On January 29th at approximately 0520 hrs. the first alarm assignment was dispatched for a dwelling in the area of Broad Street and Third Street in Crumpton. This assignment consisted of Companies 7, 6, KM2, KM Tower 6 and QAC EMS. Within a minute Station 7 contacted the Dispatch Center requesting a Tanker Task Force and 2nd Alarm. Engine 55 and Tanker 5 were dispatched as part of the 2nd Alarm, responding with four personnel. Prior to arrival Command requested a 3rd Alarm bringing companies from Caroline County and Delaware. Upon arrival the engine crew advanced an attack line down an alley way between the fire building and the exposure on the Charlie Side. With conditions deteriorating, the crew backed out after approximately five minutes. At that time Officer 503 (Hurlock) was assigned to supervise personnel operating on the original fire building. With crews from Sudlersville, Goldsboro and Centreville assisting, the bulk of the fire was controlled with two 1 3/4" lines. Overhaul began on both structures along with the exposure on Side Delta. Numerous crews were rotated to complete the overhaul process. In all two dwellings were completely destroyed and a third suffered heat damage. Over 75 personnel operated for approximately 3 1/2 hours.

Companies on the scene: Crumpton, Sudlersville, Millington, Chestertown, Church Hill, Galena, Kennedyville, Centreville, Goldsboro, Marydel, Hartly, Clayton, Smyrna, Queenstown, QAC EMS, QAC FM Office and the State Fire Marshal.

This fire is suspected to be an arson fire. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

Special thanks to Grasonville for standing by for us with Engine 25 while we were out of the area.

All photos courtesy of Bruce Secrist - Fire in the Hole Photography  

Our Department work horse for many years, Engine 51 was detailed to Company 2 - Grasonville last night at the request of Chief 2 Jason Anthony.  Grasonville Engine 26 was involved in the near miss earlier this month on the Kent Narrows Bridge and still remains out of service.  Last night their Engine 25 was experiencing some minor mechanical problems which caused concern their Department may be without an engine company.  We stepped up immediately and delivered Engine 51 to the 3rd Battalion so Grasonville could maintain the service they provide on a daily basis.  Our Department was glad to help out and return the favor.  Several years ago, Grasonville provided us with the use of the old Engine 25 while we were down to one engine company for several weeks.

The Church Hill Volunteer Fire Comnpany & Auxiliary will hold the ANNUAL PANCAKE SUPPER on February 16th from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM at the Church Hill Elementary School.  Any questions please call the Firehouse at 410-758-6552.  We hope to see you and your family on the 16th!

IT SEEMS NO MATTER WHAT THE EMERGENCY SERVICES COMMUNITY ATTEMPTS, TO MAKE OPERATIONS SAFER ON OUR ROADWAYS - IT IS NEVER ENOUGH!  WE USE FLARES, WE USE CONES, WE USE APPARATUS TO BLOCK THE SCENE!  Well as the story below will prove, even when we do everything we are trained to do, some idiot will be driving down the road, not paying attention, talking on their cell phone, texting, eating and everything else but watching where they are going and strike one of us or our apparatus.  This NEAR MISS of a potential fatal situation should remind us all even when we wear our vests, put out flares and cones and even block the entire scene with our apparatus - PLEASE KEEP AN EYE ON EACH OTHER AND THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC.  Our prayers are with the injured members from Grasonville!

The following story is courtesy of www.fithp.net and more images can be viewed on their website. 1/11/2010 - Monday night at approximately 10:15 PM Queen Anne’s County Station 2 (Grasonville) was dispatched for an MVC with injuries on Route 50 at the Kent Narrows Bridge. The road conditions were starting to diminish due to a light snow fall on the shore. Engine 26 had arrived on location and was blocking two lanes of traffic to ensure a safe scene while the crew assisted with the accident. All was well until the crew was back in the Engine and waiting to return to the station.

A tractor and trailer was headed west bound and apparently did not see all of the BRIGHT FLASHING LIGHTS and side swiped Engine 26. With a crew of 6 on board, 4 of them were transported to Anne Arundel Medical Center in Annapolis where they were treated and released.

From now on when you see an emergency scene, please try to remember this incident and slow your vehicle down and pay attention to what is in front of you instead of the accident you are passing.

