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| Call Totals: | ||||||||
| 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 |
| 2,099 as of 12/31 | 2,083 | 2,030 | 1,801 | 1,812 | 1,630 | 1,594 | 1,505 | 1,521 |
Photos below courtesy of A/C 1 (Buchanan), who was so excited to use his new Nikon D40X (thanks Best Buy for that 20% discount!) that he didn't even mark up on the radio!!
Fire rages on the stove before being extinguished by Company 1.
Fire showing from Side Bravo!
Lieutenant Gillingham working side by side with Leesburg Police.
Smoke venting from the exhaust system above the Mighty Midget.
Crews working on ventilation and securing utilities.
Photo 1 Charles Speacht, caught in action while Chief Earley looks on.
Just after 1900 hours on November 24th, Company 1 was dispatched for a car fire on Industrial Court. Upon arrival, Lt. Fazekas and his crew found a Buick Grand National well involved in front of a building. The fire was knocked quickly with no extension to the building.
Photos courtesy of A/C 1 (Buchanan)
Teamwork in the fire service is critical to the safety and success of all involved. Sometimes, though, the teamwork can get a bit out of hand!
Re-racking a 200' crosslay should take 3-4 people, 1 on top, one on each side, and maybe a 4th person feeding hose.
Looks like we've got a little extra help here..
Hmmmmm..., isn't that like 6 people just feeding hose?
The only thing that could make this go less smoothly would be to involve a chief!
The preceding pictures were taken outside the Leesburg Premium Outlets at about 0145 hours on November 24th after a reported "structure fire" had been extinguished. Turned out some mulch and brush were smoldering in a corner near one of the stores. Company 1 responded with Tanker 1, Truck 1, Engine 1, and Chief 1 (Earley), who had "Ft. Evans Command".
Earlier in the shift, a similar call was handled on Galloway Drive, where a tree next to a house caught fire and caused slight damage to the vinyl siding. All this action just goes to prove that Capt. Neiberger is in fact the "Crew 3 Jinx". Now that most of #3 has moved to the Crew 2 slot and with Capt. Neiberger being replaced by A/C Buchanan for the night, the crew actually ran calls and flowed water! Let the mutiny begin!!!
At approximately 0350 hours on October 31, Engine Companies 6, 23, 18, and 1, Tower 6, Truck 1, Ambulance 6, and Battalion 602 were dispatched to a house fire on Raleigh Place in Ashburn. Truck 1 was the first unit to arrive and reported nothing evident. Chief 6 arrived next, followed closely by Engine 18, who laid a line from the closest hydrant to the scene. Tanker 1 was next to arrive. They picked up Engine 18's line.
Chief 6 was advised by Lt. Martin on Truck 1 that there were no hazards and he recommended holding Truck 1 and Engine 18. This was communicated to the ECC and responding units were cancelled.
Upon returning to Station 20, Tanker 1's crew reported an unusual sighting. Master Firefighter Glenn Barnhardt swears he heard sirens and saw flashing lights as he responded through the intersection of Belmont Ridge Road and Rt. 7 in Tanker 1. We know that couldn't be true, so we're just chalking that up to Glenn's advancing age and the constant ringing in the ears he's gotten as a result of counting all the change we bring him from Home Depot pub-eds.
Pictures courtesy of MFF John Earley.
Engine 18's crew pulled an attack line to the front door on this reported house fire.
Truck 1 had an easy time getting a good position on Side A.
Nothing hazardous was found and units quickly returned to service.
On Sunday, September 30th at approximately 1755 hours, just 5 minutes before the career staff's weekend was to begin, a box alarm was sounded for an apartment fire at the Manor Apartment Complex on Fort Evans Road. Engine Companies 1, 6, 10 and 5, Trucks 1 and 338, Rescue 13 were dispatched, along with the normal complement of support personnel. Tanker and Truck 1 arrived on the scene to find nothing showing. Their investigation revealed a smoldering fire in the attic adjacent to an exhaust fan. Just as on the previous 2 calls of a similar nature at this same complex, the fire burned through structural roof members, but never got to the free burning stage.
Chief 1 (Earley) had command, while A/C 1 (Buchanan) established "Division 2" on the fire floor. After knocking down the visible fire in the attack area, crews began pulling ceilings to expose additional smoldering hot spots in the blown-in insulation. LCFR crews on the Truck, Tanker and Rescue were joined by volunteer crews from Wagon 1 and Reserve Engine 1, as well as the career crew from Co. 6. After a substantial amount of overhaul, two apartments were left uninhabitable until repairs could be made. Crews cleared the scene by around 1930 hours.
