At 1744 hrs, the White Marsh Volunteers were dispatched for a reported accident in front of 11038 Pulaski Hwy.  Tower 209 and Medic 203 arrived and found two pick up trucks involved in a head on collision with two trauma patients; one priority 3 and one priority 2.  The Lieutenant off the Tower reqested a second BLS transport unit, which was IV239 from St. 12.  After a quick package and removal of the first patient into Medic 203, the crews from 209 and IV239 assessed and fully immobilized the second patient.  Both patients were transported to an area trauma center for further evaluation.

In the past few weeks, the White Marsh Volunteers have taken home numerous awards from varying parades.  On July 3rd, at Kingsville's 4th of July Parade, Engine 202 received the trophy for "Best Appearing Engine."  Then, later that evening, in the Edgewood and Joppatowne Parade, White Marsh took home the award for "Best Appearing Company."  Finally, on July 21st, the Tower, Medic unit, and Utiliy attended the Rosedale parade.  This time, bringing home 3 trophies; "2nd Best Appearing Aerial/Ladder Tower", 2nd Place Best Appearing Special Unit", and "Best Appearing Ambulance." 

On June 21, 2010, Richard Breach Sr placed his gear on his rack for the last time.  It was the 40th anniversary of his graduation from the Baltimore City Fire Academy in 1970.  Rick joined the White Marsh Vol. Fire Co. in September of 1985 and has risen through the ranks, including holding the top two operational positions; Captain and Senior Lieutenant.  He has constantly shared his knowledge on such topics as fireground hydraulics, utility management, and being a leader.  Rick was one of the members you could always turn to for help or advice.  We will miss seeing him around and we wish him good luck in everything he does, especially his golf game.  Thank you, Rick, for your many years of service.  You have helped make our community a better place to live.

White Marsh Volunteers were alerted for one rolled over at the intersection of Bird River and Vincent just after 2330hrs.  Once on the road, dispatch upgraded the assignment to a rescue.  Upon arrival, units found one on its roof. Command was established and a 360 was done.  After a quick walk around, command confirmed that no one was inside and that there was only one patient and placed the rescue assignment in service.  The medic unit from St. 12 transported the patient to an area trauma center for evaluation.

The White Marsh Volunteers were alerted around 0345 this morning for the reported kitchen fire in Middle River.  E12 arrived with a 2-story apartment building with nothing evident and established Command.  Once inside, Command upgraded to smoke condition on the first floor and then found a small kitchen fire that had extended from the stove to the cabinets above.  Dispatched as second due Truck Company, the Tower arrived first and assumed first due responsibilities.  The crew placed 4 ground ladders to both side A and D, surronding the fire apartment.  The fire was quickly knocked, and ventilation and overhaul began.  The Tower crew remained onscene for approx. 30 minutes.

Around 1700hrs on July 26th, White Marsh Volunteers were alerted for a vehicle accident at the intersection of Rt. 7 and Joppa Rd.  Tower 209 responded from station and found a total of 6 cars involved in this incident.  The first three were in the intersection, two of them head on.  The remaining three were about 200ft west, and were only related because of the traffic from the first collision coming to an abrupt stop.  Three patients were treated and transported to area hospitals.

White Marsh Volunteer Fire Company receives money through Federal Grant program

By Amy P. Lookingbill of The Avenue News
 
Thanks to some assistance from the Federal Government, firefighters and paramedics who volunteer at the White Marsh Volunteer Fire Company (WMVFC) can do more of what they do best – save lives. WMVFC was recently awarded $137,579 through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFGP) to purchase new equipment. U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski visited WMVFC on Friday, April 23 to tour the station and see the new equipment the Fire Company purchased with the grant.
 
“Our first responders are true heroes,” said Mikulski during her visit. “They save lives, save homes and save communities. I am so proud of the work that they do. We need to protect our protectors with the best equipment, training and resources. I will keep fighting to make sure our first responders have the federal investments they need to stay safe while they save lives.”
Mikulski helped create the AFGP in 2000. As a member of the Homeland Security Appropriations Committee which funds the program, she fights every year to increase or maintain its funding. AFGP awards fund firefighting equipment, personal protection equipment, training, firefighting vehicles, firefighter/first responder safety projects and staffing recruitment and retention. This is the second federal fire grant WMVFC has received. Baltimore County fire and EMS units have received more than $6.6 million in federal assistance through the AFGP since 2001, with over $80 million awarded statewide.
 
“I'm glad to be here with all the wonderful people who make Baltimore County great,” said Mikulski. “I'm no stranger to volunteer fire departments. I know turnout gear can cost as much as $1,000 and fire trucks can cost anywhere from half a million dollars to more than a million and a half dollars. We know you need help paying for equipment. You can't do it on tip jars, bingos and pancake breakfasts alone. We wanted to make sure government is on your side so we took the politics out of it. Firefighters and paramedics decide who receives the grants. You are so close to 95, you don't have a predictable population. You need to be prepared for anything at anytime. We want you to do what you need to do and not worry about raising money.”
In March of 2010, WMVFC received 124 calls for service. Last year they received 2,500 calls for service. The grant money was used to purchase a new CPR machine, a defibrillator, and a video laryngoscope, as well as new protective gear for firefighters.
 
“This is what government is here for,” added Mikulski. “I want people who dial 9-1-1 to know they have a friend in White Marsh and when you dial my number I want you to know you have a friend in Washington.”

The members of the White Marsh Volunteer Fire Company would like to thank Casa Mia's Restaurant and Carry-Out located at Byron Station.  Casa Mia's donated a sizable amount of food to keep our firefighters, EMS providers, and officers fed during this second snow event, when no other establishments were open. 

We appreciate your generosity, and the citizens of White Marsh and surrounding communities appreciate you keeping our emergency responders fueled and ready.

Thank you.

It was in the early morning hours that personnel of the Baltimore County Fire Department staffing Station 6 in Dundalk awoke to the sounds of smoke detectors sounding, in their own station.  Upon investigation they found heavy smoke and fire conditions in the apparatus bay.  Doing what they were trained to do, the staff retrieved one fire engine from the apparatus bay and began fighting the fire. 

The Baltimore County Fire Department lost two ambulances, one brush truck, and one brand new fire engine that was just delivered and not yet in service.  The Maryland National Guard lost one HMMWV that was stationed there to assist crews with difficult to reach patients in the heavy snow conditions.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Most important of all, there was no loss of life; proof that smoke detectors work.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to the personnel of Station 6 Dundalk. 

During the first snow storm of 2010 the White Marsh VFC responded to a total of 43 emergency calls in a 36 hour period.  During the snow event crews were not only responding to calls for service, they were also busy clearing the station parking areas and equipment driveways.