CREWS FIND A PRIVATE AMBO OVERTURNED IN THE DITCH

March 30, 2007 – At 1314 hours, Manassas City Fire Communications sent Engine, Tower, and Chief 501 out for a personal injury accident in the area of Observation and Piper lanes, at the Manassas Regional Airport. Companies arrived to find a private ambulance overturned in the ditch. Both EMTs had self extricated themselves prior to our arrival. The ambulance was returning from dropping off a patient for a medical flight when an animal crossing the street caused the unit to swerve into the ditch. Crews evaluated both EMTs and managed the hazards. Units went ready at 1355 hours.

ENGINE AND ATTACK RUN BRUSH FIRE IN THE COUNTY

March 29, 2007 – At 1549 hours, Engine and Attack 501 were special called to assist on mutual box 07-07 for a brush fire in the area of Vista Brook Lane and Silo Mill Court. Once on the scene they assisted Companies 506 and 507 who were already on scene. Engine 501 took up a position on the flank of the fire that was heading towards the homes on Silo Mill Court. They extinguished that flank and assisted with raking in other areas. Attack 501 met up with Brush 506 and assisted with breaking apart a pile of logs, extinguishing them, and extinguishing other hot spots. They went ready at 1636 hours.

ENGINE AND TOWER ON SMALL FIRE IN THE COUNTY

March 27, 2007 – At 0917 hours, mutual box 07-07 was sounded for a house fire in the area of Cobb Road and Lovers Lane, bringing Engine 501 third due, Tower 501 as the first due truck, and Chief 501. Medic 507 arrived first and reported smoke showing. Engine 507 found a small fire in the basement. Engine 501 arrived second and as they prepared to back up 507, the Tower began opening up and checking for extension. The fire was contained to the basement which was extremely cluttered with everything from clothes, furniture, and household collectables to a motorcycle that was being used as a storage rack. The fire involved an electrical outlet, the walls, the dryer, and a pile of clothes in front of the dryer. Tower 501 cleared the scene at 0952 hours.

HAZMAT TASKFORCE SOUNDED FOR THE INTERSTATE

March 27, 2007 – At 0654 hours, the Hazmat Taskforce was sounded over box 02-53 for a fuel spill on Interstate 95 southbound in the area mile marker 160, bringing Hazmat and Decon 501. They arrived to find a large fuel spill, the result of an auto accident, covering all four of the southbound lanes, which Virginia State Police had closed. Hazmat 501 put down 270 pounds of absorbent in the #1 lane, so that the State Police could reopen it as soon as possible. The other lanes would remain shutdown until the arrival of the sand trucks. The accident, which involved a SUV and a tractor trailer was property damage only. Containment 506 and 516 from Prince William County remained on the scene as the Hazmat and Decon headed back to the City at 0749 hours.

SMALL FIRST DUE KITCHEN FIRE INJURES ONE

March 26, 2007 – At 1721 hours, a run for an automatic fire alarm at 8953 Milroy Court came across the printer. The officer grabbed the printout and as he began to walk out of the watch office, the printer started up again. This time it read house assignment for the same address. The Engine was quickly on the scene and reported nothing evident from the front. Rescue 501 arrived in the rear and reported smoke showing. As the crew ran the bumper line into the home, they found an occupant in the doorway who was overcome by smoke. Inside they found a fire that had involved the stove, microwave, and cabinets. With the fire out, the Engine's Officer recommended 1 and 1, plus a BLS transport unit. Both crews worked to remove the microwave and cabinets, and opened up the wall but found no extension. Our Wagon Driver provided care for the patient who was eventually transported to Prince William Hospital. The house, which was charged with smoke was ventilated and crews went ready at 1756 hours. Battalion 581 (Rose) had the command.

TOWER RUNS SMALL CONSTRUCTION TRAILER FIRE

March 23, 2007 – At 0451 hours, mutual box 06-03 was sounded in the area of Kahns Road and Great Mere Court bringing Tower 501 as the first due truck. Companies arrived to find a construction trailer fully involved. The Tower used a saw to cut open the sides of the trailer allow the engine companies access. Once the fire was extinguished, the Tower overhauled the structure. They went ready at 0533 hours.

MULTIPLE CREWS HANDLE MULTIPLE BOXES AT ONCE

March 22, 2007 – At 1239 hours, Engine 501 was dispatched 3rd due on mutual box 11-09 for fire in the home at 9607 King George Drive. Medic 551 arrived with smoke showing. Crews found fire in the crawl space and floors of the home. Engine 501 was assigned the RIT. While this was going on, at 1304 hours, Wagon and Tower 501 were dispatched to a fire alarm at the America House, 10104 Hastings Drive. While responding, City Fire Communications filled the box for smoke on the second floor. Units arrived to find very light smoke coming from the second floor and an occupant in front, overcome by smoke, who directed the crews to the second floor. It was at this point that Engine 501 was cut loose from the first box and responded back into the City. Once inside, the Tower reported a ceiling exhaust fan on fire that was quickly extinguished. The assignment was held with Wagon, Tower, and Rescue 501. Those crews overhauled and removed smoke. All units went ready at 1341 hours.