At around 0800 hours on Monday, October 1st, the same assignment was dispatched to the same apartment building for a reported "rekindle". That's not a word that should be thrown around too easily, as it implies that something was missed on a previous call. Turns out, it was not applicable on this call.
Chief 1 again responded and again had command. Company 1 units, some staffed with the same personnel as the night before, began their investigation and found numerous spots in the attic with smoldering fires. The same tactics used on the first call were utilized on this incident, though virtually the entire ceiling and attic were cleared this time. The multiple fires on this call appear to have been caused by damaged electrical wires that somehow became energized after the previous incident.
Published estimates put the total damage from both fire at $45,000. No injuries occurred, but the entire building was closed after the second call, displacing approximately 25 residents.
On the night of Thursday, September 20th, Crew 1 was alerted to a vehicle crash with entrapment on James Monroe Highway near Body Works, just south of the town line. Engine Company 1, along with Medic 13, Squad 13, BC602, and EMS601 were dispatched. Volunteer crews on the Engine, Truck, and Tanker, responded with Captain 1 and Deputy Chief 1 close behind. On scene, Tanker 1 arrived to find a fully-involved passenger vehicle from which the driver had been pulled out by civilians. The second vehicle came to rest on the opposite side of the road. Tragically, the driver of that vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene.
Deputy Chief 1 (Delalian) arrived and held command, as the situation was being evaluated and the driver of the first vehicle was in the care of Medic 13, reports from that victim continued to claim three other passengers were with her. A search of the scene ensued using K-9s from the LCSO and the Fire Marshal's office, along with thermal imaging cameras and other resources. Fortunately, no other patients were found. Tanker 1's crew had a good knock on the fire while the Engine crew began to set-up an LZ for Aircare. The patient was flown to a local trauma center for evaluation. Volunteer crews from Company 1 remained on-scene to assist Virginia State Police with lighting while they completed their investigation. Crews cleared the scene around 0100 hours.
Shortly after 0100 hours on September 9th, Engine Companies 1 and 6, Tanker 1, Ambulance 13, and Battalion 2 were alerted for a Tractor-trailer fire on Cochran Mill Road in the area of the WO&D Bike Trail. Tanker 1 responded with MFF Dequittner, FF AJ Durham, FF Ray "Bubbles" Mereish, and FF Alan Battershell. Following behind were Wagon 1, Lieutenant 1, and Deputy Chief 1. Tanker 1 was approaching the scene and advised there were smoke conditions almost 1/2 a mile away. The crew arrived and found the cab of a dump-truck well involved. FF Durham established "Cochran Mill Command" while FF's Mereish and Battershell deployed the 200ft 1 3/4 cross-lay. The crew had a good knock on the fire as Engine 6 was arriving and Lt. 1 assumed command. A small amount of hazardous run-off was contained with supplies from Squad 13. Units remained on-scene while the Fire Marshal's office concluded its investigation.
At 1641 hours on September 1st, Engine Companies 1,6,5,10, Trucks 1 and 6, Rescue 13, Battalion 602 and Medic 13 were dispatched for a structure fire at Market Station on Harrison Street. First arriving units found smoke showing from the roof. Investigation revealed a small fire accessible from the 3rd floor, with possible extension to the roof area. Lt. Johnson (LCFR) on Engine 1 had initial command and was then assigned "Division 3".
The first was extinguished quickly, but salvage, overhaul, and the investigation took quite a while. Units from Co. 1 on the scene were:
To listen to an audio file (mp3 format) of the first 30 minutes or so of the call, click here. Raw file is courtesy of Jeff Brown, Sterling Volunteer Fire Department. The file was edited to remove dead air and other non-relevant audio.
Pictures courtesy of FF Jimmy Hill, Co. 5.
Truck 1 in front of Market Station.
Engine 1 being supplied by Tanker 1.
Crews opened up a small section of the roof to ensure there was no extension.
Co. 1 FF Mark Arend (L) at the command post with EMS BC Sam Dahl (IC) and BC Mike Nally.
Co. 1's Lt. J. C. Blaylock, an unidentified redhat, and PFF Joe Morris working on forcible entry.
Plenty of ladders were thrown to the building
Crews taking a breather on a hot summer day.
