FUNKSTOWN FIRE CURRENT HEADLINES!

10 Hose Preparing For The Annual 2011 Duck Race...
It is August and our Annual Duck Race is rapidly approaching.  So come out August 27th and enjoy a day along the Antietam Creek as your favorite duck floats along.  Enjoy some good food cooked up by our firefighters during one of our final Bar-B-Q's of the season.  Funkstown Fire will have a special quest during this years Duck Race. 

Guardians Of The Ribbon will have their Pink Firetruck "Mary" there to help support cancer awareness.   So come out for a great day with the family and help support The Funkstown Fire Company!

For more info on the duck race:  ANNUAL DUCK RACE 2011

For more info on Guardians Of The Ribbon:  PINKFIRETRUCKS.ORG

10 Hose Welcomes 9/11 Riders At Premium Outlets...

Washington County- On August 19th Emergency crews took time to recognized those riding to remember those lost ten years ago on September 11th.  This years 10th annual 9/11 Ride from Shanksville Pennsylvania where the brave passengers brought down Flight 93 to the Pentagon where Flight 77 was intentionally flown into the building that fateful morning.  A ride that began in November of 2001 with a large group of riders has grown into an annual event with more then 2600 participants.  Riders make the trek every August to all three sites to help raise money as well as remembering those fallen on that day.

Saturday mornings ride entered Washington County shortly after 10:00 hours that morning.  As the procession made it’s way down Interstate 70, ordinary citizens cheering them on along with local Police, Firefighters and Emergency Medical Technicians greeted the riders along the way.  Bridges crossing overtop the interstate in Washington County were lined with people and Fire and EMS Apparatus as the riders rode through sounding their horns and sirens to show their appreciation for the support showed by our county.  Crews from Hancock, Clear Spring, Williamsport and Washington County Rehab 255 lined different parts of I70 from the State Line down to Downsville Pike to help show their support.

Over 2,000 riders came through Washington County that day stopping off at the Premium Outlet Mall in Hagerstown for a short break during their ride.  There they were greeted by crews from Funkstown and Halfway Fire Companies as an American Flag flew high from atop of Halfway’s Tower.  Riders took a lunch break while spectators stopped to admire some of the bikes viewing some of the memorials on some of them.  Another show of support was shown with a Pink Fire Truck which was also out at the Outlets during the event. The Western Maryland Chapter of Guardians of The Ribbon had the Pink Fire Truck named Mary on hand to show their support as well as promoting their Cancer Awareness cause.

Organizers were assisted by local County Sheriff Deputies and State Police as well as local Fire Police who handled traffic control shutting down the Interstate as well as local roads to keep the fifteen mile long procession running smoothly.  Later Friday afternoon riders mounted up and continued on their way to the Pentagon where the days event would end.  They would later start back out that Saturday for New York for the final leg of their ride.  More information on the Americas 9/11 Ride can be found at americas911ride.org. 

See The Story on 1strespondernews.com  by William C. King

Photos Courtesy of WCVFRA PHOTO TEAM

10 Hose Responds To MVC With Rollover On I-70...
Two people were injured Monday afternoon in an accident involving a dump truck and a Toyota Prius on Interstate 70 at Md. 65, Trooper Bowers of the Maryland State Police said.

The 12:50 p.m. accident occurred when the driver of the dump truck, which was in the left lane of I-70 westbound, attempted to move into the right lane, Bowers said. The dump truck collided with the Prius, which ran onto the median and overturned, he said.

The two people in the Prius were taken to Meritus Medical Center, Bowers said.

Firefighters from the Funkstown Fire Department as well as ambulances from Williamsport and the Volunteer Fire Co. of Halfway were on the scene.  

The left lane of westbound I-70 was closed to traffic until the accident was cleared up, and an eastbound lane also was shut down temporarily, police said.

The Prius was towed and the dump truck had been driven away by around 1:45 p.m.

- Caleb Calhoun, Mobile Journalist  (www.herald-mail.com)

10 Hose To Have PINK HEALS Fire Engine stop by...
If you see a Pink Firetruck in Funkstown this weekend, don't be alarmed.  You aren't seeing things.  The Georgia "PINK HEALS" Pink Fire Engine will be out and on display at the Funkstown Fire Company Bar-B-Q this weekend.  Come out and learn about the cause behind why this Firetruck is making it's way around Maryland in support of cancer awareness!

