and a very swift current. The team performed a Shallow Water Crossing with a 10ft. Inflatable Rescue Boat. The stranded motorist was given a life vest, placed into the boat, and brought safely to shore. 16800 Blk. Riffle Ford Rd. for a report of a vehicle in high water. Strike Team-740 was dispatched on this due to a fire in the Cabin John area and ECC was unsure if Strike Team-730 would be available to respond. Strike Team-730 was able to respond and therefore Strike Team-740 was diverted to another water rescue call. 1901 Brighton Dam Rd. for a report of a stranded motorist trapped in the vehicle in high water. Boat-725 arrived first as Co. 40’s Strike Team was still en-route after being diverted from the Riffle Ford Rd. Incident. They began the size-up along with Truck-740’s crew. Upon arrival, Strike Team-740 observed a single vehicle with one occupant trapped inside unable to open their windows due to the electrical short from the rising water. A plan was formulated to perform a Shallow Water Crossing with the 10ft. Inflatable and to remove the victim through the rear window of the vehicle since the windows could not be rolled down. The Strike Team entered the water while Boat-725’s crew provided the downstream safeties and rope tenders. Upon reaching the vehicle to make contact with the victim, the vehicle began to move downstream in the current. The windows were broken out and a rapid evacuation was performed. The victim was given a life vest and placed in the boat. The Strike Team then brought the stranded motorist back to shore. While these rescues were being performed, the attendant at Brighton Dam contacted 911 concerned that the output of the dam may be causing flooding below the dam in Rocky Gorge. Several crews were sent to perform welfare checks of residents living in the area below the dam. Fortunately, no evacuations were necessary. Links to video and photos on WUSA9s site. Photos: http://www.wusa9.com/news/photo-gallery.aspx?storyid=240760 Video: http://www.wusa9.com/video/default.aspx?bctid=2131092979001 Please click on one of the photos to view more photos.
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