Sunday evening turned out to fairly busy for the crew that always sleeps well. Shortly after returning from a fire alarm in Beacon Hill, Company 1 was alerted for a working Townhouse fire in the 43000 block of Laburnum Sq. in Ashburn. Engine companies 6, 23, 11, and 9, Tower 11 and Truck 1, along with Battalion 2 responded. Truck 1, led by Captain Neiberger along with volunteer Firefighters AJ Durham, Chip Mullen, David Robertson, and Probie Dwayne Eddie-Kappauf, arrived as the 2nd due special service.
Upon arrival the crew was assigned to stand as the RIT. The fire was quickly contained in the basement by the crews from Ashburn and Sterling. Truck 1 assisted with exterior operations and then was assigned to check for extension above the fire and in the Baker exposure. Crews found fire in the walls running to the second floor; that fire was extinguished with some quick work. Truck 1 continued to assist the interior crews with salvage and overhaul operations until the incident was scaled back. During this incident, volunteers maintained additional engine staffing back at Station 20 and responded to two more calls for service that evening.
At approximately 0350 hours on August 22nd, Company's 6, 1, 13, and BC 602 were dispatched to Harry Byrd Highway and Ashburn Village Blvd. for the report of a truck fire. As units were responding, the Loudoun County ECC updated the location to be on Harry Byrd Highway somewhere between Belmont Ridge Road and Golf Club Road, just within Company 6's first due area. Tanker 1, led by Capt. Chris Dempsey, arrived first and reported a single vehicle accident involving a tractor trailer with the sleeper cab of the tractor well involved. MFF Anthony Jackson and PFF Jeff McCoy stretched a 200 ft., 1 3/4" attack line to the truck and began extinguishment while FF Ray Mereish, at the pump, ensured they had adequate water and foam for the job. Wagon 6 placed a second line in service upon their arrival to assist with extinguishment. The driver and passenger had moderate injuries and were transported by Medic 6 while the engine companies from Ashburn and Leesburg remained on scene to assist the fire marshal. As Tanker 1's crew never had an interruption to their water supply, Ray "Bubbles" Mereish did a fine job on his first "working" fire as a newly-released driver.
Pictures courtesy of Ashburn Vol. Fire Department
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On the morning of Friday, August 10th, Company 1 was dispatched for an outside gas leak in the area of the Montessori school at the end of Ft. Evans Road N. E. Tanker 1 was first on the scene and established a water supply. While they were responding, the Loudoun County ECC was taking multiple calls from residents who smelled natural gas all over the area. They upgraded the call, adding several other units and a battalion chief. As the situation became clearer, a second alarm was requested. Units from that alarm staged at Station 20, where Co. 1's Lt. Cook initially had staging until relieved by Chief 1, Paul Earley.
Unified command was established, with representatives from Leesburg Police, Town of Leesburg, and Washington Gas. Command established divisions at the Leesburg Premium Outlet Mall and on Edwards Ferry Road to perform monitoring. Truck 1, staffed by LCFR, and Engine 1 with volunteers staged at the Montessori school and metered the school building and the veterinary hospital across the street. The school was told to shelter in place, keeping all windows and doors closed. Gas coming from the storm sewers was very strong near the vet hospital, so command ordered it evacuated. As this was taking place, the gas valve was located and turned off, so the building was reopened.
Hazmat 19 performed final monitoring in the area of the leak. Truck 1 used fans to ventilate the storm sewers once the gas was secured. The leak had come from damage done to a 6" to 8" service line by a back-hoe digging in the area.
Back at Station 20, Company 1 had Wagon 1 Reserve Engine 1, Jeep 1, and Command 1 staffed with volunteers as part of the staging assignment. All units cleared the scene by around 1245.
Pictures courtesy of Lt. Jim Fazekas, Co. 1.
View down Ft. Evans Road from near the veterinary hospital to the scene.
The back-hoe near Tanker 1 was the culprit.
Truck 1 and Engine 1's crews standing by after performing monitoring and evacuations.
Town of Leesburg personnel assisted with traffic control.
Washington Gas personnel located the gas valve to secure the leak.
Natural gas coming from a storm sewer and a hot vehicle...hmmmm.
On July 28th, FF A. J. Durham was cleared to begin driving fire apparatus after completing our driver training program. Since Lt. Fazekas' other drivers weren't available, A. J. was filling in on Crew 1. Shortly after the shift began, a box assignment for a house fire in the Silver Oaks subdivision was dispatched. As Tanker 1 approached the scene, Lt. Fazekas announced there was "smoke in the area". Tanker 1 arrived at the end of Halifax Place and dropped a line at the corner, then proceeded up the street, taking a position near the pipestem that led to the subject house. Finding smoke coming from the rear, Lt. Fazekas ordered his crew to pull the leader line (200 ft. of 2 1/2 and 200" of 1 3/4 with a gated wye).
