Saturday, February 19, 2011 The entire metro region was placed under a Red Flag and High Wind Warning all day Saturday. Upcounty units were dispatched to a brush fire that eventually required a unit from almost every station in the county along with several mutual aid companies ( Howard, Frederick, Carroll, State DNR ). SSVFD personnel responded with Brush 740 and ATV 740 assigned to the Trap and Skeet Division. Additional members arrived with Utility 740 and were immediately utilized. The terrain in some areas severely limited access. The use of our recently purchased Kawasaki Mule ATV with pump and roll capability quickly proved its worthiness. SSVFD members worked throughout the day Saturday and late into the night. ATV 740 was requested by command to return early Sunday to help further extinguish hot spots. The crew worked until operations ceased Sunday evening. Additional members maintained an addtional Engine crew and ambulance crew at Station 40. For more photos, please click HERE!
View from #9 Indian Grass Ct
Looking north from Brandon Way Division
Friday, October 8, 2010 Rescue Squad 704 was staffed by volunteers, and brought to station 40 so crews could hone their extrication skills. Crews practiced stabilization of vehicles on their side, roof, and upright. They also practiced lifting vehicles with airbags as well as utilizing the hydraulic rescue tools the public better know as the “Jaws of Life”. The drill went late into the night before the squad returned to station 4; however all involved felt it was well worth the loss of sleep. The Sandy Spring members who participated in the drill wish to thank Chief Sutton and the Laytonsville District Volunteer Fire Department for their generosity in providing one of their own donated vehicles for the purpose of this important training. Pictured L-R: Probationary Firefighter Smith, Master Firefighter Lamb (HVFD-24), Firefighter Robertson, Deputy Chief Brown, Firefighter Bonita, and Firefighter Whirley (LDVFD-17). Citizens can make tax deductible donations of old, unwanted vehicles to the fire department for use in training just like this. For more information on this process please contact our administrative office at (301)774-7400.
Our Condolences… Wishing you Hope in the midst of sorrow, Comfort in the midst of pain, With heartfelt sympathy… The Officers and Members of the Sandy Spring Vol. Fire Dept. wish to offer our condolences to the family and friends of Master Firefighter Dome “Poon” Poonjumnern. His loss will be felt for a long time to come.
In Conjunction with National Fire Prevention Week, Sandy Spring Volunteers held their annual Open House Sun. Oct. 3, 2010 “Helicopters, Smoke Mazes, and Auto Extrication… Oh My”… There was lots to see and do for all ages at this year’s interactive event. Children ages 1 to 99 received information about fire prevention and safety while meeting their local Firefighters and EMS Providers. Activities and displays included Exit Drills In The Home (EDITH), Friendly Firefighter, a 911 Simulator, Smoke Maze, Apparatus Past and Present, Fire Safety House, Stove Fire Demonstrations, Puppet Shows, an Auto Extrication Demonstration, and much; much more! We would like to thank our friends and neighbors for joining us, and making the day a huge success!!! For more activities and information on fire prevention and home safety please click on the NFPA link below. http://www.firepreventionweek.orgTo see more photos from the open house, please click HERE!
Tuesday, August 17, 2010 0022 At 0022 hrs, SSVFD units A740 and M704 along with LDVFD units E717 and RS717 were dispatched to the 20400 Block of Zion Rd for a report a vehicle overturned. Upon arrival, units found 1 car over the guard rail and on its side. The patient self extricated and was transported to a local hospital. Also on scene were K717 and C717B.