PINKFIRETRUCKS.ORG

10 Hose Responds To Splendor View House Fire...
Washington County- In the late evening of June 9th, severe storms blew through the Hagerstown area with severe lightning awakening residents late that evening. Shortly after the storm, Washington County 911 began receiving calls reporting a house on fire on Splendor View Terrace. Fire crews were dispatched out on Box 10-6 to 20377 Splendor View Terrace at 22:59 hours.

Washington County took multiple calls reporting the fire. Support 10-0 from Funkstown reported seeing heavy fire on the horizon as he was approaching the scene. Additional crews were immediately started on the Working Fire Assignment as Support 10-0 arrived on the scene to find a two-story structure with heavy fire engulfing the roof of the house. Crews arrived beginning their defensive attack from the exterior of the structure. Chief Fraley of Funkstown later arrived assuming Splendor View Command.

Over sixty-five firefighters worked in defensive mode for over an hour working to bring the blaze under control. Crews were utilizing everything from hand lines to ladder pipe operations to battle the blaze. Firefighters were on the scene well into the next morning as State Fire Marshals were called in for the incident.

The State FM Ed Ernst is investigating the blaze. No cause has been released yet but they are looking into the weather event that went through just prior to the blaze. No one was home at the time of the blaze and no injuries were reported. The house is reported to be a total loss with estimated damages ranging around $250.000.

See The Story on 1strespondernews.com  by William C. King

Photos Courtesy of WCVFRA PHOTO TEAM

10 Hose Responds To South County House Fire...
Washington County- On June 2nd, firefighters were alerted for a house fire in southern Washington County around 21:00 hours. Crews from both Washington and Frederick Counties were alerted on Rohrersville Box 8-10 for the area of 3228 Gapland Road as calls came in reporting the blaze. Paramedic 18-20 stationed at Rohrersville Company 8 was the first to arrive on the scene that night to find the house fully engulfed. Paramedic 18-20 immediately requested the working fire assignment as well as the tanker taskforce.

Firefighters were faced with heavy fire and electrical lines down in the area during the incident that evening. Assistant Fire Chief Keith Abrecht of Boonsboro Fire arrived and immediately assumed Gapland Road Command. Firefighters were forced to battle the blaze initially from the exterior in a defensive mode. Over fifty Fire and EMS personnel from sixteen agencies responded out to the blaze on Gapland Road that night.

Firefighters worked for over an hour before bringing the blaze under control using hand lines and ladder pipe operations off of Boonsboro’s Truck 6. Command reported they had the fire knocked down at 22:21 hours. Crews remained on the scene hitting hot spots for nearly another hour and twenty minutes before Chief Abrecht terminated Gapland Road Command releasing the remaining units.

Fire crews returned once overnight for a rekindle and again the next morning with the State Fire Marshal’s Office to assist with the investigation. State Fire Marshal Ed Ernst is still attempting to find the cause to the blaze. The house appears to be a total loss with damages estimated around $130,000 dollars. One resident who luckily wasn’t home at the time is receiving assistance from the American Red Cross. No injuries were reported during the incident.

Fire & EMS crews from Washington and Frederick Counties in Maryland along with Loudon County Virginia and Jefferson County West Virginia responded out that night. Rohrersville Fire Co.8 responded with assistance from Boonsboro Fire Co.6, Sharpsburg Fire Co.1, Potomac Valley Fire Co.11, Funkstown Fire Co.10, Brunswick Fire Co.5, Middletown Fire Co.7, Jefferson Fire Co.20, Nearsville Fire Co.16, Shepherdstown Fire Co.3, Fairplay Fire Co.12, Boonsboro EMS Co.69, DES Paramedic 1820, Washington County Special Operations 20, Washington County Emergency Air Unit 25, Emergency Rehab 255 and State Fire Marshal Ernst (FM26). Additional assistance was received from Smithsburg Fire Co.7, South Hagerstown Fire Engine 5 and Funkstown Fire Co.10 who supplied transfer crews to cover the areas while south county companies were committed on the incident.

See The Story on 1strespondernews.com  by William C. King

Photos Courtesy of WCVFRA PHOTO TEAM

10 Hose Responds To RV Fire...

Washington County- On April 29th shortly after one in the afternoon, Washington County Dispatch took a call reporting a vehicle fire in the 11600 block of Peacock Trail east of Hagerstown. Callers reported a Recreational Vehicle being on fire.  Due to the size, Funkstown Fire Company 10 along with HFD Engine 3 was started.  As units responded, the 911 Center became flooded with calls as the vehicle became fully involved.  With information of the fire spreading and threatening the structure, dispatchers quickly completed Box 10-17 sending the Structure Fire assignment.