While investigating and waiting for the line to be fully deployed and charged, Lt. Fazekas found a garden hose lying along the side of the house and pressed it into service to begin cooling the charred framing members in a closet containing the electric water heater. The 1 3/4 was quickly brought into the basement and more water was applied. Most of the fire was out upon arrival, having starved itself of oxygen in the confined space where it began.
Truck 1 and Wagon 5 assisted with overhaul and the significant job of ventilation that was required on the main level. After thorough checks for extension and more overhaul, Wagon 5 was released and went to Station 20 for the fill. Lt. Jim Cook had command. Units remained on the scene for approximately an hour. The Loudoun County Fire Marshal's office is investigating the cause of the fire. No injuries occurred.
A. J. did a nice job on his first call as a driver. Later in the evening, Company's 1 and 5 were dispatched for an oven fire, but it turned out be quite small and contained to the appliance of origin. If A. J.'s "black cloud" phenomenon continues, he'll be a popular driver indeed!!
Photos courtesy of Lt. Jim Fazekas' camera, taken by Capt. Neiberger and A/C Buchanan.
The initial attack line...wonder what the friction loss in that line is?
Lieutenant Fazekas examines the damage.
View from Side C into the structure.
Gratuitous picture featuring A/C 1. (Hey, I'm usually behind the camera...gotta take what I can get!!)
After all the fun is over, its time for the real work!
A lack of rainfall in the Loudoun County is beginning to show itself in an increased call volume. July 25th was a prime example. Around lunch time, a box alarm was sounded for a barn fire in Co. 10's area, near Limestone School Road. It turned out to be a field fire threatening a barn, but all the resources from the barn fire assignment and more were needed to corral a fast-moving brush fire that travelled across several fields, igniting roll bales as it went.
In the end, units from 10, 1, 12, 5, 6, 2, 4, 13, and Frederick County 28 were on the scene. Company 1 sent Engine 1 and Truck 1 staffed by career personnel, followed by Tanker 1 and Jeep 1 with volunteers. Units operated on the scene for about 90 minutes before clearing. While flushing and filling her tank, Engine 1 experienced an electrical anomaly which required the application of an extinguishing agent to an electrical component, but a little strategic use of duct tape and she was as good as new. (Or at least good enough to make it back to Station 1 for a complete repair!!)
It was a good thing too, since later in the evening, resources from Co. 1 would once again be called upon. At around 2145 hours, a house fire assignment was dispatched to Bluemont for a fire "in the area of" Snickersville Turnpike. Apparently, it wasn't hard to see, just difficult to find an access road leading to it. Units on the fire call had their hands full, so when neighboring residents became concerned about embers flying onto their properties, resources to investigate were a bit thin in the West.
Again, Company 1 assisted, this time sending Engine 1 (sans duct tape), Jeep 1, and A/C 1 to help out. Engine 5, Chief 5, EMS 601, Brush 4 and Truck 21 (Mt. Weather) were already on the scene and had taken positions to monitor falling embers and extinguish any spot fires they created. Jeep 1 and Wagon 12 were sent to Whitehall Farm Lane to assist Chief 5 while Engine 1 and A/C 1 positioned on Railroad St. Engine 1 provided additional water to Engine 5 while A/C 1 established "Railroad Command". After about 20 minutes, the bulk of the house fire was knocked down, so the ember problem was eliminated. Units picked up equipment and returned to service.
The night wasn't over quite yet though. Engine 1 was sent to Station 2 to fill-in as a tanker. Meanwhile, back at Station 20, volunteers were in place to staff Tanker 1, Truck 1, Wagon 1 and Command 1. Just another day for #1.
Photos courtesy of Lt. Jim Fazekas, Co. 1.
View from J-1 as it made its way around the perimeter.
Tanker 1 along the fence, flowing an 1 3/4 line and a forestry line.
This tractor was used to break up the roll bales.
Brush 10 and Brush 6 off in the distance.
Firefighter A. J. Durham (Co. 1) operates J-1's line.
Here's an unusual sight in Lucketts! Earlier, 6's engine was flowing her deck gun in the middle of the field!
Jeep 10 made an appearance as well.