2 FLOWN AND 1 FIREMAN INJURED AFTER FIRST DUE SECOND ALARM

March 21, 2007 – Shortly after shift change this morning, box alarm 81-13 was sounded for a house in the area of Cloverhill Road and Speedwell Court. As Engine and Tower 501 approached the scene, communications advised that they had received several more calls reporting a fire at that box location, one of which indicated that there were numerous people possibly trapped. As Engine 501 stopped to layout, the Tower took a position on side A with heavy, thick black smoke pumping out from multiple floors of the town home. As the barman (Shafer) made his way to the door, he encountered two burn victims in the front yard. He asked "where are they", and they directed him to the second floor. Without the protection of a hose line, the barman entered the building. Encountering zero visibility and extremely high heat, he was forced to crawl on his stomach as he searched for the stairs and victims. He began to make the stairs and immediately started to get burned, forcing him to back out. He met up with the Tower Officer in the foyer as the Tower Driver began venting widows in the front while the Rescue Driver laddered the rear. The two made a second push for the stairs. As the Engine ran their line, the Officer (Rohs) requested a second alarm due to fire conditions and reported entrapment. As the lineman made entry, he met up with the crew from the Tower who advised him the entire basement was off. As they made their way to the stairs, the lineman suffered second degree burns and was forced to retreat. The Tower continued to advance the line as fire began to involve the first floor from the stairwell. As the pair held their positions and opened up their line, the floor below the Tower Officer began to give way prompting them to swiftly evacuate. Meanwhile, 501's Wagon Driver had pulled an additional 200' 1 1/2 to the front and ran the 300 to the rear while the Tower's outside crew vented the roof. In the front yard, the crew from Engine 501 broke out the basement windows, knocked down some of the fire, and tried to make entry. They were held up as Rescue 501 advised they were making entry into the basement from the rear with the 300. There the Rescue encountered extremely heavy fire conditions encompassing the entire basement. As this was going on, the crew from Tower 501 and Wagon 509 ran a line to the second floor via a ladder on side A. Wagon 509 knocked down the fire as the Tower made a search of the second floor with no victims found. Wagon 511 extinguished more fire on the first floor via a ground ladder on side C. It was at this time that command was notified that all the occupants were accounted for and out of the home. Crews continued to operate as best they could inside the building, avoiding the soft first floor, opening up and checking for extension. Both of the burn victims were intubated, transported by ground to Prince William Hospital, and subsequently flow to the burn center. The Lineman from Engine 501 was treated and released at Prince William Hospital with second degree burns to the face. The Tower and Rescue Drivers threw 155 feet of ground ladders while the Engine pumped through 800’ of 1 ½”, 250’ of 2”, and 250’ of 2 ½”. Chief 501 (Holman) had the command. It was the effort of all companies on the fireground, especially the initial companies who took a good beating, which kept this fire contained to the occupancy of origin. The Engine and Tower cleared the scene within 2 ½ hours while the City Fire Marshals Office along with agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms remained on scene to investigate.

MANASSAS VOLUNTEERS DONATE 5K TO SJVFD FOR CHIEF JOE PETERS

TOWER RUNS 2 SECOND ALARMS IN 24 HOURS

March 19, 2007 – At 0322 hours, a second alarm was transmitted over box 02-16 for 1613 Lynn Court, bringing Tower 501 as the first due truck. The Tower secured the utilities, stretched lights to the rear, and got in a little opening up. There honestly wasn't much left fire-wise, as the box alarm companies made extremely quick work of the blaze which involved three town homes.  The Tower went ready at 0512. Of the five boxes the Tower has run in the last 24 hours, one was first due and the rest were on the east-end.

