November 16, 2009
A total of 7 Rescue Squad units staffed by 20 volunteers – 2 heavy rescue squads, 2 medic units, one basic ambulance, and 2 chief officers – responded with multiple MCFRS units to a garden apartment fire on the evening of November 16.
Rescue Squad 741, Ambulance 726 and Chief 741C were dispatched at 1929 hours to a report of smoke in a 4th floor apartment at 10220 Westlake Drive. Although the first arriving units did not report seeing any smoke, they did find it when they got to the 4th floor hallway. The Rescue Squad crew, along with crews from the first due engine and truck made entry at the apartment to find it fully charged with smoke. While conducting its primary search, the Squad crew found the source of the fire in a heating unit.
After the Squad pulled the heating unit’s cover, the crew from Engine 726 quickly extinguished the fire. However, the fire had extended into the walls between apartment units and into the unit below, requiring extensive overhaul. Finding no one in that apartment, the Squad crew searched all of the adjoining units, again finding them to be charged with smoke but unoccupied.
Unfortunately, the driver from the first-due Engine 726 was injured when she was struck by an automobile shortly after arriving on scene, as she was working to establish a supply line. Ambulance 726 conducted an initial assessment and stabilized her injured leg. Medic 741 took over treatment upon arriving, and transported to Suburban Hospital. The members of the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad wish her a speedy recovery.
Rescue Squad 741B and Medic 741F were subsequently dispatched on the Rapid Intervention Dispatch, and remained on scene for the duration of the incident. Following release from its rapid intervention team responsibilities, Rescue Squad 741B assisted with utility control.
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