Master FF Steve Earley assists Lt. Fazekas at the refill site.
Can you identify these legs?
Jeep 1 at a stand-off with cattle in the field.
At around 2215 hours on July 11th, Duty Crew 2 was dispatched to their second auto accident of the night. This time, it was reported as a rollover near Rt 7 and Golf Club Drive. Wagon 1 responded with a crew of 5, along with Captain 102 (Dempsey) in Command 1. As units arrived on the scene, they found a Toyota minivan on its roof in the median strip of Route 7 near Goose Creek. After a quick assessment, it was determined there was a patient trapped in the vehicle. EMS 601 requested an operations channel and Captain Dempsey had command.
With the report of entrapment, Truck 1 and A/C 1 added on to the call. Wagon 1's crew, led by Lt. Gillingham, utilized the cribbing and hydraulic tools now carried on Wagon 1 to stabilize the vehicle, then cut the door frame off the driver's side door. With better access, they were able to pop the driver's door and gain access to the patient. Medic 6-3 and Ambulance 13 packaged the patient and loaded her into the medic for a quick trip to Cornwall. Company 1 units cleared the scene shortly thereafter.
Photos courtesy of A/C 1 (Buchanan).
Wagon 1 was the first Co. 1 unit on the scene. They handled the extrication.
This Toyota minivan with a single occupant somehow ended up on its top in the median of Rt. 7.
Truck 1 responded and provided additional lighting and stabilization equipment.
Slight door modifications and a quick door pop with a hydraulic tool provided access to the patient.
View west from the eastbound lanes of Rt. 7.
Related Story -- Video from Channel 9 news regarding the difference in outcomes for these two fires. Interesting report featuring Loudoun County's Chief Fire Marshal Keith Brower. Click here to see it.
Update -- First set of pictures from Seaton Court -- Click here for the slideshow.
Second set of pictures from Seaton Court, taken by Shelly Amor of Leesburg. She took them from her deck...what an experience that must have been!! Thanks Shelly for these pictures. To see them, click here.
Here's a video clip from Co. 1. Firefighter David Robertson, who received it from a neighbor in his apartment complex. To a somewhat biased observer, the best part of this video is the arrival of Jeep-1 at the end! Click here to view it. (You'll need Apple's Quicktime viewer or something compatible with a .3g2 file.)
Two working structure fires hit Company 1's first due area Monday morning, July 2nd, the first coming at around 0440 hours in
the 100 block of Cherry Lane. Engine 1 was the first arriving unit, led by Capt. Pete Comanduras. With a crew of 3 (FF Ginman
and FF Battershell), the Engine's crew made an aggressive attack on the second floor. With help from Truck 1's crew (FF Durham, FF Fierstien),
they gained quick access to the attic and put a great knock on the fire. Meanwhile, in the basement, a crew checking
for extension found fire in the ceiling. An 1 3/4 line being used on Side C was fed inside and that fire was knocked as well.
Chief 1 (Earley) had "Appletree Command". Engine, Tanker and Truck 1 were the Leesburg units on the scene. No injuries were reported on this call and the Loudoun County Fire Marshals's office is investigating the cause. For more pictures from the first fire, click here. (All pictures courtesy of Photo 1, Charles Speacht.)
At around 0520, with overhaul underway at the first fire, Loudoun ECC notified Appletree Command that they were dispatching a second structure fire in Leesburg. Units were already en route to Leesburg and other stations for fill-in assignments due to the fire in Leesburg, so an interesting box assignment was assembled and dispatched to the 700 block Seaton Court. Loudoun ECC notified responding units that the fire was visible from the dispatch center on Courage Court. Company 1's career staff had begun to report for their 6:00 a.m. shift, so LCFR Lt. Pisauro took a crew on Wagon 1 from Station 20. Others followed in Jeep 1 and Utility 1, joining Wagon 5, Tower 2, Engine 6, Engine 18, Engine 2, Rescue Engine 10, Frederick Quint 14 and others. Battalion 1 (David Short, Co. 11) had command.
Wagon 1 arrived first and quickly put protective lines in place to preserve the Baker exposure and to begin
knocking down a large volume of fire that was consuming the house. Wagon 5 arrived next and positioned on the David side and
placed their deck gun in service. Engine 6 pulled a 2 1/2 and operated on Side D as well. Tower 2's ladder pipe was employed to
do perform cleanup, hitting spots unreachable from the ground and pushing much of the structure into the foundation.
The house was a total loss. An investigation into the cause is underway.
