Newsletter

  At approximately 9:50 A.M. Thursday August 25, 2011 Harford County 911 began receiving reports of a dwelling fire at the intersection of Montford Drive and Creston Drive in the Forest Hill area. Additional information from the callers reported that there was possibly a person still in the house unable to exit. First arriving units from the Fallston Volunteer Fire and Ambulance Company found a two story wood frame dwelling with heavy fire involvement. Initially fire personnel began a defensive operation, attacking the fire from the exterior of the structure. After the majority of the visible fire was extinguished, fire crews entered the dwelling and continued extinguishment while performing a search of the structure. At this time a victim was located within the house. The fire was placed under control in approximately thirty minutes. Volunteer fire fighters from Harford, Baltimore, and York County responded to the one alarm fire. Additional large capacity tankers were special called due to the fire being located in an area not served by public hydrants. One volunteer firefighter was transported to a local hospital by ambulance for evaluation and treatment of a non-life threatening respiratory ailment. The Office of the State Fire Marshal has investigators on the scene to begin the investigation into the cause and origin of the fire.  Story by PIO Dave Williams

Saturday, August 20, 2011  FVFAC will be distributing the 2011-2012 Parking Permits on August 27, 2011 at 9:00 AM there is a $200.00 Donation required. Distribution of the parking permits will be at our Carrs Mill Staion 2201 Carrs Mill Rd, Fallston, MD.

Good Luck in the new school year and be safe. Remember to look out for children and school buses for safety.

Chief Billy Goldfeder is coming to Harford County.  This is an excellent training seminar.  Chief Goldfeder will be at Aberdeen Fire Department on Thursday, November 17, 2011.

Fireground Injury and Death: not......EVERYONE GOES HOME!

2011 Fire Officer and Fire Fighter Survival Program

1600 - 1800 Dinner & Equipment/ Vendor Display

1800 Seminar

Aberdeen Fire Department 21 N. Rogers Street Aberdeen, MD. 21001

Contact your local training officer for more details and to sign up. Seating is limited.

At 10:37 A.M. Thursday August 11, 2011 Harford County 911 dispatched the Fallston Volunteer Fire and Ambulance Company to a report of a person trapped approximately 30 (thirty) feet above ground as a result of a tree trimming accident. Initial arriving units located the incident, in the 1700 block of Shanwick Court (Forest Hill), to the rear of the residence approximately 200 (two hundred) feet from the road. The victim, a 24 year old male employed by a local tree service, had climbed to the height of approximately thirty feet and while trimming the tree a section of an adjacent tree subsequently fell and trapped him between branches at that level. Rescue personnel attempted to reach the victim by ladder but due to the extremely uneven and irregular terrain as well as the unstable tree sections above them were unable to safely complete the attempt. At this time, a bucket truck from the tree service company employing the victim arrived on the site and was placed over the embankment into the rear yard to allow emergency personnel access to the victim. A firefighter/paramedic was raised using the bucket truck to the level of the victim at which time the victim was assessed and pronounced deceased. At this time the Harford County Sheriff’s office began their initial investigation of the incident, as well as notifying the Maryland Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Office of the State Medical Examiner of the incident. After all agencies had arrived completed their initial investigations, the complex task of recovering the victim was begun. In order to safely carry out this process, additional resources were brought to the scene in the form of personnel and equipment from Harford County Department of Public Works and a crew from an independent contracted tree service. As the required resources were assembled, plans were developed, members of the Fallston and Bel Air Volunteer Fire Companies ascended to the victim’s position using the bucket truck on site, cut away the unstable tree sections, and utilizing a rope and pulley system lowered the victim to the ground at approximately 3:10 P.M. There were approximately sixty responding personnel from the Fallston and Bel Air Volunteer Fire Companies, Harford County Sheriff’s Office, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Maryland Occupational Safety and Health, Office of the State Medical Examiner, Harford County DPW, Harford County Disaster Assistance, Asplundh Tree Expert Co, and Baltimore Gas and Electric Co., as well as co-workers of the victim operating on the scene under a unified command system. No injuries were reported to any of the responding personnel. All of the responding agencies wish to express our condolences to the family and co-workers of the victim in this tragic accident. Article by PIO David Williams Harford County Volunteer Fire and EMS Association Office of Media Relations/Public Information  343 Granary Road, Suite C
Forest Hill, MD 21050