Chief Fraley confirmed he had a working fire as he was approaching the scene since he could see the heavy smoke billowing from the area.  Upon arrival he found a large R.V. fully engulfed with fire spreading to an adjacent trailer as well as a spreading grass fire.  Chief Fraley assumed Peacock Trail Command and began assigning incoming units to different locations to assist in protecting exposures from the spreading fire.

Once on the scene, crews were able to get the blaze under control within twenty minutes.  Initial concerns of firefighters were the exposures before concentrating on the vehicle itself. Over 40 emergency services personnel responded out for the call that afternoon from twelve agencies. No injuries were reported and the fire is under investigation by the Maryland State Fire Marshal Office.

See The Story on 1strespondernews.com  by William C. King

Photos Courtesy of WCVFRA PHOTO TEAM

10 Hose Prom Promise 2011 @ SHHS...

Washington County- On April 29th shortly after 9 A.M. fire trucks could be heard approaching the scene as smoke poured out from two vehicles at the scene of an accident at South Hagerstown High School on South Potomac Street.  The scene looked horrific, as teenagers in both vehicles just lie there lifeless as responders roll up.  Captain Keplinger of Funkstown arrives and reports one dead with several trapped.

Firefighters arrived working quickly to extinguish one vehicle, which was on fire as other crews work to begin extricating the trapped occupants.  As crews worked to free the trapped individuals, Maryland State Police arrived and took the one driver into custody for DWI. As the medevac helicopter circles the area preparing to land to assist, one wonders how something tragic like this could happen.  Luckily on this day, it is only a drill. 

Fire and EMS companies in Washington County go out each year to help promote the Prom Promise program.  Today’s drill was staged in the parking lot at South Hagerstown High as the prom season kicks off.  Students were able to watch what could easily happen from the effects of drinking and driving.  Witnessing the death of one teenage student to the arrest of another for drinking and driving while seeing others placed into an ambulance and another flown off in a medevac helicopter with serious injuries.

Emergency crews enjoy promoting this to help kids understand its importance.  Witnessing this type of operation is sometimes an eye opener for some.  That’s the whole idea.  Not only is it good for them, but also it helps responders giving them time to practice   the skills needed to perform the job.

This year responders from Funkstown, South Hagerstown Fire Engine 5, Community Rescue Co.75, Maryland State Police and Aviation Life Net participated in this years Prom Promise, which was a success as always.

See The Story on 1strespondernews.com  by William C. King

Photos Courtesy of WCVFRA PHOTO TEAM

10 Hose Responds To Entrapment On Rt.40...

Washington County- On March 28th, Funkstown Volunteer Fire Company crews along with Hagerstown Fire and Community Rescue responded out at 16:15 hours for a vehicle accident on the Dual Highway near Interstate 70.  Calls came in to Washington County E.C.C. reporting a vehicle flipped over in the median.

Firefighters arrived to find a Ford Ranger pick-up on it’s side with one trapped.  Crews worked together for about twenty-five minutes cutting the driver out of his vehicle that afternoon.  Once freed, firefighters assisted Community Rescue with packaging the patient.

Once done the driver was transported to Meritus Medical Center where he was treated for minor injuries.  Reports show the it is believed the driver fell asleep as he was exiting Interstate 70 on the Dual Highway loosing control and flipping his truck.  No other injuries were reported and the patient’s condition is not currently known. 

See The Story on 1strespondernews.com  by William C. King

Photos Courtesy of WCVFRA PHOTO TEAM

10 Hose Responds To Halfway Structure Fire...
Washington County- On March 8th, Crews from Halfway, Hagerstown and Funkstown were dispatched out just before 9 p.m. for a building fire on Virginia Avenue. Firefighters were dispatched out at 20:53 hours to 17835 Virginia Avenue. Crews responding could see heavy smoke and flames as they approached the scene.

Engine 26-1 out of Halfway arrived to find the Greensburg Farms Market engulfed in flames. Firefighters worked in a defensive mode fighting the fire from the exterior of the building. Firefighters battled the blaze fore nearly thirty minutes before bringing the blaze under control. Command reported the fire knocked down at 21:28 hours.

Firefighters remained on the scene for a short period conducting over haul operations and assisting the State Fire Marshals Office as needed. No cause is known at this time but the fire is still under investigation.