Preliminary pictures from July 2nd's activity. Photos courtesy of A/C 1 (Buchanan).
Side C view of the Appletree fire.
After the first fire was knocked down, a 2nd was dispatched. You can see the smoke behind Tower 6.
Wagon 1 was one of the first arriving engines.
The fire on Seaton Court had progressed a long way before it was noticed and called in. Wagon 5's crew was one of the few that made it to both fires.
The Side Baker exposure received only minor heat damage thanks to the efforts of Wagon 1.
Tower 2 cools hotspots after most of the fire was extinguished. The Side Charlie exposure also received heat damage.
Chopper 4 was the first aircraft on the scene, followed quickly by Fox 5's bird.
At around 1800 hours on June 27th, Company 7 (Aldie) was dispatched for a brush fire at Gilbert's Corner (15 and 50). During the course of this incident, it became apparent that there were several small brush fires along the shoulder of Route 15, heading in the direction of Leesburg. At about 1810 hours, Company 1 was dispatched for a vehicle fire at Little Oatlands Lane and Rt. 15. Hmmm, coincidence?
As Engine 1, Ambulance 13-2 and A/C 1 responded from Leesburg, Tanker 7 headed north on 15 and found several small spot fires. Then, as they got closer to Oatlands, they noticed a bit more smoke. Rounding the bend, they arrived on the scene of a well-involved vehicle fire involving a van. Just after they marked on the scene, units from Leesburg arrived. Tanker 7's crew, led by LCFR Lt. Brazier started the attack and were then assisted by Lt. Jim Fazekas and Engine 1's crew. The fire was quickly knocked down, but some debris under the vehicle was quite stubborn and didn't want to go out. A/C 1 ordered Engine 1's driver to add foam to their line and once it got flowing, the remaining hot spots were extinguished.
Apparently, as the vehicle was driving north, something was falling from it, setting off small grass fires on the shoulder. Eventually, the whole van became involved and ended up a total loss. Traffic on 15 wasn't much better, having been shut down for at least 30 minutes. No one was injured on the call, though a few dinners were probably cold by the time travelers arrived home.
Photos courtesy of A/C 1 (Buchanan), with one exception, which was taken by a certain FF who shall remain nameless...
Engine 1's view upon arrival. (Photo by Lt. Jim Fazekas, Co. 1)
This was the scene as Tanker 7's crew put the first water on the fire.
Both crews working together now.
Lieutenant Brazier directing crews in their efforts.
Lieutenant Fazekas works on the rear door.
And who's that in the white helmet attaching the foam aerator?
On Wednesday, May 23 as Engine and Truck 1 were clearing a house fire in Ashburn at approximately 1740 hours, Company 1 units along with surrounding companies were dispatched for reports of an aircraft down in the area of Mt. Gilead Rd and Hogback Mountain Rd. The Loudoun ECC received the call from the FAA who was relaying information to units enroute to the scene. Command was set up with Chief 1 (Earley) and Captain 101 (Neiberger).
It was quickly decided it would be very difficult to visually locate the aircraft through the vegetation in the area. A local pilot and the Virginia State Police helicopter were able to quickly locate the aircraft from the air approx 1/2 mile from the staging area. Jeep 1 proceeded to the scene and reported there was a small fuel leak but the pilot was unharmed. Rescue Engine 1 proceeded to the scene to assist with fuel leak.
Command was terminated and units began returning to service. Units from Co. 1 on the call were:
Photos and text courtesy of FF Brian Duddy, Co. 1.
Capt. Neiberger says, "I can't find that plane anywhere!"
Jeep 1 plows through the tall grass...there better not be any scratches!
The mostly undamaged plane ended up in a grassy field.
One very lucky and skillful pilot ended up with no injuries.
Another view of J-1, this one from Lt. Gillingham.
At around 0428 hours on May 9th, Engine Companies 1, 6, 10, 5, Trucks 1, 6, and 2, Ambulance 13 and Battalion 2 were dispatched for an apartment fire at The Manor complex on Fort Evans Road. Truck and Engine 1 were on the scene about 5 minutes after the initial dispatch. A light haze of smoke and a little heat greeted Lt. Fazekas and crews as they made it to the 2nd floor apartment. After a brief investigation, it was determined that there was a smoldering fire in the ceiling near a ventilation fan.