CREWS BATTLE HEAVY FIRE IN A LOCAL SHOOTING RANGE

March 18, 2007 – At 1234 hours, Tower 501 was dispatched as the second due truck on mutual box 02-16 for a fire in Shooters Paradise shooting range located at 13979 Jefferson Davis Highway. Chief 502 (Arrington) went on the scene immediately and reported a working fire in the rear of the store. He also made the notification that there was a considerable ammunition hazard near the fire location. Wagon 502 arrived and made a push through the front, encountering heavy smoke conditions in the store area. As they made their way into the shooting range, they began to feel high heat and could see the fire burning at the end of the range. As 502’s crew opened up their line, ammunition could be heard going off. Command (AC Carroll) had 514 back 502 in front while Engine and Rescue 510 were ordered to make entry into the rear. Early on, Tower 512's roof team reported major weakness in the roof. Command pulled the interior companies back just as the roof and heavy duty HVAC units caved in on the rear of the building. Tower 501 arrived and took a position in the rear. There they assisted with forcing several doors, laddered the roof, and used saws and hooks to cut open several roof access and ventilation points. It wasn’t long before they could feel the roof begin to rumble and shake. Companies were pulled back further but continued to hold there positions. As the last of the air handlers on the Charlie side began to come in, an outright defensive operation was taken. Towers 501 and 512 backed off to the exposure roofs and continued to work on opening up the buildings as companies were still operating on the inside of the exposures. Command ordered Tower 501 to begin flowing their ladder pipe into the rear of the fire building. They operated both monitor nozzles and an 1 ½ hand line while Towers 512 and 424 operated in the front. Several hand lines were also operated from the roofs of the exposures. With the fire still burning under the collapsed portion of the building, Command requested heavy equipment to come in and remove the rear wall. A Prince William County Department of Public Works track hoe arrive and began demolition of the building, allowing firefighters access to extinguish the fire. Tower 501 continued to operate for several more hours and finally went ready at 1842 hours, while the last County units cleared the scene at approximately 2200 hours. The scene was left with a security team and officials from the Fire Marshals Office and the BATF. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. An excellent effort on the part of all companies on the box kept this fire from spreading to the adjoining buildings.

MINOR T-BONE CRASH HAD SERIOUS POTENTIAL

March 17, 2007 – At around 1800 hours this evening, the Engine company went out for a personal injury accident in front of 9113 Sudley Road. The accident, the result of a T-bone collision, sent one pickup into a traffic signal pole creating a serious impact on the vehicle. A few feet forward and a passenger in the pickup would have almost certainly suffered life threatening injuries. Crews evaluated the occupants of both vehicles and secured the hazards. One patient was transported to the hospital with minor injuries. The Engine went ready within 15 minutes.

ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADE

March 17, 2007 – Today the City of Manassas held its 8th annual St. Patrick's Day Parade and this year the crowds were in the thousands. People from across the region came into the City to celebrate a day which was originally intended for spiritual renewal and prayer offerings for missionaries worldwide. This was the largest St. Patty's Day parade the City has ever had, including over 80 individual participants. As always, the Fire Company took part in the parade, this year entering the Foam Engine, Wagon, Hazmat, and Chief's Buggy. Also featured this year was the District of Columbia Fire Department's Emerald Society Pipe and Drum Corps. The parade was a success and the members of the Manassas Vol. Fire Company enjoy having the opportunity to participate in these community events.

LOW SPEED CRASH TESTING CONDUCTED IN THE CITY

March 13, 2007 – At 2355 hours, the local was put out for a car into a building at 8628 Centreville Road. Engine 501 arrived to find a car that had ever so gently tapped the storefront. The crew first checked the driver of the vehicle, who was uninjured. They next checked the building and, aside from minor cosmetic damage, found no hazards. The scene was left with the cops and the Engine went ready within 15 minutes.

HAZMAT LOCAL ON WELLINGTON ROAD

March 13, 2007 – At 1111 hours, a Hazmat Local was sounded for the 9700 block of Wellington for pickup truck leaking fuel in the roadway. Engine and Hazmat 501 arrived to find an active leak. Somehow, in a manner that is beyond our comprehension, a come along made its way around the vehicle's drive shaft. As it flew round and round, one of the hook ends repeatedly thrashed the gas tank creating a hole. Crews contained the leak using absorbent and a spill pool. The City Hazmat Officer was called to the scene and units went ready upon his arrival at 1237 hours.

ANOTHER SMALL FIRST DUE KITCHEN FIRE

March 11, 2007 – At 0008 hours, the box was transmitted for 9340 Witch Hazel Way, for fire in the apartment. Engine, Tower, and Chief 501, and Battalion 581 arrived with light smoke showing from a three story apartment house. The Engine ran an inch and a half line in and found a stove on fire in a ground floor apartment. The Engine's Officer quickly reported the fire out with no extension found. Command held it with Company 1 only. The smoke was swiftly removed and units went ready within 25 minuets.

TOWER RUNS DOWN TO THE EAST END

March 10, 2007 – At 1938 hours, mutual box 13-16 was sounded for fire in a duplex at 14104 Morrison Court in Dale City, bringing Tower 501 as the second due truck. Crews arrived to find a room off on the second floor. On arrival, the Tower was put to work with Tower 12 in the fire room opening up and overhauling. Tower 501 went ready at 2011 hours.