2010 ANNUAL AWARDS BANQUET HELD TO HONOR THOSE WHO PROTECT OUR COMMUNITY On Saturday, August 7, Sandy Spring held it’s annual awards banquet in the Oak Room at Fire Station 4. Chief George Brown and President Johnie Roth extend their congratulations, and present to you those who went above and beyond their call of duty in the year 2009. A special thank you to Bill Thomas who emceed the ceremony while celebrating his 51st year with the department. Congratulations Bill! It was with deep regret that we acknowledged the recent passing of Life Member John Justus Meyer. A table with a symbolic place setting, a single toll of the bell , and a moment of silence, were carried out in his honor. Since Sandy Spring is staffed by both volunteer and career personnel, the first two awards have two categories. This enables the department to recognize those who serve in each of these vital capacities. The “Officer of the Year” awards were presented to Career Captain Robert Daley, and Volunteer Deputy Chief Mark Brown. The award for” Firefighter of the Year” was presented to Career Firefighter Robert Snavely, and Volunteer Firefighter William Seggel. The recipient of the “Emergency Medical Services Provider of the Year” award is EMT Jessica Salah. Life Membership is an honor bestowed on those who have maintained an active membership within the department for 10 years. Those achieving life membership in 2010 are LieutenantDerek Young, EMT Leeanne Eagle, and FF Carrick Robertson. The Top 10 Responders for 2009 are FF William Seggel, FF Andrew Uza, Chief George Brown, FF Sean Purcell, FF Carrick Robertson, FF Ryan Smet, EMT Meredith Myers, Lt. Mark Himes, FF Stuart Hambel, and FF Will Dorsey. Chief Brown presented his 2009 “Chief’s Appreciation Award” to Deputy Chief David Baker, FF Matthew Garbow, and EMT Meredith Myers. President Roth presented his “President’s Appreciation Award” to FF Brendan Bonita, Past President Alden English, and FF Carrick Robertson. The Sandy Spring Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary’s “Sarah Dantz Award”, which is their highest award, went to Kathy Mills. The Auxiliary’s “Lifetime Achievement Award” was presented to Viola Bishop Johnson. President Roth and Chief Brown also paid Special Recognition to Mrs. Mary Morris, Office Service Manager, Debbie Rokes, and Master FF/ Paramedic Vicki Freund. The highest honor this department can bestow on a member is the “Spencer J.H. Brown Sr. Award”. This award is presented to one member per year for outstanding service and dedication to the department, and is so named after our Past Chief, Spencer J. H. Brown, Sr. Chief Brown, or “Pop Brown”, as he was affectionately known, was instrumental in building, not only the Sandy Spring V.F.D., but other departments in Montgomery County as well. Mr. Brown helped to organize the Laytonsville District VFD, the Damascus VFD, as well as the Fifth District VFD in neighboring Clarksville in Howard County. “Pop” Brown’s legacy in the volunteer fire service in our area, and his dedication, compassion, knowledge, and enthusiasm that he brought forth, only goes to show the size of the shoes an individual needs to fill to even be considered for such a prestigious award. For outstanding dedication and service to the Sandy Spring Volunteer Fire Department, and thus to the citizens of the Sandy Spring, Ashton, Brookeville, and Olney areas, the recipient of the “Spencer J. H. Brown, Sr. Award” for 2009 is Firefighter Carrick Robertson. Congratulations to all of the award winners, and to all of those who serve, and dedicate their lives to keep our communities, our homes, and our families safe!
Thursday, August 5, 2010 On Thursday August 5, 2010 Chief-704 and Airboat-740 answered a call for help from Baltimore City. Airboats from the Sandy Spring and Cabin John Park Volunteer Fire Departments responded to assist with ventilating a tunnel after a CSX freight train apparently derailed, and transportation officials were concerned with the possibility of hazardous materials exposure during cleanup operations. No injuries or release of toxic chemicals were reported at this incident as of this writing. Personnel who responded from SSVFD are all members of the Special Operations Division, and involved in the department’s SRT Water Rescue Program. Chief George W. Brown Jr., MFF Paul Brubacher, and FF Ryan Smet.Photos By MFF Brubacher & FF SmetClick HERE for more Photos!
Friday, July 30, 2010 1900 Sandy Spring VFD would like to congratulate Jennifer Soda and Kevin Huffman for passing VBOC (Volunteer Basic Orientation Course). Pictured left to right: Chief M. Brown, MAC Huffman, MAC Soda, FF Bonita, and MFF Musgrove.
Thursday, July 29, 2010 Members and Auxiliary Members of Sandy Spring VFD won many awards at the Mount Airy Parade and Carnival in Mount Airy, Maryland. With 8 department vehicles and 16 volunteers Sandy Spring won 1st Best Appearing Company Overall, 1st Best Appearing Ladder Truck, 1st Best Appearing refurbished Antique Pumper, and Honorable Mention for Airboat 740. Click HERE for more photos!
Saturday, July 17, 2010 0204 hrs At 0204 hrs., A740, M725, T725, RS703, and E740 were dispatched to the intersection of Muncaster Mill Road and Meadowside Lane for a single vehicle PIC with Entrapment. E740 arrived on scene to find the vehicle with significant damage after going through a guardrail. The vehicle came to rest entangled with the guardrail and hanging over the edge of a steep embankment. The driver had self-extricated and the passenger was trapped. E740, RS703, T725, and B740 worked to extricate the patient in 25 minutes. Both patients were transported to the Suburban ER Trauma Department by land. Units returned to service by 0418 hrs. Click HERE for more photos!
Site designed and maintained by
© 2013 FireCompanies.com & Sandy Spring Volunteer Fire Department | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Member Login