Just after initial crews marked on the scene, A/C 1 (Buchanan) and D/C 1 (Delalian) arrived. A/C 1 had "Fort Evans Command" and D/C 1 entered the fire building and assumed "Division 3". Inside, crews began pulling ceiling and hitting the smoldering insulation with the 1 3/4 line they'd pulled from Truck 1 (don't ask). The fire never progressed beyond smoldering, but managed to burn through several roof trusses in the attic before being discovered.
Crews from Truck, Engine, Reserve Engine 1, Rescue Engine 10, Wagon 5, Tower 6, and Ambulance 13-2 remained on the scene for approximately 90 minutes, performing overhaul and ensuring all hot spots had been found in the blown-in insulation. Rescue Engine 1, Engine 6 and Tower 2 reached the scene, but were returned to service by command. Battalion 2 (Nally), Loudoun 8 (Shank), and the FM were on scene for the investigation and to assist displaced residents. In the end, only the apartment directly affected by the fire was uninhabitable. The Red Cross was also on the scene. No injuries occurred and the Fire Marshal's office is handling the investigation. All units were in service by 0630.
Photos courtesy of Jimmy Hill, Company 5.
Engine 1 laid a line from a hydrant down to the scene.
Crews pulled an 1 3/4 attack line from Tru-quint 1.
This picture could have been taken way back in the day....
Even Tower 6 got to play, and they did a nice job inside.
Quick, figure out where they keep the ladder stretcher!
Since Jimmy was taking pictures, you know he wasn't going to let down the guys (and girl) from 5!
Just a foot more, that's all we needed, just one more foot!
Hmmmm, is this the chimney sweep or a firefighter? Nice goin' Duddy!
At approximately 0250 hours on April 24th, Engine Companies 6, 1, 18, 11, Truck 1, Tower 11, Ambulance 6 and Battalion 1 were dispatched to a structure fire in the 43000 block of Pierpoint Terrace in the Lansdowne on the Potomac community. Though second due, Truck 1 (Quint 18 running as Truck 1) arrived first. What greeted Captain Comanduras and his truck crew made them glad they had a quint! The rear of 1 attached dwelling unit was well involved and the fire was spreading vertically and horizontally to other units. Just to make it interesting, the fire was being fed by a ruptured natural gas line on the rear of the building.
Truck 1's crew quickly placed lines in service on Side C while the driver established a water supply and began throwing ladders. As Medic 6-4 arrived on scene, the unit's officer requested a second alarm. As other units began to arrive and begin an interior attack, the fire broke through the roof. Chief 6 arrived on the scene and established "Pierpoint Command". Shortly thereafter, an order to evacuate was given by command and a defensive strategy was employed. Truck 1 and Tower 11 were in position to provide ladder pipes for the attack, and Engine 1's crew, led by MFF McMurrer, had found a great access point from a neighboring street that gave them both a water supply and a clear path for their deck gun, Blitzfire, and bumper line.
Once the master streams were at work, the fire was quickly knocked down and crews were once again able to enter the structures. Operations were complicated by the continuing natural gas leak and the fact that 2 1/2 units in a 4 unit block were involved in the fire. Hotspots were extinguished and salvage and overhaul got underway. Washington Gas was on the scene, digging a trench in the back yard to try to find the supply line so they could crimp it and end the leak.
Command began releasing units as the sun started to rise. No injuries occurred. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Loudoun County Fire Marshal's Office.
Pictures (except the first one) courtesy of Asst. Chief Ian Buchanan, Co. 1, who, believe it or not, arrived on a fire engine!!!
Picture taken by Lt. Khoa Pham from Co. 6 early in the operation.
Truck 1 (Quint 18 borrowed by LVFC from Sterling) was the first on the scene.
Company 1 FF Andy Shadwick assists in getting water flowing from the ladder pipe.
Rear view of the David 1 exposure and the main fire building.
Another view from Side Charlie.
Master FF Anthony Jackson at the controls of Engine 1. At one point, this unit was flowing her deck gun, Blitzfire, and the bumper line.
Front view of Tower 11 on her first working fire. The ladder pipe seems to work!
View from under Tower 11's ladder.
Okay, enough with the Tower already!
Captain Pete Comanduras and his crew made the initial attack on Side C.
Okay, how does Technician John Earley come on the 2nd alarm from Luckett's as ER-10's chauffeur and still end up inside?
Dulles Airport units aren't a very common sight in the Leesburg area.
Chief 6 (Gary Corpuz) was the incident commander. He had lots of help!
