The Firehouse Report

By Jim Jarboe

As June 30, 2015, the Takoma Park Volunteer Fire Department and the personnel of the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service assigned to the station have responded to 326 firerelated incidents in 2015. The department addressed or assisted with 1,608 rescue or ambulance related incidents for a total of 1,934.

Totals for 2014 were 306 and 1,381, representing an increase of 247 incidents.

During the month of June 2015, the Takoma Park volunteers put in a total 808.5 hours of standby time at the station, compared to 1,328.5 in June 2014. Grand totals as of June 2015 are 8,073.5 hours, compared to 7,697 hours in 2014, an increase of 378.5 hours.

Maryland fire deaths

The Maryland State Fire Marshal Office reported 35 people have died in fires in July, compared to 37 in July 2014.

Safety Message

In the event of a power failure, the use of candles are not recommended. Should you use them, they should never be left unattended.

Award-winning firefighters

Takoma Park VFD members received a number of awards at the 2015 June Maryland State Firemen’s Association Convention. Among them were the Hall of Fame Award, to Chief Tom Musgrove; the Family Appreciation Award, to the Willey Family (including father and mother Richard and Tina, son Andrew and daughter Ashlee); and the EMS Top Responder Award to EMT Jorge Alfaro. Alfaro also received a nominee certificate for “EMT of the Year Award.”

A special recognition award went to FF/EMT Adam Bearne from the Montgomery County Fire Rescue Service, which named him “EMS Provider of the Month” for performing the Heimlich Maneuver, saving the life of a choking victim. Lt. Ervin Wirth, MCFRS presented the award. Congratulations to all!

This article appeared in the August 2015 edition of the Takoma Park Newsletter. The Takoma Park Newsletter is available for download here.