Tag Archives: firefighter injuries

The fire was mainly contained to the "attic" area. Crews were met with high heat stretching in to the seat. The house had a slate roof on a steep pitch which made ventilating a little interesting.

"Kevin O'Toole and Ethan Sorrell were trapped in a house fire on February 24th, 2012 in Prince Georges County Maryland. They were both riding Truck Company 9 of the Bladensburg Volunteer Fire Department responding to a reported house fire in the first due response area of a closed firehouse. After making entry, conditions rapidly deteriorated causing Kevin and Ethan to be trapped and severely injured.

It's too bad that many of the Brothers and Sisters here don't (can't or wont) see the benefit in that (as well as exactly what and why we do what we do). It's sad (and I know why it happens) but, more times than not; we're often the butt of jokes and/or smart ass comments here at home.

This tactic allows us to keep a large percentage of our fires contained to the room of origin. The "trick" to this tactic is that ventilation MUST be coordinated with the attack. If not, and the fog nozzle was deployed; these types of injuries can occur.

So after lunch, we listened to Captain Martin jump every call within a 50 mile radius of Station #3 and even caught a few of our own. It was an EMS call that got me thinking about tonight's post. I was a little bit sad at first but then pride took over.

"He said Tuesday that if an emergency services director assumes control of a scene "there are going to be a lot of hurt feelings and busted noses."

I guess, in a way; we were able to show the men of Rescue 2 that the Brotherhood is alive and well... and not just in New York City. Knowing that a lot of you who donated were sacrificing something to do so (big or small) was very humbling. Again I say THANK YOU !

It's not about us ... me, you, him or her. It's about US ... the Fire Service .. THE BROTHERHOOD. Maybe our small gestures will inspire greater ones from others ....

Here in "The Noke", we have a GREAT working relationship with our Brothers in Blue (Police Department). You never read it in our paper or see it on the news but we see a lot of shootings, stabbings and just general assaults. Having a good and trusting relationship between Fire/EMS and Police is crucial on these types of incidents.

Like the 343 lost on 9/11, I try to remember these and all the other members lost in the Line of Duty EVERYDAY. I challenge you to do the same. Don't just remember these brave men today ( because of a 7 year "anniversary" ) remember them tomorrow, the day after that, the next, next and so on.