Diners at Clyde's Restaurant in Ashburn got a bit of a scare on Saturday night (3/31/07) as the restaurant began filling with smoke. A full structure fire assignment was dispatched to the Co. 23 box, with Truck 1 as part of response. Once on the scene, Truck 1 extended the stick to the roof and crews checked the roof and attic for extension.
According to published reports, the smoke was caused by a discarded cigarette that ended up in the mulch around the building, causing a great deal of smoke that entered the restaurant. The facility was briefly evacuated while the investigation was completed. No injuries occurred and damage was minimal.
Pictures courtesy of Jim Larson of Purcellville, VA.
What's everyone doing outside the restaurant?
Truck 1 in position to ladder the roof.
Captain Dempsey makes his way along the stick.
Units preparing to clear the scene after the mulch fire was extinguished.
Just before 2200 hours on Wednesday, March 28th, Company 1 was dispatched for a fire alarm in the 600 block of Fort Evans Road N.E. As Wagon 1 was responding from the training center, the call was upgraded to a kitchen fire and a full box assignment was added. Engine Companies 6, 23, and 10, Tower 6 and Battalion 2 and Ambulance 13 made up the rest of the dispatched units. Chief 1 and A/C 1 added on to the call.
Wagon 1 arrived on the scene first, followed quickly by Captain 102 (Dempsey), who established command. Wagon 1's crew, led by Lt. Blaylock investigated and found a kitchen fire that had been extinguished by the sprinkler system. Command held Wagon 1, Truck 1, and the next arriving engine, which worked out being Tanker 1. Remaining units were placed in service.
With the fire out, the task became securing the activated sprinkler head and removing water from the affected apartments. Units remained on the scene for about an hour. The Loudoun County Fire Marshal's Office is handling the investigation. No injuries occurred on this call.
Pictures courtesy of A/C 1.
Wagon and Truck 1 on Side A of the building.
Captain Dempsey had the command.
FF Chip Mullen retrieving equipment from Tanker 1
MFF Glenn Barnhardt at the controls of Truck 1.
Inside, this wooden wedge is all that's holding back the water from the sprinkler system.
Lieutenant Fazekas and Captain Comanduras enjoy a spring shower as they replace the sprinkler head.
Lieutenant Blaylock checks out the water level on the apartment floor.
With Superbowl celebrations (or grieving, depending on your choice of team) still underway, Engine Companies 1, 6, 10, 5, Truck 1, Towers 6 and 2, Ambulance 13, and Battalion 2 were dispatched for a structure fire in a townhouse on the 200 block of Golden Larch Terrace in Leesburg. As units began responding, the Loudoun ECC advised they were upgrading the call due to reports of a vehicle into the structure with someone trapped and the building on fire. Rescue Squad 13 and a medic unit were added.
The first units arrived on the scene on Side A and could find no visible damage or fire. A quick walk to the rear of the house revealed a different story. Inside the bottom level of a 3 story townhouse, they found a full-size sedan completely inside the house. The vehicle was still running and it appeared the occupant was trying to exit the structure.
Crews returned to Side A to pull an 1 3/4 line which they took inside through the front door, then down to the basement where they opened the garage door. The steam from the broken radiator and exhaust from the vehicle quickly vented and crews began concentrating their efforts on securing the vehicle and its lone occupant. With conflicting reports coming to the incident commander (Chief 1, Earley), the decision was made to evacuate the structure and develop a plan with Leesburg Police on how to secure the vehicle and remove the occupant. Captain 1 (Comanduras) and his crew were able to reach the vehicle and secure it and were able to assist in getting the driver out and into the hands of Medic 13.
Once that was accomplished, the call became an effort to secure utilities, shore up the structure, and wait for a tow truck to come and remove the car. Several units were released by command and remaining units began picking up equipment, which included several hundred feet of hose that was now frozen due to the very cold temperatures.
At around 0100 hours, the vehicle was pulled from the structure and remaining units cleared the scene shortly thereafter. The driver of the vehicle was the only injured party. All units were back in service by 0130.
Units on the scene:
Pictures courtesy of Assistant Chief Ian Buchanan, Co. 1.
Hmmm, nothing seems out of place on Side A, let's look around back....
That's either a really big gate or.....
Found it!!! Apparently the driver didn't realize the garage was on Side A.
After the patient was removed and the tow truck arrived, efforts began to remove the vehicle.
Apparently Captain Neiberger is bored with the whole vehicle removal thing.
Some careful maneuvering was required to pull the car out without doing more damage.
Assorted building materials are embedded in the front of the car.