Firefighters from Halfway Co.26 were assisted on the incident by South End Fire Company Eng.5, Funkstown Fire Co.10, Williamsport Fire & EMS Co.2, Washington County Special Operations 20, Washington County Emergency Air Unit 25, Emergency Rehab 255, Hagerstown Fire Marshals Office and The State Fire Marshals office. While crews from Company 26 were committed on the scene, Maugansville Fire Co.13 transferred in to cover their area for the duration of the incident.
 

See The Story on 1strespondernews.com  by William C. King

Photos Courtesy of WCVFRA PHOTO TEAM

Keller wins fire company's highest award at banquet he organized...
As chairman for the Funkstown Volunteer Fire Co.’s annual awards banquet, Nick Keller spent Feb. 5 at Next Dimensions restaurant setting up a video and photos featuring company members and emergencies the company responded to during the past year.

It wasn’t until the banquet was under way that Keller found out he was receiving the big award of the night — firefighter of the year.  “I was excited,” said Keller, 26, who has been a volunteer firefighter for three years and an emergency medical technician for two years.

“I think he’s very deserving,” said Dale Hill, fire company president.  Keller is serving his second term on the board of directors, responds to a lot of calls, helps with fundraisers, does a lot around the station and has taken a lot of training courses, Hill said.

The firefighter of the year is determined by a vote of the membership, Hill said.
Keller said he got into firefighting because his family was into it.  His grandfather, Ed Clopper, was honored at last year’s banquet for 50 years of service with the Funkstown fire company. His mother, Marsha Dieterich, has been active with Funkstown’s auxiliary for about 20 years. His stepdad, Kyd Dieterich, is the acting fire chief for the Hagerstown Fire Department.

Asked what he likes about being a firefighter, Keller said he likes helping the community.  Keller lives with his wife, Angie, northeast of Funkstown. The couple is expecting their first child this spring, he said. Keller graduated from South Hagerstown High School in 2002. He works in customer service for Action Products, a Hagerstown company that makes medical products.

Keller helps with the fire company’s fundraisers, delivering chicken barbecue meals to local businesses and selling tip jars on bingo nights.  Keller said that even though he was chairing the awards banquet, he was stunned that he was recognized as firefighter of the year.

Keller wanted to thank Next Dimensions, which waived several fees so the fire company could meet its banquet budget.
Story By:  JULIE E. GREENE   julieg@herald-mail.com
Photo By: Ric Dugan/Staff Photographer Herald-Mail

10 Hose Responds To Halfway House Fire...
Washington County- On February 28th, crews from Halfway, Williamsport and Funkstown fire departments were dispatched out at 03:27 hours for a reported House Fire on Box 26-2. The 911 call was received by Washington County E.C.C reporting smoke in the house. Crews arrived shortly after dispatch to find heavy smoke coming from the residence. Sergeant Ridgely of Company 26 arrived and immediately requested the Working Fire Assignment started as he assumed Virginia Avenue Command.

Firefighters from Halfway arrived to find the resident safely out of the building reporting the smoke coming from the basement. Firefighters from 26 made entry to make an aggressive attack. While in the basement an explosive force blew out the second floor windows on sides Alpha and Bravo with heavy fire.

Command immediately called for crews to evacuate and they went into a defensive mode until gaining control of the fire from the exterior and additional help was able to arrive. Once crews were able to knock down a bulk of the blaze, entry was re-made into the residence to knock down the remaining fire.

Crews worked in overhaul operations for nearly an hour before Command confirmed they had a bulk of the fire knocked down. Firefighters remained on the scene for several hours conducting extensive overhaul operations and assisting the State Fire Marshals office as needed. Sergeant Ridgely terminated command around 07:00 at which time remaining units on the scene were able to clear.

See The Story on 1strespondernews.com  by William C. King

Photos Courtesy of WCVFRA PHOTO TEAM and Jim Mitchel of Emergency Air Unit

10 Hose Responds To Townhouse Fire...
An improperly discarded cigarette was the preliminary cause of a fire that damaged a home Friday night at 11315 Grouse Lane east of Hagerstown, the Maryland State Fire Marshal's Office said.

The fire started at about 11:19 p.m. on the rear deck of the two-story townhouse, according to a fire marshal's office news release. The damage was estimated at roughly $55,000 to the structure and $5,000 to the contents.

Thirty-nine firefighters took about 25 minutes to control the blaze, the fire marshal's office said. 
The Hagerstown Fire Department and fire companies from Funkstown, Halfway, Mt. Aetna and Long Meadow responded to the blaze.
Story By:  Herald-Mail
Photos Courtesy of WCVFRA PHOTO TEAM