Tuesday, August 9, 2011  It is with deep regret that the Fallston Volunteer Fire and Ambulance Company announce the death of Firefighter Kurt Chenowith, who tragically lost his life today August 9, 2011.  Kurt started on his path in the fire service in April of 2002, while attending Fallston High School, as a member of the Fallston Volunteer Fire and Ambulance Company. Kurt went on to build his career with the Baltimore County Fire Department doing what he enjoyed, serving those in need. Kurt’s younger brother Kyle also joined FVFAC, following in his older sibling’s footsteps. The entire membership of the FVFAC sends our condolences to the Chenowith family, as well as to Kurt’s Fire Service family and friends at this most difficult time. We will update on more information as it becomes available.
Fire Specialist Kurt M. Chenowith
Baltimore County Fire Department “C” Shift Towson Station #1
Photo Courtesy: Fallston High School Yearbook, Class 2003

Wednesday, July 20, 2011  Last week FVFAC placed in service Medic 1391.  After hardwork and dedication it has been in service and taken its handful of calls just in one day. We are proud to present Medic 1391, it is a 2012 International ambulance with an all aluminum Lifeline body.  Its is equiped ALS and features all LED lighting, including scene lighting and full LED Vector lightbar.  Interior features include a fully computerized interface controlling all aspects of the functions of the anbulance, but has a "mechanical" backup system in case of computer failure.  The console features a touch pad control with integrated backup camera and onboard GPS system.  The unit is also equiped with an onboard laptop system for internet access to our electronic reporting system and firehouse paging system.  The patient care area features a CPR seat with a motorized electric cot which is center-mounted in the ambulance providing 360 degree access to the patient. The rear "dumps" air out of the airbag suspension allowing ease of loading a patient.

The unit was sold by Diamond State Ambulance of Newark, Delaware.  Special thank to Paul Monarski for making the process easy.


Also thank to the committee members:  Brian Woodley, Ed Benesch, Ken Sanner, Rebecca Gibbons, and Michael Kalck.
We are very pleased with how this unit turned out.  Its our 2nd Lifeline in our fleet and expect it'll serve us for many years to come.

 

Saturday, July 16, 2011    On Saturday July 16th 2010 at 1358 hours units from the Fallston Volunteer Fire and Ambulance Company (FVFAC) and surrounding companies were dispatched for smoke coming from a dwelling at 602 Powder Mill Rd. in Fallston. Harford County Fire Dispatch advised initial responding units that they were receiving multiple calls from neighbors in the area reporting that no one was at home at the residence. FVFAC Truck 1331 and Tanker 1321 immediately responded, with Truck 1331 arriving at 1405 hours advising they had smoking visible, coming from the chimney and eaves of the house. Upon entry to the single story rancher, crews were met with thick smoke and significant heat. As additional units from Fallston and the Bel Air VFC arrived on scene, crews were able to quickly locate the seat of the fire in a basement storage area. The fire was brought under control in about 20 minutes. Units on scene included those from the Fallston, Bel Air, Joppa-Magnolia, Jarrettsville, and Level Volunteer Fire Companies in Harford County as well as the Kingsville and Long Green Volunteer Fire Companies in Baltimore County. During the course of the fire one fire fighter suffered minor injuries from smoke inhalation, and he was transported to Bayview Medical Center by Medic 485 (Kingsville VFC), where he was treated and released that evening. The fire had been burning for several hours while the home owners were not home, prior to any calls to 911. The Maryland State Fire Marshall has ruled cause of the fire to be accidental in nature, caused by an electrical malfunction; they put the damages at $500,000.

Wednesday, July 6, 2011  _ Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders should always be transported in the upright position on the floor of the vehicle with all windows open. Never transport cylinders in the trunk of a car. Remove the cylinder from the vehicle as soon as possible.
_ Use the proper size wrench to ensure all connections are tight. Check all connections with soapy water. The appearance of bubbles indicates leaks, re-tighten leaking connections.
_ Make sure grease is not allowed to drip onto the hose or gas cylinder.
_ Store the cylinder (including those attached to barbecues), outdoors in a shaded, cool area out of direct sunlight.
_ Read thoroughly and follow manufacturer’s instructions for gas grill use. Save the instructions!
 
Outdoor Cooking Safety Tips for Charcoal Grills:
_ Use only a small amount of charcoal starter fuel. A little goes a long way! Consider using charcoal that does not require starter fuel for ignition.
_ Once a fire has been started, never add starter fuel! Fire can easily follow the stream of fluid back to the container causing an explosion.
_ Use great caution in disposing of ashes. Ashes may contain live coals that can start a fire if not disposed of properly. The safest method is to wet the ashes thoroughly with water before emptying the barbecue.
 
Information courtesy of Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office.
For more information go to www.firemarshal.state.md.us 

Tuesday, June 28, 2011  Fallston Fire and Ambulance Company would like to remind everyone celebrating this weekend for the July 4th Independence Day to be safe. Remember, DON'T DRINK & DRIVE and BUCKLE UP. Safety first.  Fireworks are very dangerous.PLEASE BE SAFE.