Busy Sunday for West Friendship Volunteers
 
By Fire Fighter/EMT Pieter Lucas
November 20, 2016
 

Members were busy today running multiple significant incidents, due in part to the low humidity, high winds, and low fuel moisture in the area.

Sunday morning came early when the station was alerted for the reported house fire at 05:59. Callers on I-70 reported seeing a house on fire somewhere north of 70; while units were responding the alarm company called and reported several fire alarm activations from the Willow Springs Golf Course clubhouse located at 12980 Livestock Road in the 3-66 box. Engine 31 arrived to find a two story structure (original farmhouse on the property converted to the golf course clubhouse) with heavy fire showing. 31 requested the task force and tanker task force respond while crews began initial fire attack. Chief 3 arrived and assumed command while Tanker 3 established a dump site in the parking lot. A fill site was set up utilizing the fire hydrant in the parking lot of WFVFD. After an initial interior attack crews were pulled from the structure while Tower 12's master stream was put in service. The fire was declared out at 10:04. Engine 31 cleared the scene at 11:59.

After returning to quarters to clean and re-stock equipment, at 14:43 the tones sounded for the rescue with unknown injuries at 12201 Triadelphia Road in the 3-29 box. Chief 5A was on location with a vehicle off the road and requested a response. Units located a Corvette in a front yard and assessed and transported one patient to Howard County General Hospital with minor injuries.

At 15:45 a caller reported a fire on Manor Lane on the Doughoregan Manor property. Doughoregan Manor is the historic country home of Charles Carroll of Carrollton, the last surviving signer of the Declaration of Independence. The caller advised that due to the high winds power lines running through the trees sparked a fire in the cornfield, bringing Tanker 3, Tanker 34, Tanker 17 (housed at WFVFD), Water Supply 3, Brush 38, and Chief 3 to the scene. Fortunately crews were able to get ahead of the fire and it was declared to be contained at 16:05 and out at 17:00.

Then at 18:08 the Fifth District VFD was dispatched for some trees on fire at 13805 Clarksville Pike in Highland. When units arrived they observed that there was an approximately 10x20 shed fully involved in addition to the trees, bringing the full box to the scene including Tanker 3 and Rehab 1. Rehab 1 is at WFVFD during November and December. The cistern located at Schooley Mill Park on Hall Shop Road was used as a water source and this fire was declared out at 20:31.

After clearing Tanker 3 was placed on another reported brush fire on Elmwood Road in Fulton in Station 11's first due. The caller advised the woods were on fire behind the house but fortunately the fire was small and Tanker 3 was cancelled prior to arrival.

During this time Engine 31 and Tower 3 were dispatched to fill in at Station 7 on Banneker Road in Columbia while 7's units were operating at the fire in Highland. Members at the station staffed Engine 32 and Paramedic 35 and stood-by to cover the first due.

We then had a very fitting and welcome conclusion to our busy Sunday. HCDFRS Chief John Butler joined us at the station for dinner and one of his famous kitchen table talks. It was an informative and productive conversation and we thank Chief Butler for breaking bread and spending the evening with us!

 
Units: Engine 31, Tower 3, Paramedic 35, Water Supply 3, Tanker 3, Tanker 34, Tanker 17, Brush 38, Rehab 1, Chief 3