Author Archives: chewitt

Update on Fire Fighter Kirchner

The past 2 days have been an emotional roller coaster ride for Gene’s Family and our membership.  Gene has made some progress in his recovery, but still remains in critical condition.  Please continue to keep him and his family in your prayers.  We have been amazed by the amount of support that has been offered by our community and the fire service brotherhood.  We appreciate everyone’s continued support through these tough times.

Update from 3rd alarm dwelling fire

Just after 1 am this morning, Reisterstown units responded on a dwelling fire on Hanover Pike.  A mayday was declared just after crews entered the dwelling.  Fire Fighter Gene Kirchner was removed from the dwelling a short time later.  He was transported to the Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore.  He is currently in critical but stable condition.  Please keep Gene and his family in your prayers.  We would also like to thank everyone for the tremendous amount of support that has been offered.

Motor Vehicle Rescue in Boring

Just after 9:30 PM on Friday night, we were alerted for a motor vehicle rescue on Byerly Rd. in Boring.  Rescue Squad 414, Special Unit 418, and units from Boring, Arcadia, and Glyndon responded.  First arriving units found a convertible overturned in a field.  One patient was extricated and transported to the Hospital.

Dwelling fire in Gamber

Just before 1 PM. Carroll County Communications got a call for a dwelling fire on Fawn Way in Finksburg.  First arriving Engine 134 from Gamber found heavy smoke from the basement of a rancher.  Upon arrival, Engine 412 was assigned to the Rapid Intervention Team (RIT).  Fire was placed under control within an hour.  No injuries were reported.

Transfer detail and auto fire on the Beltway

Crews from eastern Baltimore County were fighting a 3 alarm building fire in Golden Ring.  Engine 413 transferred to the Parkville Fire Station 10.  While at station 10, they were alerted for a auto fire on the Outer Loop of the Beltway between Perring Parkway and Loch Raven Boulevard.  First in Engine 413 found an SUV burning on the shoulder of the Beltway.  Engine 1 from Towson assisted.  Engine 412 was staffed covering Reisterstown for the duration of the transfer.

Dwelling fire in Chestnut Ridge

Just after 4 PM on 1/26/13  units were alerted for a dwelling fire on Barnstable Ct.  First arriving units from Chestnut Ridge arrived to find fire through the roof and requested a 2nd alarm and tanker strike team.  Engine 412 and Special unit 418 were alerted for the rapid intervention team.  Engine 413 was alerted for the 2nd alarm.  No injuries were reported.  Engine 412 supplied several lines on the fire ground while Engine 413 pumped the folding tank.

Barn fire in Glyndon

Just before noon on 1/24/13 units were alerted for a barn fire on Tufton Ave.  First arriving units advised smoke showing and requested a tanker strike team.  Engine 412 was the relay engine for the supply line.  Crews were able to quickly knock the fire.  No injuries were reported.

Fire Prevention Week

 

It’s 3 a.m. You and your family are sound asleep and awake to the beeping smoke alarm. You are tired and confused from the effects of the smoke. You know you need to get to safety, but when you head for the front door, you find that escape route is blocked by fire that is spreading by the second.  What do you do?

While this scenario is one I hope you never have to encounter, the statistics tell us that many people do every day. According to the nonprofit National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), one home structure fire was reported every 85 seconds in 2010. That added up to 369,500 home structure fires, which caused 13,350 injuries and 2,640 deaths. We also know that most fatal fires kill one or two people. However, in 2010, 19 home fires killed five or more people, resulting in 101 deaths.

The numbers are scary, but there is something you can do to help ensure your family’s safety should a fire break out in your home: Have Two Ways Out!

The Reisterstown Volunteer Fire Company is teaming up with NFPA during Fire Prevention Week, October 7-13, 2012, to urge residents to “Have Two Ways Out!” This year’s theme focuses on the importance of fire escape planning and practice.

Only one-third of Americans have both developed and practiced a home fire escape plan. And of the three-quarters of Americans who do have an escape plan, less than half actually practiced it. As we saw in the scenario above, fire is unpredictable. Seconds and minutes can mean the difference between life and death. We want to ensure that Reisterstown residents know what to do if a fire breaks out in their home. Preparation is an important part of being able to deal with an emergency and it is crucial you take steps to prepare your family for the potential of a home fire by having an escape plan and practicing it.

Although preparing for the unexpected is difficult, reviewing the information below and taking action based on it to plan for a fire could save lives.  Reisterstown Volunteer Fire Company recommends the following tips for planning your family’s escape:

If you have children and want to make this a family activity

  • Make a map of your home. Mark a door and a window that can be used to get out of every room.
  • Choose a meeting place outside in front of your home. This is where everyone can meet once they’ve escaped. Draw a picture of your outside meeting place on your escape plan.
  • Write the emergency telephone number for the fire department on your escape plan.
  • Sound the smoke alarm and practice your escape drill with everyone living in your home.
  • Keep your escape plan on the refrigerator and practice the drill twice a year or whenever anyone in your home celebrates a birthday.

If your family is all adults:

  • Walk through you home and identify two ways out of each room.
  • Choose a meeting place outside in front of your home. This is where everyone can meet once they’ve escaped.
  • Make sure everyone knows the emergency number for your local fire department.
  • Practice your escape drill twice a year.

To learn more about “Have Two Ways Out!” visit NFPA’s Web site at www.firepreventionweek.org.