TOWER CUTS THE DOOR OFF OF MANASSAS PARK SCOUT CAR

March 08, 2007 – With the warm weather gone and the ice and snow back yet again, the Engine Company was kept busy running minor traffic accidents. It wasn't until 0023 hours that a personal injury accident with reported entrapment came in. Tower 501 arrived at Plantation Lane and Sumner Lakes Blvd to find a Manassas Park scout off the road with the officer trapped inside. It appeared that the officer hit a patch of black ice, lost control, bounced off of a tree, and came to rest just short of a residential fence. The Tower's crew took off the door so the medics could remove the patient on a back board. They also controlled the hazards and went ready 0050 hours. Chief 501 (Holman) had the command.

TOWER LADDER SAVES THE COPS FROM KAMIKAZE BIRD

March 07, 2007 – For the last several years, a hostile bird has been traumatizing the Boys (and Girls) in Blue as they come and go from headquarters. This ferocious member of the Aves class reportedly dive-bombs any target of opportunity it sees passing through the station parking lot. Previously assaulted individuals include Dirk the Lawnmower guy, Mary the Meter Maid, Father Guido Sarducci, and the entire SWAT team, who on one occasion were seen scattering for their lives as they returned from a classified mission. Luckily that day, FF/SWAT Medic Mike Freeza was on hand to administer aid and pass out band aids and ace bandages to the injured. So, at the request of the Cops and the City Animal Control Officer, the Tower took time out of their busy schedule to raise a ladder up to its perch. The plan was to see if there were any eggs in Tweeties nest and, if not, take it down. The Tower Officer, feeling confident having consulted the Flintstones guide to Pterodactyl nest removal, ascended to the turntable accompanied by one of Manassas' finest in full SWAT regalia. The officer warned the Tower's Boss that the winged fiend had large talons which could easily puncture his gear and, thus, he was taking his life in his hands. Without regard for his own safety, the Tower's Officer brought the bucket up to the nest and came face to face with..... nothing but a few eggs. Assuming that mom was out hunting small game, which per the Flintstones guide to Pterodactyls included but was not limited to Water Buffalo, Whales, and small fishing boats, the mission was quickly aborted before she returned. As the ladder was being bedded, the fierce creature was spotted looming overhead as if planning its attack. Broken but not defeated, the crowd of once hopeful police officers scurried for cover. Seeing they're backup disappear and having no real reason to hang out, the Tower quickly got out of dodge before becoming the next victims of this unruly creature.

WAGON FINDS ONE OVERTURNED

March 04, 2007 – At 2011 hours this evening, the local was transmitted for an overturned vehicle in the 8900 Godwin Drive. Wagon 501 arrived to find just that. Crews evaluated two patients who were uninjured and checked for hazards. The driver bailed directly after the crash and was picked up by the cops a short time later. The Wagon went ready at 2018 hours.

FOAM ENGINE GOES TO WORK ON  SUDLEY VACANT

March 04, 2007 – Just after 1700 hours this evening, Prince William County Fire Communications began receiving multiple reports of a building fire to the rear of the Chatsworth Park Apartments, in the Sudley section of the county. At 1709 hours, box alarm 11-11 was sounded for a house in the area of the apartment complex, bringing Foam Engine 501 as the third due engine company. It wasn't long after they hit the street that a large column could be seen in the evening sky. Without a good address, the Chief began diverting companies to several different roads in the immediate vicinity of the apartments. Foam Engine 501 arrived first on side A to find a two story detached home well off, and took their own hydrant. The crew pulled a 2 1/2 inch line with the Blitz Fire attached and placed that in service in the front yard. In less than a minute they had knocked most of the fire back into the house. The crew advanced the Blitz Fire and an 1 1/2 line through the front door of the home. The Blitz Fire put a good knock on the hallway while the lineman with the 1 1/2 went to work on the front rooms. In the meantime, the front porch lit back off and while the Foam Engine’s crew worked to extinguish that the 2 1/2 with the Blitz Fire burned through. They ditched the 2 1/2 and found an unmanned 2 inch line in the front yard. The crew made their way back in with both lines. As all this was going on, the crew from Engine 511, who had responded to the dispatched location and were thus out of position, worked swiftly to stretch a 3 inch leader line to the rear of the home through the thick woods bordering the apartment complex. After extending that with a hi-rise pack, they also made entry into the home and assisted the Foam Engine with extinguishing a large volume of fire on the first floor. As the Foam Engine’s crew tried to make the second floor, it was realized that several of the stairs had burned through. They brought in a 14 foot ladder and made their own stairwell to the second floor were they extinguished the rest of the fire. Companies operated for quite some time after the fire was called under control, tearing open every part of the home which was heavily cluttered with junk, most likely belonging to several squatters. The primary search, completed by Truck 511, was negative. Though no official determination has been made as to the cause of the fire, on lookers reported several suspicious juveniles fleeing the area directly behind the home shortly before the fire. An excellent coordinated effort on the part of all companies on the box brought this fire under control quickly, without any civilian or firefighter injuries.