Company 17

Apparatus

Engine 717

Engine 717B

Engine Tanker 717

Tanker 717

Rescue Squad 717

Ambulance 717

Brush 717

"Minnie"

"Blast From the Past"

May 15, 2009 - Co. 17 Responds for a House Explosion in Mt. Airy
Early Friday morning, May 15 at 0145 hours (1:45 am), units were dispatched for an explosion in the area of the 2200 block of Flag Marsh Road. Carroll County 911 received numerous calls from as far away as 10 miles reporting the explosion. Howard County E43 arrived on the scene 8 minutes after dispatch and reported one house flattened and others with significant damage. Flag Marsh Road was blocked by debris from the blast. Nearby homes were quickly checked and evacuated while additional arriving units began stretching hose lines to protect the exposures and fight the fire in the remains of the leveled home. Water supply became an immediate issue, so a tanker task force was requested along with a RIT (Rapid Intervention Team) dispatch. A draft site was established to fill tankers that shuttled water to the scene. The site was set up on Newport Road at the bridge. The Newport Road bridge dry hydrant was found damaged and unusable, so sleeves were placed into the water to establish a draft by B105. Amazingly, there were no injuries to the residents of the nearby homes, and there were no firefighter injuries during the incident. One home was completely destroyed, two homes were severely damaged, and 4 others were damaged to some lesser degree. The home where the explosion occurred was unoccupied at the time of the explosion, the other homes were all occupied.

The Maryland State Fire Marshal's Office has determined that the explosion involved propane gas that was used for heating and cooking in the home. Further details of the explosion are still under investigation.

The American Red Cross was on the scene assisting residents whose homes were severely damaged.

Units from the Mt. Airy, Lisbon, Winfield, Sykesville, Damascus, New Windsor, West Friendship, Laytonsville, and Howard County DFRS responded to the scene. The Maryland State Fire Marshal's Office, Maryland State Police, Carroll County Sheriff's Office, Howard County Police, and Carroll County Building Inspectors all participated in the scene security or investigation of the incident.

Fire and Rescue units cleared the scene at approximately 0730 hours (7:30 am), but investigating agencies were on the scene well in to the afternoon.

Story Courtesy of: PIO Douglas Alexander

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May 8, 2009 - Co. 17 Drills on the New Engine 717
Members from the Laytonsville District Volunteer Fire Department took Engine 717 to the Howard County Line to drill on the new engine. The drill consisted of going over all of the equipment and drafting. The members also got to use the foam since the new engine has a Cafs System.

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May 1, 2009 - Co. 17 Responds for a PIC at Rt. 108 and Brink Rd.
Company 17 Units were dispatched to the intersection of Rt. 108 and Brink Rd. for the PIC. Rescue Squad 717 (Capt. Baker) arrived on scene to find two vehicles involved. Rescue Squad 717's crew stabilized the vehicle as there was one patient still inside the vehicle. The patient was evaluated by Ambulance 717's crew and then released with no injuries.

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May 1, 2009 - Co. 17 Responds for a PIC at Rt. 108 and Muncaster Rd.
Company 17 Units were dispatched to the area of Rt. 108 and Muncaster Rd. for the PIC. Rescue Squad 717 (Capt. Baker) arrived on scene with three vehicles involved. Chief 717B (M. Richards) arrived on scene and had Rt. 108 command. Ambulance 717 (K. Magruder) arrived on scene and assisted in patient care and transported one patient to a nearby hospital for further evaluation.

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April 30, 2009 - Co. 17 Participates in the Every 15 Minutes Program
Company 17 participated in the Every 15 Minute Program that was held at Magruder High School. This program demonstrates how drinking and driving can cause serious injury and or death. This program is held in Montgomery County at several public high schools during Prom season. 

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Click for additional images courtesy of Magruder High School

April 29, 2009 - Chief 717 Responds Mutual Aid to Frederick for a House Fire
Chief 717 (Sutton) responded on a Frederick County Co. 15 house fire. Command assigned Chief 717 to side charlie/delta division. The fire was caused by a lawn mower that was put in a shed before it had time to cool off.

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April 27, 2009 - Co. 17 Responds on Box 28-11
Company 17 Units were dispatched for a building fire. Engine 728 arrived on scene with light smoke showing. Engine Tanker 717 (Capt. Crawford) assisted in checking for extension over the fire. The fire was controlled by the fire sprinkler system.

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April 25, 2009 - Co. 17 Responds for a House Fire in First Due Area
Company 17 Units were dispatched for a house fire on Mayhill Dr. Engine 717 (Capt. Kapp) arrived on scene with smoke showing. Rescue Squad 717 (Lt. Baker) arrived on scene and immediately did a quick search and aggressively opened up the ceiling so the engine company could gain access to the fire to extinguish. The fire was started by a hot plate that was left on, on the back deck of the home. 

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April 25, 2009 - MSFA Rural Water Supply Drill
Tanker 717 and Chief 717 (Sutton) attended a rural water supply drill hosted by Marlboro.  Companies throughout Maryland participated in the drill.  The goal and objective was to maintain 500 gallons per minute for two hours.  All companies participating did a good job achieving this goal. 

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April 13, 2009 - Co. 17 Responds for a Structure Fire in Co. 29's Area
Company 17 Units were dispatched on Box 29-23 for the KFC/Taco Bell on Gunners Branch Road.  Company 29 was on the scene with fire through the roof of the structure.  Due to the unknown amount of fire in the ceiling, units were instructed to go to a defensive attack.  Engine Tanker 717 (Giza) arrived on the scene and took third due responsibilities.  Rescue Squad 717 (Sutton) established the RIC.  We have seen this before.  Fire starts in the mulch and works its way up the exterior walls.

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