U419 has now been striped and we are in the midst of installing the lights and siren.  It will likely be another week or two before you see it on the road around Reisterstown.

Each year we must test the pump on our Engines.  Baltimore Co. Fire Department has a pump testing tank set up in Jacksonville.  Both pumpers have passed their annual test.  Next test is the annual hose test.

Last night was our Life Member Banquet.  Approximately 80 members came to enjoy a great evening and recognize those at the station who have done so much.

Two members were officially inducted as life members: Craig Hewitt (current Assistant Chief) and Gene Kirchner (LODD this past year).

The firefighter of the year was Ian Timpson for his commitment to get FF1 done and his time around the firestation especially as he lives far from the station and does not have a vehicle.

The administrative people of the year were Jimmy Carter and Robert Murray Jr for their leadership and self-sacrifice in particular immediately after Gene Kirchner was rescued from the fire and his subsequent passing.

This afternoon E56 and E412 were alerted for a brush fire in E56’s area based on multiple calls of smoke in the area.  E56 arrived in the area and found a large shed or garage in fire.  A Maryland State Trooper was flying overhead and was able to guide E56 and E412 to the correct address.  There was a 20′ by 20′ shed fully involved in flames.  Several more engines were requested as it was a non-hydrant area and then shortly after that a firebox was requested due to the proximity of the house and the need for water.  It took several hours to put the fire out and the house was unscathed.

Tonight we move our clocks ahead one hour.

When you do, don’t forget to change the batteries in your smoke detector AND your carbon monoxide detector.

It appears that we are going to get more ice and snow coming in the next 24 hours:

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING
TO 6 PM EST MONDAY...

* PRECIPITATION TYPE...FREEZING RAIN...SLEET...AND HEAVY SNOW.

* ACCUMULATIONS...UP TO ONE TENTH INCH OF ICE...FOLLOWED BY 4 TO
  8 INCHES OF SNOW.

* TIMING...RAIN CHANGES TO FREEZING RAIN AND SLEET FROM NORTH TO
  SOUTH THIS EVENING THEN BECOMES HEAVY SNOW LATE TONIGHT THROUGH
  MONDAY.

* TEMPERATURES...FALLING INTO THE LOWER 30S THIS EVENING...THEN
  DROPPING INTO THE LOWER 20S OVERNIGHT AND MONDAY.

* WINDS...NORTH 10 TO 15 MPH. GUSTS TO 25 MPH LATE TONIGHT AND
  MONDAY.

* IMPACTS...HAZARDOUS TRAVEL DUE TO ICE AND SNOW THROUGH MONDAY.
  BOTH THE MONDAY MORNING AND AFTERNOON RUSH HOURS WILL BE
  AFFECTED. POWER OUTAGES ARE POSSIBLE WITH THE COMBINATION OF
  ICE AND HEAVY SNOW.

Please be safe over the next few days, do not travel if at all possible and clear a 3 foot area around the closest fire hydrant to your house.

Please come and support your community by giving blood at the Community Blood Drive on March 1.

*** Note:  The Blood Donor Clinic has been changed to Northminister Presbyterian Church at 705 Main Street, Reisterstown, MD. ***

This morning there was a house fire in our first due area.  Engine 412 and Squad 414 arrived to find fire showing.  Engine 412 laid a supply line and the crew pulled a handline into the house. Engine 412 and Squad 414 were aided by Glyndon, Owings Mills and Engine 56. Station 41 equipment was on scene for approximately 90 minutes.

First photo courtesy of K Skratowski and M Robinson.

Reisterstown Volunteer Fire Company would like to congratulate the Franklin High School football team for winning the state championships last night!  Reisterstown Volunteer Fire Company were proud to escort them up the 795 back to the high school.

Pictures courtesy of M Teller.