Firefighters and EMS personnel, whether they are paid or volunteer, risk their lives every day on the highway trying to help others in need. Our job is dangerous enough without having to worry about getting hit by a negligent driver. We are just as busy as everyone else; we all have families that we would like to return home safely to, but we take time out of our day to help someone in need.

THANK YOU for doing your part to keep us safe while we keep you safe.

Chief Anthony and the members of the Grasonville Vol. Fire Dept. would like to thank their brother firefighters and the community for the support, thoughts and prayers in their time of need.
 

The membership of the Church Hill Volunteer Fire Company came together this evening with Officers from our surrounding companies, representatives of local government and our families to Install the Officers that will lead the Company in 2010.  Commissioner Carol Fordonski installed the Administrative, Fire & EMS Officers as well as the Officers for the Fire Company Auxiliary.  The Company membership wishes all of the new officers much success in the coming year!

The Board Of Directors of the Church Hill Volunteer Fire Company has authorized the immediate sale of the following vehicle:

Brush 5 - 1982 Ford F350 4x4 Pickup w/ Skid Unit.  The skid unit has a 250 Gallon Water Tank with a 250 G.P.M. Gas Powered Pump.  The vehicle currently has 20,915 miles and is powered by a gas motor and manual transmission w/ locking hubs.  The unit will be sold "AS IS" without any portable equipment.  We are asking $15,000.00 or Best Offer.

Interested parties shall contact the Church Hill Volunteer Fire Company at 410-758-6552 and leave a message with contact information.

On December 22nd & 23rd the volunteers from Church Hill had the honor to escort Santa Claus each evening through our first due area.  On the 22nd Santa arrived and visited the Ashleigh Manor - South, Church Meadow, The Bishop's Grant, The Flyway and The Grove sections of the area before turning in for the evening.  Then again on the 23rd Santa climbed into the bucket of the Tower Ladder to visit the Downtown, Uptown, The Meadow, The Village and The Hunt sections of Church Hill.  The Department would like to thank Santa Claus for the early visit during his busy time of year along with the many members who staffed all of the apparatus to provide support and help Santa give out candy canes to our area children.  We hope he will return again next year to visit prior to Christmas Eve.

Box 0409 was transmitted at 2257 for a chimney fire at 210 Gray Fox Lane alerting Engine Companies 44, 55, 32, Tower 4, Kent Tower 6, Tankers 4, 5, 3 and PM400.  Chief 4 (Schelhouse) arrived to find a single story SFD with nothing evident from the exterior and established Gray Fox Command.  Engine 44 arrived and their crew checked the interior and handled the fire still left in the fireplace and insert.  Access to the dwelling was limited so Tower 4 remained in the cul-de-sac while Engine 55 proceeded in to assist the first due engine.  Crews threw portable ladders to the Bravo Side to check the chimney for fire conditions.  Since the fire was contained to the chimney, Command held the assignment to Engines 44 & 55 placing the remainder in service.  The roof crew did have to drop the chimney sweep and dry chemical "bombs" to handle the debris that was burning in the chimney.  Once all fire was extinguished and the dwelling was checked for any possible extension, Command placed units in service when ready.  The four volunteers staffing Engine 55 operated for just over an hour before returning to the "Hilltop".

Kent County Box 6001 was dispatched at 2224 hours for a dwelling fire at 829 High Street in Chestertown.  Engine 55 staffed with four responded on the run along with units from Kent County Company 6.  Our engine company arrived with their units operating on a working fire in a two story SFD with the bulk of the fire knocked.  Engine 55 was directed to set-up positive pressure ventilation and provide lighting to the interior.  Once all assigned tasks were completed, Command held the units from Kent 6 placing the remainder in service.  Engine 55 returned to quarters within an hour.

At 1611 hours Rescue Local 0510 was struck for the MVC on Route 213 north of Rolphs Wharf Road, alerting Company 5, PM600 & PM40.  Chief 5 arrived to find a single vehicle into the woods with no entrapment and Chief Hurlock assumed Church Hill Road Command.  Engine 52 arrived and began to package the male passenger prior to an EMS unit arriving and Engine 55 arrived a provided scene protection by blocking Route 213 200' south of the incident.  A total of four patients (2 adults, an infant and a child) were transported Priority III to Chester River Hospital by the two ALS units.  The six volunteers from Church Hill operated for one hour and three minutes.